Anyone has any experience with City Year?

Question

I am going to be graduating soon from graduate school and I want to work with children for a while before going into my career field. I've been looking around on City Year and this sounds like something I would love to do, but I was wondering if anyone had any experiences, what kinds of people made up this organization (high school graduates, college graduates, etc.), or anything else interesting about this program. I'd love to get any advice- thanks!

Answer 1

City Year is a volunteer experience for youth aged 17-24. In essence, it is a 10-month commitment to serve in a specific location, where you tutor, mentor, and participate in other community service. You must be a high school graduate or have your GED, be a US citizen or permanent resident, and (eventually) be willing to submit to a background check.

I have just been accepted as a first-year Corps member, so I will start my service in late August of this year. The application process is rigorous, and included a thorough written application (with lots of essays!), two phone interviews, and an on-site interview. It is very important to City Year that the incoming Corps Members be prepared for what they are intending to do, that they be willing and able to comply with City Year's (sometimes strict) standards, and most importantly that they believe in the ideals of service and teamwork. If that sounds like something you want to do, call a City Year recruiter or fill out the initial application on-line.

If you are older than 24 and still want to do national service working with youth, check out Teach for America (another Americorps program), of the NYC Teaching Fellowship. They are similar programs that have no upper age limit, and you might even be eligible for a higher salary because of your graduate degree! You might also try the Americorps website, which I believe has a searchable database of volunteer opportunities.

Whatever you choose, good luck!