Communities in Schools of Western Nevada Announces Inaugural “Power Within” Breakfast & Awards Ceremony

Communities In Schools (CIS) of Western Nevada will host its inaugural Power Within Breakfast & Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 8–10 a.m. at the Grand Sierra Resort’s Carson Ballroom, presented by the NV Energy Foundation. The event will celebrate local students who have demonstrated resilience, perseverance, and personal growth by tapping into their “power within.”

The breakfast and awards ceremony will honor outstanding CIS students and recognize the community partners who play a vital role in supporting student success and wraparound services across Washoe County.

A highlight of the morning will feature three CIS students showcased in a special video series produced by the R&R Partners Foundation, highlighting students’ stories, including their growth and achievement. The students will take the stage to accept awards.

“Power Within is about recognizing students who, with support and guidance from CIS Site Coordinators and community partners, persevere through barriers to staying in school and growing into their full potential,” said Nicole Willis-Grimes, Executive Director for Communities In Schools of Western Nevada.

“This event is an opportunity to celebrate what can happen when students have access to basic needs and services and are empowered to thrive.”

CIS of Western Nevada is currently seeking event sponsors to support student achievement throughout Northern Nevada.

Sponsorship opportunities include:

Individual event tickets are available for $35.

For tickets, sponsorship details and additional information, visit:
https://one.bidpal.net/washoepowerwithin/welcome

New Harvard research tracking CIS case-managed students for 20 years shows that providing students born into low-income families with personalized supports, whether in the form of academic, social, housing, or health assistance, significantly raises test scores, boosts high school graduation rates, and improves adult earnings.

CIS has newly released its annual impact report, sharing results during the 2024-2025 School Year. CIS of Western Nevada provided support to 11,382 students, case-managing 942 students who received individualized, evidence-based wraparound interventions tailored to improve attendance, behavior, and course performance. CIS of Western Nevada also contributed $413,072 in essential items and resources to students and families, including food, clothing, hygiene items, school supplies, vision, dental care, academic tutoring, transportation, mental health counseling, and more. To read the impact report, visit cisnevada.org/locations/western.

ABOUT COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF WESTERN NEVADA

Communities In Schools (CIS) of Western Nevada is part of a national evidence-based nonprofit currently serving more than 13,000 students in 24 schools across the Washoe County School District. CIS places trusted Site Coordinators in Title I and high-needs schools to provide case management, mentorship, resources, and community services inside dedicated CIS resource rooms.

The organization taps into a statewide network of more than 120 community partners to remove barriers to learning – from health care, dental health, mental health, food, school supplies, clothing, transportation, and even housing. Its mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

CIS partner schools in Washoe County School District include Anderson Elementary School, Booth Elementary School, Clayton Middle School, Cold Springs Middle School, Desert Heights Elementary School, Desert Skies Middle School, Dilworth Middle School, Duncan Elementary School, Hug High School, Incline Middle School, Innovations High School, Juniper Elementary School, Mathews Elementary School, Mendive Middle School, Natchez Elementary School, O’Brien Middle School, Palmer Elementary School, Pine Middle School, Rita Cannan Elementary School, Sparks High School, Sparks Middle School, Traner Middle School, Vaughn Middle School, and Veterans Memorial Elementary School.