Invest Your Gap Year In City Year

City Year is a selective leadership development Americorps program, with an acceptance rate of 25%, aimed at bridging the gap in education inequity and creating a pipeline to graduation I spent two years at Roberto Clemente Community Academy working with ninth graders (96 5% low income and 23. 7% diverse learners) located on the West side of Chicago in the Humboldt Park neighborhood

In my role as a Team Leader during the 2019–2020 academic year, I led daily trainings for my team on data management, tutoring best practices, event planning, and student relationships. I also coached a group of six AmeriCorps members.

I helped 12 ninth-grade students receive academic, social-emotional learning, and attendance interventions during the academic year 2018-201919, and as a result, all 12 of them are now “on track” to graduate from high school. The interventions included English small group instruction for each student for 60 minutes a week, leadership and social skills instruction for each student for 30 minutes a week, and attendance and behavior coaching sessions for each student for 20 minutes a week.

Topics include:

Applications for full-time employment in the 2023–2024 academic year are now being accepted.

Reference form due December 22
Notified of our decision by January 28
Decide to accept your invitation to serve by February 11

Reference form due January 5
Notified of our decision on a rolling basis
Decide to accept your invitation based on timing of notification

Reference form due February 9
Notified of our decision by March 4
Decide to accept your invitation to serve by March 18

Reference form due March 9
Notified of our decision by April 1
Decide to accept your invitation to serve by April 15

Reference form due April 6
Notified of our decision by April 29
Decide to accept your invitation to serve by May 6

Reference form due May 11
Notified of our decision on a rolling basis
Decide to accept your invitation based on timing of notification

*Applications received by December 14 will receive an invitation to an interview before the holiday break. Applications submitted by the December 17 deadline weekend will be processed as space permits; processing is anticipated to begin after winter break.

What is required to complete the program and receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award?

An AmeriCorps member must serve through the program’s graduation date and complete 1,700 hours of service in order to be eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.

What criteria are used in the selection process?

We are selective in the applicants we accept because serving in AmeriCorps is incredibly rewarding but far from simple. Members of City Year AmeriCorps are a diverse group, just like the communities they work in. We are looking for people with experience in leadership, working with children or young people, building inclusive communities, and a desire to learn and grow. In addition, applicants must meet the following requirements:

possess a high school diploma or a GED prior to beginning service.
Be able to dedicate 11 months to service
Be between the ages of 18 and 25
Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident alien
have participated in an AmeriCorps, NCCC, or VISTA program for no more than three terms.
Agree to a background or security check

Who can I use for my reference?

Please provide us with one professional reference. This reference can come from anyone who has oversaw you in a professional capacity. e. manager, professor, supervisor, etc. ). Family members and friends should not be used as references.

I received an email about recommending a City Year applicant but have lost or deleted the email. How can I get another email with a unique link to get to the recommendation page?

Please get in touch with our Recruitment team at joinus@cityyear if you’ve misplaced or deleted the email containing the specific link to the City Year recommendation page. org.

Can I apply to more than one location at a time?

City Year is one national organization with 29 locations nationwide. You can choose up to three additional locations in addition to your preferred location.

You should apply to “serve where most needed” if you are willing to serve anywhere, as this will place you at the location with the most openings at the time.

If you are choosing between a few locations, we advise you to read up on our different locations or get in touch with recruitment staff until you find a location that suits your needs.

What does “serve where most needed” mean and how is the process different?

For those who genuinely have no preference for a particular location or who believe they would simply like to serve where their skills are most needed, the “serve where most needed” option was developed.

On your City Year application, after choosing “serve where most needed,” you will be asked to list up to three places among those with the greatest need. Please take into account your ability to relocate to these areas and the available transportation options at these locations. City Year will take your preferences into consideration, but we can’t promise you’ll get your top pick. If you have a preference for a particular site, we advise you to apply directly to that site rather than using our “serve where most needed” option.

