Letters from the Lunchroom

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey that brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we follow up with Leslie Harmon and Valerie Shaw, two individuals who impacted Virginia Riri, our Season 5 Episode 1 guest. Leslie and Valerie share how they supported Virginia during some challenging times. Listen as our two guests share their stories and favorite CIS moments.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan | Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey that brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we kick off our fifth season with our first live-audience recording session. Our guest, Virginia Riri, is a former CIS of Mid-America student and current member of our Alumni Allies program. She shares the experience of having CIS of Mid-America support during some challenging times. With her Student Support Coordinators in the audience, she tells them how they impacted her life.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan | Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey that brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heartbreaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Rhonda Hoener, CIS of Mid-America’s Student Support Coordinator at Uniontown Public Schools in Uniontown, KS. Rhonda shares her CIS story, including how she advocated to bring CIS to her school district and her favorite Dr. Suess quotes.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact us at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan | Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey that brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heartbreaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Susan Hill, CIS of Mid-America’s Student Support Coordinator at the Middle School in Parsons, Kansas. Susan’s story highlights her passion for working with kids who are just discovering their power in the world. Listen as she shares her work with us and invites us into a world where every student has what they need to succeed.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact us at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan | Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey that brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Patty Colahan, CIS of Mid-America Volunteer. Patty shares her CIS story, including how she supports students through academic tutoring and what inspired her to become a volunteer for Communities In Schools.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan | Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey that brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with CIS of Mid-America's three Reengagement Coordinators in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They share the unique aspects of their role, including how they work with our traditional Student Support Coordinators to provide support for students in schools and beyond.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan | Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey that brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Maurlon Bremby, CIS of Mid-America's Student Support Coordinator at Southwest City Elementary School and Noel Elementary School, located in McDonald Co., Missouri. Maurlon shares his CIS story, including how he supports students at two separate elementary schools and what he would do if he had the Green Lantern's ring.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan | Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover their journey which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Noelle Haselhuhn and Summer Powell, AmeriCorps Members serving Communities In Schools of Mid-America. Tune in to learn more about their decision to join the AmeriCorps program and why they chose to use this time working with CIS of Mid-America.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members, and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover their journey which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this special episode, guest-host Rey Saldaña, National President and CEO of Communities In Schools, talks with Shakaka S. Perry, MA, Reengagement Coordinator from CIS of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, about how she is working with students who stopped attending school during the pandemic — in particular, which strategies she finds successful in connecting with and motivating our students and getting them back to learning. 

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan

Letters from the Lunchroom is a podcast that shows you a new side of Communities In Schools, a nationwide non-profit which provides support services for at-risk students. We know that people who engage with non-profits have a story to tell, and we want to hear that story. From students to staff members and alumni to volunteers, we connect with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey that brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are always touching, occasionally heart-breaking, and often surprising.

In this episode, we talk with Randy Just, Student Support Coordinator for El Dorado Middle School. Randy shares the story of his transition from Park Ranger to non-profit work. In his letter, Randy shares why it is important to “look at the big picture” before we judge.

Want to be a guest on the show and share your own story? Contact Victoria at [email protected].

Letters from the Lunchroom is a production of Communities In Schools of Mid-America. 

Theme song: "Like a Polaroid" by Spazz Cardigan | Transition song: "Game Plan" by Bad Snacks