2023 Annual Report
Dear Friends and Supporters, We are delighted to share with you our proudest achievements over the past 12 months. It is with immense pride and gratitude that we celebrate our 15th anniversary here in Los Angeles, a testament to the commitment and investment of supporters like you! While we celebrate our achievements, we remain acutely aware of the challenges that persist, especially in the aftermath of the global pandemic and subsequent economic downturn. The stark reality is that many of our students continue to face hardships. The socio-economic impact of the pandemic has left lasting effects on our community’s financial, emotional, and mental health. This year’s annual report shares insights into how CISLA delivered critical support to students, aiding them in navigating these challenges, while advancing our mission to create equitable, student-centered learning environments where students are surrounded by a caring community. As we look ahead, we are energized by the challenges and opportunities that lie before us. Our commitment to empowering students, supporting families, and advocating for a more equitable education system remains steadfast. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you who has been a part of this incredible journey. Together, we can continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve. Thank you for your unwavering support. Sincerely,
Elmer G. Roldan, Executive Director
Lori Werderitch, Board Chair
Thank You to our Donors CISLA is grateful for the unwavering support of our donors. It is because of their generosity and dedication that we continue to empower students, unlock their potential, and create pathways to success. It’s through the collective efforts of our donors that we can continue to reach new heights and bring hope and opportunity to those we serve. Their impact is felt in every success story, every empowered student, and every brighter future we help create.
“When a student has a knowledgeable, caring advocate offering multiple levels of support, that is beyond their teacher or family member, magical things happen. CISLA’s site coordinators provide this every day and incredible outcomes follow.” Zac Guevara
“I love the way that Communities In Schools of Los Angeles sees the strengths and possibilities of every young person they work with and helps them recognize and believe in their strengths too. Their work to help kids build the muscles, first, of self-confidence, and, second, of knowing that there are people who want to support them - will stay with these young people their entire lives and will make a difference that counts.” Mary-Jane Wagle
“Communities In Schools of Los Angeles holds a special place in my heart. As CIS National’s Board Chair, I have witnessed and been part of the transformative work CISLA is leading. I continue to invest in their work because they provide the support and resources to thousands of students and families that will benefit from their efforts for generations to come.” “I support CISLA because Elaine Wynn I believe that education is essential and that all children should be given the tools to succeed in school.” Brenda Potter
Supporting Students, Schools, and Communities Our evidenced-based model integrates three tiers of engagement, delivering comprehensive support, services, and resources to address the needs of the Whole Child. This year, we entered two new schools and added nine youth development experts across all schools to deepen the impact of our work. CISLA Student Population
CISLA Schools
Ethnicity
Boyle Heights Hollenbeck Middle School
74%
Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez High School
Hispanic /Latino
Stevenson Middle School College and Career Preparatory
4% Other 22%
African American /Black
Pico Union/Westlake John H Liechty Middle School Belmont Senior High School
Demographics
South LA LAUSD
95%
CISLA
89%
William Jefferson Clinton Middle School Santee Education Complex 107th Street Elementary School and STEAM Magnet 99th Street Elementary School
Watts Grape Street Elementary School
15% 15%
21%
Edwin Markham Middle School
26%
Jordan High School
3% Free and Reduced Lunch Eligibility
Special Education
English Language Learners
8%
Experiencing Homelessness
West LA Mark Twain Middle School Daniel Webster Middle School Alexander Hamilton High School
13,000 students impacted across 15 schools! CISLA’s Model Tiers TIER 1: Whole-school Initiatives We work with school leaders to identify critical schoolwide priorities that impact students and create whole-school experiences to address them. This year, we focused on improving school climates, reducing chronic absenteeism, and providing mental health support – critical issues impacting students resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.
TIER 2: Targeted Student Groups Our Targeted Student Groups focused on building community among students using Social-Emotional Learning curriculum. This year, we worked with African American students, Newcomer/International students, and boys and girl groups. The bi-weekly interactions provided students a safe space to speak their mind about personal and peer related challenges, while participating in activities to cultivate Social-Emotional Learning competencies. We saw an increase in participation across school levels over the year.
