CICS is everywhere, and apparently Imagination Theater is doing a great job helping them spread the good word: "Chicago's Imagination Theater will be receiving the annual Al Ward Spirit of Giving Award for 2010 from Communities In Schools of Chicago (CISC) in recognition of outstanding service to Chicago school children. CISC's partnership with Imagination Theater has reached more than 33,000 CPS students since 2001. Imagination's "No Secrets" program is a theatrical performance that sheds light on safe and unsafe touch through vignettes based on contemporary youth experiences.
CISC connects 160 CPS schools with 150 community organizations to provide 63,000 students with a range of social, emotional, health and enrichment programs and services that their schools often cannot provide. In the last school year, Imagination Theatre's "No Secrets" program reached 7,140 students at 19 schools; more than 90 percent of the students and 85 percent of the schools were connected through CISC." Click below for more details.
Communities In Schools of Chicago Gives Annual
Al Ward Award to Imagination Theater
Partnership has reached more than 33,000 CPS students since 2001
CHICAGO, IL, November 15, 2010--Communities In Schools of Chicago (CISC) is giving its annual Al Ward Spirit of Giving Award for 2010 to Chicago's Imagination Theater for outstanding service to Chicago school children. Imagination Theater is one of CISC's premier partners, providing much-needed sexual assault prevention education to thousands of Chicago Public School (CPS) students each year.
Imagination Theater is recognized for its staff's passion and accessibility, its commitment to work with schools and strengthen services, and its collaboration with other community organizations. In the last school year, Imagination Theatre's No Secrets program reached 7,140 students at 19 schools; more than 90 percent of the students and 85 percent of the schools were connected through CISC. Since 2001, Imagination Theater has reached more than 33,000 students at CISC partner schools.
"Imagination Theater provides students with outstanding performances that address sexual assault prevention, an area of concern for many schools," said Jane Mentzinger, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Chicago (www.chicagocis.org). "By collaborating with CISC and our partners, Imagination Theater is able to maximize its impact."
CISC connects CPS students with a range of social, emotional, health and enrichment programs and services that their schools often cannot provide. CISC currently brings together more than 160 CPS schools with 150 community organizations to annually reach more than 63,000 students.
The Award was established by CISC's Board of Directors to honor Alfred G. Ward, a founding director who spent 15 years enriching the organization. Ward was important in shaping both the Communities In Schools national movement and the vision of Communities In Schools of Chicago. His commitment to children, family and community was deep and flowed from a profound respect for the value and worth of all people.
Imagination Theatre's No Secrets program is a theatrical performance that sheds light on safe and unsafe touch through vignettes based on contemporary youth experiences. The organization prepares school staff, engages audiences, and coordinates support for students who seek additional care around this challenging issue.
"Imagination Theater is extremely honored to be this year's recipient of the Al Ward Spirit of Giving Award. The number of schools we have been able to reach thanks to our partnership with Communities In Schools of Chicago has more than doubled in the last few years," said Steve Leaver, Executive Artistic Director of Imagination Theater. "The dual focus we have with CISC on the mental health and wellness of children within the Chicago Public School system has helped create a respected and admired partnership. It is putting it mildly to say that our program is as successful as it is today because of CISC."
###
About Communities In Schools of Chicago: Communities In Schools of Chicago (CISC) connects Chicago Public School students with programs and services they need that their schools often cannot provide. From health promotion and arts enrichment, to mental health and violence prevention, the services that CISC links to students are provided at no cost to schools. During the 2009-2010 school year, CISC connected services to more than 63,000 students at more than 160 schools. Founded in 1988, CISC is a non-profit affiliate of Communities In Schools, Inc., the nation's largest dropout prevention organization. More information can be found at www.chicagocis.org.
About Imagination Theater: Chicago's award-winning Imagination Theater is a touring company that uses interactive theater to address social issues, educate communities and improve life quality for participants of all ages. The organization provides diverse audiences with original, dynamic, participatory theatrical programming that enhances well-being and creates a more civil, safe society. From its inception in 1966, Imagination Theater has remained committed to the principles that the creative arts are essential to the full development of the individual; that all people have the ability to express themselves creatively; and that theater has a unique and important capacity to communicate to all people, regardless of age of perceived abilities. More information can be found at www.imaginationtheater.org.
Filed under: Communities & CBOs, Foundation Follies
district299reader
3 hours, 15 minutes ago