We believe in the transformative power of being present in students’ lives. This week, we’re highlighting a remarkable mentoring relationship between Stephen Townsend and Noorul.
For over 14 years, Stephen has passionately volunteered with CISCC, mentoring students to help them unlock their full potential. A year ago, he began tutoring Noorul in math. At the time, she was struggling with several concepts, and her mother reached out to us for help. What followed was a powerful mentoring connection with extraordinary results.
Recently, Noorul’s mom sent us a heartfelt email celebrating her daughter’s placement in advanced math. She wrote:
I am so excited to share the news because you both made this possible. Noorul got selected for advanced math! Thank you so much, Mr. Stephen, for your dedication. You are the teacher I’ve been searching for. Noorul struggled with math, and now she’s thriving. Thank you both (Shirille Lee, CISCC staff member and mentor Stephen Townsend) for your help and support.
This is just one of many inspiring stories we witness weekly at CISCC. It takes all of us—mentors, supporters, and partners—to create a community of support that helps students stay in school and succeed in life.
As we approach the End of Year, our Being Present Matters campaign is driving us toward a critical goal: raising an additional $100,000 to sustain our work through the school year.
Will you join us? By donating, volunteering, or spreading the word, you can help ensure every student in Chatham County has the support they need to thrive. Together, we can create lasting change and pave the way for a brighter future for our students.
Let’s make it happen—because being present truly matters.