TIER 3: 1:1 Case Management Youth development experts work with students to create individualized student support plans that include SocialEmotional Learning, attendance, and academic goals. Students also receive assistance and resources for basic needs, college and career preparation, mental health support, and other support types. Students meet with CISLA staff at least once a month to go over their plans and receive additional support if needed.
11,909
students received CISLA support through school wide initiatives.
795
505
events held.
hours of programming provided by CISLA youth development experts.
832
students participated in small group meetings focused on SocialEmotional Learning instruction. small group
560 meetings held. 5,399
hours of student participation in small group interactions.
1,270
students received direct case management from a youth development expert.
3,873 meetings held. 5,333
hours of student participation.
Celebrating the Class of 2023 As the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, our goal is to help students overcome challenges that prevent them from walking the stage. This year, we worked directly with 90 seniors across five high schools and are proud that 99% of these phenomenal seniors graduated!
’23
3% Pursuing a vocational career 6% Joining the workforce 7% Undecided
33% Attending a 2-year college
51% Attending a 4-year college
CISLA students are embarking on new journeys post-graduation!
Graduation Awards Ceremony We held our first-ever CISLA graduation party to celebrate the class of 2023 for their commitment to finishing high school and pursuing their post-graduation goals. Students and their families enjoyed a delicious dinner and participated in an awards ceremony to honor each of our five high school’s senior classes.
Breaking Down Barriers for Student Success Malyq is a student at Santee Education Complex in South Los Angeles. During his time with CISLA, Malyq committed to his academic and life goals by taking advantage of the opportunities our program offered to him. He participated in a Sony internship and was an active member of our Targeted Student Groups, which focused on community building and self-identity. Malyq also demonstrated his talents outside of the classroom as a member of the football and baseball team, and shared his love for art with his CISLA site team. With the support of CISLA and the school administration, Malyq won a fellowship with Global Citizens Initiative (GCI). The 10-month fellowship empowers young global citizens from all sectors of society to be lifelong leaders of positive change. As a fellow, Malyq traveled to Scotland and studied the country’s approach to solving homelessness. Upon returning home, Malyq used what he learned to find ways to provide winter shelter for those experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Malyq and his friends organized bags of clothes, blankets, and other basic needs, and passed them out to those in need - on their skateboards. During his senior year, Malyq continued to thrive inside and outside the classroom, earning countless scholarships and college acceptances. In the Fall of 2023, Malyq will attend his top school of choice, Notre Dame College.
Addressing the Summer Learning Gap
CISLA’s Summer Bridge Program The CISLA team is always thinking about how we can best serve students. Through conversations and research, we discovered a prime opportunity to help students living in low-income communities have a better chance of longterm academic and life success upon entering high school. Research shows that while middle- and higher-income children spend their summers engaged in activities and programs that reinforce learning, most children in lowincome communities have little or no access to such opportunities. The effect of summers without learning is cumulative, and students living in low-income areas fall further and further behind their peers who participate in summer learning opportunities every year. This phenomenon is called the Summer Learning Gap. To address the gap, we rolled up our sleeves and designed a program inclusive of the CISLA model and provided students entering high school - where the gap is most pronounced - with opportunities to engage in activities inside and outside the school during three weeks in July.
We hit the ground running thanks to The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, who provided a generous grant to implement our work. The CISLA Summer Bridge program launched on our five high school campuses across Los Angeles. Students met key staff at their new high school, toured their new campus, and gained resources to help them integrate into high school. They also participated in community-building activities, like tie-dyeing and fashion shows. Each week, an enriching field trip to tie together the week’s learnings, built healthy friendships, and sparked new interests. Students challenged their fears at Fulcrum Ropes Course, engaged in world-class art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), and experienced joy in nature at Camp Woodcraft. The Summer Bridge program is an excellent example of how we are adding value to our students’ academic journey, providing them with new opportunities to develop and push beyond their comfort zones.
