Jy’Mir, initially a 2nd grader at Virginia Cross Elementary in 2015, crossed paths with Tych when he served as a Student Support Specialist for Communities In Schools Chatham County, overseeing program activities for the school. Always eager to be part of everything, Jy’Mir, shadowing his older cousin, quickly formed a special bond with Tych, marking the beginning of an enduring relationship through the mentoring program.
Over the past 8+ years, it has been immensely rewarding to witness Jy’Mir shaping his dreams and setting goals for himself.
His involvement with CISCC has facilitated the development of meaningful relationships with individuals invested in his success, offering programs and opportunities designed to enrich his life. Some highlights include:
▪️ Participation in field trips to the Durham Museum of Life and Science, Asheboro Zoo, Durham Bulls Baseball, and the International Civil Rights Museum.
▪️ Attendance at Betsy Jeff Penn 4H summer camps for five consecutive years.
▪️ Culinary experience and nutrition education gained through the Cooking Matters for Teens program at Chatham Middle School.
▪️ Successful completion of the Bikes, Blues, and Jazz bicycle tour of the Southeastern United States along the Mississippi River Trail with Triangle Bike Works.
Jy’Mir continues to thrive academically and socially, overcoming any obstacles in his path. Most recently, he took the initiative to establish a Computer Science Club at Jordan Matthews High School. On track to graduate with honors in May, Jy’Mir has just received his first college acceptance letter from East Carolina University. With plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science, he remains open to exploring additional college options as new offers arise.
Our programming at CISCC aims to connect students like Jy’Mir with essential resources and support, encompassing academic assistance, mentorship, and access to basic needs. We firmly believe that no child should confront academic or life challenges alone, particularly during a time when family and community support are paramount.
Through partnership with Communities In Schools National and the Ballmer Group, we are looking to seize a matching grant opportunity to expand programming to additional Title 1 Chatham County schools:
▪️ Goal and the Full Cost to Expand: $80,000
▪️ Matching Funds Already Provided: $10,000
▪️ Full Cost Would Fund: Two full-time Student Support Specialists
▪️ Number of Students: 90-100 additional students receiving individualized supports
▪️ Number of Families: 40-50 additional families impacted
This holiday season, please consider joining us in our mission by making a gift on our Donate page. Through this grant, your gift will be matched and will help us build even more relationships that make a difference in the lives of students. Together, we can help many more students, like Jy’Mir, reach their unique goals, dreams and aspirations. Your donation, no matter the size, will bring hope and opportunity to those who need it most.