As “Student Success Coaches,” our AmeriCorps members work with teachers and principals to provide holistic support, helping to ensure that students in systemically under-resourced schools have the support they need to thrive.
As “Student Success Coaches,” City Year Philadelphia AmeriCorps members work with teachers and principals to provide holistic support, helping to ensure that students in systemically under-resourced schools have the support they need to thrive. Corps members work alongside students in schools all day, every day.
City Year's mission statement of working towards a cause greater than myself has really stuck with me. Just remembering that goal and why I’m doing the work is something that I learned at City Year and will carry with me for the rest of my career.
A close-knit community with ample opportunities to develop meaningful personal and professional relationships, Philadelphia is an ideal place to serve.
We partner with teachers and principals to ensure that students develop strong skills that will help prepare them for college, career and civic life. We serve in schools in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia, supporting over 10,000 students annually. AmeriCorps members also forge positive, caring relationships with students, as mentors and help create an environment where students can build on their strengths, take risks in their learning and feel connected to their school.
By engaging students, families and community organizations, City Year helps the Philadelphia School District achieve its mission of providing the civil right of every child in Philadelphia to an excellent public-school education and ensuring that all children graduate from high school ready to succeed.
Our schools
There are currently 203,229 students enrolled in the Philadelphia School District across 341 schools. The Philadelphia School District is home to a wide variety of students, who come from many different backgrounds and ethnicities, with 157 different languages spoken by families and students. 53% of students are Black African American, 20% Hispanic Latino, 14% White, 7% Asian and 6% being multi-racial or other.
City Year Philadelphia AmeriCorps members serve in 13 elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the city. You can view our current school partners below.
Work with a committed and diverse group of 6–12 City Year AmeriCorps members who share your passion for service and personal growth. Each team at City Year Philadelphia is managed by one Impact Manager and supported by 1–2 Senior AmeriCorps members who serve as Team Leaders.
Transportation to school
Most schools within the district are accessible by public transportation, SEPTA, with the Market Frankford line, Broad Street line, trolleys and buses being the primary route for our AmeriCorps members. Transportation passes are given, on a monthly basis, to AmeriCorps members who need them. However, there are AmeriCorps members who choose to drive and/or carpool to their specific schools.
Benefits & Professional Development
The skills and experiences you gain as a City Year AmeriCorps member will help build your resume no matter what career field you intend to pursue. We offer special programming throughout the service year that is designed to help our AmeriCorps members continue leading after City Year and achieve their professional goals.
Benefits and professional development programs include but are not limited to:
Compensation:
$25,875 annual living stipend (pre-tax), paid in biweekly installments
$500 (pre-tax) relocation payment if relocating 50 miles or more for service
$7,395 Segal Education Award—can be used to further your education or pay off student loans
Networking opportunities with over 35,000 alumni nationwide.
LACY (Life After City Year) Day and Career Fair (formerly 18-Minute Networking) — An annual professional development event that consists of a variety of career-focused workshops, interview prep, resume review, and networking time.
Career Development Workshops — Ongoing workshops dedicated to perfecting your resume and LinkedIn profile, leveraging your City Year experience in job applications, and other career advice.
Career and Education Fairs — Fairs that expose AmeriCorps members to opportunities available post City Year.
College & University Information Sessions – Sessions dedicated to providing tools, information, and resources about colleges and other universities.
Aside from support from Impact Managers and Team Leaders, AmeriCorps members receive support from City Year Philadelphia’s entire beloved community during the service year. With over 50% of our staff being City Year alumni, you will always have individuals who will be able to give you advice or lend you knowledge regarding your experience.
Community involvement
Create a positive climate of civic engagement that ripples throughout the Philadelphia community. During the service year, AmeriCorps members participate in community service across the city and help beautify the community by painting murals in schools, restoring recreation centers and/or cleaning streets and neighborhoods throughout the community.
Over the last few years we have built a robust relationship with our partner schools, teachers, families and the community at large. We can’t wait to welcome you.
Another week, another @AmeriCorps member spotlight! Meet Sean McClendon, serving on the @cysouthwark team at @southwark_dragons. Learn more about Sean below!
