Mordecai (at left) connecting with a few alumni members in Los Angeles

Today’s blog post comes from Communities In Schools Alumni Network Specialist Mordecai Scott.

For me, the Alumni Network started out as an ambiguous body of individuals who were just in random places around the country. They were all connected by their experiences with Communities In Schools, but weren’t necessarily connected to each other.

Today, the Alumni Network is so much more. In my travels around the country to meet former students, I’ve come to know a wonderful group of down-to-earth people who know how to “keep it real.” And they’re thrilled to stay connected to Communities In Schools and give back to their communities.

In Houston, the alumni chapter started out as a group of complete strangers. But they bonded with each other in a matter of hours and are working hard to stay in touch.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, what started out as a career panel transformed into a heart-to-heart about the struggles we go through to obtain the American Dream and how, as Communities In Schools alumni, sticking together will help us achieve our goals.

In Los Angeles, in a matter of three days, I saw two communities separated by gangs and violence sit down and talk about ways to build and promote a lasting, positive relationship.

In Jacksonville, Florida, I saw alumni who were passionate about their city and using the Communities In Schools Alumni Network as a means to make young people excited to become leaders in their community.

They say that no matter what you do, you will end up like your parents. For some alumni, our Communities In Schools site coordinators were more like mothers or fathers than our biological ones. And the same way our “parents” go into schools to turn around kids’ lives, we in the Alumni Network can band together to make a difference in our communities!

If not us, then who?

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