Empowering Youth and Schools Through City Year Philadelphia
In a recent interview, Katrina Pratt Roebuck, Founder and CEO of Uplifme, sat down with Daryl Bundridge, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of City Year Philadelphia, to discuss the incredible work City Year is doing to support educational equity in under-resourced schools.
About City Year Philadelphia
City Year Philadelphia is part of a national network of 29 organizations under the AmeriCorps program, focused on achieving educational equity in under-resourced schools. Based in Boston, City Year is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide support to students through a dedicated team of young adults, known as Student Success Coaches. These AmeriCorps members, aged 18 to 25, commit to a year of service in Philadelphia’s schools, where they serve as tutors, mentors, and role models, working to create a positive and supportive learning environment.
How City Year Works in Schools
City Year teams are strategically placed in schools based on the unique needs of each school community. Each team, typically consisting of at least six members, collaborates closely with teachers, administrators, and other school staff to support students both academically and emotionally. Here’s how City Year’s support is structured:
- Team-Based Approach: City Year deploys teams to schools, ensuring a comprehensive support system for students. These teams are composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds and skills that align with the needs of the schools they serve.
- Customized Support: The selection process for schools involves conversations with principals and staff to understand each school’s vision, strengths, and areas for growth. City Year then tailors its support to complement existing resources, focusing on enhancing academic achievement and creating a positive school culture.
- Range of Activities: The support provided by City Year ranges from school-wide activities like morning greetings and event planning to more targeted interventions such as one-on-one tutoring, small group sessions, and after-school programs. These activities aim to address both academic and social-emotional learning needs, helping students succeed in a holistic manner.
Impact on the Community
City Year Philadelphia has made a significant impact since its inception in 1997. The program not only supports student success but also serves as a pipeline for future educators and community leaders:
- Pathway to Teaching: Many City Year members are inspired to pursue careers in education after their service year, often becoming teachers in the very schools they served. This has helped address the teacher shortage in Philadelphia and has brought more diversity to the teaching workforce.
- Developing Future Leaders: City Year’s emphasis on civic engagement and leadership development prepares its members for a variety of career paths, from education to healthcare and social services. Alumni of the program often continue to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways, whether as educators, social workers, or even city council members.
- Community Retention: A notable achievement is that approximately 75% of City Year’s graduating class of corps members choose to stay in Philadelphia, contributing to the city’s vibrancy and growth.
City Year as a Workforce Development Program
In addition to its educational focus, City Year also serves as a workforce development program, helping young adults develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and leadership. These skills are critical for success in any professional environment and provide City Year members with valuable experience that benefits their future careers.
How to Support City Year Philadelphia
There are several ways to support City Year’s mission and work in Philadelphia:
- Recruitment: City Year is always looking for passionate young adults aged 18 to 25 who are interested in making a difference. If you know someone who would benefit from this experience, encourage them to apply.
- Donations: Financial contributions are vital to the continuation of City Year’s work. Donations can be made through the City Year Philadelphia website.
- Corporate Sponsorships and Major Gifts: City Year welcomes support from corporate partners, foundations, and individual donors who believe in the power of education and community service.
Conclusion
City Year Philadelphia is making a profound impact on the lives of students, schools, and communities. Through their dedicated service, City Year members are not only helping to bridge educational gaps but are also developing into the next generation of leaders and changemakers. If you are interested in supporting City Year or learning more, visit their website at cityyear.org/Philadelphia.
Thank you, Daryl Bundridge, for sharing the incredible work being done by City Year Philadelphia and for highlighting the opportunities available for those looking to make a difference in education and beyond.