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Testimonials
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Communities in Schools Refuses to Give Up on At-Risk Kids
Counselors and classmates felt Luis was a threat, a danger to himself and others, and he didn't graduate high school with his peers. Yet Elizabeth Mejia, executive director of Communities in Schools, counts his case as one of the program's most memorable and successful.
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Dominique Houser
Who Would Have Thought?
"Who would have ever thought that I would be visiting an actual property manager's office?" Such was the thoughts in Dominique Houser's mind as she
was invited to join the Communities In Schools of Miami's school to work mentor program.
According to Dominique, who graduated from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, "being in the mentor program was one of the best things I've ever
done." Dominique was matched with a mentor from KW Property Management Company. The once quiet senior blossomed, eventually earning a summer job as
an Assistant Manager at one of the KWPM properties. The position was right up her alley, as she would like to pursue a degree in Hospitality and
Tourism at Miami Dade College.
Dominique's journey to graduation has not been easy having lost her mother to a rare form of lung cancer after battling with the illness for many
years. Since then Dominique has struggled just to stay afloat. With all of the obstacles she has faced in her young life, she considers herself a
stronger person today thanks to the support of Communities In Schools of Miami.
Dominique was invited to attend the HBI National Summit in New Orleans where she presented on a Youth Panel about the impact of mentoring. She has
also been awarded the Patsy and Herman Smith Fund Scholarship through the Home Builders Institute to assist with transportation and college
expenses.
Who would have thought? CIS of Miami definitely thought and believed in Dominique!
Jenny
My name is Jenny Espinales and I'm a senior at COPE South. I got pregnant at the age of 15 and had to leave my magnet school William H. Turner Tech
High School which I loved. I decided to come to COPE because I knew it would be best for my baby and me.
Before CIS I was struggling with the FCAT and was unsure of college and if I even wanted to attend. People have told me that college was hard and
overwhelming. So I started thinking about getting a certificate, not knowing that these certificates wouldn't really help me get a good job in the
long run. Once I started participating in CIS programs everything changed for me. I began to look forward to what the program would offer me. At
first I was just signing up for CIS things in hopes to get out of class.
Last year the school signed me up for tutoring with the CIS tutor and was not looking forward to it. But soon I found out my tutor taught reading
in an interesting way. She really motivated me to go to tutoring and try hard to pass the FCAT and improve my score.
The Mentor Program has also played an important part in my success. Last year I didn't really get to meet with my mentor that often, but the few
times I did we discussed college basics. This year I joined the mentor program wanting to be more involved and looked forward to being paired. I
really love meeting with my mentor at State Farm. Even outside the mentor program trips we stay in touch through texting.
Ms. Arroyo and I have a close bond. She does not just tell me what to do but cares about where I am heading in the future. She cares about me
looking like a respectful woman and encouraged me to take out my lip piercing. I thought about Ms. Arroyo telling me it wasn't professional and
everyday looked in the mirror and saw an unserious and unprofessional person. I looked like someone from the flea market. I knew that people's first
impression of me is not the impression I wanted them to have of me. So after months of consideration I finally took it off. And now I see myself as
a Professional CSI crime scene investigator.
I am looking forward to college and majoring in criminal justice. I also hope to stay in contact with Ms. Arroyo and my mentor. I really hope that
future students take advantage of CIS because it has really made me successful.
Tashema
Tashema, a sophomore high school student from Corporate Academy North (CAN), had a 1.0 grade point average and was full of attitude and anger.
Sonise Carri, Communities In Schools of Miami's Site Coordinator at CAN, noticed Tashema's attitude and need for help. When offered CIS of Miami's
Bridges to Graduation tutoring services, Tashema refused, claiming that she didn't need anyone to help her. Ms. Carri approached the principal at
CAN and suggested that Tashema be mandated to receive tutoring. Tashema reluctantly agreed, and the CIS of Miami tutor patiently worked with her
and gave her time to embrace the service. That same year, Communities In Schools of Miami started a Book Club, and Ms. Carri asked Tashema if she
would like to join. Again, Tashema refused. But several weeks later, Tashema finally sat in on a Book Club session and discovered she enjoyed it.
She later shared that she was a poor reader and very self-conscious about it. Her involvement in the Book Club gave her the encouragement she needed
to ask for help with reading and to take risks in reading out loud. Once Tashema realized that Communities In Schools of Miami's staff truly cared
for her, she began to build trust and self-confidence, request more services to help her do better in school, and even enrolled in the Bridges'
mentor program.
By the time Tashema was a senior, she had participated in the tutoring and mentor program for three years, and received numerous other CIS of Miami
services. Her attitude changed; she became more respectful, caring and understanding. Her grade point average increased to a 2.1, meeting the
requirement to successfully graduate. Proud of Tashema's achievements, Ms. Carri asked if she would share her story at the Communities In Schools
of Miami annual fundraising gala, where more than 150 guests would hear her speak. Her testimony touched many at the gala, even inspiring one guest
to give her a scholarship to continue her education. Tashema is now attending Miami Dade College. Her story says it all: Communities In Schools of
Miami provides the support that empowers our students to graduate and achieve in life.
Ana Zelaya
These last three years of being in the mentor program have been well worth it. I made a lot of new friends and met a lot of memorable, influential
speakers. Being in this program has had me become great friends with one of the greatest people I know, Sharokina. I have learned to trust her and
confide in her whenever it felt necessary. She has taught me that I should keep striving for the best, regardless of what setbacks I encounter. She
has been there for me through thick and thin. I know I can count on her. Since she has been mentoring met, my attitude on life has gotten a lot
better. I can see myself attending college and becoming a crime scene investigator. I would like to thank CIS of Miami for giving me the opportunity
to be in the mentor program.
"A Place for Justice"
Justice, one of our students at our Miami Rescue Mission's after school program, is truly a work in progress. We are happy to say that we found a
peaceful place for little Justice in Communities In Schools of Miami, Inc.
It was a challenge to discover a way to get Justice to remain a part of our program. When he first arrived, it was very difficult to manage his
explosive behavior, he would fight us constantly. My staff and I would have to run behind him to keep him from his destructive behavior like trying
to leave the building and constantly sneaking away from his assigned group. He needed constant supervision and one on one attention that we just
can't provide due to staff limitations. Justice made it very difficult for our tutors who attempted to work with him. His behavior reached the point
where he had to be removed from the classroom setting. Through a planning meeting with staff, partners, and parents, we came up with a strategy to
help Justice improve his behavior so that he can be a part of the program an interact with the other students. It was apparent that Justice was not
taking some needed medication for his special needs. However, the parents refused to cooperate so we had to find alternative solutions.
We met with Justice and asked him to become a program helper. Every day he was given a special role to play in the program. Justice would shadow
either the Site Coordinator or the Head tutor for the day. We explained how we would like to work out a behavior modification program where he would
be rewarded daily, if he complied. After he had agreed, we finally began to see a positive change in Justice's behavior.
As time progressed, we allowed him to color alone, but always in eye view of an adult. We gave him positive reinforcement, like hugs and praises
when he did better. More time had passed and Justice opened up to us and shared how he loves computers. Thankfully, we just received a brand new
computer lab, fully furnished, by the Miami Heat.
Justice is a very bright young man. It is amazing to see the transformation in his behavior. He has now become a very calm and sweet young man. You
would never had expected, or even think, that he would have ever acted as he had done so in the past. We now can talk to him, and he responds in a
polite and positive manner. Soon, it came time for our end of the year awards ceremony. Justice received the "Most Improved Student of the Year
Award" hands down. It is truly an honor and joy to see lives changed by love and patience.
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