Volume 1. Issue 6.
July 2019
Provide School Supplies to Students in Need
Every year, thousands of children across the Dallas region go back to school without the tools to learn. Help Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region (CISDR) change the picture this fall by donating to our 2019-20 Back to School Supply Drive. When kids don’t have the supplies that they need, they start out behind. With proper school supplies, students will be prepared for the year to come, teachers won’t have to spend so much out of pocket, and families will have somewhere to turn when in crisis.
Click below to see the full list, or go to http://cisdallas.org/back-to-school/. To get involved with this year’s supply drive, please contact us at 214-827-0955 ext. 217 or cisdev@cisdallas.org.
Thank You to Our Recent Donors!
Each year CISDR impacts thousands of students with our programs. In the 2018-19 school year, CISDR had site coordinators working every day at 58 schools, in 9 school districts, in 5 counties across the Dallas region. The number of schools is expanding in the 2019-20 school year. This would not be possible without adequate funding for the CISDR program. A portion of this funding comes from the Texas Education Agency, another portion comes from the school districts as they see the positive benefit that CISDR brings to the success of their students, but the most important part of CISDR funding comes from individual donations, corporate giving and foundation grants.
Each year CISDR applies for dozens of foundation grants and corporate funding programs available to nonprofit organizations working with K-12 education, specifically the underserved children designated as “at-risk” of academic failure. 

CISDR wants to thank the following foundations and corporations for helping make a positive change to the lives of thousands of children in the Dallas region. If you are a part of these organizations, we say a big THANK YOU! If you work at these companies, we THANK YOU! If you know individuals connected with any of these foundations or corporations, please help share our thanks with them for supporting the important work Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region does in our community.

  • Capital One: Capital One MathCorps and College to Career initiatives
  • Simmons Sisters Fund: CISDR program and infrastructure grant
  • Annie L. Stevens Fund of the Dallas Foundation: CISDR SafetyNet Project (Mental Health)
  • Metrocrest Hospital Authority Fund of the Dallas Foundation: CISDR SafetyNet in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
  • United Way of Metropolitan Dallas Community Impact Grant: CISDR SafetyNet
  • Hoglund Foundation: CISDR SafetyNet
  • The Hirsch Family Foundation: CISDR SafetyNet
Sandy's Scholars Broaden Their Horizons
Sandy's ScholarTrips was founded in 2015 in honor of retired CISDR President & CEO, Sandy Chavarria, with the program starting in 2016. This project provides a summer trip experience for CISDR students — expanding their horizons above and beyond the classroom. This year, for the third summer in a row, CISDR staff planned three respective trips for elementary, middle and high school students who might not otherwise see the world beyond their own neighborhoods.
As in previous years, our 2019 high schoolers went to Washington, DC for a tour of museums, monuments and universities, including the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the National Holocaust Museum, Howard University and Georgetown University. Our middle school students took an overnight trip to Fossil Rim Park in Glen Rose, where they got to hand-feed giraffes and learn about nature. And for the first time this year, our elementary school students visited the Crayola Experience in Plano for a colorful learning adventure. Go to cisdallas.org/sandys-scholartrips to learn more about this initiative and see photos of this year's trips.
Youth and Mental Health Discrimination
Discrimination against youth with mental health challenges begins early and increases over time, causing attitudes to become ingrained. Despite the fact that an overwhelming majority (84%) of Americans believe that people with mental illnesses are not to blame for their conditions, only 57.3% believe that people are generally caring and sympathetic toward individuals with mental illnesses. This percentage is much lower (24.6%) for those who themselves suffer poor mental health.
Misconceptions and Discrimination as a Barrier to Recovery

Misconceptions about people with mental illnesses are prevalent for youth and young adults. Findings from the 2006 HealthStyles Survey suggest that, for those between 18 and 24, fewer than half (44.3%) believe that someone with a mental illness can be successful at work, and only about a quarter (26.9%) believe that a person with mental illness can eventually recover.

Discrimination associated with mental illness poses a large barrier to recovery and is one of the main reasons why people don’t seek help and treatment. Further, an unwillingness to seek help because of the negative attitudes attached to mental health and substance abuse disorders has been found to be one of the risk factors associated with suicide.

What Can Be Done to Limit Discrimination?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has launched an anti-discrimination campaign called What a Difference a Friend Makes. The premise of the campaign is that recovery from mental illness is more likely in a society that is accepting, and that understanding and accepting friends play an important role in recovery.

