Then William Milliken, the president and founder of the national organization, came to the podium. Another hotel ballroom luncheon. It wasn't like that at all. Communities in Schools works well, he said, but at-risk children are not turned around by programs. They are turned around by relationships with caring adults and by being the focus of the community.
Every child needs a safe place - both emotionally and physically.
Children need the opportunity to give something back. Communities in Schools is successful because it uses a holistic approach in dealing with the problems of at-risk children, bringing many of the resources of the community into play. Jacksonville is getting better at that. For example, more than 1,300 businesses, civic groups, clubs and agencies are partnered with public schools this year. But we can, and must, do more.