Your July 14 story about the new Chavis Heights community in downtown Raleigh ("Public housing complex draws criticism") did not include a very positive change for the children of Chavis Heights. The neighborhood, like others in recent years, has been revitalized through federal grants and partnerships in our community. In Chavis Heights and the new Capitol Park, for example, Communities In Schools of Wake County has collaborated with the Raleigh Housing Authority, Wake County and the Wake County Public School System (among others) to deliver afterschool programming to students who reside in these neighborhoods. Our learning centers focus on motivating students to live up to their individual academic potential. Each center has access to donated computers, professional educators and community volunteers dedicated to our young people's academic success.

Certainly there are always challenges that come with change, but I encourage The N&O and its readers to give the new Chavis Heights and the five other public housing complexes where CIS Wake operates another look. Good things are happening that benefit our students and the community at large. Or visit us online at www.ciswake.org and learn about opportunities to support our mission to help students succeed in school and life.

George Farthing

Board member, Communities In Schools of Wake County, Raleigh

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