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CEOLetter
Almost 15 million students nationwide are classified
as chronically absent from school. In Duval County Public Schools, more than 30% of students missed 21 or more days during the 2023-2024 school year. And the barriers to regular attendance are only growing with students facing challenges like unstable housing, lack of transportation, and other hardships that can make getting to school increasingly difficult.
While Communities In Schools of Jacksonville can’t control these factors, one thing remains certain—our commitment to showing up and building a caring relationship with our students and families in need.
Sometimes showing up means sitting by a student’s side helping her read. Sometimes it means engaging a student after school, keeping him safe and fed while teaching
him to play a new instrument. Other times it may mean providing a family with food and resources to get them stabilized. But, most of all, it means offering consistent support, day after day, showing them that we believe in them, no matter the challenges they face.
When our dedicated case workers and the Jacksonville community unite, we change lives. In fact, just this past year, we positively impacted 5,731 students across 38 Duval County schools.
As we commemorate our organization’s 35th anniversary, let’s pause to celebrate the positive change we’ve already created. Then let’s rededicate ourselves
to moving forward - ensuring that our support and resources continue to benefit students and families for decades to come.
With the strength of the Jacksonville community behind us, there are no limits to what we can achieve.
Thank you for your continued dedication and support. Sincerely,
Leon Baxton,
CEO, Communities In Schools of Jacksonville
ourLeadership
Erin Mangan
Jerome Baltazar
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Development Officer
Bryan Jones
Director, Afterschool
Twilla Washington
Director, Case Management
Sharneka Rollins
Director, Literacy