Who We Are
Mission: To empower children and their families to reach their full potential by surrounding students with a community of support through advocacy, education, and services that empower them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Children First/Communities in Schools is a nonprofit organization providing support and resources to elementary school-age children in Buncombe County. Children First/Communities in Schools envisions a community where children and youth are highly valued and are provided the maximum opportunity to reach their full potential.
Children First/CIS is a partner in the Asheville Buncombe Middle Grades Network, which utilizes a collective impact strategy that brings together Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools, and community partners around a shared vision of creating success-ready 9th-graders and improving graduation rates.
What We Do
Children First/CIS offers the following programs and services to children, youth, and their families who are living with crisis or economic disadvantages:
- Family Resource Centers at Emma Elementary and Estes Elementary help families by providing a food pantry, clothing closet, and parent classes.
- After School Enrichment at Learning Centers and Homework Clubs provides homework help, healthy snacks, and enrichment activities for elementary-school aged youth, as well as opportunities for parent involvement.
- Summer Camp provides fun and unique summer recreational activities for third through sixth graders.
- Project POWER/AmeriCorps Program provides mentoring and enrichment activities to Buncombe County youth.
- Student Support Specialists at Emma, Estes, Claxton, and Johnston Elementary and Eblen Intermediate schools, connect students and their families to critical community resources tailored to their needs and provide students with a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult, a safe place to learn and grow, and a healthy start and future.
In addition to direct services, Children First/CIS provides advocacy and community education to raise awareness of, and develop sustainable solutions to, issues affecting children and families and reducing poverty.
