A Lifetime of Dedication Honored

Our illustrious leader, Cynthia Clay Briggs, just got more illustrious! She has been awarded the National Association of Social Workers Houston Lifetime Achievement Award.  Each year this honor is bestowed upon an individual who has exemplified the best social work values and accomplishments in their lifetime. As the 2010 choice for NASW’s Houston Chapter, Ms. Clay-Briggs will now be considered for Texas state-wide Lifetime Achievement honors. 

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), headquartered in Washington, DC, is the nation’s largest membership organization of professional social workers, with 150,000 members.  It promotes, develops and protects the practice of social work and social workers.  NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families and communities through advocacy.

The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award must be dedicated members who: advocate for their clients; make demonstrable contributions in social policy, social work practice, program development, administration and research; demonstrate outstanding leadership and repeated outstanding achievements; have made contributions of lasting impact; and  have employed outstanding creativity.

Sounds like our Executive Director, alright!

Ms.Clay-Briggs has been a stalwart advocate for children in the Houston community.  Communities In Schools Houston’s 30 years of successful service to at-risk students remain a shining tribute of Ms. Clay-Brigg’s effective and dedicated leadership. We at Communities In Schools Houston are so very proud!

Both congratulations and good luck are in order!

Yes, 'Communities In Schools" DID Roll Off of the President's Lips! (Video)

At an event for the America's Promise Alliance, President Obama talked about education and curbing the national drop-out rate. As he discussed ways the $900 millions dollars in grants for schools and school districts will be applied, he promised that the unmet needs of under-served students would be addressed. He said:

"...That's why we'll build on the efforts of places like Communities In Schools, that make sure kids who are at-risk of dropping out have one-on-one support."

How awesome is that? It is very exciting and rewarding to have CIS's work recognized and supported by the President himself!

The America's Promise Alliance was founded in 1997 by General Colin Powell and his wife, Alma Powell. As their website states, "America’s Promise Alliance is a cross-sector partnership of more than 300 corporations, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and advocacy groups that are passionate about improving lives and changing outcomes for children." Their mission and "top priority" is "ensuring that all young people graduate from high school ready for college, work and life."