Get to Know Uno!

UnoBlessed Coons

Project Leader for Recruitment & Alumni Affairs

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Education: 1 year at Indiana University

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am a project leader for recruitment and alumni affairs. I help recruit corps members for the next service year by attending career fairs and panels, doing presentations, and assisting potential corps members with the application process.

What did you do last year? Last year I was a corps member on a Whole School Whole Child team here at CYDC. I served at Turner at Green Elementary School in Southeast.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I came back because I loved my service and the positive effect I had on the lives of the children I worked with at Turner at Green. But i as much of a positive effect I had on my kids in school, City Year had a greater effect on me as a person and a leader. So i wanted to give another year to continue to develop as a leader and to spread the City Year message to other young people like myself.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? I have a lot but my most recent one was when I got the opportunity to spend a week in my hometown, Indianapolis, with City Year Care Force. Care Force is a team of second year corps members that travel around the country engaging our corporate sponsors in physical service. It was an amazing feeling to be able to return to my hometown to prep and lead a service event for ARAMARK employees.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I was the biggest tomboy when I was little. I loved trucks and until i was nine years old I refused to wear shirts as I laid around the house because my older brother didn't!

Meet Adria!

Adria Anderson

Civic Leadership Project Leader

Hometown: Detroit, MI by way of Charlotte, NC

Education: Howard University Alumnae

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the Civic Leadership Project Leader. I schedule and plan trainings for the first year Corps Members as well as Leadership Development Days.

What did you do last year? As a first year Corps Member I planned, recruited, and lead volunteers in a day of transformative service. I served on the CSX Civic Engagement Team. My teammates and I organized 10 physical service projects within the DC community.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? City Year has made me look at service in a new light and encouraged me to share my joy of service with others. I came back because I realized I needed to continue to serve my community.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? One of my favorite moments in City Year was seeing my team’s Martin Luther King, Jr Tribute mural in Southeast DC. My team spent about 3 weeks working in a cold warehouse in Northeast. After many long hours and a few breakdowns my team successfully finished our mural that is located on the corner of Good Hope and Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Southeast DC. When we all saw the finish product we took pictures beside it and admired our work. Only a few of my teammates remained in DC after our year of service, but every time I pass by our mural I am reminded of my team and how we were a dysfunctional family. I talk to at least 3 of them twice a week and will never forget all that we accomplished together.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I have a sock fetish!

Meet Emma!

Eleanor Hannon

Service and Civic Impact for Project Leader

Hometown: Rochester, NY

Education: Mount Holyoke College

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? My position is the Service and Civic Impact Project Leader. I plan the Signature Service Days (SSDs) for the corps members. SSDs often correspond with the Leadership Development Days (LDDs), which my life partner Adria Anderson plans.

What did you do last year? I served on the CSX Civic Engagement Team. “I was just wondering if we can we build it? -Alexander Cole

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I came back, because I really enjoy living in DC.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? One of my favorite moments in City Year was when my team was commissioned to design a mural dedicated to MLK. We painted this grand masterpiece in a giant warehouse where government employees work. I think the mural turned out great and is now displayed on the corner of MLK and Good Hope Ave.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I am lactose intolerant, but I love dairy products. Cheese is delicious.

Meet Bre!

Bre Ann Holmes

Team Leader at Turner at Green Elementary

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Education: One year at Indiana University

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the team leader at Turner at Green!

What did you do last year? I was a corps member here in DC and served at Stanton Elementary. During the day I worked in Mr. Khalfani’s fourth grade class, and then I worked with first and second grade after school.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I felt as if I was not done serving in DC and that there was so much that CY could still teach me. I know that I grow and develop everyday and it keeps me grounded.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? One of my favorite moments in City Year would have to be when the kids seen me in regular clothes. It had been awhile since they saw me out of uniform so one of my little boys from the first grade class told me to tell my baby I’m pretty. Once I told him I was not a mother he said when I have one tell him I'm pretty.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I have the same number of siblings as I have nieces and nephews.

Get to know Katie!

Katie Whitehouse

Project Leader for Community Engagement

Hometown: Victoria, Texas

Education: BA from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the Project Leader for Community Engagement

What did you do last year? I was a corps member, and I served at Browne. During the day I worked in Ms. Faulk’s 4th grade class, and then I worked with 4th graders in afterschool

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I came back for the kids mainly. It was obvious early on last year that there is a definite need for us and that we made a real impact. I also want to make sure that other young people have the chance to serve with City Year.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? In our afterschool program, we had a drama club. At the end of the year, the students performed in the play “Peter Pan.” It was amazing to see how the children’s confidence levels increased and how excited they were about the play. We also were able to engage over 100 parents and community members through the event.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I grew up in the country.

