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 talk with Stanley Taylor Jr., Senior Director of Development, KCMO for 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 | 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 special episode, guest-host Rey Saldaña, National President and CEO of Communities In Schools, talks with Donna Dennis, Reengagement Coordinator with CIS of San Antonio, about how she helped students return to learning during the pandemic — in particular, which strategies worked well last year to motivate our students and get them back online. 

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 that provides at-risk students support services. 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, our host, Victoria, connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the 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 our CEO Convos series, President and CEO of CIS of Mid-America Malissa Martin will host critical conversations with leaders from across the United States. In this episode, she sits down with Carol Lewis, President, and CEO for Communities In Schools of Georgia.

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, our host, Victoria, connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took 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 our CEO Convos series, President and CEO of CIS of Mid-America Malissa Martin will host critical conversations with leaders from across the United States. In this episode, she sits down with Kirk Wester, Executive Director for Growing Together in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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, our host, Victoria, connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took 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 of Letters from the Lunchroom, guest-host Rey Saldaña, President and CEO of Communities In Schools, talks with Janine Quijije, Chief Advancement Officer of Communities In Schools. Together, they discuss the effect of the pandemic, and the shutdown of schools, on nearly 3 million students and what Communities In Schools is doing to help. 

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, our host, Victoria, connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took 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 Donna Richey, Tribal Services Director for Communities In Schools of Mid-America. As a long-time resident of Anadarko, OK, Donna brings hometown pride and passion to the work being done in the area. Listen now to hear what we are doing to support the Native population in Anadarko, OK.

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, our host, Victoria, connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took 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 three of our Site Coordinators who are working to provide student supports as part of our Innovation Team. Please join us as Miranda Carpenter, Shanna Cramer, and Amber Cole share why the work they are doing is classified as “innovative”. 

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 (CIS), the 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, our host, Victoria, connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took which brought them to Communities In Schools. Join us in the lunchroom to hear these stories, which are occasionally heart-breaking, often surprising, and always touching.

In this episode, we talk with Jessica Peña, Development & Events Manager for CIS of Mid-America. Jessica shares her CIS story, why she is an advocate for students who feel unheard, and how being a second-generation immigrant has impacted her life. 

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, our host, Victoria, connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took 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 Rey Saldaña, President and CEO of Communities In Schools National. Please join us as Rey shares what it was like stepping into a leadership role at the start of a pandemic, how he is connecting with CIS affiliates across the nation in this new virtual environment, and what he would say if given two minutes with the incoming presidential administration. 

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, our host, Victoria, connects with people of all backgrounds to discover the journey they took 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 to Julie Phillips, Grants Manager with CIS of Mid-America. Please join us as Julie shares her CIS story, the impact the lives of her students have had on her, and her newest “not exactly work-related” project. 

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