United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s (UWGLV) partner, Communities In Schools of the Lehigh Valley, recently announced that its name changed to Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CISEasternPA). CISEasternPA seeks to remove the nonacademic barriers that prevent students from achieving academically and in life.
The name change was prompted by rapid growth and high demand for the partner agency’s critical student support services. In the 2020-2021 school year, the local Communities In School affiliate will serve over 7,000 students in local schools, connecting them with after-school and summer learning programs, academic enrichment, physical and behavioral health services, and resources for their families like food and housing. This year, the agency is expanding to serve 41 schools in Northampton, Lehigh, and Berks County, including four additional Berks County districts.
“Changing the name to Eastern Pennsylvania represents a huge milestone for Communities in Schools,” said Beth Tomlinson, Senior Director of Education at UWGLV. “We are so proud to see their footprint and impact grow.”
CISEasternPA works in 11 UWGLV Community Schools, where one point-person, a Community School Coordinator, connects families to resources, events and programs that combined make for a safer, healthier, and more stable learning environment. Community School Coordinators ensure supports are in place to address each Community School’s unique challenges, such as chronic absenteeism or low reading proficiency.
Along with the new designation, the CISEasternPA has also launched a new website, www.ciseasternpa.org. Updated Facebook and Twitter account handles are @CISEasternPA. Partners and schools that use the organization’s logo within newsletters, announcements, or websites are encouraged to update their materials and help share the new brand image and name.