Erica Hansley is a military wife who has worked with at-risk youth for nearly 20 years. In 1992, she received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. While stationed in Japan in 2002, she earned a Master of Science in Education Leadership from Troy State University. Erica has been a Substitute Teacher, Teacher’s Assistant, Family Child Care Specialist, and Program Director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. While in Virginia, she was also an English Teacher at Hampton High School. Erica Hansley believes that every child is destined for greatness when given the proper tools nestled in love and sprinkled with compassion. As a CIS Coordinator, “I must instill in all children, with every fiber of my being, that failure is never an option.”

Michael is our Campus Coordinator at Cooper. He has a B.S. in Family Studies and Human Development from Texas Tech University. Michael has joined us from the San Antonio area where he served many at-risk youth in his work there. He likes working with CIS because he is able to see that he is making a positive impact on the youth and families here in Abilene. He believes that every youth should be given an opportunity to achieve a high school diploma despite the challenges they may encounter.

Thurmond is our Campus Coordinator at Madison Middle School and has been with Communities In Schools since November 2005. Thurmond graduated from Southwestern Christian College May of 2002 with Associates Degree in Music Ed and went on to graduate from Abilene Christian University in December of 2004 with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. He worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters from May of 2005 to November of 2005 and then came to work with CIS as a Case Management Aide for the Middle Schools. In August 2006, Thurmond became the Campus Coordinator at Madison and is entering his 2nd year with them as their CIS Campus Coordinator.

Andre is our Campus Coordinator at Mann. He has a B.S. in Sociology and a M.S. in Organizational Human Resource Development and a certification in Conflict Mediation. He started at Franklin and moved to Mann for the 2007-2008 school year. Andre works with CIS because he likes to help motivate kids and see in their eyes the realization that they know they can succeed. Andre is now in his 4th year with CIS.

Sheila is our Campus Coordinator at Fannin. She has her B.A. in Biology with a minor in Social Work from Abilene Christian University and as well as her C.D.A. (Child Development Associate) Credential. Sheila enjoys working at Communities In Schools because she knows that what children learn from any source is what they will bring for the future. "I want to bring about positive results to children daily in simple ways that will give them a charge to succeed that day and bless the next person they come in contact with. Touching someone's life daily and blessing another is the message I want to give."

Annette is our Campus Coordinator at Ortiz Elementary and has been with CIS for 5 years. Annette enjoys working with Communities In Schools because she is making a difference in lives of children and their families. She is able to give back to the community in which she spent many of her childhood years and be the bridge between education, families and community. Annette has her B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology, which she earned from Abilene Christian University.

Joe is our Program Coordinator at Communities In Schools. He attended McMurry University where he earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies All-Level Physical Education and excelled in athletics as well while attending McMurry University. Joe begin working at the Abilene State School in October 1997 as a Service Assistant for 3 years. Joe was promoted to QMRP (Qualified Mental Retardation Professional) in November 2000. He served 6 years as QMRP and totaled 9 years at the Abilene State School. Joe believes that every child should be giving an opportunity to succeed. He believes we should not give up on children because they are the one’s who is the future when we are gone from this earth. Joe believes that we must train our children to be productive men and women to be able to take on life’s responsibilities and challenges. Communities In Schools is the program that can accomplish this.

Jake is our Executive Director and formerly worked as the Program Coordinator. Jake has a B.S. in Youth & Family Ministry and an M.A. in Human Communication with an emphasis in training & development and organizational communication from Abilene Christian University. He oversees our local progam and works with the board. Jake enjoys working with CIS because he believes youth increasingly need more positive caring adults who will give them time and attention to help them be successful in all areas of life. Being a child and teenager in today's culture is increasingly challenging. Kids are faced with making "adult" decisions at such a young age before they have the capacity to make wise and healthy choices. Often times they don't have adequate support systems to help guide them through adolescence. This is especially true for high-risk youth. That's where CIS comes in.