Founded in 1977, "Communities in Schools" champions the connection of needed community resources with schools to help 300,000 youngsters annually to learn, stay in school, and prepare for life. The program brings in community-service providers, such as health-care and mental-health professionals, to work as a personalized team alongside parents, school staff, and mentors. Programs in Charlotte, North Carolina, and El Paso, Texas, are profiled. (MLH)