CRYSTAL, Laurens County

I first became a student at Communities In Schools in 2001. However, before my mom even knew we had such a program in Dublin my sister and I were latch-key kids. We rode the bus, let ourselves into the apartment, and did our homework on our own. But once we were signed up in the after-school program at CIS, our whole routine changed. We were able to ride the bus with our friends, eat an afternoon snack, and receive one-on-one help with our homework. My mom didn’t worry about us being alone or getting into any trouble because we had a safe place to stay until she got off of work. Since we loved the after school program so much, we decided to attend the CIS summer program as well. It was unlike any program I’d been in prior to that – we participated in various camps, our minds were academically challenged, and we were able to eat breakfast and lunch. And all of this was free of charge!

In 2005, I participated in the CIS summer program as a volunteer, and I loved it! It felt so good to give back to the program that had provided me with so much when I was growing up. Every summer I looked forward to volunteering at CIS because it was something that made me feel good and I was contributing back. Up until this school year, my senior year, I've been active as a student in the after school Teen Program. But this year I have been employed with the AmeriCorps Program where I have been placed at, none other than, the local CIS in my area!! I am so excited to be working there and helping younger students progress academically and vocationally in their lives!

As a senior at Dublin High School, I am involved in a plethora of school and community activities. A few of my favorites would have to be: Dublin-Laurens County Teen Court Program, Nursing Home volunteer, Student YMCA, 3AA Extemporaneous Speaker, and I have also been selected to serve on Superintendent Kathy Cox's Student Advisory Council with 52 other high school students in the state. I can truly say that Communities In Schools has aided me in developing my social, organizational, and leadership skills that have prepared me for the positions that I now hold and a successful future!