Arlington, Va. –  “On behalf of the more than 60,000 staff and volunteers of Communities In Schools, and the 1.3 million young people we serve, I want to extend our condolences to the Shriver family on the passing of R. Sargent Shriver, a visionary who’s leadership continues to inspire millions to public service. 

Recently while visiting the Communities In Schools local affiliate in Jacksonville, Fla., I had the honor of attending the swearing-in ceremony of 42 new AmeriCorps members who will spend this year helping Communities In Schools realize its mission by tutoring poor third graders who are struggling to read.  Through their efforts, they will ensure hundreds of students are reading at grade level and, in so doing, remove one of the greatest obstacles to these students’ future academic success. 

As I reflect on the extraordinary life of Sargent Shriver, this image of 42 ordinary citizens doing extraordinary work comes to mind.  For me, it sums up Mr. Shriver’s clarion call to all citizens, poor or rich, to turn to our community and thoughtfully ask how each of us can make a difference.  

Communities In Schools embraces Mr. Shriver’s belief that ordinary citizens are capable of solving many of this nation’s most intractable social problems.  It is my belief that our staff and volunteers can change the world through quiet acts of love and service – today, tomorrow and the next day. 

Many thanks to you, Sargent Shriver, for your leadership in making your vision of community service an American value.”