City Year Chicago celebrates with the Chicago Fire Soccer Club at Toyota Park!

City Year Chicago came out in their red jackets to enjoy a game of soccer with the Chicago Fire on Sunday, March 23.

City Year Chicago’s Chicago Fire Soccer Club sponsored team who serves at Schurz High School present Andrew Hauptman and the Chicago Fire with a special thank you!

Corps members had the honor to be invited by City Year Champion and Chicago Fire owners Andrew and Ellen Hauptman. Before the Fire took on the New York Red Bulls, our ‘fired up’ corps members took to the field for a chat and group picture with Andrew Hauptman. The corps members were proud to cheer on the Fire as they stayed warm in their City Year red jackets at the home opener in Toyota Park.

Thank you to Andrew Hauptman and the Chicago Fire Foundation for hosting City Year Chicago at Toyota Park!

Special thanks to the Hauptmans and the entire Chicago Fire Foundation team for their continued generosity and support!

The corps members serving at the Howe School of Excellence were able to celebrate a day early with some school wide activities.

Read more about the activities at Howe School of Excellence and other #CYPiDay activities on the City Year Blog!

In honor of two national days to recognize reading, both Read Across America Day and World Read Aloud Day on March 5th some City Year Chicago corps members have shared a few of their favorite books. What are you reading?

Alan Wang reads “Water for Elephants” by Sara Gruen

Alan Wang: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen is an intimate portrayal of a young man struggling to find his identity within the chaos of circus life during the great depression. Written as an escapist fairy tale, the protagonist Jacob Jankowski recounts his experience traveling with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an easy to read coming-of-age story with a satisfying ending.

Selina Nieves reads “Holes” by Louis Sachar

Selina Nieves: My favorite book is “Holes!” I first read it in sixth grade with my favorite teacher Mrs. Maxwell!

Sable Sanders reads “Kindred” by Octavia Butler

Sable Sanders: I love this book because the world that Dana, the main character, lives in challenges my views of my own world. Dana is also an extremely brave and inspiring heroine and I love creative works that depict strong female leads!

Sarah Wagener reads “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini

Sarah Wagener: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini has been one of my favorite books since I first read it in high school. In reading it, I am reminded of the inner strength that exists within all people to transition from viewers of violence or bystanders into powerful agents of change who, through actions and words, seek to end violence around them.

Matt Gauen reads “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare

Matt Gauen: Hamlet is such a compelling and action-packed story. It contains one of the most famous lines in the English language, “To be, or not to be.” It also has some of the most beautiful observations about life in general. It’s a fast paced story, filled with intrigue, sword fights, revenge and redemption. It’s a truly awesome play.

Gabriela Zepeda reads “Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger

Gabriela Zepeda: Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorite books! It was one of the first books I couldn’t put down and really enjoyed.

Michael Sugihara reads “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis

Michael Sugihara: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis was one of the first longer books I ever read, and I’ve always loved the magic, story, and talking animals!

Taylor Johnson reads Langston Hughes

Taylor Johnson I chose Langston Hughes’ Short Stories because I found the collection of stories, not only relatable, but inspiring. The stories are sometimes quick witted, while others are more dramatic and thought provoking. Hughes’ writing helped ignite the Harlem Renaissance, and inspired me to read other authors, such as Zora Neal Hurston.

David Blount reads “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky

David Blount “The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a favorite of mine because it pushes me to reflect more on my upbringing with family and friends.

Jasmine Jaurigue reads “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J.K. Rowling’

Jasmine Jaurigue: I love this series because it captured me into this magical world that taught me so much about love, adventure, mysteries, overcoming challenges, redemption, and friendship. This series was so real, genuine and relatable. It will forever go down in history for how well it is written, how capturing it is and how beautiful the development of the characters. I love it!

Nathan Raichel reads “Super Freakonomics” by Steven D. Levitt

Nathan Raichel: The two Freakonomics books are my favorite because they take what might seem like simple issues and ideas and completely flip them around to give you a new perspective.  They really challenge you to think about what is really going on in the world, and how it may not be as simple as it seems

Vidhi Kacharia reads “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts

Vidhi Kacharia: Shantaram is my favorite book because it’s written beautifully, based on a crazy but true story, and I can read it over and over again without getting bored!

