H-E-B Awards Emergency Aid Grant to Help CIS Families

No store does more: $10K to Communities In Schools of Houston bolsters support of students and families impacted by COVID-19

As Communities In Schools of Houston (CIS) addresses record need during the COVID-19 pandemic, the nonprofit’s work to provide emergency aid to Houston-area students and families has received a critical boost thanks to a $10,000 grant from H-E-B.

Partnering with education leaders and community organizations to support students across Greater Houston, CIS has more than 200 student support specialists –who normally are embedded on campuses across Houston— working remotely to break down any barriers to students' success in school and life.

“Together with educators and caring community partners like H-E-B, CIS is helping ease the hardship for thousands of Houston-area students and their families,” CIS of Houston CEO Lisa Descant said.

H-E-B has been an ongoing supporter of CIS of Houston, most recently donating $10,000 to the organization at its annual gala in addition to the COVID-19 relief grant. The new grant will help CIS fund aid and provide immediate assistance, from access to food and utilities to technology and mental health support.

“We are committed to supporting CIS staff on the front lines, working hard to help families in our community during this pandemic and in the days that follow,” H-E-B Corporate Giving Manager Kristina Jewasko said.

CIS of Houston—a 501c3 nonprofit that consistently earns a 4-star fiscal responsibility distinction from Charity Navigator—is funded in part by generous donations. A COVID-19 Response Fund has been set up by CIS to help more families during the pandemic.

This 2019-20 school year, CIS student support specialists have been called to help more than 125,000 students in Houston ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Alief ISD, Aldine ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Southwest Schools, and Lone Star Colleges.