Communities in Schools welcomes new site coordinator to Coosa Middle

February 28, 2021–6:26 p.m.

NEWS RELEASE

Communities in Schools (CIS) of Rome-Floyd County would like to welcome their newest Site Coordinator, Emanuel Woods, to the team.

As he accepts his role as Site Coordinator for Coosa Middle School, Emanuel Woods offers extensive experience in mentorship, and most importantly, the passion and motivation to incite positive change.

With a background in nonprofit management, Woods brings experience from several organizations that he says have heavily impacted his thoughts and actions along his own path in life.

Woods says he knows, firsthand, what it’s like to struggle, both with academics and discipline.

“That’s probably one of the biggest reasons that I’m excited to be working with an organization like Communities in Schools,” Woods says, “because of what we can do for the kids and for the school; giving some extra support to kids that are like I was.”

A Rome native, Woods graduated from Rome High School in 2008. After attending Tennessee Temple University, he began a decade-long professional journey through three states and countless missions of mentorship.

Woods says it was his Christian background that led him to Missouri, where he served as a camp counselor for five summers with Kids Across America, a Christian youth organization focusing on mentorship through outdoor education. His displayed leadership there led him to his next stop in Opelousas, La., where he served as High School Director for Hope for Opelousas. There he was able to dive into the programs and create curriculum for the students.

“That’s where I really started to mold who I was as a leader,” Woods recalls. “We were a support system for the kids, the parents, and also the community. So, I was able to be of service within the schools during the day and then also take part in the after-school mentoring program.”

Woods’ last stop before returning to serve his native city and state was with Common Ground in Montgomery, Ala. where he served as Program Director for Pre-K through 12th grade. Common Ground is also a Christian youth organization with a focus on youth development and leadership through after-school programs and camps.

“Basically, everywhere I worked was about mentoring kids,” Woods says. “This is something I’m passionate about. I know what it’s like to struggle and not have anyone, but I also know what it means to be a kid and have a caring adult step into your life and help change your course.”

After losing family while across state lines, Woods desired to return to Rome. “I wanted to get back home so I could support for my family,” he explains, “so that when hard times hit, I wouldn’t have to travel seven to 10 hours to be with them.”

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