Communities In Schools of San Antonio partners with companies across San Antonio to offer the Inspire U program.

This program connects 10-20 corporate mentors with high school students, providing them workplace exposure while developing skills that prepare them for a future career. Businesses are matched with a local high school where students visit their workplace monthly during their four-year high school journey.

Program Overview:
There are 8 sessions each year in which students travel once a month as a group to the partnering business during lunchtime. Our CIS-SA Site Coordinator will guide each 1.5-hour session with activities that include a lunch/social etiquette piece, planning for post-graduation, as well as time to develop the mentor and mentee relationship. Mentors serve as the positive role models our students need to help them plan their futures, showing them the value of an education. In a recent survey, our mentors reported they found it easy to engage with our students, they felt more motivated and productive at work as well as had a better understanding of the education system and the obstacles that affect at-risk youth.

Corporate partners typically cover a minimal investment to fund bus transportation and lunch for students. Due to the structure of the program, companies are asked to commit to support a class through their four years of high school.

We are grateful to the San Antonio Area Foundation and Bexar County for their additional support of this program.