After college, I served a year with AmeriCorps Cape Cod, a service program focused on natural resource management, disaster preparedness, and community engagement. I served as a chaperone for some students on the Cape to an event hosted by City Year, and spent most of my time talking to another Corps Member about his service and City Year. That led me to apply for the Civic Engagement Project Manager position, which started my (so far) six year career with City Year. 

I am so grateful to have found a position on the Boston Civic Engagement staff team, where I've been able to combine my love of physical service and building community. Through my time with City Year, I've been able to work with hundreds of volunteers from all over, learn about many organizations and communities that make up our city, and lead many exceptionally talented young people as they discover their own leadership and strength. The BCE team will always hold a special, paint-splattered place in my heart. 

I donated $10 for each year I've been with City Year; I hope you'll consider supporting students, young leaders, and City Year by giving back during Starry Night!

In March, Boston Public Schools (BPS) announced the closure of all 125 schools citywide. These school closures left 50,000 Boston students without access to in-person schooling.  City Year Boston is working closely with BPS to provide innovative distance learning opportunities to students, adapting our Whole School Whole Child program model to suit virtual spaces.

While teachers continue to provide whole-class instruction using platforms like Google Classroom or Zoom, City Year’s AmeriCorps members are providing academic supports in English language arts/literacy and math by facilitating breakout groups, answering questions, and leading enrichment activities.  Our corps members are assisting teachers in planning lessons and reviewing students’ assignments and holding office hours to provide one-on-one and small-group tutoring.  Importantly, our AmeriCorps members are also supporting students’ social-emotional health and placing phone calls home to students and their families as a way to build connectedness, troubleshoot, and communicate updates. 

City Year Boston is one of the only partners to support Boston Public School students throughout the COVID-19 pandemic

City Year’s support of virtual classrooms is a pivotal step in preventing learning loss and generating opportunities for new learning, as well as ensuring greater equity of experience among families who may not otherwise have the ability to facilitate in-home instruction.  Beyond this school year, City Year will continue to engage in the virtual space to support BPS students and will be in schools next year to support students when they will need more than ever.