Uniform

Topics include:

• Why do we wear uniforms?
• Uniform pieces
• Do I have to wear the uniform every day?
• When will I receive my uniform?

 
The City Year uniform represents a big idea – that from year to year, school to school, city to city and generation to generation, there is an unbroken chain of idealism expressed by the young people of City Year through service to students, schools, communities and country. As City Year AmeriCorps members, you are now part of that chain of commitment, and you are its stewards.

In your red jackets, you are the stewards of this big idea, and highly visible representatives of our mission, work and organizational values. Your uniform serves as a public display of your personal commitment to service—and the collective commitment of the entire City Year corps—and brings about the commitment of others
 

Why do we wear uniforms?

City Year’s highest value is “service to a cause greater than self.” One of the most important ways we publicly share our commitment to this value is through the City Year AmeriCorps member uniform.

When one commits to a cause “greater than self,” there are some elements of personal sacrifice and individual expression that one accepts – and ideally embraces – for the greater good. The City Year uniform is no exception.

The uniform represents your dedication to City Year and to the children and communities we serve. It is a powerful symbol that:

• Promotes the idea of a citizen of service and the values of City Year to the general public
• Establishes a spirit of unity and connection among all City Year AmeriCorps members, alums and staff
• Adds a sense of stewardship for the organization’s relationship with the community
• Provides youth members of the community with a sense of reliability and continuity of City Year, even though they work with different AmeriCorps members each year
• Identifies each AmeriCorps and staff member as part of City Year, a recognizable symbol of hope, idealism and inspiration

Uniform pieces

City Year provided

• Seattle skyline T-shirt
• Grey service / training T-shirts
• Grey polo shirt
• Grey dress shirt
• Black cardigan
• Red full zip performance jacket
• Red bomber jacket
• Red all-weather jacket
• Nametag
• City Year backpack

You will need to provide your own

• Black pants or skirt: Pants should ideally fall straight, just above the sole of the shoe. No jeans, leggings, yoga pants, joggers or sweatpants. Skirts should be knee-length or longer.
• Black closed-toed shoes: We prefer all black footwear, but if there are accents, please have them be neutral colors.
• Plain black belt
• Socks

*Please be advised that City Year reserves the right to make determinations if your pants or skirts do not comply with our professional standards.

Do I have to wear the uniform every day?

Yes. Once you receive your uniform, you will need to wear it with your nametag every day in service at school and during training days. Your Program Manager will share if there are any times uniform requirements change.
 

When will I receive my uniform?

Our aim is to provide uniform pieces at your registration day. If they are not distributed, then they will be distributed during the month of August.