Colonial Life and Communities in Schools partner to launch workforce readiness initiatives
September 2, 2020
Employee benefits provider Colonial Life, will partner with Communities In Schools of the Midlands (CISM) to promote workforce readiness for high school students in Richland County. Colonial Life awarded the organization with a $20,000 grant to increase employability skills in racially diverse students by way of the CISM College and Career Readiness Program for students at Columbia High School.
Columbia High is currently the only public high school site in the Communities In Schools of the Midlands Network. The organization places a full-time Site Coordinator in the school to take hold of the community and schools’ relationship, and advocate for disadvantaged, marginalized, or struggling students. Colonial Life employees will mentor to provide an opportunity for the community to reinvest in youth. This partnership aims to provide a more promising outlook for students of color in higher education, career opportunities and professional development.
“When we started building a philanthropic relationship with Colonial Life, we realized instantly their clear vision to improve the environment of students in underrepresented communities,” said Latasha Taste-Walker, Director of Development and Community Relations. “The partnership with Colonial Life is meaningful to us and creates a pathway for Communities In Schools to go beyond the standard of satisfying the requirements of on-time graduation.”
“The Communities In Schools organization is doing great work in the Midlands to serve students from a variety of backgrounds, and Colonial Life is proud to partner with them,” said Alana Stroker, with Colonial Life’s Corporate Social Responsibility team. “We look forward to working with CISM to support our community and its educational needs.”
About Colonial Life
Colonial Life offers critical support to America’s workers and their families when the unexpected happens. The company is a market leader in benefits education and delivery, innovative enrollment technology and customer experience. Colonial Life provides disability, life, accident, critical illness, cancer, dental and vision benefits that protect millions of customers and their families. For more information, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Colonial Life is a registered trademark and marketing brand of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company.
About Communities in Schools of the Midlands
Communities In Schools of the Midlands is a part of the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization, dedicated to doing whatever it takes to help students succeed in school and achieve in life. The program provides supports seven schools within Lexington and Richland Counties and the South Carolina Juvenile Justice Department serving nearly 3,500 young people and families each year. Based directly inside of schools throughout the Midlands, Communities In Schools of the Midlands connects students and their families to basic and critical educational and community-based resources, tailored to each student’s specific needs. Learn more about Communities In Schools of the Midlands at www.cism.org
