One volunteer after another made their case to the school board Tuesday afternoon.
Volunteers placed by communities in schools or CIS coordinators explained how they make a difference in the lives of at-risk students.
"They come from homes most of us can't even imagine," volunteer Rusty Edmisten said.
"Mitchell came up to me and bear hugged me in the middle of all of his friends and that's when I began to see it make a difference." tutor Pete Cotter said.
Wake County may stop paying coordinators at ten schools in an effort to save nearly $500,000.
The positions could come back depending on the final state budget and federal stimulus money.
But supporters say the program can't afford to be cut.
"I think to cut CIS in Wake Schools would be the worst thing since it's been the best thing I've been a part of," student Grant Kemplin said.
"As a volunteer I know firsthand that these students would never, never succeed without CIS who will make sure they can eat and get dressed for school, who will stand up for them at child protective services hearing," volunteer Marla Turlington said.
School leaders will continue working on their budget next week. They say any cuts are preliminary since so much depends on what the state does.
