FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tracie Miller
December
20, 2011 919.403.1936
CIS of
Durham Development Director Tracie Miller, Junior League Community VP Stephanie
Brennan and Junior League President Shannon Tucker, Carson Tucker, Salon owners
Gail and Tommy McNeill
Local Philanthropists Donate to CIS of Durham
DURHAM, NC - Philanthropist, Gail and Tommy McNeill, are dedicated to academic achievement among Durham and Orange county students. The couple’s recent endeavor supports the dropout prevention work of Communities In Schools of Durham.
After reading an article in the local paper about CIS of Durham’s partnership with the Junior League of Orange and Durham Counties, the McNeills, owners of Gail’s Hair Salon and Pampering Women, decided to donate ten Amazon Kindle eReaders to the organization. The technology will provide unlimited access to books for at-risk youth attending the Durham Performance Learning Center, a school in partnership with CIS of Durham and Durham Public Schools.
“Gail’s
Hair Salon is committed to excellence in hair care and passionate about supporting our community and
establishing a partnership with Communities In Schools and The Junior League of
Durham and Orange Counties in support of this Literacy Program,” stated
the McNeills.
The Performance Learning Center is a CIS model typically serving up to 120 students each year who are not succeeding in a traditional school setting. The technology-based school combines strong personal relationships with an intense focus on academic achievement and post-secondary preparation. Last year the Durham school graduated 93% of its eligible seniors.
“The donation from the McNeills is a great addition to the school which has a limited number of books. The addition of eReaders will be a fun and interactive way to promote reading and technology in the classroom,” said Tracie Miller, Development Director for CIS of Durham.
Communities In Schools of Durham is part of the nation’s most effective dropout prevention model. The organization serves nearly 2,000 Durham students inside of 27 local schools. CIS of Durham’s mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.