Meet Our Alumni

Across the nation, City Year has a network of about 40,000 alumni. After an AmeriCorps member serves one to two years in their respective city they venture into new roles and industries like law, education, and business. A City Year alum takes their unique service experience with them and make significant contributions as community leaders. Allison Hook, Maria Meinen, and Marriah Segura are leaders within their field and City Year Seattle/King County alumni. Read more below to learn about how their service year has impacted them!

Allison Hook

How has service impacted your life after City Year (outside of your career/work)?

When my family decided to move to Seattle, we chose to live in the neighborhood where I had served. I love being part of such a diverse and welcoming community! It is a great place for my kids to grow up.

How has service prepared you for your career?

The experience and learnings I gained from City Year have been integral to my career. Being a near-peer tutor provided me with a strong foundation in relationship-building and advocating for young people. I truly believe that we can build a stronger nation and world through public education.

What is an important takeaway or something you learned from service?

As an educational leader, I often reflect on City Year culture, including the chants and founding stories. As a leader, you model a way of being for both students and fellow educators. In our school district, we are committed to incorporating joy into our work. When I think back to my year of service, it was pure joy, and I strive to continue bringing that joy into my work every day.

Maria Meinen

How has service impacted your life after City Year (outside of your career/work)?

Since leaving City Year, service has always been a part of my life. I worked as a social worker for many years doing direct service every day and, after leaving for the corporate world, I’ve  found ways to service outside of my work. I’ve found that when I have a balance between my work and service, I am both happier and have the most job satisfaction. As a result, I have simply built service into my life and it’s a constant priority and something that is a core value in my life.

How has service prepared you for your career?

I think the most valuable thing that service has taught me is that regardless of the setting, we can be in service to others – I think there is a little “s” service and a big “S” service. Little s service is simply how we approach people day to day – the respect, kindness, and attitude we show others regardless of the setting or circumstance. Big S service is when we step up and use our time in service to others – volunteering with City Year for the day, serving at a local non-profit, or volunteering our time in our community otherwise. Professionally, I approach all of my work with the little “s” service in mind and my success is entirely linked to the relationships I’ve been able to build, the networks my worked has created and my value in a team setting. For me, my work is not separate from my service, it’s simply a different facet of my service life.

What is an important takeaway or something you learned from service?

We can all serve – it doesn’t matter how much money you make, how much free time you have or your professional title. Service can be as simple as it is complex and all of us have a chance to be in service to others throughout our day, even in the smallest ways. I truly believe that if we all take a more service centric approach, our community will thrive.

Marriah Segura

How has service impacted your life after City Year (outside of your career/work)?

I am reliable, punctual, and reflective, those are values that were instilled in me during my year of service. My team always reminded how important a thoughtful piece of feedback or kind gesture could be and I like to include that in my everyday life.

How has service prepared you for your career?

City Year solidified my values in lifelong learning, service leadership, and community. I still speak PITWs fluently and use them to facilitate excellent programming in my professional life. I am confident about the skills and knowledge I have to bring to a team and make sure I bring those to all of the projects I am assigned. I believe in the power of education and our young people, I hope to always have the privilege to serve as an educator in some capacity.

What is an important takeaway or something you learned from service?

My service year keeps me humble while also reminding me how important my voice is. I will always speak up for the identities that are underrepresented in the room and advocate for equitable experiences for all.