Communities in Schools: Empowering Students to Stay in School and Achieve in Life

Communities In Schools works within the public school system, determining student needs and establishing relationships with local businesses, social service agencies, health care providers, and parent and volunteer organizations to provide needed resources.

Many children face challenges both inside and outside the classroom. Through a school-based coordinator, Communities In Schools strategically aligns and delivers needed resources so that students can focus on learning.

The Communities In Schools network is active in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Our nearly 200 local affiliates serve the lowest performing schools and the students most vulnerable to dropping out. Check our list to see if there is an affiliate near you.

Find your affiliate:  Click here.

Ride with Me for Autism 2011

Ride with Me for Autism

A Great Ride for a Great Cause

The American Academy of Pediatrics announced in October, 2009, that one out of 91 children is being diagnosed with autism today and 1 out of 58 boys are affected. Tragically, roughly one percent of American children are now on the autism spectrum. There is a great need for families to obtain early intervention services and ongoing support for their loved one(s) throughout their life span. This puts a great emotional and financial hardship on the majority of families, because services and support do not come easily.

Ride with Me for Autism enables us to raise funding for Autism awareness, to give assistance, provide support and to help fulfill the needs of families who battle with Autism.

Read more.

Sue Scheff: Charity Gift Cards - A Perfect Gift for Many

During the holiday season many struggle with gift ideas, especially for those that either have everything or difficult to buy for. Charity Gift Cards have become a growing and successful way to not only give the gift of kindness and generosity, but allows the recipient to choose the charity of their choice.

According to MSNBC: There's a reason why gift cards are so popular this time of year - they fill a need. You don't have to worry about giving something the recipient doesn't want or need. You provide the money and they do the shopping.

Charity gift cards take this concept to the next level. You make a charitable donation but the recipient chooses which charity receives it.

"It's a meaningful gift," says Joan Barbieri of San Luis Obispo, Calif. "Everyone already has so much stuff and doesn't need any more."

Herb Weisbaum, The ConsumerMan and MSNBC Contributor, recently wrote a column about TisBest.org.

"We don't want to get rid of gift giving," says Erik Marks, TisBest's founder. "But once people get material wealth, giving each other more stuff just doesn't make a lot of sense."

Recipients can "spend" the TisBest card at 250 national non-profits. About half are familiar names, such as the ASPCA and UNICEF. The rest are what Marks calls "unique charities" that are doing "new, exciting and innovative stuff" but are not high-visibility. These include Girls on the Run, Jacob's Pillow Dance, and the National Hospice Foundation.

This does make sense and also inspires you to get into the spirit of paying it forward and giving back!

Visit http://www.tisbest.org/ today and order your gifts that give! Also on Examiner.

Sue Scheff: Trees for Troops

The Trees for Troops program donates thousands of Christmas trees to military personnel.

Trees for Troops weekend starts December 4th through December 6th.

What: Consumers can buy a tree to send to the troopsWhere: At participating farms and lots. Click here for a list (pdf). (If this link doesn't take you directly to the list, go to Charitable Programs, Trees for Troops page for FAQ and scroll down to see if there is a location near you.

Note: If there are no locations near you, you can make a donation on-line or by mail.

Why: Consumers have been asking how they can help with the Trees for Troops program

If you are in Broward County, those who purchase Christmas Trees at Calvary Chapel Sawgrass Church in Davie (1775 S. Flamingo Road) will be able to donate trees to the cause. For more information visit www.treesfortroops.org or call locally (754) 422-2861.

Reminder: Holiday Safety Tips

Cards That Give is another charitable organization to help others.
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