Fostering Dreams & Impacting Lives
Fostering Dreams & Impacting Lives:
The Chamber’s Workforce Development Alliance, Crosby Scholars and CIS
By Jess Vess and James Davis
The Rowan Chamber’s Workforce Development Alliance brings together employers and education agencies for monthly meetings. The purpose is to share information about all the wonderful things our community has to offer for life-long learning. Crosby Scholars Rowan and Communities in Schools (CIS) report at every meeting on the ways the business community can get involved with education. These trailblazers in education non-profits have been making significant strides in Rowan County / Salisbury, NC, creating ripples of impact that extend far beyond the classroom walls.
What is Crosby Scholars?
Since its inception 10 years ago in Rowan County, Crosby Scholars has been dedicated to helping local students achieve their dreams of pursuing higher education by providing them with essential tools, resources, and support throughout their academic journey.
The Rowan County Crosby Scholars Community Partnership is a non-profit college access organization dedicated to helping all students attending a public middle or high school in Rowan County. Crosby Scholars helps prepare students academically, personally, and financially for college admission and other post-secondary opportunities based on the student’s needs, aptitudes, and dreams.
Rowan’s program is modeled after the successful program in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, which has a 30-year history of providing academic training, financial aid and college application workshops, advisory services, and college tours.
It is our belief that every student who has the desire to go to college should have the opportunity to attend. We strive to help students and parents navigate the ever-changing world of college admissions and financial aid so that the doors of opportunity remain open to all students.
The program provides FREE academic training, college and financial aid workshops, advisory services, campus tours, and Last Dollar Grant Scholarships based on unmet need, to all students willing to complete the requirements of the program. All sixth-through-tenth grade students in Rowan County are eligible to apply and join the program during the Fall Open Enrollment period.
What is Communities in Schools?
In a world where far too many students face obstacles that hinder their academic and personal growth, Communities in Schools (CIS) in Salisbury, NC, stands as a beacon of unwavering support. CIS is a nation-wide network of passionate professionals who work within schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. With a strong belief that every child deserves a chance to succeed, CIS works relentlessly to remove barriers that hinder students from reaching their full potential. CIS provides volunteer training for individuals who would like to mentor elementary students. The goal is to make sure that children are ready at their grade level by the third grade.
Partners in Education
The seamless integration of Crosby Scholars Rowan and Communities in Schools (CIS) has given birth to a powerful collaboration, extending the reach of their impact further and deeper into the community. Through shared goals and a unified vision, these two organizations have been able to create a holistic approach to education, addressing the multifaceted needs of students, and fostering a nurturing environment for growth and success. This is evident in the Why Try initiatives both programs embody. The programs focus on initiatives that involve hands-on strategies and resources to help motivate students, support students with trauma, improve engagement, and increase academic success.
Crosby Scholars’ commitment to guiding students through their academic journey, coupled with Communities in Schools’ focus on providing comprehensive support, creates a safety net that catches students before they fall and empowers them to rise to their full potential. By investing in the potential of young minds, Crosby Scholars and CIS are not only changing individual lives but also laying the groundwork for a brighter, more prosperous community. For more information, contact: Jess Vess
Crosby Scholars, (704) 762-3512,www.crosbyscholarsrowan.org or James Davis, CIS, (704) 797-0210, www.cisrowan.org
