City Year is committed to helping Boston’s young people succeed, bridging the gaps between what students need and what school systems are traditionally, systemically, resourced to provide. We know that with the right supports, every child can thrive.

I fundamentally believe that we are all obligated to make those supports a reality - now more than ever. 

I had the privilege of completing a year of service with CY in 2014. I committed to serving with City Year because I knew how powerful education can be, and wanted to do good for others. In that year, I was fortunate to work with incredible students. I got to watch them learn and grow - they mastered long division, grew comfortable reading aloud from their new favorite chapter books, and became confident raising their hands in class. A student who struggled to write simple sentences in the fall began keeping a diary by spring, writing long essays (with illustrations!) about all their weekend activities to share with me on Monday morning. They were amazing, and I left school every day feeling proud and grateful to be a part of their journeys. 

What I didn't expect, though, was how I would change in my time with City Year. Every day, I was challenged to think creatively, navigate a complex and ever-changing environment, and figure out how to make do with the resources available to me. Service was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But, I wouldn't be the professional, friend, sister, or daughter that I am  today without City Year. 

Please join me in supporting not only Boston's students - who next year, will face unprecendented academic and social-emotional challenges resulting from current school closures - but also AmeriCorps members like me. 1.3 million young adults will graduate from college this spring seeking employment. Your support will help to mobilize this new workforce to the benefit of our local schools. 

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.