🍦 One thing he does that's considered "weird": "I love banana ice cream ONLY from Bassett's, which is very important to note. Many doubt it is good, but I swear it is a fantastic flavor of ice cream."
🌎 His favorite place in the world: "My favorite place in the world would either be Colorado or California. My Grandpa lives in Colorado, and the air is so crisp, at least when the weather isn't crazy. California is beautiful, and there is so much to do out there."
🏙️ Three words he would use to describe Philly: "Complex, Moving, Wholehearted."
🎒 His favorite thing about serving: "The kids! How could it be anything else? They are where the purpose and joy of serving come from. I value connections with people above all else, and they are how I keep my cup filled."
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Do you know a young person like Sean with a passion for service and working with youth? We're currently accepting applications on a rolling basis for the 2023-24 school year! Visit cityyear.org/apply to learn more.
Nothing beats spending a beautiful day outdoors with games, ice cream, and friends! 🍦🏈☀️
Last Wednesday, our @cy_hawks team collaborated with @hardinghawks to host a Field Day celebrating students who had excellent attendance last month, especially during the PSSAs. Students and @AmeriCorps members enjoyed tons of warm weather fun, including cotton candy, a Mr. Softee truck, potato sack races, corn hole, water balloons, and much more!
Shoutout to our Harding School community on an amazing event, and thank you to CYP staff and Corps members from other schools who stopped by to lend a helping hand!
Take @cybethune out to the ball game! ⚾ A couple of weeks ago, our Team Sponsor @ballardspahrllp visited @bethunebearnation for a school tour and roundtable discussion with the @AmeriCorps service team. That evening, Ballard Spahr hosted the CYP Bethune team (plus two lucky teacher appreciation raffle winners) at their @phillies suite!
Thank you to Ballard Spahr for generously supporting CYP's service in schools and for offering this incredible experience for our Bethune Corps members! We are grateful every day for our amazing community of corporate partners.
Two weeks ago, our Asians Are Awesome and @cyp_projectsafezone affinity groups collaborated to organize a day trip to NYC. In honor of APIDA Heritage Month in May and Pride Month in June, our @AmeriCorps members had the opportunity to visit various important sites around Lower Manhattan, including @lgbtcenternyc, @thestonewallinn, and Chinatown. We had an amazing day filled with learning, team building, and fun! ❤️
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Did you know that Philadelphia is just a two-hour bus ride from NYC? There are many reasons to love calling Philly home for your service year - including culture, an amazing food scene, and easy access to beaches, nature, and even nearby cities like New York and DC! Click the link in bio to start your journey to serve with us in 2023-24.
#TeacherAppreciationWeek may have passed already, but we appreciate our partner teachers every day of the year! Last week, our @cityyear_duckrey_diamonds team hosted an appreciation breakfast for teachers at @duckreyschool. The Duckrey community enjoyed a fantastic morning building team, eating tasty treats, and thanking our teachers for their essential work supporting students.
Special thanks to City Year Philly Team Sponsor Glenmede for sponsoring this breakfast!
This week, we're spotlighting Taryn Painter, a first-year @AmeriCorps member serving on the @cy_khsclassic team at @kensingtonhighschool. Read below to learn more about Taryn!
🍲 Favorite dish to make: "My childhood favorite is pho with meatballs, green onions, bean sprouts, sriracha, and hoisin sauce."
🎵 Current favorite song: "Calum Scott’s cover of Dancing on My Own, (both the Tiesto and acoustic versions), for two reasons: the Phillies and i-Squared Winter Guard's 2023 show."
🎲 Favorite board game: "Pandemic. It’s a co-op game where 2-4 players have to work together, strategize, and utilize each other’s strengths to find a cure for 4 diseases that threaten to infect the world."
🎒 Favorite thing about serving with City Year: "Repping the red jacket and getting to hear from the public about the impact of our service! There’s a corner store that the KHS team frequents during our prep/lunch time and there have been a few people who have stopped me while shopping to talk about the City Year Corps members they’ve had through their childhood–even if they graduated 5+ years ago. Those little moments make me proud to serve with City Year."