“It made me overcome my fear and I made a couple friends and with the staff I had an awesome experience I would 100% recommend it to other students” - Kloe Mendez High School
Our Outcomes Through our model, we forge relationships that positively influence students’ lives both inside and outside the classroom. The power of our model is found in the deep and diverse engagement we cultivate with our students, leading to powerful outcomes in their Social-Emotional Learning, academic achievements, attendance, and, ultimately, graduation, helping them prepare to navigate the real world.
Building Relationships Make the Difference Mariah, an 8th-grade student at Markham Middle School, is described by her site coordinator, Ms. Anahi, as determined and passionate about making an impact in people’s lives. Upon joining CISLA, Mariah sought one-on-one support to improve her grades and attendance. Recognizing her need for someone to check in on her, provide encouragement, and engage in meaningful conversations, CISLA embraced the opportunity to create a safe space for her growth. Under Ms. Anahi’s guidance, Mariah quickly blossomed in the CISLA program and its model. She actively participated in CISLA’s Black Supports group and regularly visited the CISLA classroom during lunch, fostering a sense of community with her peers.
Student Improvement Outcomes CISLA: Elementary School
% OF STUDENTS WHO IMPROVED
97%
CISLA: Middle School
73%
CISLA: High School
42%
43%
43%
39%
31%
25%
Social-Emotional Learning skills
Academics
% OF SENIORS WHO GRADUATED
Graduation Outcomes CISLA students continue to graduate at higher rates than LAUSD students. This marks the 5th consecutive year we’ve achieved a 99%+ graduation rate.
26%
Attendance
99%
LAUSD
86%
CISLA
*Comparison Data Source: LAUSD Open Data Dashboard, 2021-2022 school year graduation data
Goal Achievement Outcomes
63% % OF STUDENTS WHO ACHIEVED THEIR GOAL
Students establish goals at the beginning of the school year. When students meet with CISLA staff regularly, they are more likely to achieve their Social-Emotional Learning and attendance goals.
53%
Attendance Goals
Social-Emotional Learning Goals
Going All In For Kids Community by community, school by school, child by child - we are united in going all in for kids. Our collaboration extends across a broad network of dedicated volunteers, corporate sponsors, and community partners and organizers, all working harmoniously to address the unique needs of our students and families. Achieve In Life Gala Our Achieve In Life Gala was a resounding success, drawing over 200 of our most enthusiastic supporters and esteemed partners to celebrate the profound impact we’ve made in schools and communities. Hosted in the heart of South Los Angeles, the evening was a tribute to excellence, as we bestowed honors upon distinguished individuals and organizations, including the Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, GPSN, Santa Monica Studio, and our dedicated CISLA volunteer, Jiten Mehta. The event unfolded with a captivating Folklorico dance student performance and came to life with the soulful sounds of a live Soul Funk band, creating a memorable and festive atmosphere.
Holiday Food + Gift Away Drive With the unwavering support of staff, board members, volunteers, and friends, we orchestrated a heartwarming Holiday + Food Gift Away Drive, raising $20,000 to allow us to spread holiday joy and make a meaningful difference in student’s lives.
Advancing Digital Equity Digital discrimination continues to be a barrier to advancing our mission to achieve equity and justice for the students, parents, and communities we serve. This year, our commitment to addressing this issue has grown stronger. We intensified our advocacy for fast, reliable, and affordable internet access by forging partnerships with a network of robust community organizations. Our active involvement in events like Digital Equity LA Day and various meetings and hearings reflects our dedication to pushing for tangible progress, striving to make internet access and infrastructure more accessible for all students.
Making an Impact Social-Emotional Learning and Academic Support
Our programming inside of sch academic and life needs of our s by volunteers, and local and co participated in activities, eve opportunities guided by o
Parent and Family Engagement
Meet the Author Read-a-long’s We launched a program designed to increase student literacy rates specific to students at Grape Street Elementary in the Watts community. Students from all grade levels participated in read-aloud sessions with children’s book authors, Mona Fakki and Roda Ahmed.
