Five (+1) Things Friday: Why Do I Serve?

All of our corps members have a unique story and came to City Year for different reasons. Yesterday, at our Opening Day six of CYNY’s finest took the stage and shared why they serve.  Today’s Five Things Friday is dedicated to their stories. 

Why do I serve? I serve because I want to help bridge the academic gap in our public schools by giving the individualized attention, confidence, and resources to the students who need it most.

My name is Natasha Rodriguez, I am 21 years old from Leonia, New Jersey and I proudly serve at Central Park East Middle School in East Harlem as a member of the tenth anniversary corps.

Why do I serve? I serve because I believe it takes a community to educate a child. I serve not because I feel sorry or piety my students in anyway but because I see the potential in all of them. I know the feeling of being hopeless and falling off-track on your education but I was lucky to have a loving family and a supportive community to get me back on-track. At I.S 171 I want to be part of that community that guides my students on the right track and inspires them unleash their full potential. 

My Name is Marco Milea, I am 22 years old from Poughkeepise, New York and I proudly serve on the I.S. 171 team in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn as a member of the tenth anniversary corps.  

Why do I serve? I serve for my family both near and far. For my brother and sister back home receiving an education, and for my brothers and sisters out in the world searching for their dreams. I serve for the ones who cannot yet serve, and as an example to those who will. I serve for the past, and all it has given me. The present for all it can be. I serve the future for the belief that it can and will be better.

My Name is Austin Radford, I am 20 years old from Fairport, New York and I proudly serve at P.S. 149 in East New York, Brooklyn as a member of the tenth anniversary corps.

Why do I serve?  I serve because I believe in the social justice of education.  I serve because my parents came to this country from poverty in Greece, without knowing a word of English. I serve because from those humble beginnings, today, they each hold masters degrees, and put four kids through college. I serve because I hope to hear a million stories like that of my parents throughout my life, and I believe in City Year’s role in making this hope a reality. 

My name is Nina Souliopoulos, I am 22 years old from Middletown, New York and I proudly serve at I.S. 204 on the HSBC Team in Long Island City Queens as a member of the tenth anniversary corps.  

Why do I serve? I serve because I was one of those kids that I will be helping this year. Students are faced with challenges that force them to grow up quicker, so much so that they forget to enjoy their childhood. I want to remind this generation to cherish their younger years while also preparing them for life through the lessons of education because the greatest weapon against ignorance is a free thinking mind.

 My name is Andrew Torres, I am 23 years old from Bronx, New York and I proudly serve at P.S. 75 Citizens Team in the South Bronx as a member of the tenth anniversary corps.  

Why I serve? I serve to eliminate excuse by exemplifying excellence. To serve as a reflection and connection of one’s past to one’s future. To look in a students’ eyes and see the doubt which has led her to believe that she never will see the light at the end of the tunnel, the understanding of a difficult subject, the diploma at the end of June, the degree at the end of May. I lace up my tims, zip up my jacket, look in the mirror and smile cause I used to know a girl just like her, Me.

My name is Tiffany Williams, I am 24 years old from Shreveport, Louisiana and I am a proud serve at Newtown High School Microsoft Team in Elmhurst, Queens and as a member of the tenth anniversary corps.

CYNY Opening Day

Chancellor Dennis Walcott, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John C. Liu, Mark Walter, Executive Director of New York State Commission on National and Community Service, Hunter College President Jennifer Raab, Darlene Rodriguez, co-anchor “Today in New York”, members of our corporate community, advisory board, friends and family joined the City Year New York corps for our 9th Annual Opening Day ceremony. We would like to thank everyone who joined today’s event and hope you continue to support and attend City Year events throughout this year.

Some of the highlights from today’s Opening Day include:

Corporate Support: Comptroller Liu, joined by members of our team sponsors helped to swear in the 2011 – 2012 City Year corps, by reciting the City Year pledge. We would like to thank the Comptroller for sharing his thoughts today and to Alcoa, Bain & Company, Citizens Team, Credit Suisse, CSX, HSBC, and National Grid for leading this part of the program.

“While they seldom get the recognition they deserve, members of City Year play a crucial role in the success of our schools and communities. It is my honor to help swear in the new class of corps members as they dedicate the next year of their lives to promoting youth leadership, community involvement, and academic achievement among our City’s students.” -Comptroller John C. Liu, New York City

Not able to attend but announced today,the latest addition to our Team Sponsor Program, Microsoft, who signed on last night and will be sponsoring the Diplomas Now Team serving at Newtown High School.

Adding Perspective: Chancellor Walcott asked our corps member to not only set goals, but to set high goals for themselves and for the students they will serve in his schools. He realizes that turning around some of our most challenging schools cannot be done without a community working together.

