The 2009-2010 City Year is Underway!

Welcome to the all-new City Year Washington, DC blog! As you can see, we have totally revamped our blog and are gearing up for an exciting year as we launch our largest corps of 100 dedicated young people!

City Year unites young people, ages 17-24, for a year of full-time service, giving them the skills and opportunities to change the world. As tutors, mentors, and role models, these diverse leaders - called corps (pronounced "core") members - make a difference in the lives of children and transform schools and neighborhoods across Washington, DC. DC corps members are positively impacting the community through four service initiatives.

• Corps members serve all day, every day at seven DC Public Schools, implementing three key initiatives essential to helping DC students succeed inside and outside of the classroom: In-class support, after-school programming, and positive school climate.
• Corps members deliver a 10-week CDC approved HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum to more than 3,100 DC middle and high school students during in-school time, empowering students to make smart and healthy life decisions.
• Corps members recruit, lead, and engage 125 diverse middle school students and 75 high school students in a five-month Saturday service-learning program that teaches about pressing social issues and helps develop youth into active citizens.
• Corps members plan and lead monthly service projects that each year engage and unify up to 1,200 community volunteers in service to beautify DC schools, parks, and community centers.

In addition, corps members participate in a formal Civic Leadership Development Program, a series of bi-weekly workshops, forums, and community excursions aimed at giving corps members the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective community-minded leaders in the future.

Our corps of 100 arrived yesterday and now begins their month of training where they will learn about themselves, each other, and most importantly - how to effectively tutor and mentor youth to create positive and sustainable change within the District.

Check back often as we will be making regular updates to our blog every week. You'll be able to read articles about our exciting corps members and their year, stay up-to-date on all of our events, and learn how you can get involved!