During 2009-2010, CIS of Durham directly served 1,400 children and caregivers and indirectly served an additional 3,000 teachers and students.
From Bud Lavery, Executive Director:
I often tell my staff that I'm a numbers guy. I love data, the crucial foundation of Communities In Schools (CIS) of Durham’s evidence-based programs. Because without the research and data, how do we know that our programs are making a difference? I’m thrilled to let you know that during 2009-2010:
- 100% of surveyed students in the Durham READS program agreed their reading skills improved since participating in the program. 98% of surveyed students indicated they wanted to read more because of the program;
- The Durham Performance Learning Center’s innovative educational structure enabled 124 at-risk kids to graduate from high-school;
- The Incredible Years and the Strengthening Families Program served more than 100 families. Studies show these initiatives significantly improve parent-child interaction, reduce parents' use of violent discipline, and reduce behavioral problems in children.
As much as I talk about the empirical data that shows that our initiatives truly work, I’m even more motivated by the heart-opening stories of the children and families I meet through our programs. Like Ikeema, a recent Incredible Years graduate who told me that the program "saved my family!" Or the parent who said that Durham READS was "the best thing to happen to my child."
