What are City Year Volunteer Programs?
You’ve probably seen young men and women walking around your city in those cool red jackets. No, they’re not super hero uniforms, they’re something better: they’re City Year jackets. And anyone who wants to spend 10 months breaking down social barriers, developing young leaders, and helping schools and students succeed can get one.
How City Year works:
According to City Year’s website, a student gives up on school in America every 26 seconds. City Year’s goal is to change that. Their volunteers act as full-time tutors, mentors, role models, and after-school program leaders who help at-risk students get back on track. City Year volunteers serve in 20 locations in the U.S. and one in South Africa. (For a complete list of locations, visit http://www.cityyear.org/locations.aspx.)
To sign up, you must be between the ages of 17 and 24, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident alien, and have your high school diploma or GED. (For those without a high school diploma, you can absolutely apply. City Year will help you enroll in a GED program a required element of your service year. While City Year will provide its members with access to a GED program, it’s your responsibility to attend class, complete assignments, and prepare for tests.)
Once you’re on your way, City Year provides health care, a weekly stipend, and loan deferment. Whether you choose to work in your hometown or to travel to another city, you’ll be responsible for finding a place to rest your head and for turning on the electricity. (But don’t stress–they have plenty of resources to help you get settled.)
Benefits of serving in City Year:
In addition to helping students, schools, and communities succeed, City Year members get real-world training, resume-boosting skills, leadership experience, and team-building experience. City Year wants their leaders to be as diverse as the communities they serve, so you’ll be working closely with 6-12 co-workers with various backgrounds, life experiences and skill sets.
For more information on City Year visit http://www.cityyear.org.