Meet Jaime!

Jaime Barrow

Team Leader at Ferebee-Hope

Community School

Hometown: Annapolis, Maryland

Education: BES / BA from Howard University in Washington, DC and AC from Emily Carr Institute in Vancouver, British Columbia

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am a Whole School Whole Child team leader for the NCTA team serving at Ferebee-Hope Community School. I lead and support a team of Corps Members in their service. I am responsible for day to day communications with our service partners; I also work the school’s Parent Resource Center with an AmeriCorps VISTA member; and I work with the Community Center attached to our school complex.

What did you do last year? I served at City Year Greater Philadelphia last year as a school-based team leader on the Comcast Team at University City High School. I specialized in academic support in Math, Science, and Technology. I also coordinated an after school program for adjudicated students.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I love service, and I love City Year because I feel like City Year has given me a way to communicate the things I care about. I’ve also found a passion for engaging students, and their communities in service, and there’s no better place to do that than in City Year.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? Last year my team kept a bowl of candy in our CY space. Our space had two doors, and there was a kid who would walk in one door take a handful of candy, and walk out the other door without saying anything. He did this several times, before we found out who he was. Eventually he was hanging out in our room all the time. In May when we were leaving he wrote us a long poem about how much he appreciated us any everything we did. It was one of the best moments of my service, because all he did was hang out around us – we never tutored him, he never came to any events, but he still appreciated us that much.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I’ve been married for 7 years.

Meet Peter!

Peter Hulbert


Team Leader for City Heroes

Hometown: Appleton, WI

Education: BA in Political Science and Global Studies from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the Team Leader for the City Heroes Team. I help to organize and implement our City Heroes program, which is a weekend service learning program for high school students

What did you do last year? I was a corps member on the Young Heroes, which is our Saturday service learning program for middle school students

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? Seeing the impact our program had on the students, and that is was a positive way for them to explore tough issues yet have fun while doing it. That inspired me to want to come back and serve another year.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? My favorite Young Heroes day last year was our valuing different abilities. We held a field day at the National Childrens Center. The center brought adults from their program which had different developmental disabilities to play games with the Heroes. At first you could tell the Heroes were a bit intimidated by the adults, but by the end of it everyone was having fun playing games, and dancing. It was a really cool experience.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I love to cook.

Get to Know Sam!

Samantha Traverso

Team Leader for Young Heroes

Hometown: Milford, PA

Education: BA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the Team Leader for the Young Heroes Team.

What did you do last year? I was a corps member on the Young Heroes Team serving with City Year Greater Philadelphia.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I came back to City Year because I believe that City Year as an organization has a great mission and I wanted to do everything I can to continue to further it.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? My favorite moment in service was our Heroes end of the year talent show. It showcased not only the talents that our Heroes brought to the program but also what they had learned throughout the year.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I do not like the movie the Little Mermaid because I am scared of the sea witch.

Get to Know Kate!

Kate Fahje

Team Leader for Stanton Elementary School

Hometown: Waukesha, Wisconsin

Education: BA from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the team leader at Stanton Elementary School!

What did you do last year? I was a corps member, and I served at Stanton. During the day I worked in Ms. Harris’ 5th grade class, and then I worked with Pre-K and Kindergarteners in after-school.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? The main reason was for the kids – it still felt like there was so much we could do at Stanton! I really wanted to stay in DC for another year, and I also wanted to give myself more time to figure out what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. Haha.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? My favorite service day last year was when a bunch of us went to the Anacostia River to do this fence-removal clean-up project. It was freezing, it smelled like a sewer, and we were all covered in mud, but we got to wear these sweet suspender wader things, and everyone really enjoyed themselves. And we got tons of clean-up work done!

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? Hmm…I wish I could be a professional Irish dancer? That’d be fun.

Meet Katie Norton!

Katie Norton

Service Leader for Civic Engagement

Hometown: Wilmington, North Carolina

Education: BS in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the service leader for the Civic Engagement Team.

