Backed by the strength of a statewide network, Communities In Schools established a presence in the Southside region of the commonwealth in the 2024 school year.
Our Mission:
Surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Our Belief:
CIS-VA Communities In Schools of Virginia in Southside believes that transformative relationships are key to unlocking an individual’s inherent potential. We are committed to ensuring all students in Virginia, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstances, have access to opportunities and resources to thrive in school and beyond.
What We Do
When CIS is present inside schools, we work with other support staff to bring in community resources and partners to help meet the needs of the school and of students and families. We do this through the work of our site coordinators, who have access to local resources and partners to address local needs. We take this on so school administrators can focus on running the school and teachers can focus on teaching.
We work in collaboration with the school to provide whole-school, small group and individual support including:
- Attendance support
- Academic assistance
- Behavioral support
- Family Engagement
- College & Career Readiness
- Enrichment activites including after-school programs, STEAM, mentoring, and more
Leadership
Willie Gillus, Jr.
Director of Embedded Programs, Interim Program Director Danville
Crystal Cobbs
Program Director, Danville
Kyenna Benjamin-Judkins
Program Director, Greensville/Lunenburg
Schools and Student Support Coordinators
Danville Public Schools
Bonner Middle School
Brenda David
Westwood Middle School
Bailey Wray
George Washington High School
Justin Bethea
Breniyah Henderson
E.A. Gibson Elementary School
Ismaeli Carter
Greensville County Public Schools
Greensville Elementary
Armani Anderson
Wyatt Middle School
Ihsaana Whitaker
Greensville High School
Tammy Vincent
Lunenburg County Public Schools
Lunenburg Middle School
Lindsay Winslow
Central High School
Raymond Alexander
Get Involved!
CIS of Virginia in Southside is growing! We are forging new partnerships throughout the Southside region and are actively engaging with local partners and the community to best support students and families in the ways they need it most.
