AmeriCorps Appreciation Month at City Year Detroit

City Year has a lot to celebrate—starting with our extraordinary AmeriCorps members! We’re proud of them, the skills they are building and their commitment to creating positive change in 29 U.S. cities, and right here in Detroit.

“As a metro Detroit native, I aspire to give back to the community where I am from and hope to inspire the next generation of students by providing them with the academic and social mentorship to succeed.” – City Year Detroit AmeriCorps member Goutham

At City Year, we believe every young person has the potential to succeed and follow their dreams. That’s why we serve in schools across the country to bridge the gap between the support students actually need and what their schools are able to provide. We’re helping to increase graduation rates across the country, ensuring more than 200,000 students we serve, across 29 cities and in over 300 schools, will be ready to succeed in college or a career. Our 3,100 City Year AmeriCorps members are the ones that make this possible.

“ I serve because I recognize the abundant injustice within the US education system and hope to do my small part in supporting historically marginalized groups.” -City Year Detroit AmeriCorps member Akili

These young adults, age 18-25, make the decision to serve full-time for 11 months in City Year’s partner schools to provide extra support for students, teachers, and the whole school. The work our City Year AmeriCorps members do to help their students succeed is not easy. They work long days, and often commute home only to plan activities and tutoring sessions for the next day of school.

“I serve because I was raised up to be an individual who uses my light to spark a flame in another.” – City Year Detroit AmeriCorps member Reid

During the month of March, City Year AmeriCorps members are 8 months through their year of service. In the winter months, many of them commute to school before the sun rises and will not leave until the last student is picked up from the after-school program. During these times, a little encouragement and support can go a long way…

This year City Year Detroit came together to show our appreciation of our dedicated corps through a video. We were also overwhelmed by the support of our partners for showing their love for our corps, including:

Starbucks for donating over 500 cups, water, bottles, coffee beans, and so much merchandise!

Kroger for generously donating gift cards for each member of our corps!

Detroit Lions for providing an amazing training space, breakfast, and lunch!