When Rosa Salazar first began working with Jonathan, she quickly saw a bright, thoughtful young person with a strong personality and tremendous potential. She also recognized that some of the challenges he carried into school could make it difficult for others to see those strengths as clearly.
This was Rosa’s second year walking alongside Jonathan as his Communities In Schools Student Support Specialist at Siler City Elementary. Over time, their connection grew. Rosa understood that there was more to Jonathan than what others might see in a difficult moment, and that understanding became the foundation for trust.
Jonathan was learning how to navigate big emotions, respond to challenging situations, and build stronger relationships with the adults around him. Rather than defining him by the moments when things didn’t go well, Rosa helped him recognize his strengths, understand his emotions, and see the choices he could make moving forward.
Week after week, they worked together on self-regulation, emotional awareness, communication, and personal responsibility. But perhaps most importantly, Rosa created a space where Jonathan felt heard instead of judged, supported instead of labeled, and encouraged to recognize what he was capable of.
As the school year came to a close, Jonathan stopped by to talk with Rosa one last time. With tears in his eyes, he told her he was sad because he was going to miss her. He told Rosa that she was the adult at school who truly saw him.
She had done more than help him through difficult moments. She helped him better understand himself, recognize his own strengths, and discover healthier ways to respond when things felt hard. Most importantly, she consistently reminded him that one difficult day or one poor choice did not define who he was or who he could become.
For Rosa, it was a moment she will never forget. “It reminded me that our work is about so much more than academics or behavior,” she reflected. “It’s about helping young people believe they matter.”
Stories like Jonathan’s are why CISCC exists. It is work that has driven our organization since our founding in 1989, originally as Chatham County Together! Every day, our Student Support Specialists build relationships with students that help them recognize their strengths, navigate barriers, build confidence, and see new possibilities for their future.
Because sometimes the difference isn’t changing who a young person is. It’s making sure they have someone in their corner who sees who they already are, and believes in who they can become.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and community partners, more students like Jonathan have the opportunity to build on their strengths, develop confidence, and know they don’t have to navigate life’s challenges alone.