City Year Ripples of Hope | The Prism Effect

San Antonio Ripples of Hope Event

Our annual Ripples of Hope Gala theme this year is The Prism Effect! Our gala will feature a vivid, engaging, and highly social experience at the beautiful and historic Tobin Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 2nd from 6-9pm.

One or more of our inspirational young AmeriCorps members will be seated at your table, where you can mingle and learn more about their work in our partner school classrooms. Attire is “colorful and classy”!

Expect an engaging social event that includes inspirational AmeriCorps member stories, and recognition of outstanding leaders and award-winning teachers in our community. Dinner and cocktail hour will offer plenty of chances to mingle with fellow City Year San Antonio supporters and leaders in our community!

Learn more about our event and visit sponsorship opportunities here.

What is the Prism Effect?

When a single beam of light enters a prism, what results is a burst of endless colors. If City Year represents the prism, then every single AmeriCorps member, teacher, staff, board member, donor, or community partner, is part of the single beam of light. The impact of every individual on our mission demonstrates that from one person can come boundless bursts of color.

City Year helps students and schools succeed while preparing the next generation of leaders to work across lines of difference and make a positive impact. We believe that supporting children and young adults contributes to just, equitable, and vibrant communities. When students rise, we all rise.

2024 Idealists of the Year

In the past, City Year San Antonio has recognized one Idealist of the Year annually. In 2024, we are taking a more inclusive approach to the award.  Based on recommendations from our donors, Board, staff, and AmeriCorps members, we have selected three candidates to honor as Idealists of the Year.

Our Idealist awardees make an impactful contribution to enhance educational equity, diversity, belonging, and inclusion in our local community. They represent City Year Values of Idealism. They work to inspire others and promote constructive change in our community. We honor them for their commitment to envisioning a better community and working to see it happen. 

This year we are honoring:

Esmeralda Alday

Executive Director for the Dual Language, ESL, & Migrant Department, San Antonio ISD.

Jason Mims

Retired Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, Director of The Mims Institute

Dr. Mike Flores

Chancellor of Alamo Colleges District

2024 Bridge Builder Awards

In 2022, City Year, in partnership with Rick Cavender and  Harvey Najim, introduced our annual Bridge Builder Award which is given to one partner teacher at each of City Year San Antonio’s San Antonio Independent School District partner schools. City Year requested that principals nominate a teacher who exemplifies the characteristics of a Bridge Builder.

‘Bridge Building‘ is a powerful metaphor and tool for social change. Seeing and making connections, whether among people or ideas, is a hallmark of bridge builders, whose lives are rooted in values and who dedicate their time and energy to causes larger than themselves.

Bridge builders bring out the best in others by connecting resources and talents to great and worthy causes, especially anticipating the needs of future generations. They use the wisdom and experience they have gleaned for the benefit of others, even those whom they may never meet.

Our programming at Ripples of Hope will include the presentation of the Bridge Builder Award to these incredible teachers who show up for students every day. We look forward to celebrating these remarkable educators with you!

2024 Bridge Builders:

Danielle Salgado, 4th/5th Dual Language | Carvajal Elementary
Brittany McNair, 6th Grade Science | Davis Middle School (6th)
Miguel Hernandez-Saucedo, 7th Grade Math | Davis Middle School (7/8th)
Kelly M. O’Connor, 9th Grade Biology | Lanier High School
Edna Taylor, 4th Grade | Margil Elementary
Stevquesha Burts, 10th Grade English II | Sam Houston High School