Little Rock is home to a close-knit and welcoming community known for its commitment to improving education. City Year Little Rock works alongside teachers and community partners to support students across the city.
While Little Rock is a wonderful city to live and work, some students in our area face significant challenges every day. City Year works with seven partner schools in the Little Rock School District reaching around 4,500 students each day. Of those students, 89% are considered low-income or eligible for food assistance.
The growth I experienced during my time In City Year changed my life. Through service I saw my potential as a leader in this community. I'm proud that I chose to stay in Little Rock and pursue life as an educator because of my service in this city and the friends and family I gained along the way.
Nia-Imani Ahmad City Year Little Rock, ’10
Your corps experience
City Year partners with seven schools in the Little Rock School District (LRSD) in creating equitable learning opportunities for all students and helping develop the city’s future leaders. AmeriCorps members support teachers and staff in delivering instruction that serves the development of the whole child and is responsive to the diverse racial and cultural needs of Little Rock youth.
AmeriCorps members are truly making an impact. A close-knit community with ample opportunities to develop meaningful personal and professional relationships, Little Rock is an ideal place to serve. Because Little Rock is a small town, AmeriCorps members get several face-time opportunities with leading LRSD officials, city leaders and champions of our work as well as hands on professional development.
By engaging students, families and community organizations, City Year Little Rock is moving the needle. Students tutored by City Year improved 9% points on the ACT Aspire in math from 2018–2019, showing substantial gains over their non-tutored peers, who decreased 2% points. In Literacy, students tutored improved 7%, outpacing their non-tutored peers, who increased 2% points.
Serving in Little Rock schools
Work with a committed and diverse team of City Year AmeriCorps members who share your passion for service and personal growth. A service day is unique to each school served. City Year AmeriCorps members are in schools before the first bell rings and are some of the last to leave at the end of the day. Typical service hours are:
7:00am–5:00pm (elementary schools)
7:45am–5:45pm (middle schools)
8:00am–6:00pm (high schools)
Days are spent providing whole class support, small group and 1:1 tutoring sessions, before and after school programming for the whole school as well as focus lesson planning time and team meetings.
Professional development
City Year Little Rock is committed to the personal and professional growth of our AmeriCorps members. Our Learning and AmeriCorps Member Experience Manager spends focused time creating meaningful trainings and workshops to provide the expertise needed to serve powerfully in schools each day and also grow professionally.
Community involvement
Create a positive climate of high expectations and engagement that ripples throughout the greater Little Rock community through service. AmeriCorps members participate in at least three service projects throughout the year. Several community partners include: EngageAR, Clinton Foundation, Arkansas Foodbank, Our House, Mosaic Templars, Habitat for Humanity, Little Rock Parks and Recreation, Centers for Youth and Families, Comcast, Greater Second Care and more.
Over the last 30 years we have built robust relationships with Little Rock Public Schools, teachers, families and the community at large. We can’t wait to welcome you.
School is out! We have had the most amazing year serving students in Little Rock. Although faced with challenges, it is clear students in Little Rock continue to strive for success even during the hard times. Thank you for sharing your energy with City Year this year. Have a wonderful summer break!...
We are so grateful for the support of our @cylrcloverdale team from our national partners, Red Nose Day. Check out the link in our bio for more on the impact we are making in Little Rock schools and how @rednosedayusa is helping make that happen!
🔴 Make sure to check out Red Nose Day’s National broadcast tomorrow night on NBC! 🔴...
At City Year, we know the importance of connection. Our AmeriCorps Members work every day to build community and connection with students. Because of these relationships, students connect with what is going on in the classroom.
Especially during this time of isolation due to Covid19, it is important to stay connected to one another. Using the #CYBecauseOf tag, we want to know who has motivated you? What relationships have helped get you through this past year? Post a photo and tag us or comment below!
We had a blast celebrating our ACMs today for Corps Appreciation Month. These ACMs work so tirelessly and we are extremely grateful for them and their service in Little Rock.
@spudlovear and @communitybakerylr came through with some awesome goods!
🥔 🍪😎...
City Year Little Rock is thrilled to announce our Red Jacket: Because Of Campaign. This initiative aims to raise $100,000 in funds over a six week time frame while celebrating the community we are fortunate enough to serve in. The Red Jacket Campaign takes the place of our traditional signature "Red Jacket Ball".
Because of this amazing community of supporters and champions, City Year Little Rock AmeriCorps Members serve each day in-person at five key partner schools. ACMs reach thousands of students, in schools and virtually, tutoring and mentoring so that students stay on track. Even as COVID-19 causes an unprecedented moment of disruption to the schooling of Little Rock children, we know students will continue to dream big and strive for academic success. Now more than ever they need people who believe in their future.
A decision to participate in City Year Little Rock's Red Jacket: Because Of Campaign is a decision to help local students reconnect with their school community, re-engage in their learning and recover from learning loss. Please consider supporting our efforts by visiting the link in our bio.
We are proud to kick-off this campaign with a spring break backpack distribution for students in our partner schools. Thanks to our backpack sponsor, @clintonfoundation, and in-kind product partners @archildrens & @deltadentalar!
