More than 30,000 young people have worn the City Year jacket. For the students and schools we serve, it signifies hope and inspiration, caring and support. In a special jacket ceremony each year, we ask City Year AmeriCorps members to dedicate their jacket to an individual or group of people that inspires them. Red Jacket Society members across the country are following this tradition and have dedicated their jackets.
Red Jacket Society dedications
I dedicate my jacket to my wife, Kristen, who helped start City Year 28 years ago. Our children have chosen their paths because of you.
I dedicate my jacket to all the children across the globe who we guide - we are their teachers. But also to my children because the greatest gift is our children.
I dedicate my jacket to my son, Liam, my daughter, Kelly, and our very good friend, Bob Woods.
I dedicate my jacket to my husband, my grandparents, and my students.
I dedicate my jacket to our Corps members that are giving a year of their lives to make Columbus a better place.
I dedicate this jacket to my mother. Over 40 years ago, she started taking in foster children and has now had more than 200 foster children. She also taught me the value of service and the impact that you can have on people’s lives.
I dedicate my jacket to my sons, Hunter and Chase, who inspire me on a daily basis. I wish for them to always be happy and make a positive impact on society.
I dedicate my jacket to my sister who works in the New York family courts - those children see the benefit of the City Year New York Corps members every day.
I dedicate my jacket to Myra Kraft who was a mentor and really inspired me to devote myself to volunteerism and leadership in the nonprofit community and philanthropy.
I dedicate my jacket to the corps members who I always find so inspiring. They’ve given a year of their life to make a difference in these schools.
I dedicate my jacket to Tyler Cleveland who I mentored last year, to Nick Olsen who I mentor this year, and to the other eight AmeriCorps members serving at Trevista Elementary.
I dedicate my jacket to a very dear family friend who is a current Corps member in Chicago, Lydia Mitchell, and to one of the most amazing, inspiring, authentic people I’ve been exposed to through City Year, someone who embodies for me the spirit of City Year and the work that we all support as much if not more than anybody else - Charlie Rose
I dedicate my jacket to Iesha Mitchell who was my first City Year mentee. She personifies what this program is all about. Because of Iesha, there are young men and women in our society today that will not fall between the cracks.
I dedicate my jacket to the people of Sacramento who have given me a platform to do impactful work within the community.
I dedicate my jacket to my boss, David Mussafer, who 7 or 8 years ago took me aside and said you should really learn more about City Year – you might get something out of it.
I dedicate my jacket to my grandmother, aunt, and mother for raising me and giving me the support that I needed.
I dedicate my jacket to the power of idealism. Even when it seems to be waning it will come back stronger than ever if all us of do our part.
I dedicate my jacket to a friend who in the past two years has suffered unspeakable loss. Despite that, she demonstrates resilience and courage and looks to bring out the best in people, similar to what the Corps members and City Year do everyday.
My parents were immigrants and they taught us the importance of family, friends and philanthropy. I dedicate my jacket to my dad who died young of cancer.
I dedicate my jacket to women and men who have spoken up - who've ever felt uncomfortable at work. This is for them.
I dedicate my jacket to my daughters in the hope that this is a role model of what they will do.
I dedicate my jacket to President Clinton who saw that AmeriCorps could do what it does and fund so many organizations like City Year and make it possible to do the work we do and change the lives of children every day.
I dedicate my jacket to my oldest daughter, Lindsay, who was a corps member in Denver in 2014-15. She went there not knowing a soul, really did amazing things and loved it.
I dedicate my jacket to Spencer Blasdale who was in the original summer Corps; Creighton Reed and Stephen Spaloss, my roommates from my 1991 Corps year; Kristen Atwood for recruiting us; and the Corps members who impressed upon a student yesterday that by wearing a red jacket, I could be their City Year.
I dedicate my jacket to students who we don’t serve. Because by joining the Red Jacket Society, one day we’re going to help them and give them hope. Hoping we get there soon - this is for them.
I dedicate my jacket to my daughter, who has worked harder than anybody I know to finish her education, and to Sam Houston High School where I first saw City Year Corps members do power greetings. I still get chills - it still inspires me.
I dedicate my jacket to Paul and Gregory Boyle, founders of Homeboy Industries. And to City Year, who exemplifies the concept of compassionate empathy.
I'd like to share my dedication with my wife, Diane.
I dedicate my jacket to Michael Henderson, who I collected as a Big Brother from the Big Brother, Little Brother Organization in 1988. The youngest of eight children in a single parent household, Michael is now 32 years old and graduated from college. He has taught me more than anything I’ve ever learned.
I dedicate my jacket to the single moms and dads who are supported by our City Year Corps. They know that their kiddos are safe, well taken care of and loved by the Corps.
I dedicate my jacket to the underserved, to the Corps members who are imparting to the future generation, and to my family and children who are dedicated to service.
I dedicate my jacket to Tracy Valentine who showed me the way and how I could have an impact in a whole different area that I never thought possible.
I dedicate my jacket to all of those little boys and girls who know they’re meant to become something special but don’t have a role model to help guide the way.
I dedicate my jacket to Jonathan Lavine who inspired me to become part of City Year and whose selflessness and service should stand as an inspiration to others.
I dedicate one sleeve of my jacket to Andrew Hauptman and the other sleeve to Anna Lewis. The body of the jacket is for my 12-year-old daughter Katie for whom I hope this will be a great example.
I dedicate my jacket to my daughter Dana, who not only was a Corps member and a team leader, but now she's working in Development for City Year.
I dedicate my jacket to AmeriCorps member Carl Haber working at the Burke High School in Boston. I know you are going to make a difference.
I dedicate my jacket to the 289 corps members in Boston, Sandra Lopez Burke, and Dianne Ledingham who re-inspired me to get back involved with City Year.
I dedicate my jacket to City Year – an organization I first encountered 22 years ago in Hoffman Plaza. Here’s to seeing red jackets 22 years from now.
Who inspires you?
As a Red Jacket Society member, who inspires you? Please email us with your jacket dedication quote.
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