Helping Houston Students Soar To New Heights — Communities in Schools Fills a Vital Void

Setting Local Kids Up For College

By Shelby Hodge // Apr 25, 2025

Photography Dave Rossman

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Communities in Schools gala chairs Will & Caroline Brown and Virginia and Cramer Williams (Photo by Dave Rossman)

David & honoree Jan Redford at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Diana & Russell Hawkins at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Rana & Todd Hassen at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Judy Tate, Shannon Swyka at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Scott & Kaysha Melancon at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Elizabeth Young, Jen Espy, Donna Wotkyns at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Linda Gale White, Harry Johnson at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Nicole Campbell, Taylor Polky, Catherine O'Connell at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Lisa & David Sambrooks at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Jenee Pierre & Henry Richard at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Zach & Megan Pallister at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Tracy & David Livingston at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Shubhra Endley, Amanda Schmitt at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Allison & David Hills at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Nitin & Shelly Chandra at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Carlos & Mary Newall at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Maria & Jeremy Frank, Kayla Fletcher at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

What: Communities in Schools (CIS) “Soaring to New Heights” gala

Where: The Post Oak Hotel

PC Moment: Moving testimonies about Communities in Schools students and staff held the group of 550 supporters to rapt attention. CIS student support managers Mandy Kolbaba and Madison Wimmer, CIS support manager Alma Nava and a CIS wellness specialist each spoke on the value of the program that has full-time student support managers, providing essential services from mental health counseling to academic and basic needs support.

CIS059_Maria and Jeremy Frank and Kayla Fletcher (Photo by Dave Rossman) — Maria & Jeremy Frank, Kayla Fletcher at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

Julia Barnwell-Joseph, CIS program manager from the Lone Star College System, introduced a student who overcame personal challenges to excel academically and graduate with honors and will now attend the University of Houston.

Chaired by Caroline and Will Brown and Virginia and Cramer Williams, the evening raised $603,000 to support at-risk students across the Greater Houston area.

CIS063_Jenee Pierre and Henry Richard (Photo by Dave Rossman) — Jenee Pierre & Henry Richard at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

In the process of raising those funds, CIS honored Jan Redford, Ph.D., for her 46 years of dedication to the nonprofit that including serving as an employee, a volunteer and board member. In the late 1970s as president of the Junior League of Greater Houston, Redford worked to provide seed money to get Communities in Schools off the ground and later she personally provided a loan to CIS. Her praises were sung by Sue White and Lisa Descant.

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Receiving special recognition was former Texas First Lady Linda Gale White, a staunch CIS supporter and board member. She was introduced by Lisa Malosky, who served as emcee.

CIS board member Gina Carroll, director of the Lazarus Energy Empowerment Program (LEEP) and TED Talk presenter, spoke on the importance of school attendance and CIS’s national campaign dubbed Being Present Matters, highlighting the tangible impact of Communities In Schools’ presence on graduation and promotion rates.

CIS046_Nicole Campbell, Taylor Polky, Catherine O’Connell (Photo by Dave Rossman) — Nicole Campbell, Taylor Polky, Catherine O’Connell at the Communities in Schools gala (Photo by Dave Rossman)

PC Seen: CIS CEO Lisa Descant, CIS board president Omar Reid, David Redford, Judy Tate, Margot Cater, Ginny and L.E. Simmons, Diana and Russell Hawkins, Terri Lacy and Jim Baird, Lisa and David Sambrooks, Nicole Campbell, Paige and William Simmons, and Jennifer and TJ Gibbons.