A physical service project completed by a City Year-led team can transform the community twice – once by visibly improving the community with the immediate results, and then by inspiring participants to volunteer again.
All City Year locations host large-scale service events throughout the year, led by corps members and staff.
Projects include:
- Painting murals
- Refurbishing schools
- Creating playspaces
- Planting community gardens
- Revitalizing community centers
“A while ago, our team led volunteers cleaning up back alleys in a tough part of town. Some groups were able to clear out an alley, and then paint it with murals. Other groups were able to beautify the alleys with landscaping.
One group, though, had a whole day’s work just clearing out the alley, until the only thing left standing was the old basketball hoop. I could tell the volunteers in that group didn't feel their work had been transformative. They did not know they had made a difference.
But as we were packing up our tools, some kids from around the corner came by and brought a basketball and started playing in this space for the very first time. Their laughs and shouts echoed in the alley.
With sore backs, aching legs, blistered hands, those volunteers really understood what they had accomplished.”
– Cristina Gomez, Corps Member