Reflecting on a remarkable year with City Year’s Annual Report

We’re pleased to share our annual report, a look back at our work in 2019-2020—a year of challenge, learning and significant progress. We hope you will enjoy looking through the highlights of a truly remarkable year.

Insights from City Year’s Annual Report

When the pandemic first caused an abrupt closure of schools in March 2020, City Year rapidly adapted to support the increased needs of our students, schools, staff and communities, while continuing to advance our efforts to leverage our local and national infrastructure in support of the long-term success of systemically under-resourced schools. Working closely with our partners, we’ve been able to meet the evolving needs of our schools and districts.

City Year AmeriCorps members have risen to the challenge, serving virtually, in person, or a combination of the two. In times of immense upheaval in everyday life, AmeriCorps members have steadily demonstrated that the fundamentals of our work—building relationships with students, engaging them in learning, offering tutoring and skill-building support—are unchanged and much needed. Our methods just look a little different—and are implemented more creatively—with our corps and staff leading the way.

Throughout 2020, City Year AmeriCorps members found creative ways to continue to connect with students virtually and support teachers and principals in online learning environments.

AmeriCorps members focused on:

• Building consistent, caring and positive relationships with students every day
• Partnering with teachers to ensure students are engaged with their learning, which is critical to durable skill development
• Contributing a sense of joy, stability and belonging to the school experience

In reflecting upon the past year, two things are clear to us: our shared work to increase educational equity has never been more relevant and important; and cross-sector collaboration, anchored by the voices and agency of the young people we serve, is our best hope to meet the moment.

Because of our partners and supporters, we’ve been able to continue our efforts to deepen our impact on our students and schools, on our AmeriCorps members and alumni, and on the broader work to influence the systemic policies and practices that shape educational opportunity in our country.

Our partners find our work valuable:

• 94% of partner principals agree that City Year has supported their schools’ transition from in person to distance or hybrid learning
• 95% of partner principals and partner teachers say City Year AmeriCorps members have supported the engagement and participation of students in school during the pandemic.

Not only have we been energized by the creativity, resilience and the progress we’ve seen so far, but we’re hopeful for the future—an opportunity for renewal. We see clearly the direction we must take to make progress toward an education system that reflects our deep commitment to equity, inclusion and opportunity for all students.

Explore the full FY20 Annual Report:

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