  • Friends can offer reassurance, companionship, and emotional strength.
  • Friends can express an interest and concern for people with a mental illness by asking questions, listening to ideas, and being responsive.
  • Friends can encourage others to treat mental illness like any other healthcare condition.
  • Friends can dismiss preconceived notions about mental illness and embrace a more helpful way of relating to people.

Resources

What a Difference a Friend Makes gives details to encourage, educate, and inspire people between 18 and 25 to support their friends who are experiencing mental health problems. 

CNN Recommends Mental Health First Aid
CNN recently released an article and video segment titled "Why you should learn Mental Health First Aid." This feature piece by CNN Producer Amy Chillag profiles a Mental Health First Aid class in Ohio, talking to a woman who lost a brother to suicide and a Human Resources manager who has seen her employees struggle with dementia, depression and even psychosis. Thanks to her training, the HR manager was able to get an employee the help he needs.
Since 2017, CISDR has trained hundreds of Dallas area teachers, counselors, and parents in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Sessions are open to all members of the community 18 and over. Join us, get certified, and possibly save a life. Register today at cisdallas.org/mental-health-first-aid/.
Change a Life by Being There!
“To Surround Students with a Community of Support” is an excerpt from the Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region (CISDR) mission statement, but what does this truly mean and how can you be a part of this community and the mission? One key component CISDR using in surrounding students with a community of support is an incredible set of volunteers. We need volunteers who can and will make a commitment to mentor, tutor, and lead small groups. These volunteers need to be available during school hours and must be willing to commit to serving in this capacity on a regular, continual basis and on-going basis throughout the school year.
The children we serve often lack consistency and stability in their lives. By having consistent volunteers who get to know the children, we can provide that foundation of support that each child needs for success. Do you have the time and ability to volunteer at a CISDR campus? Do you know someone who would make a great volunteer? Please share this newsletter and the link below with someone you believe would be a great CISDR volunteer. The newly updated 2019-2020 CISDR Volunteer Application will be available in mid-August at cisdallas.org/volunteer.

The safety of the children we work with is a top priority for CISDR. If you are interested in volunteering with CISDR, you will be ask to complete the volunteer application and submit to a complete background check before working with our students. You can change a child’s life. Volunteer to help during the 2019-2020 school year!
Golf Tournament Just 2 Months Away
With the CISDR Golf Tournament just two months away, we have added several more sponsors for this year's event. Thank you to Diamond Sponsor KPMG, Gold Sponsor AT&T, Silver Sponsor Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner and Bronze Sponsors Laurie & John Scott. Several event sponsorships as well as promotional sponsorships are still available. Please call James Fisher, Chief Development Officer at 214-827-0855 ext. 267 or go to cisdallas.org/golf for more details on the sponsorships available. 
Come join these sponsors, along with Title Sponsor Flowserve, Presenting Sponsor Ryan, and everyone else listed below, at Hackberry Creek Country Club on Monday, September 30. Click the button below to register today, or email cisdev@cisdallas.org for more information.
North Texas Giving Day is September 19
September is fast approaching, and with it comes the 11th annual North Texas Giving Day. This is the Dallas region's biggest giving event, and thanks to the generosity of the Communities Foundation of Texas, there will be chances for CISDR to earn matching donations for your qualifying gift. Mark your calendar for Thursday, September 19, 2019, and stay tuned to our social media for more details on how you can you "get up and give" to Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region!
Buy School Supplies with Amazon Smile
Buying school supplies online? Whether you're purchasing supplies for CISDR or your own kids, you can give a little bit back with Amazon Smile. Use the link below to designate CISDR as your charity of choice. Amazon will then donate 0.5% of your purchases to us.
This program costs nothing extra to you, and every bit that Amazon donates helps to support our mission!

Upcoming CISDR Trainings & Events
August 2019
  • Friday, August 23: Youth Mental Health First Aid

September 2019
  • Friday, September 13: Youth Mental Health First Aid
  • Thursday, September 19: North Texas Giving Day
  • Monday, September 30: 8th Annual CISDR Golf Tournament
Stay Connected to Our Community!
Thank you for taking the time to catch up with CISDR. Please visit cisdallas.org to learn more about us, and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Our Mission
The mission of Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.