Event will honor Shannon and Bill McBeath for their philanthropic contributions to the nonprofit and Las Vegas community
Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS), the fifth largest state office of the nation’s leading dropout prevention organization, presents the return of its annual gala, Today for Tomorrow, on Saturday, Oct. 15 at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
The theme, Spirit of Vegas, celebrates the remarkable evolution of our great city over the decades, the extraordinary dedication and uncompromised work put forth by men and women in various industries, and their impact in our community that has paved the way for positive change. This includes the event’s honorees, Bill McBeath, longtime gaming executive and former president/CEO of The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and esteemed entrepreneur and philanthropist, Shannon McBeath, for their longtime generous support of CIS of Nevada.
“Our annual fundraising gala is a time to celebrate the partners, donors, and team members who make our mission possible,” said Tami Hance-Lehr, CEO and state director, Communities In Schools of Nevada. “This year’s theme, the Spirit of Vegas, captures the essence of our honorees who have done so much to enrich the soul of our city. And it celebrates the world-class hospitality that our site coordinators bring to school campuses in their service to students every day. Because of our caring community, the Spirit of Vegas remains strong. I look forward to welcoming all our guests on October 15 for what’s sure to be another memorable night for all!”
Combined, Shannon and Bill McBeath have provided more than four decades of leadership in the hospitality industry and substantial charitable contributions to Las Vegas and the people who call it home. Thanks to partners like Shannon and Bill McBeath, CIS is not only able to sustain its programs, but meet the growing demand for services and reach more students who may otherwise not realize their true potential and find their own path to graduation. In September, CIS celebrated the expansion of its evidence-based program into 13 new schools statewide, increasing its reach to 91 schools and 90,000 students in Nevada.
“The mission of Communities In Schools has been one that has resonated within our Las Vegas community for years, providing immense support and empowerment to students across not only our city, but the country,” said Bill McBeath. “An astounding 92 percent graduation rate in Nevada continues to reflect the momentous efforts taken to ensure our youth have the education they so need and deserve, and we encourage our fellow Las Vegans to join us in our support of such a critical program. On behalf of Shannon and I, our sincere gratitude goes out to CIS for its continued dedication and perseverance.”
Guests are encouraged to dress to impress and get creative with Today for Tomorrow’s theme, Spirit of Vegas, and draw inspiration from some of the most memorable moments that have made Las Vegas, Vegas. This includes the opening of Golden Nugget in 1946 to the modern marvel that is now home to Today for Tomorrow, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; the talented Cirque du Soleil entertainers to the Rat Pack; music legends Frank Sinatra and Elvis; and our beloved professional sports teams, such as the Vegas Golden Knights and Las Vegas Raiders.
Tickets are now available for purchase and sold as “A Pair of Aces,” which includes two theater seats for $1,100. Guests will enjoy an array of culinary offerings provided by The Cosmopolitan’s restaurant partners including Holsteins, China Poblano Noodles & Tacos, STK Las Vegas, Momofuku and Scarpetta, among others. CIS board member and KSNV News 3 personality, Krystal Allan, will serve as emcee. There will also be a silent auction where all proceeds will benefit CIS. For tickets and more information, visit https://one.bidpal.net/tft22/welcome.
CIS places full-time and professionally trained site coordinators in Title I and high-needs schools across Nevada to support students who face barriers to their success—increasing the likelihood that they disengage and potentially drop out. The organization taps into a statewide network of more than 120 community nonprofits, partners and agencies, literally bringing the “community into the school,” to get students whatever they need to overcome the barriers they face that prevent them from learning.
From eyeglasses, dental care, health care and professional counseling, to food, school supplies, clothing and even housing, CIS identifies student needs and finds a way to address them, closing the gaps these students experience in their everyday lives. CIS’ long-term vision is for every child enrolled in a Title I or high-needs school to have access to a CIS site coordinator and their evidence-based model of Integrated Student Supports, otherwise known as wraparound services.
For the 2020-2021 school year, the graduation rate for CIS case-managed high school seniors in Nevada was 92 percent, 13 points higher than the Nevada statewide graduation rate of 79 percent for students on free or reduced lunch, as released by the Nevada Department of Education.
For more information on CIS of Nevada, visit http://cisnevada.org/.
About Communities In Schools of Nevada
Communities In Schools of Nevada (CIS) is the fifth-largest state office of the nation’s leading evidence-based dropout prevention organization that believes every child has potential – regardless of race, zip code or socioeconomic background – but may lack equal opportunity to succeed.
CIS places caring, well-trained, full-time employees in underserved schools to build trusting relationships with students and families, assess their needs and remove the barriers they face to learn and graduate.
CIS taps into a network of more than 120 agencies and nonprofits to meet student needs – literally bringing the community into the schools it serves.
CIS has innovated ways to collaborate with partners during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure continuity of care, meeting students online, at home, or in the community to provide supports. Included in CIS’ strategies and culture are principles and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As a result, CIS breaks down immediate and systemic barriers to create and sustain equitable outcomes. In total, CIS serves more than 90,000 students, including 13 schools in Western Nevada, 13 schools in Northeastern Nevada, and 65 schools in Southern Nevada.
Nationally, Communities In Schools provides services in more than 2,900 schools in 26 states and the District of Columbia, serving 1.7 million young people and their families every year. For more information, visit http://www.cisnevada.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
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