Press Release: Communities In Schools of Atlanta Thanks Donors and Partners at Annual Reception

June 26, 2019 Atlanta, GA

For immediate release

Communities In Schools (CIS) of Atlanta held its annual Donor Appreciation Reception this month to thank corporate donors and educational partners, including Atlanta Public Schools, for their commitment and support during the current fiscal year.

The private reception, that took place on June 18 at the home of Bryan and Sylvia Lavine, featured food and entertainment, as well as remarks from CIS of Atlanta’s board treasurer Bryan Lavine, alumni and administrators who explained to donors and supporters how their generosity has contributed to the success of CIS of Atlanta - named by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the top 75 nonprofits in Atlanta.

CIS of Atlanta alumnus, University of Georgia (UGA) rising sophomore and Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle football player (#95), Devonte Wyatt, Jr., personally introduced CIS of Atlanta’s CEO, Frank Brown, at the reception. During high school, Devonte (along with a group of students) accompanied Brown to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) where he rung the well-known bell. After graduating from Towers High School (DeKalb County), Devonte attended Hutchinson Community College located in Kansas, where he made the Honor Roll/Dean’s List and played football. From there, Devonte transferred to UGA where he currently plays defensive tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs’ NCAA football team and majors in sociology. However, Devonte’s transfer from Hutchinson Community College to UGA wasn’t seamless as he was responsible for a $4,000 tuition bill that he and his family simply couldn’t afford. Without hesitation, CIS of Atlanta paid the bill for Devonte to continue his education at UGA.

“Your support, your contributions and your generous spirit have helped us provide financial support not only to Devonte but to numerous CIS of Atlanta alumni who are student athletes and are pursuing their post-secondary education across the country,” Brown told donors. So tonight, we are very happy and thank you for the positive difference we are making together in our community.”

Brown also noted that the work done at CIS of Atlanta could not be done without the support of corporate partners, including The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Pacific, JP Morgan Chase, and Wells Fargo, as well as the Georgia Department of Education (21st Century Community Learning Center grant) and the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC). According to Brown, this year, CIS of Atlanta provided over $165,000 in emergency assistance to current students and alumni. Brown stated, “2020 will be a very challenging fiscal year as CIS of Atlanta will provide more emergency assistance and expand its footprint in DeKalb and Clayton counties to serve more students, including those who are in Georgia’s foster care system. Corporate donations are crucial. However, more donations from individual donors are vital to support CIS of Atlanta’s Annual Fund.”

Special acknowledgements to:

David Jernigan – Deputy Superintendent, Atlanta Pubic Schools Curley Dossman and Beverly Ferguson – Georgia Pacific

Jonathan Parris, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Yglesias Hollins - The Coca-Cola Company

Christina Kristy – Wells Fargo

For more information about CIS of Atlanta’s Annual Fund or to donate, contact Cynthia Moreland at (404) 640-5713 or cmoreland@cisatlanta.org.

Media inquiries contact Lisa Simon at lsimon@cisatlanta.org.

About Communities In Schools of Atlanta

Founded in 1972, Communities In Schools of Atlanta is an award-winning dropout prevention organization that was established in Atlanta, Georgia. Communities In Schools of Atlanta’s mission is to surround students with a community of support; empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. By bringing caring adults into the schools to address children’s unmet needs, we provide the link between educators and the community.