Showing up every day wasn’t always easy for Jerod. But through determination, support, and a growing belief in his own potential, he transformed his high school experience and built a foundation for the future he wants.

Jerod grew up in both Charles City and Chesterfield County and eventually found his place at Carver College and Career Academy. After previously attending a larger high school, he appreciated Carver’s smaller environment, where there were fewer distractions and more opportunities for one-on-one support from teachers.

Outside of school, Jerod enjoys working, cutting grass, and spending time with friends and family. But during his junior year, he faced challenges that made it difficult to stay on track academically.

Jerod was referred to Communities In Schools Site Coordinator Mary Thompson because of concerns about his attendance. At the time, he was missing a significant amount of school while staying with his girlfriend in Midlothian. Between transportation challenges and difficulty waking up on time, getting to school consistently had become a struggle.

That’s when Mary stepped in.

As they spent more time together, Mary helped Jerod see the importance of being present—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. She became someone he could count on during difficult days and a trusted adult who consistently encouraged him to keep moving forward.

“She believed in me,” Jerod said.

Their work together focused first on improving attendance, but it quickly expanded to include academics, goal-setting, and planning for the future. After moving back in with his mother, Jerod began attending school more consistently and took greater ownership of his responsibilities.

One goal stood out above the rest: making the Honor Roll.

To help him get there, Jerod often worked in Mary’s office, completing assignments and staying on top of deadlines. Mary regularly communicated with his teachers, helping identify missing work and prioritize assignments so he could focus on what needed to be completed first.

His hard work paid off.

Jerod achieved Honor Roll status, earned his driver’s license, secured employment, and ultimately graduated from Carver Academy. Mary also helped him navigate job applications and connected him with opportunities to build life skills beyond the classroom.

According to Mary, Jerod became known around Carver for his positive attitude and friendly personality.

“He’s the Mayor of Carver,” she said.

He also found ways to give back to others, participating in community service projects, including reading to kindergarten students at Harrowgate Elementary School.

Beyond the academic support, Jerod says the biggest impact of CIS was having someone who genuinely cared about him and wanted to see him succeed.

“She supported me in everything,” he said.

The conversations they shared helped him process challenges, navigate difficult situations, and strengthen his relationship with his mother. In fact, Jerod says his mother became one of Mary’s biggest fans.

As graduation approached, Jerod had a clearer vision for his future. His immediate goal is to earn his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), inspired by watching his brother build a career in the field. Looking further ahead, he hopes to join the military and eventually become a barber.

Whatever path he chooses, Jerod leaves Carver with a stronger sense of direction, greater confidence in himself, and the knowledge that he has people in his corner cheering him on.

For a student who once struggled simply to get to school, that’s a remarkable accomplishment—and just the beginning of what’s ahead.

You can be a part of future students’ graduation success! To invest in the class of 2027, make your donation to Communities In Schools of Chesterfield today!