History
1976
The organization now known as Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County began as Youth Services Action Group with a focus on advocacy work.
1992
Children First is established as a program of the United Way of Asheville-Buncombe County.
1995
The Family Resource Center opens and provides food, clothing, and emergency supports for families living in the Emma Community.
1998
Children First becomes an independent non-profit and provides both direct services and public policy advocacy. It begins its Project POWER AmeriCorps program.
2003
Children First becomes the Buncombe County affiliate of Communities In Schools, a national dropout prevention network.
2007
Children First/CIS afterschool learning centers open and provide homework assistance for K-5th graders in under-resourced communities.
2011
Children First/CIS begins its Student Support Specialist program at Johnston Elementary, and expands over the next four years to include five schools in total.
2013
Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County is awarded official designation as a Nationally Accredited Affiliate Organization for Communities In Schools.
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![happy child (26) happy child (26)](https://childrenfirstcisbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/happy-child-26-300x300.jpg)
![Summer Camp Swimming at JCC Summer Camp Swimming at JCC](https://childrenfirstcisbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Summer-Camp-Swimming-at-JCC-1-300x300.jpg)