“As Chancellor, the ability to have you in our schools is so important to us and for our students. The value that you bring to those schools is tremendous, just tremendous. I am a big believer in City Year, I am a big believer in what City Year represents. I believe that City Year should be in every one of our schools, because if we had folks like you in all of our schools, our schools will be a better place. But most importantly our students will be in a better place. And this is all about our students and how we make sure our students are graduating, and not just graduating, but graduating college and career ready.”  -Chancellor Dennis Walcott, NYC Department of Education

The idea of public service and giving your life to a cause greater than your own was shared by New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

“My life tells me that what you are doing now already tells us what you can and will contribute. We are all going to develop, we are all going to learn, we are all going to take different paths along the way and try different things, and some will work and some wont, but the most important point is that you have already distinguished yourself, as caring so deeply that you are ready to devote your life in this direction.” –Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, New York City

Thoughts from Washington: Senator Charles Schumer was unable to join us this morning because he was asked to stay in Washington and lead our country through these challenging economic times. Because of this last minute scheduling conflict he shared his thoughts with us:

“Nothing could be more American than programs like City Year New York that harness the energy and idealism of youth and puts them to work improving our schools and strengthening our communities. “City Year New York has a real record of results- smarter students, stronger schools, and safer streets – not to mention countless graduates who go on to do amazing things.” -Senator Charles Schumer 

As today’s event takes place, we at City Year are keeping a close eye on the decisions that are being made in Washington, that could impact future funding for the Corporation for National Community Service.  Mr. de Blasio also shared his thoughts and concerns about this subject.

“I know what’s happening in the national debate on National Service, and I hate to say that what’s going on in Washington is entirely missing the mark. Developing the next generation of leaders – there is no more fundamental mission for this country, and particularly leaders who are interested in education and the need to reach our youth. This is the entire future of this country.” -Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, New York City

#CYODAY in the Twitterverse: We also saw a great response to Opening Day online – thank you to all our friends and followers who contributed to today’s conversation.

Photo Credit: David Andrako

Five Things Friday: Why I Serve Edition

Today’s Five Things Friday features five of the “Why I Serve” statements from this morning’s Opening Day ceremony.

1. “I serve to give back to the community that raised me, to inspire kids to strive to reach their full potential, and to encourage them to gain an awareness of the many resources available to them. I serve to better this community, my community, because someone once believed in me and I want to be that someone for the students I work with every day. I serve to endow students with the realization that if they can dream, they can truly achieve.” -Swati Chandhoke, Corps Member, IS 204 HSBC Team in Long Island City, Queens.

2. “I serve to give back to the community that raised me, to inspire kids to strive to reach their full potential, and to encourage them to gain an awareness of the many resources available to them. I serve to better this community, my community, because someone once believed in me and I want to be that someone for the students I work with every day. I serve to endow students with the realization that if they can dream, they can truly achieve.” -Swati Chandhoke, Corps Member, IS 204 HSBC Team in Long Island City, Queens. -Peter Schoffelen, Corps Member, PS/IS 111 Team in Long Island City, Queens.

3. “I serve to be a resource for every student who doesn’t have access to the same academic opportunities that I had growing up.I serve to show every student who has been labeled and told they can’t succeed because of the 5 digit zip code they were born into, that they can achieve whatever they want in life. I serve for every student who doesn’t have someone who believes in them, even when they don’t believe in themselves. I serve because even though I’m only one person, I have the power to make a positive difference and to help shape a brighter future for the students of MS 424.” – Darnnel Lahens, Corps Member, MS 424 Alcoa team in the South Bronx

4. “I serve because I am a strong, independent woman with a vision to change the world. I want to leave this world a better place than I found it. My goal in life is to continue to challenge myself to make an impact in my community. I serve because I had a mentor who told me I am at my best when I am reaching for the stars. If it wasn’t for her guidance and compassion, I know I would not be here today. My mentor demonstrated to me what it means to be a true servant and leader. I serve to follow in her footsteps.” -Jubilee Westergaard, Corps Member, PS 112/206 Citizens Team in East Harlem.

5. “I serve because I entered college reading at an 8^th grade level. Because although I managed to pass through the public education system, I was left behind. I serve because struggling with reading comprehension at 18, made me feel insecure and incapable of working with my peers. But this struggle has empowered and taught me the value of my education. It is the only thing that can never be taken away from me. I serve because I believe a quality education is a right not a privilege. As a member of this society I feel the responsibility to help develop the leaders of tomorrow, and be the role model I never had. I serve for a purpose. I serve because this is who I have become.” -Karen Beltran, Corps Member, M.S. 302 CSX team in South Bronx