Hi everyone! My name is Luis Fortes and in 2014, I was introduced to the powerful work of City Year. Since then, I have met students impacted by our service, gotten to mentor AmeriCorps members, and have created everlasting connections with those on staff. 5 years later, I am still blown away by the impactful service that this organization provides to support Boston's youth and communities. Growing up in South Shore, MA, I would have loved to have a City Year member in my classroom. Now, I serve on staff full-time with our Development Department connecting individuals from all over to our service. With your support, we can ensure that students today have a red jacket by their side. 

Hey y'all! My name is Marika Azocar and I joined City Year Boston in 2013 as an Americorps Member serving at the Mattahunt Elementary School. Originally from Southern Texas, I moved across the country to support students through a powerful year of service. 6 years have passed and my belief in the power of young people is stronger than ever. I now serve on City Year Boston's Leadership Team as an Impact Director supporting AmeriCorps members as they foster stonger partnerships and engage in their year of service. 

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.