Esha Alexander reads “A Man Named Dave” by Dave Pelzer

Esha Alexander: A Man Named Dave is my favorite book because it is a fast read ( I read it in a day). I read all three of Dave Pelzer’s book and i fell in love. I really do try feel for Dave, because it is a true story, but there are moments so bad that even he has to disconnect himself. I couldn’t do that while reading it though. I almost felt that if I could send my anger and frustration and sadness and hope out there it would stop.

Danny Chacon reads “The Color of Magic” by Terry Pratchett

Danny Chacon: The Color of Magic, by Terry Pratchett, is my favorite book because it is a mixture of comedy, fantasy, and adventure. The characters are complex, and the reader never knows who to trust until the end. The story takes place on a planet called Discworld, which rests on the back of a giant galactic turtle. Many of the continents on Discworld are satirical analogies to continents on Earth, poking fun at some of our cultural aspects in a very understanding way.

Kaitlin Lynch reads “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss

Kaitlin Lynch: I love this book because I am the only one with the power to determine my future. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the ultimate #makebetterhappen book.” (Fun Fact: Read Across America Day is the day after Dr. Seuss’s birthday.)

Kelan Lyons (pictured on the right of the back row) serves on the BMO Harris Bank Team serving at Collins Academy High School.

(The names in this post have been changed to protect the identity of our students)

There comes a point when a corps member hears, “you’re doin’ too much” one too many times. When the thought of doing another Behavior Lunch makes you want to throw your bomber on the floor and curl up into the fetal position in the corner of your office. When you think, If I have to teach the four rules of commas one more time…

The month of February, though the shortest month of the year, is consistently preached by City Year staff as the most difficult for corps members to survive; The frigid weather begins to get to us, the lack of sunlight drives us a bit crazy, the students’ behavior appears to decline, and teachers at our schools grow tired due to the stress of the academic year. I consistently go home wondering what I’m doing with my life and why I’m going to return to Collins in a mere 12 hours.

And then I have one moment, one small win, about once a week that punches me in the gut and reminds me why I serve.

I was lucky enough to have two moments last week. The first was on Wednesday after school. Johnny Barr, the head of Media and External Relations in City Year Chicago, came to Collins Academy High School to interview one of my students on how City Year has impacted her. The student, Alana Hall, talked at length about how corps members had helped her at Theodore Herzl Elementary School, tutoring her in math and helping her raise her F average to a B. Alana spoke of how I continually push her out of her comfort zone and encourage her to write creatively as a result of learning of the numerous awards she had won for poetry and her stories. She recalled corps members she had had in years past, and I found myself thinking with pride that one day she would remember me as that annoying City Year who made her enter essay competitions and free write during our pull outs.

The next moment was on Thursday. I was doing grade reflections with my students, taking them out of class to go down to a computer lab to discuss the grades they earned on their last report cards and how they can go about raising said grades, as well as what I can do as their tutor to help them get to where they want to be. I closed my reflections by explaining GPAs to the students and taking them to Collegeboard.org so that they can see how their grades affect their future.

I brought Kayla Johnson down to the student center during fifth period on Thursday afternoon. We talked at length about her indignation towards teachers and how her refusal to do work in their classes as a result of her disdain hurts her more than her teachers. I was nervous when I broached the subject of college because I wasn’t sure if Kayla was going to want to pursue higher education when the only adjectives she typically uses to describe high school are “bogus” and “borin’.”

Kayla launched into a tirade about how much she hates the people around her, how she detests most people and thinks everyone in the school is dumb, how she doesn’t have a great relationship with some members of her family, and how she has no idea what she wants in life. While listening, I was hit with a profound realization, a reminder of why I decided to take a job with a living stipend in a city that has reached temperatures below Alaska’s this season: for a lot of our students, corps members are the most consistent things in their lives. We break down barriers and get students to open up to us, to trust us when they hate most people like Kayla or don’t trust others easily, like Alana. We’re seen as young, dependable, supportive mentors who care about the students we serve, an all-too-rare occurrence for a lot of my students. Knocking these barriers down and helping these students to see that there are people out there who care about them and the progress that they make: that’s why I serve. That’s what makes difficult months like February easier to get through.