After your application is reviewed, you will be informed of your site placement and invited to an interview at the location that best matches your background, skills, and the needs of that location.

How do I apply to City Year London or South Africa?

South Africa and the United Kingdom are not City Year sites; they are international affiliates with separate application procedures. S. application process. Candidates for City Year Johannesburg must be South African citizens. Before applying to City Year UK, you must be legally permitted to reside and work in the EU.

If I am not offered an AmeriCorps member position, can I reapply for the next deadline? Can I apply to another City Year location?

Unfortunately, even for a different location, you cannot apply again within the same year. You are welcome, however, to reapply the following year. We urge applicants who did not get accepted to keep giving back to their community and to look into other AmeriCorps or service opportunities in their neighborhood or preferred region. Should they decide to reapply to City Year for the upcoming academic year, continued and proven experience with service, tutoring, mentoring, or leadership all serve to improve your candidacy.

Each year, AmeriCorps members’ terms of service begin in late July or early August. Local school calendars serve as a general guide for the specific dates, which vary by location.

How is City Year related to AmeriCorps?

One of the biggest AmeriCorps programs in the nation, City Year is a proud member of AmeriCorps. In order to address urgent needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment, AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that receives federal funding.

What are some of the general challenges during your service year? How do you cope?

You typically work between 10 and 12 hours a day at City Year. Those are long days. Even with all the fantastic work you are doing, naturally long hours can wear you out. Some days will be more difficult than others, but it will be very helpful to lean on your teammates during those trying times. At the end of the day, each team makes it a point to debrief and get together. Prioritizing a happy conclusion before you leave the school is important.

You will receive training at City Year on how to troubleshoot and be solution-focused. When you speak with your coworkers and staff about difficulties you are having in your service—whether it’s balancing work and life, dealing with a difficult student, or meeting a deadline—you will frequently receive feedback. Remember to unwind and reflect on your weekdays and weekends as well. Finding time to relax your body and mind on the weekends will help you get ready for the upcoming week because you will be doing a lot of meaningful work during the week.

How do AmeriCorps members and teachers work together?

Members of City Year AmeriCorps are not teaching assistants or assistants Near-peer mentors from City Year AmeriCorps collaborate with teachers to make sure every student in the classroom is receiving the academic and individualized attention they need to grow. Teachers and AmeriCorps members will regularly get together once a week, if not every day, to discuss the lessons and the students’ development over the course of the year. AmeriCorps members stay informed about upcoming tasks and homework so that they can best support their students during their extended learning time when they see them during the afterschool program.

Oftentimes, teachers have classrooms filled with 20-30 students. No matter how great the teacher is, you can only imagine how challenging it must be to reach every student and make sure they are all getting the support they require to succeed. The students who require tutoring during their math and literacy blocks are selected from a list of students (referred to as a focus list) by City Year AmeriCorps members and teachers. The AmeriCorps member will give the students the additional assistance they require to meet their unique needs in the classroom.

Teachers value the consistency of service AmeriCorps volunteers offer to their students.

Will I be able to share what I am passionate about with my students?

Absolutely, especially in the after-school setting, AmeriCorps members are always encouraged to share their interests with our students. AmeriCorps members write lesson plans for the after-school program and start clubs in many of our locations. When you teach students something you genuinely enjoy, especially if it is something new, their love of learning will grow. Bring your passion to your service by joining a club that interests you, whether it be a chess club, acting club, step club, world cup soccer club, origami club, or French cuisine club.

There will come a time during your service when you will know your students well enough that you’ll know how to teach them in a way that will help them learn best, so if you have creative ideas to teach a lesson to a student that involves role playing, drawing pictures, or even singing, then by all means go for it!

How do you know you’ve made a difference in the life of a student?

City Year does an excellent job of gathering quantitative and qualitative information that illustrates how effectively AmeriCorps members carry out their daily service. We keep tabs on students’ grades, test results, and attendance in addition to conducting surveys about their opinions of school, their peers, and City Year AmeriCorps members.