Parent and Family Engagement Programming We expanded our parent and family engagement efforts to directly address the needs of families expressed in our CISLA End of Year survey. Backed by our incredible community and corporate partners, we held financial and LGBTQ+ student support workshops, book clubs, and other family-focused activities. We directly reached more than 200 parents and caregivers strengthening our familial and student connections.
The Change Reaction CAA Reading Buddies Over the year, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) employees volunteered at Mark Twain Middle School to read books to students. This year, the program reached 125 students.
We continued our partnership with The Change Reaction, the giving platform that provides vital financial resources to tens of thousands of working Angelenos who struggle with urgent needs and hardships that impact themselves and their families. This year, we distributed $35,000 for urgent support to students and families across our 15 schools.
t Inside of Schools
Extended Learning Opportunities
hools is designed to address the students and families. Supported orporate partnerships, students ents, mentorships, and other our four key service pillars.
College and Career Readiness
Know Your Rights Camp CISLA high school students attended the Know Your Rights Camp, founded by former NFL player and activist Colin Kaepernick. Students heard from social justice leaders and were given resources to inform their understanding of legal, mental health, education, technology, and financial tools that drive equity for Black and Brown communities.
Raines Feldman Mentorship Program We launched our inaugural Raines Feldman Mentorship Program. Seven high school juniors participated and completed a 6-week, virtual 1:1 mentorship with employees from Los Angeles law firm, Raines Feldman LLP, to develop their personal and professional skills.
College Essay Mentorship Program This impactful program pairs volunteers with high school seniors to help craft compelling college statements to increase students’ chances of college acceptance. Our students have been accepted to UC San Diego, Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State Los Angeles, and other colleges.
Santa Monica Studio “Meet the Developer” Program CISLA students participated in a yearlong mentorship program with Santa Monica Studio employees to explore various video game development disciplines like game design production and business development. Over the year, students participated in mentor-led workshops and developed their own game, which they presented to the Santa Monica Studio team at the end of the school year.
What Students Stakeholders
Community Connection “I really love the community of support between family and students that CISLA has created. Ms. Charmeka has made me feel more connected to my son’s school.”
Every year, students, parents, and to share their sentiments about th
- Rachel T. parent at Mark Twain Middle School
Social-Emotional Learning “CISLA was a vital part of providing SocialEmotional support for our students. They served as another option (safe space) for students to receive support, motivation and the reinforcement of coping skills.” - School Psychologist Markham Middle School
Academics “They’ve supported me throughout my junior year and senior year and have also offered me so many opportunities to improve my academics .”
- Emily G. student at Jordan High School
s, Parents, and s Are Saying
school stakeholders take a survey he impact of our model in schools. End of Year Survey Results
Student
% OF RESPONDENTS WHO FEEL SATISFIED
Parent
School Stakeholder
85% 76%
84% 76%
80%
76%
76%
72%
63% 53%
53%
Academics
Attendance
52%
Community Connection
Social-Emotional Learning
Attendance “Ms. Acuña telling me to get to class everyday. That’s my favorite thing to hear.” - Ailani V. student at Jordan High School
Unlocking Student Potential Through the CISLA Model When Adiel first started school at 107th Street Elementary, he was timid and spoke very little to adults. Throughout the last two years, he has worked closely with CISLA Site Director, Ms. Ortiz. Together, Adiel and Ms. Ortiz have learned about self-awareness and responsible decision-making and have shared time playing games like Connect 4 to help Adiel sharpen his fine motor skills, basic arithmetic, and critical thinking. During this time, Ms. Ortiz has seen a transformation in Adiel’s confidence. He often knocks on the CISLA classroom door to excitedly greet the CISLA team or to ask for help when he needs it. He has also begun sharing openly with many adults on campus what his needs and dreams are. A student who started off shy and didn’t know how to ask for help is now asking big questions and is curious about one day pursuing a career as a Gastronomic Alchemy chef.
