Five Things South Bronx

1. South Bronx: This year we have 71 corps members serving in four elementary schools and two middle schools in the South Bronx. The South Bronx is one of the most underserved neighborhoods of New York City and is the poorest congressional district in the United States, where 95% of students receive free or reduced lunch. Our teams serve full-time as tutors and mentors, from the first bell until the last student leaves our after-school programs. We are excited to be serving at PS 333/335, PS 48, PS 75, PS 154, MS 424, and MS 302. We also are partnering with The Point CDC, where our South Bronx zone office is housed, and where PS 75 holds after school programming.
2. Overheard in the BX:
   Joan Rodriguez (8th Grade) – When I came to New York I always wanted to change the violence but realized I can’t do it. So when I heard about City Year I wanted to join so I can do something.
   Jaesan Gregory (6th Grade) – Can’t do it or can’t do it alone?
   Joan – Can’t do it alone.
3. Student Attendance: City Year New York is partnering with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his Truancy Task Force, Every Student Every Day, and we are already seeing results at PS 75. At our last meeting, Principal Cruz shared some of the successes that she has already seen at her school:
   • They have achieved a daily attendance rates of 94/95% frequently this year with a high of 96%
   • There have been days when 17 of the classes were at 100% attendance
4. The Hunts Point Halloween Parade: We joined the organizers and participants of the Hunts Point Halloween Parade as they celebrated the parade’s 25th anniversary on October 22nd with the theme, “Honoring the Heroes of Hunts Point.” For many in the South Bronx, the parade represents community and unity as different organizations from all over the Hunts Point neighborhood march together and has a great time. For more pictures CLICK HERE.
5. Penny Harvest: Council Member Arroyo joined the PS 154 City Year team as they launched Penny Harvest at her alma mater. The team at PS 154 will be working with their students by converting their natural compassion for others into action by collecting pennies and turning those pennies into grants for community organizations. For more information please visit the Common Cents Penny Harvest website.

Wordless Wednesday: Hunts Point Halloween Parade

Photos submitted by Chris Duru, South Bronx Team Leader.

Where in the World is Recruitment?

Are you a student or a career counselor who wants to ask a City Year representative about the application process, the corps member experience, and the benefits of applying to City Year? Our Regional Outreach team of 3 Staff Members and 3 Project Leaders may be showing up on your campus sometime soon! Every other week, we intend to update this blog with our events for the next 2 weeks, so keep an eye out. Dates and school events are listed below, please see your career office for more details like times and locations. If you have questions in the mean time feel free to email newyorkrecruitment@cityyear.org, or rhodeislandrecruitment@cityyear.org or call 646.452.3624.

Tuesday, October 26
East Providence High School – 2010 College Fair
New York University – D.I.C.P. Recruiter in Residence

Wednesday, October 27
Columbia University – Recruiter in Residence
Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) – Volunteer Fair
Eastern Connecticut State University – Center for Community Engagement Panel
Let’s Get Ready, NYC office – City Year Partnership Meeting

Friday, October 29
Bowdoin College, Sarah Lawrence College, Swarthmore College, Vassar College, Weselyan University – Fall Recruiting Consortium

Monday, November 1
City Year New York and City Year Rhode Island – Open House, everyone welcome! Email us for details.
SUNY New Paltz and Bronx Guild High School – High School students visit the college campus

Tuesday, November 2
Peace Corps, NYC regional office – City Year Partnership Meeting

Wednesday, November 3
John Jay College of Criminal Justice – Information Session
Barnard College – Information Session

Thursday, November 4
Pace University – Alternative Options After Graduation presentation
Johnson & Wales University (in partnership with Brown University, Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University, Salve Regina University, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island College – Federal Jobs Career Fair

Friday, November 5
Rutgers University, College Avenue campus – Federal Jobs Career Day

Five Things Long Island City

1. Long Island City (LIC): Service is up and running for our teams in Long Island City, Queens. In a community where more than 30% of the adults over the age 25 have not graduated from High School or received a GED, we have 48 Corps members who are serving as full time tutors, mentors and role models, working to keep our students on track to graduation. This year, we are serving at two elementary Schools – PS 111 and PS 112 and two middle schools – IS 126 and IS 204 and are partnering with the Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement House for afterschool programing. 
   

   Photo Credit - Lauren Upton

2. Strong Start: To start the year strong, each team hosted a breakfast for teachers and staff.  By mingling and building relationships with staff, all teams have built a solid foundation for the year ahead. At IS 204 students wrote appreciation notes that were placed around the room for the teachers to read.
3. After School – This week marks the start of our Starfish and After School Heroes programs. At IS 204, After School Heroes created a set of community practices in which every student shared their vision and expectations. These expectations, such as “One Mic” and “Absolutely no violence or play fighting” will serve as a contract for how they will conduct themselves at the afterschool program.
   - At the Jacob Riis Community Center Charisma, a 2^nd grade student commented on Starfish saying: “We get to do fun activities and get to know each other and I like, I like, I LIKE, I REALLY like that!”
4. Go Green! The elementary school teams in LIC are known for their lunch clubs which provide positive, engaging enrichment activities to students during recess. The clubs range in topics from recycling, world foods, creative writing, sports, and leadership.
5. Formation! - Let IS 126 After School Heroes show you how to do PT! The middle school students love PT and look forward to doing it every afternoon. By the end of the year they will be PT experts! They are putting out an official challenge to any alumni who think they can do better PT. Join the IS 126 Heroes any day afterschool and challenge the masters!