Our Story
Communities In Schools of Los Angeles launched its program in the fall of 2007 with 150 students in Hamilton and Venice High Schools. In the past 4 years, Communities in Schools has grown to serve over 1,900 students in 8 schools across Los Angeles and has established Diplomas Now programs at Hollenbeck, John Liechty and Webster middle schools.
The story of Communities In Schools began in the 1970s, when Founder Bill Milliken, then a youth advocate in New York City, came up with the idea of bringing community resources inside a public school building – where they are accessible, coordinated and accountable.
In the span of a little more than 30 years, Communities In Schools has become the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization. We have a unique model that positions a coordinator inside schools to assess needs and deliver necessary resources that remove barriers to success.
Our mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.