A Memorable Experience

My name is Antonique Blair from the YHNE team. One great experience for me this year was the recent overnight retreat for the CCYH Team and the Heroes Team. It was great! The corps members worked really hard to organize interesting workshops for the Heroes, despite some hectic weather. It felt good helping with the retreat and I can't wait until our YHNE retreat in May. The kids were great and the energy level was awesome. Events like these make my City Year experience memorable.
 
Antonique Blair, YHNE Team, Corps Member

Life Changing Experience

On September 8th, my City Year Team began its partnership with Jay Cooke Elementary School. At first we weren’t sure of what our journey would entail, however we all had something in common; we wanted to make a difference and that’s what I do in my class everyday. Even though there are some days when I get discouraged and even lose my hope, other days I see my students progressing. The children’s attendance has increased because they know that if they don’t come to school, I won’t stop calling them. Their behavior is much better because they know I respect them and they respect me. Their grades are improving because they know I won’t let them give up. Everyone on my team has had these moments and I feel as though our idealism has continued to fuel us. We’ve only been in these student’s lives for four months and we still have five more to go, but I know already that our passion and dedication will leave an everlasting impression. I look forward to knowing that not only did I change their lives, but also that they are changing mine too.

Abby Hartshorne, Jay Cooke Elementary, Corps Member

A Great Young Heroes Retreat

On December 4th and 5th the City Heroes team launched the start of its program with their very first retreat. City Heroes is a leadership development and service learning program for high school students from in and around Philadelphia. During the retreat, workshops were focused on leadership, diversity, personal identity, national and international service, as well as City Year culture. The City Heroes team worked hard to ensure that the workshops were engaging and informative. The team also worked day in and day out to “in-kind,” or solicit donations, for as much delicious food for the students as possible. This year, 151 students and 36 group leaders came out to the retreat. The group leaders did an amazing job leading the Heroes and we could not have had such meaningful workshops without their help. Thanks to everyone who helped make the retreat a success!
 
Tiffany Yuh, Corps Member, Clenmede Team, City Heroes