What did you do last year? I was a corps member on the Civic Engagement Team at City Year Cleveland.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I am addicted to physical service! Seriously. I am serving another year with City Year because I hope to gain non-profit management experience and learn more ways to recruit and manage community volunteers. I also really love the national service movement.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? One of my favorite moments in service was serving as the MC for the Heroes Opening Day in Cleveland. I have never felt more moved than when I saw them pledge to serve the Cleveland community.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? When I am stressed out and need to chill I turn the music up really loud in my kitchen and dance and sing as I cook. I also have a habit of singing aloud when I’m running at the gym. It’s embarrassing sometimes.

Meet David Hart!

David Hart

Project Leader for Recruitment & Alumni Affairs


Hometown: Arlington, VA

Education: High School Diploma

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am one of two Project Leaders for Recruitment and Alumni Affairs. What I do is go to colleges, high schools, and community centers to present on City Year, what we do, and how to apply.

What did you do last year? Last year I was on the HOPE Team. I traveled around DC to high schools and middle schools teaching a CDC approved curriculum on preventing HIV/AIDS, STDs, drug & alcohol abuse, and unplanned pregnancy.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I came back to City Year because it was such an amazing experience for me and I want to get others to join the national service movement.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? My favorite moment of service last year was the project at Simon Elementary. It was broadcast live around the world during the Inaugural Youth Ball. It was exciting to have City Year on TV with a worldwide audience.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I like to cook, and I’d like to think I’m pretty good at it.

Get to Know Lauren!

Lauren Miner

Team Leader at Francis Stevens Educational Campus

Hometown: Farmington, CT

Education: BA from Roger Williams University in Political Science and history

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am the team leader at Francis Stevens Educational Campus!

What did you do last year? I was a senior corps member at City Year Rhode Island and I was training project leader and Team Leader at CVS Highlander Charter School.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I came back because I really enjoyed the people I worked with and felt like there were still skills I wanted to learn and CY was still the best place for me to acquire them. I also really love developing young leaders in the corps and children we work with and I get to do that on a daily basis with CY.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? My favorite moment in service would have to be the Post Election Leadership Development Day because I got to plan an event that incorporated community members and the corps and lead some amazing discussions on the importance of national service.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I have an avocado tree that is 7 inches tall and growing every day!

Meet Julie!

Julie Edwards-Ransom

Team Leader for Simon Elementary School

Hometown: New Paltz, NY

Education: BA in History/Government from Muhlenberg College

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am a Team Leader for a Whole School Whole Child team at Simon Elementary School.

What did you do last year? Last year I served as a corps member on a WSWC team at Stanton Elementary here at CYDC.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I wanted to help bring City Year to another school. I loved my year last year and learned a lot and I felt that my work with City Year wasn’t over.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service? I worked with 4 and 5 year olds in after care and they would always say the funniest things. A little boy was telling me about different candy he liked and asked him if he liked kit kats. He responded, “Well, I don’t like to eat cats.”

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I really enjoy reading non-fiction history and talking politics.

Meet David Steber!

David Steber

Team Leader for Browne Education Center

Hometown: Davidson, NC

Education: BA from UNC Chapel Hill

What is your position and what do you do here at CYDC? I am a Team Leader for a Whole School Whole Child team at Browne Education Campus.

What did you do last year? I was a Corps Member on a Whole School Whole Child team at Browne. I was in Ms. Sharpe’s 4th grade class, providing in-class support, small group and one-on-one tutoring, and I helped facilitate the After School program with my team.

Why did you come back to serve at City Year? I am back because I want to lead a team in the same school I served in this past year. I want to see the children continue to grow as people and improve academically throughout the course of a second year.

Tell me a short story about your favorite moment in service. One of my favorite moments was this past May, when the 1st – 4th graders in the After School program performed Peter Pan for over 100 friends, parents, and family. Our team had collectively worked on preparing for this day since February, and it was a big celebration. Children dressed in costumes and performing Peter Pan is not only adorable by definition, but it brought joy in these children and their family members that I had never seen during our time at the school. This is a moment I will never forget, and it will continue to bring a smile to my face.

What is something most people don’t know about you and wouldn’t guess? I love listening to classical music, and I played in the Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra for two years in High School. I played the string bass.

What is a Senior Corps Member?

A senior corps member is a second year corps member. Our senior corps members take on leadership roles and help guide the first year corps members through their year of service. Each team has a second year corps member leading the team as well as a group of in-office second year corps members planning events, projects, and workshops to help develop the corps members as leaders and the growth of our site. We will learn more about our Team Leaders and Project Leaders as we Spotlight each of our senior corps members!