AmeriCorps members constantly cultivate trust and positive bonds with the students they are working with on a personal level.

How do families feel about AmeriCorps members?

We aim to involve the families of the students we serve in our work just as much as the teachers do. We maintain regular contact with parents and guardians to ensure that students are attending class and to provide them with information on their child’s development in both academics and behavior. We also work hard to get parents and family members to come to City Year events at the school and in the neighborhood. We have discovered that students are more enthusiastic and excited to attend school and perform well in the classroom the more invested parents are in their children’s educational experience.

Is it possible to work and attend school while serving as a City Year AmeriCorps member?

Monday through Friday, working as a City Year AmeriCorps member is a full-time job. Although it is possible to work a second job or go to school in the evenings or on weekends, City Year AmeriCorps members are expected to put their City Year service first.

What will I be paid?

As an AmeriCorps member you receive a bi-weekly living stipend. We offer financial management training and resources to assist you in learning to manage on a limited budget. You can contact your prospective location for more information.

Can my student loans be deferred while I am serving with City Year?

Yes, in most cases. For specific information, please see the benefits page.

Will I receive vacation, holidays and sick days?

Yes, you may request up to 12 flexible personal days. You will also receive time off for most national holidays.

Does City Year provide housing?

City Year does not provide housing for its AmeriCorps members. However, we do offer support to AmeriCorps members looking for housing, including contact details for reputable rental agencies, suggestions for neighborhoods to live in, and access to an online community where you can connect with other incoming corps members also looking for housing.

One of the first things you will do after accepting a City Year invitation is sign up for the website’s online community, which is typically a Facebook group. Here, you will have the chance to meet other incoming AmeriCorps members and begin a conversation about looking for housing together.

Will travel expenses be provided for my relocation?

All City Year AmeriCorps members moving more than 50 miles for service are eligible for a one-time $500 (pre-tax) relocation payment. You must have relocated at least 50 miles to begin service, be accepted, confirmed, and have begun service in order to be eligible for this benefit. Upon your arrival at your site, the $500 (pre-tax) will be processed. It will be paid out via direct deposit 2-4 weeks later.

Does City Year provide transportation?

Many of our locations have partnerships with neighborhood public transportation agencies, so AmeriCorps members can get free or reduced transportation passes all year long. Please contact your prospective location for details.

What colleges and universities augment or match the Segal Education Award?

Visit the AmeriCorps website to find a list of colleges and universities that will supplement or match the education award. You can also visit our university partnership page for a list of all our education benefits, including a list of colleges and universities that provide at least 25% scholarships to City Year AmeriCorps members, alumni and staff Benefits & Resources.

AmeriCorps members from City Year are excellent mentors for the students we work with. Learn more about what it takes to be.

For a potential career in change management, develop your ability to be a change agent while serving with City Year AmeriCorps.

The people you encounter while serving are among the most fascinating aspects of the job. From the staff.

helpful hints for navigating student loan repayment both during and after service for City Year AmeriCorps members

Connect with us to learn more.

Your City Year

FAQ

Is City Year competitive?

Although the application process is extremely competitive, we are able to admit talented and dedicated high school graduates alongside recent college graduates because we select students using a holistic set of criteria and experiences and offer intensive coaching throughout the program.

Does City Year pay well?

The typical City Year salary ranges between $14,500 and $117,719 per year for personal assistants and executive directors, respectively. Average City Year hourly pay ranges from approximately $8. 00 per hour for Teaching Assistant to $44. 72 per hour for Designer.

Is City Year the same as AmeriCorps?

Is City Year a good place to work?

City Year has a general rating of 3 for being a good place to work. based on 2,118 anonymous employee reviews, the rating is 5 out of 5. 59% of employees would recommend working at City Year to a friend and 44% have a positive outlook for the business