The mission of Communities In Schools of South Central Texas (CIS) is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. CIS is the only school-based independent nonprofit program for at-risk students in our four counties. What sets CIS apart is our holistic approach to addressing both the academic and nonacademic needs of students. Our core beliefs are that all children need and deserve five basic life tools: a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult; a safe place to learn and grow; a marketable skill; a chance to give back; and a healthy future. The foundation of these beliefs is to develop meaningful relationships that result in positive changes in lives of highly at-risk youth, K-12. In most cases this means providing for a student's basic life needs, crisis intervention, therapeutic counseling, health services, role modeling, ongoing encouragement, and safe environments within which to learn. Through school-based social services professionals, CIS connects students to caring adults and critical community resources tailored to their specific needs. CIS recognizes that if basic needs are not met, children are unable to learn. Working with each school's administration, CIS is able to identify those students that require counseling and human services which may include mentoring; parental involvement; health care referrals; academic support; pre-employment and employment services; college preparation assistance; and basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. CIS works with the most vulnerable children in the schools it serves--those that are at risk to follow a negative life course because of barriers and negative influences in their lives-- and utilizes community resources to assist with meeting their needs. Our students build character, confidence, competence and connections, and have opportunities everyday to thrive and to be the best they can be.