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How will COVID-19 affect my City Year application?

City Year AmeriCorps member tutoring students in ELA

Everything has changed in the wake of COVID-19, including the work we do here at City Year, serving in more than 300 public schools across the country.

Working closely with our school and district partners, and to protect the safety and well-being of our AmeriCorps members, staff, students and the broader communities we serve, we are currently serving in person, virtually or via hybrid models, depending on what option the school district has selected.

Our AmeriCorps members continue to receive their full pay and health benefits and they will have the opportunity to receive the full value of their Segal Education Award upon completion of their service.

Our work matters

Our school partners are asking our AmeriCorps members to support student success in new ways. They are holding video tutoring sessions, leading class warmups and small group break-outs, and facilitating interactive learning strategies like book clubs or book read-alouds. Our work—building positive relationships with students, providing social-emotional supports and infusing the school day with humor and empathy—is helping schools to connect with students and bring joy to their learning experience.

Our first priority is to help students reconnect to their school community, heal from any negative experiences they may have had during the pandemic, and build positive relationships with teachers, school staff and fellow students that will help them to thrive, in and out of school. Only then can recovery from learning loss truly begin.

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Read about City Year’s holistic approach to student success – supporting academic, social and emotional growth and helping to create positive learning environments for all students.

One thing in this uncertain time is certain: City Year AmeriCorps members will be there, for our students and our schools. We hope you will consider applying to serve with us for the upcoming school year.

Apply now

National service creates opportunity for young adults

We believe that serving with City Year offers young adults a valuable, challenging and meaningful personal and professional opportunity that can help to advance the next step in your career and the impact you want to make in the world.

City Year’s CEO Jim Balfanz, a City Year Boston ’94 alum, shares his reflections on how a year of national service can help young adults to navigate an unstable economic landscape, sharpen skills and find future jobs.

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City Year’s CEO Jim Balfanz, a City Year Boston ’94 alum, shares his reflections on how a year of national service can help young adults to navigate an unstable economic landscape, sharpen skills and find future jobs.

Answers to commonly asked questions

We understand this is a highly uncertain time as we’re all adapting to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation. As we prepare to brace for the widespread impacts of this pandemic, students’ physical and emotional wellbeing and the impact of learning loss are critical issues we’ll face as a nation. Your service is needed now more than ever.

Why should I consider applying or serving with City Year at this time? Why City Year, why now?

We know that the disruption caused by the pandemic is disproportionately impacting students and families in the communities City Year serves. For many of our students, a shift to distance learning can mean losing positive school learning environments and relationships with additional caring adults that are critical to every young person’s ability to learn and thrive. Distance learning can also mean students don’t have access to reliable meals—something our school partners have been working diligently to address.

Serving in schools as a City Year AmeriCorps member is a powerful opportunity to provide schools and students with essential social-emotional and academic support that will help students reconnect with their school community, re-engage in their learning and recover from learning loss.

As students return to in person learning at school, they need the additional tutoring, mentoring and coaching and the caring, consistent and positive relationships that City Year AmeriCorps members provide. This support help students continue to dream big, grow in confidence and reach their full potential.

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Learn what City Year AmeriCorps members do in schools all day.

What changes have been made to the City Year application process?

City Year is currently processing applications and conducting all interviews virtually for the 2021-2022 corps year.

Application Submission:

We know that your priorities may shift during this time. If you would like your application processed at a later deadline, let your admissions contact or recruiter know. We will update your application deadline period in our system.

Reference Submission:

Given that it may be difficult to get in touch with potential references at the moment, we’re offering flexibility in reference submission deadlines. If you are having trouble reaching potential references, please contact your admissions point—they are here to support and help find solutions to any issues that arise related to your application.

Interview Scheduling:

All interviews will take place virtually. If there is a need to reschedule an upcoming interview, lease reach out to your admissions contact as soon as possible to  reschedule I have been invited to serve. Can I take  additional time to make a final decision?

Yes!

We know that all of our invitees put a lot of time and energy into their City Year application and that shows your commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people. During this time, City Year is allowing all invited applicants to take more time to decide on their offer if needed.

While we hope that you still choose to service with us, we understand there are many things to consider during this unprecedented time and want to ensure that our team is here to support you. Please reach out to your Service Year Adviser to request an extension.

Can I transfer to a different City Year site? What does that process  entail?

There are a variety of reasons why you might want to consider transferring your application to another City Year site. We will be honoring transfers while slots remain available at the requested locations. Here are the 29 U.S. cities where we currently serve.

If you have already started onboarding tasks for a particular site, you may still ask to transfer to another site. This is, of course, dependent on the slots available at your new preferred location. Please note that if you have started onboarding tasks and do opt to transfer to another location, you will need to restart all onboarding tasks in order to meet any local requirements.

Please reach out to your Service Year Adviser to let them know about your request to transfer so they can inquire about availability and start the process. Your Service Year Adviser will then be in touch about next steps.

Will the relocation benefit still be available?

Yes, if you are relocating 50 miles or more for service, you are eligible to opt-in to receive a $500 (pre-tax) one-time relocation payment. In order to be eligible for this benefit, you must have relocated at least 50 miles and have started service.

Will my start date and registration dates be affected by COVID-19?

We will continue to work closely with local officials and school districts and monitor the COVID-19 situation and will communicate any changes to our incoming AmeriCorps members for the 2021-2022 corps year as soon as possible.

Reach out to us with questions

We know these are stressful times for everyone, and we want to make your application process to City Year as easy, flexible and responsive as possible. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns, and we hope you will consider serving with us and help to make the coming school year a joyous, nurturing and enriching one for 226,000 students who need your support!

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