This past holiday and winter season, a community came together to surround 100 students and their families at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School with the support they needed.
Through the Angel Tree program, led by CIS Site Coordinator Ms. Tameka DePriest, $10,000 was raised to ensure that each participating student received a $100 gift card, winter wear, and other essential items. For more than ten years, CIS at MLK has been facilitating this opportunity for students and families, and while the program has taken different forms over the years, this marks the first time we’ve reached the $10,000 milestone. This initiative represents something much bigger than holiday gifts—it’s what happens when partners show up to remove barriers so kids can focus on learning and growing.
The Power of Partnership
The CIS model of Integrated Student Support depends on partners who believe every student deserves the tools they need to take control of the future they want for themselves. At MLK, that commitment came alive through partnerships that addressed real needs.
The Life Church provided food to each Angel Tree family. Threads Uniform Agency stepped up with new coats and knit hats to keep our students warm. When basic needs like warm clothing and food are met, students can be present, engaged, and ready to learn.
As Ms. DePriest often reminds her students: “See what good things happen when you come to school every day?”
Champions for Students
This work cannot be done without partners who are all in for our students. Thank you to the following organizations and individuals who made this Angel Tree program possible:
31st Cares, Inc. • 31st Street Baptist Church • A Different World LLC • Befriend • Beulah Baptist Church • Eta Xi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. • First Presbyterian Church • Fundamental Community Care Services, LLC • Mt. Nebo Baptist Church • New Shelter Church • Rock Spring Baptist Church • Star Fellowship Baptist Church • Vignettes Home Staging • Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice • Jasmine Armistead, family & friends • Joyce Thomas • Jaquan Smith • Lamont Noble • Dustin Robinson • The Road Runners • Mervin Mayo • Geoffrey Thieke • Church Hill Association of Richmond
When we surround students with a community of support, they stay—and succeed—in school. On behalf of Communities In Schools of Richmond and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, thank you for being champions for our students. Thank you for showing up.
Communities In Schools of Richmond surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
