City Year sites around the country are kicking off a year of service providing support to schools and students who need it most.

William Poole from Warwick, a graduate of Rhode Island College, recently dedicated himself to a year of national service as an AmeriCorps member with City Year New Hampshire, where he will serve elementary school students who struggle with attendance, behavior, and course performance in math and literacy.

At City Year New Hampshire’s Opening Day ceremony on Sept. 14, William shared why he chose to commit to a year of national service with City Year, along with 3,200 other City Year AmeriCorps members across the country.

“I serve so that every student in the United States has an opportunity to a quality education, regardless of socio-economic status, school size, urban location or school sector,” he said.

This year, William serves on the Parker-Varney Elementary School Team in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he will make a difference in the lives of his students by providing in-class support and after school programs throughout the school year. 

City Year is an AmeriCorps program that partners with public schools in 29 urban, high-need communities across the United States to help students stay in school and on track to high school graduation. City Year New Hampshire partners with 8 public elementary schools in the Manchester community.

As part of City Year’s national In School and On Track initiative, City Year focuses on the ABCs – Attendance, Behavior, and Coursework in math and literacy, which evidence-based research has identified as three early-warning indicators for a student’s likelihood of dropping out. City Year AmeriCorps members work with teachers and serve as tutors, mentors, and role models who are uniquely able to help students and schools succeed.

In the 2018-2019 school year, City Year New Hampshire will serve 4,000 students in 8 elementary schools, with at least 600 students receiving focused support in math and literacy. Of the students we serve, at least 60% will meet or exceed expected growth in those areas.

If you or someone you know is interested in serving a year with City Year, check out our website at www.cityyear.com to learn more! Our upcoming application deadlines are November 16th and January 25th.