Our stories
Read a collection of stories and learn from the perspectives and experiences of our City Year AmeriCorps members, students, partners and alums.

Student Success Coach Riya Sembhi (pictured front row, right, with her Sullivan Elementary team) shares her experiences serving a gap…
Read the story
Left: Hanna during her time serving as a City Year Philadelphia AmeriCorps member, 2019-2020. Right: Hanna in her current role…
Read the story
Did you know that many alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, known as HBCUs, apply to serve with City…
Read the story
Many City Year Philadelphia (CYP) alumni credit their year of service with transforming their lives, leading to lasting friendships, newfound…
Read the story
Keimahney Carlisle (pictured fourth, red jacket) writes about her experiences serving on City Year Philadelphia’s 2022-23 Civic Engagement team. …
Read the story
Cameron Cheatham, incoming 2023-24 City Year Philadelphia AmeriCorps member, writes about his personal experiences that drew him to service. …
Read the story
AmeriCorps members pose in front of the “I Love Philly” sign at LOVE Park, 2019. Making the decision to…
Read the story
City Year Philly AmeriCorps members (clockwise from top left) Olivia Baptiste, Jianna Frei, Tomir Johnson, and Amina Khan speak about…
Read the story
Why I Serve and What My Day Looks Like When my alarm goes off at 5:45 each morning, I think…
Read the story
This blog was updated in January 2024 to reflect the School District of Philadelphia’s changing math curriculum. In this ongoing…
Read the story
As a City Year Philadelphia (CYP) AmeriCorps member, it’s easy to get consumed in the day-to-day of service. Having hobbies…
Read the story
This blog was updated in January 2024 to reflect the School District of Philadelphia’s changing literacy curriculum. AmeriCorps members at…
Read the story