YouthSpark Star of the Week: City Year Denver
YouthSpark Star of the Week: City Year Denver
“I have been with City Year for about 6 months and have gained more practical experience than in any of my previous jobs. I understand circumstances are different at every job, but I still feel better suited for the next step in my career path…”
Michael Sanchez, City Year Denver corps member
Every day, City Year Denver corps members serve area middle schools, tutoring, mentoring and acting as role models. Corps members are dedicated to transforming lives – their own and the students they serve. They help keep at-risk youth on track, while gaining leadership skills and real-world experience. The 70 corps members, ages 17-24, serve in 11 area Denver middle schools.
Why does it matter? Because Denver is facing a growing child poverty rate and a 41 percent high school dropout rate, contributing to a real opportunity divide. City Year Denver hopes to close that divide by providing advanced training to their corps members – and you can help.
City Year, a partner of Microsoft since 1999, has been named a national YouthSpark partner. Our Microsoft YouthSpark initiative aims to empower youth to imagine and realize their full potential by connecting them with education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
City Yearunites teams of diverse young adults who serve full time in schools for 10 months with struggling students to help them succeed. Corps members work with students to improve student attendance, behavior and course performance. A key indicator of success (that a child will graduate) is at the 10th grade mark: kids who make it to 10th grade on track and on time are four times more likely to graduate than students who fall behind. City Year Denver is working in middle schools to help students not only make it to 10th grade, but to provide them with the skills and encouragement they’ll need to successfully graduate from high school.
Help support City Year Denver’s efforts by providing training for corps members to help them continue their great work and learn new skills. Check out how to support this project on Give for Youth. Share this story with your social networks and spark change for young people in Denver, Colorado.
Give for Youth is a Microsoft YouthSpark program.
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