Communities In Schools of Washington

THIS is what showing up for students looks like. 💚🙌

We’re incredibly grateful to U.S. Bank for presenting Communities In Schools of Washington with a $50,000 gift at the town hall before the Seattle Storm game. This generous investment helps us continue surrounding students across Washington with the people, resources, and support they need to thrive.

A huge thank you to CISWA Board Member James Payne for helping make this incredible partnership possible and to U.S. Bank for showing up alongside us for Washington’s students.

Want your company to make an impact, too? Explore ways to partner with CISWA: https://ciswa.org/corporate-engagement/

💚 For 35 years in Washington, the Communities In Schools network has been there for students and families, helping connect young people with the relationships and resources they need to succeed.

To celebrate this milestone, we’re inviting you to join our 35.35 Giving Circle with a monthly gift of just $35.35.

Your ongoing support helps us continue showing up for students across Washington through the school year and beyond, whenever they need someone in their corner.

🎉 Celebrate 35 years with us.
💚 Invest in the years ahead.
🙌 Join the 35.35 Giving Circle today: https://ciswa.org/35-35/

Our hearts are with the students, families, educators, first responders, and communities across Eastern Washington impacted by the current wildfires.❤️

Conditions and evacuation zones can change quickly. Please follow local emergency officials and use these trusted resources for the latest information:

🚨 Check current Spokane-area evacuation zones:
Spokane Regional Emergency Communications Evacuation Map
https://www.spokane911.com/evacuation-map.html

🏠 Find an open emergency shelter:
American Red Cross Shelter Locator
https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html | 1-800-733-2763

🔥 Current Washington wildfire information:
Washington DNR Wildfire Portal
https://dnr.wa.gov/wildfire-resources/current-wildfire-incident-information/wildfire-portal

🚗 Road closures and travel conditions:
WSDOT Real-Time Travel Information
https://wsdot.wa.gov/

💨 Smoke and air-quality updates:
Washington Smoke Blog
https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

To everyone opening their doors, checking on neighbors, caring for animals, providing resources, and working to keep our communities safe: thank you.

Eastern Washington, we are standing with you. Please stay safe, follow evacuation guidance, and share these resources with anyone who may need them. ❤️

Washington Smoke Blog Welcome to the Washington Smoke blog, a partnership between state, county, and federal agencies, and Tribes. We coordinate to collectively share information for Washington communities affected by wildfire smoke.

Decisions made close to home help shape our schools, neighborhoods, community resources, transportation, youth programs, and the support available to families across Washington.

That’s why staying informed and engaged matters. When communities show up, speak up, and participate, we help build stronger places for young people to learn, grow, and thrive.

Reminder to submit your ballot by Tuesday, August 4th! Local decisions can create lasting change for kids and families.

Join the movement and help students thrive when they go back to school! 🎒

Communities In Schools network affiliates across Washington have several impactful events lined up this July through August:

Greater King County:
• Backpack Drive

Lakewood:
• Annual State Fair Supply Drive

North Central Washington:
• Walmart Storefront for Student Success
• Moses Lake Care Fair
• 2nd Annual CISNCW Golf Tournament

Puyallup:
• Fill the Canoe
• Hope Encounter
• Free Fair Day

Tacoma:
• Stuff the Bus

Whatcom Skagit:
• Ready, Set, Thrive! Back to School Basic Needs Drive

Explore the full list and check back often to learn how you can get involved and support events happening in your local community. Find all the details at ciswa.org/network-events

What an incredible night at the Seattle Storm game! 🏀💚

On Tuesday, Communities In Schools of Washington had the honor of being featured in U.S. Bank’s Community Spotlight. From sharing our story during the U.S. Bank Town Hall to connecting with fans at our table and being recognized during the game, the evening gave us an exciting opportunity to celebrate the people and partnerships helping students across Washington succeed.

The energy was especially memorable with more than 18,000 fans in attendance -- the Storm’s largest crowd of the year!

A heartfelt thank-you to U.S. Bank for its generous donation and continued partnership, and to Esther Richmond and CISWA Board Member James Payne for championing our mission. We are also grateful to the Seattle Storm for welcoming us and shining a light on organizations working to strengthen communities across our state.

We are proud to have such an incredible community by our side as we continue surrounding students with the relationships and resources they need to stay in school and thrive in life.

Yesterday we had the honor of hosting Gwynth Nelson, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Washington, for an afternoon in the Blue Mountain Region! 🌟

Our first stop was Greenpark Elementary, where Student & Community Advocate Kristi Richard walked Gwynth through her monthly attendance challenges, showed off the school's food and clothing pantry, and shared the 5th grade leadership program she's built from the ground up.

Then it was on to Pioneer Middle School, where Student & Community Advocate Helen Freer welcomed Gwynth into her CIS class, talked through our region's approach to attendance, and sat down with the school's Principal for an hour-plus conversation about the value CIS brings to Pioneer.

It was a full afternoon (sorry, Gwynth! 😊) but we're so grateful she made the trip out to see the heart of what we do — the advocates, the students, and the school partners who make this work possible every day.

Thank you, Gwynth, for seeing us. 💙

Transitioning from the relaxed pace of summer to the structure of a new school year can feel overwhelming for families. As your family prepares for the months ahead, explore tips and resources to help support your child’s health, well-being and success in the classroom.

MultiCare’s partners at Communities In Schools of Washington also host school supply and basic-needs drives across the state, helping students start the school year prepared, confident and ready to learn. https://multica.re/44TVr1b

When students receive individualized, relationship-based support, progress becomes possible in many forms.

Across the CIS WA network, students receiving individualized supports from CIS affiliates made meaningful progress toward their goals:
✅72.5% met or made progress on attendance goals
✅84% met or made progress on academic goals
✅ 91% met or made progress on behavior goals
✅ 92% met or made progress on social-emotional goals

These measurements are reflective of what it looks like when support meets students where they are.

Find out more by downloading our annual report at ciswa.org/annual-report