As I graduated from college, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I knew I was interested in education, service, and social justice. And after playing rugby for four years in college, I knew I wanted to be part of a team. When I heard about City Year, I knew immediately it would be a good fit. I was excited to work with students, to be a mentor in Boston, and to be part of a team committed to supporting one another. My corps year from 2014-2015 was transformational for me. It was some of the hardest work I've done, with the long days and middle school students who always wanted their opinions heard, but I wouldn't change a moment of it. I learned so much from City Year about what it means to communicate across difference, how to plan events, how to maintain empathy even on the hard days, and why middle school students are the most fun to be around. I chose to serve a second year in Boston as a team leader because I wanted to continue to build my leadership within City Year and continue working with Boston students. City Year has taught me the personal and professional skills to be successful in my work today and has given me some of the best friends of my lifetime. Join me in celebrating at City Year's Starry Night this year and by supporting the work that City Year AmeriCorps members are doing even amidst a worldwide pandemic! 

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.