Katelyn’s journey with Communities In Schools of Chatham County began in November 2019, when she was a sixth grader at Chatham Middle School. Her first connection came through the Cooking Matters for Teens program, a six-week, hands-on cooking course led by a group of community volunteers.
Gathering in a social studies classroom after school – around electric skillets, extension cords, and makeshift cooking stations – Katelyn dove into each session learning new kitchen skills, the importance of nutrition, how to shop on a budget, teamwork, and definitely tried a few foods she never expected to like!
But something bigger was taking shape in that Siler City classroom.
As Katelyn grew, the network of support around her grew too. Through middle school, high school, and eventually graduation, CISCC remained a consistent presence – connecting her with caring adults, new experiences, encouragement, career opportunities, and resources that matched what she needed along the way.
During high school, with the support of CISCC’s High School Success Coach, Katelyn completed a career internship where her work ethic made such an impression that she was offered permanent employment.
Then, during her senior year, Katelyn became a mother. Suddenly, she was balancing school, work, parenthood, and plans for her future. But she wasn’t navigating it alone. Her family, CISCC staff, school partners, her employer, and the network of caring adults she developed over the years remained by her side.
And after years of discovering her strengths and building confidence, Katelyn knew how to lean on that network and keep moving forward.
In June 2026, Katelyn walked across the graduation stage and earned her high school diploma—while working, raising her daughter, and building a future for her family.
Katelyn earned that moment. We didn’t create her success. She did. Our role was to walk alongside her, open doors, connect her to opportunities, believe in her potential, and keep showing up.
This is what you support.
Every young person is different. There is no single program, service, or pathway that works for all 300 students we grow alongside each year. So we build relationships first. We listen, learn what each student needs, and surround them with a network of support – delivering tailored resources that are designed to adapt as their needs change.
For Katelyn, that journey stretched from a middle school cooking class to career development, employment, motherhood, and graduation. For another student, the path may look completely different.
Your support gives us the ability to stay, adapt, open the next door, and make sure young people have caring adults in their corner year after year.
Seven years ago, we met Katelyn as a sixth grader navigating her way through recipe books and classroom kitchens. Today, she is a graduate, an employee, a mother, and a young woman who has built a path for herself, her family, and her future.
Your investment makes relationships like Katelyn’s possible. Help us keep showing up for the next student who needs someone in their corner.