St u
CISLA in the Media We take pride in being a trusted advocate for students throughout Los Angeles. This year, we were honored to be invited by various media platforms to share our expertise and perspectives on issues affecting students.
nt e d
Equity
Me
ABC 7 News: Reducing the Equity Gap for Students
a nt
l Health
Center on Reinventing Public Education: State of the American Student
The State of the American Student: Fall 2022
Ed u
A guide to pandemic recovery and reinvention
c
io at
n Landscape Shifts
Com
The 74 Carvalho Faces ‘Defining Moment’ as L.A.’s Largest Unions Prepare to Strike
m
un
ity-centered Advertising Thanks to a generous gift from CIS National, we placed billboards throughout CISLA communities to deepen our connections with students and families.
Summary of Financial Data Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Revenue and Support
Expenses
Grants and Contributions:
$3157,785 (73%)
Program Services
$3,435,232 (77%)
Government Grants:
$795,147 (18.3%) In-kind Revenue:
$96,384 (2.2%) Mangagement and General Special Events:
$403,525 (9%)
Investment Income:
Fundraising
$229,384 (5.3%) $45,454 (1%)
$631,548 (14%)
Other:
Total Revenue:
$4,335,943
$12,000 (.2%)
Total Expenses:
$4,470,305
Our Team Communities In Schools of Los Angeles is powered by passionate and dedicated individuals that are committed to our mission. We are thankful for our staff and board of directors for their work! Board of Directors Lori Werderitch, Board Chair Damián Mazzotta, Co Vice-Chair Gary Schoenfeld, Co Vice-Chair Ray Jimenez, Secretary Yvener Petit, Treasurer Candis Bowles
Collective Management Team
Site Team
Elmer G. Roldan, Executive Director
Stephen Anglin, Site Director
Patricia Oliver, Chief Operations Director Yami Villanueva, Chief Development Director
Alondra Acuña, Site Director
Danny Cruz, Site Director Patrosinio Cruz, Site Coordinator Michelle Del Rio, Site Director Esmeralda Diaz, Site Coordinator
Nicholas Wu, Chief Programs Director
Charmeka Dozier, Site Director
Administration Team
Ricardo Espino, Site Coordinator Guadalupe Flores, Site Director
Jeremy Plager
Elizabeth Aguilar, Volunteer and Corporate Engagement Manager
Schellee Rocher
John Altschul, Data Analyst
Philip Sanchez
Damaris Flores Resendiz, Site Coordinator
Nancy Arias, Program Manager
Ahmadou Seck
Dylan Giron, Site Coordinator
Nathon Comacho-Morfin, Administrative Assistant, Programs
Eric Gray, Site Director
Kaylin Dickerson, Data and Evaluation Manager
Angela Juarez, Site Director
Cari Costa Joseph Harris Leticia Kimble Selena Juarez Ama Nyamekye
Mark Slavkin
Sandra Duarte Solis, Site Coordinator
Jennifer Flores, Site Coordinator
Anahi Ibarra, Site Coordinator
Kristin Eaves, Marketing and Communications Manager
Vanessa Lopez-Morales, Site Director
Valeria Gómez, Grants Manager
Ambar Martinez, Site Director
Raquel Gonzalez, Donor Relations Director
Anthony Martinez, Site Director
Michelle Guevara, Learning and Development Manager
Faith Moore, Site Coordinator
Lillian Hoyos, Program Manager
Michelle Newsome, Site Coordinator
Malinda Lewis, Alumni Program Manager
Clara Ortiz, Site Director
Jannete Mendez, Administrative Assistant, Development
Ricardo Ramirez, Site Coordinator
Melvin Noriega, Program Manager
Brianna Robinson, Site Coordinator
Paola Schenkelberg, External Affairs Director
Claudia Sanchez, Site Director
Lisa Tang, Institutional Giving Director
Raphael Trenado, Site Director
Katelyn To, Operations Associate
Paola Ureña, Site Director
Sonya Tucker, People Operations Manager
Sophia Sandoval, Site Coordinator
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