Nora Garcia

Communities In Schools of Chicago is a nonprofit organization that empowers over 80,000 students annually across 250 public schools by surrounding them with a supportive community to help them stay in school and succeed in life. The non-profit company is based in Chicago, IL. The organization also offers initiatives such as student recognition awards, internships for graduate students, and corporate engagement opportunities. It emphasizes social justice, integrity, and collaboration with school leaders, community partners, and a dedicated leadership team, and provides training, research, and advocacy opportunities. Founded in 1988, the organization operates two primary programs: the partnership program, which connects students and families to a network of over 2,000 community resources addressing mental health, academic support, enrichment, wellness, and essential needs; and the intensive program, which embeds staff in 40 schools to provide individualized, case-managed support focused on improving attendance, behavior, grades, and social-emotional skills.