–Kelan Lyons

Kelan Lyons is a Corps Member at Collins Academy High School. His hobbies include reading, writing, and being warm (difficult to do in his current city). He is enjoying his year of service with City Year and hopes to one day to combine his passion for service with his love of writing.

The Chicago White Sox Charities Team serving at Tilden Career Community Academy hosted the “Tilden Choice Awards” Attendance Rally to kick off second semester! Attendance rallies are great ways to reiterate to students about the importance of being on time, and to remind them of City Year’s attendance initiatives!

Corps members presented awards to students for things like best attendance, most improved attendance, best after-school attendance, and showing up on time and in a good mood. Students gave thank-you speeches after accepting their awards, with messaged like “Thanks to my friends, they’re why I come to school everyday.” and “Thanks to City Year.”

As with any awards show, there had to be some musical entertainment, and “99 Options” brought the house down! Tilden students have even come by the City Year room to watch it again! Check out City Year Chicago’s “99 Options” here and scroll down to read the lyrics!

“99 Options” – Lyrics from Attendance Rally Video

If you have attendance problems, got a word for you son
You got 99 options but an F ain’t one.

Went to bed at 2, wasn’t thinkin’ ‘bout school.
Woke up the next morning, all I wanted to do
Was pull up the sheets and hit the snooze,
Tell my mom that I’m sick and I’m getting’ the flu.
She wasn’t havin’ that so I had to pack
My bag up real quick and head to class.
No time for breakfast, had to get to the bus.
I was already runnin’ late so I had to rush.
I got to the stop and reached in my pocket,
Realized my bus card was not in my wallet!

Luckily, the driver lets me ride for free.
So I, head to the back and I find my seat
And before I know it, I done fell asleep.
Missed the 47 woke up at 53.
Now, Ms. M is callin’ my mom,
askin’ where I’m at and if anything’s wrong.
The only problem is I can’t stay awake
And it’s a bad habit that I just can’t shake.
If bein’ late is why my grades keep droppin’,
Do you have any advice? Cuz I need more options.

99 options but an F ain’t one.
If you got attendance problems I’ve got a word for you son,
You got 99 options but a F ain’t one.

The year is ’04 and I’m fresh at my school.
Being reckless rude, everyday act a fool.
First year of high school, actin’ top of the line.
But got no good grades or show up on time.
Now I had patient teachers, tried to get me on track,
Who would stop me in the hall if I was late to class.
Askin’, “lil’ shawty M why you late again?
You already know that school starts at 8 am!”
“Man forget hall sweep, mister you ain’t my mama.
Quit comin’ near me unless you want some drama!”
“Okay Miss Narcisa, that’s a lunch detention
If you do it again, that’s an in-school suspension.”
So I, thought to myself, “I can’t eat on my own.
I need someone to wake me up and call my phone.”
So I asked “Man how can I avoid all that
I’m not givin’ up my lunch, and that’s a fact.”
He said, “Let’s make a goal that we can set,
That you think you can meet, and won’t forget!”
So we sat down together and talked it through,
Talkin’ goals and my future, had me feelin’ brand new.
Turned my life around that freshman year
Finished high school, went to college, now I’m here!
Serving all of you with my ride or die team,
Hope we can help each of you reach your dreams!

99 options but an F ain’t one!

David found out about City Year by researching opportunities to serve in schools after his graduation from Loyola. His ambition to serve stemmed from a desire to “provide a resource for students who otherwise would not have it.” Reflecting on his own education, David saw that others had invested in him, and he wanted to do the same for urban students in Chicago. “To give back, I want to join the movement in ensuring all students are cared for and given opportunities to work toward their dreams.”

One of his role models in education is his mother. A teacher in East St. Louis, she struggled to earn her college degree, but always valued education. David’s cornerstone in taking education seriously, she always inspired him to work harder in school. David says, “it’s amazing seeing how we both want to give back to students who need us.”

David checks in on a student during City Year’s After School Homework Help.

At CVCA, David loves spending time mentoring his students. One of his favorite students gets a bad rep for being loud and vulgar, but David has loved getting to know him as a “reflective and caring young man” outside of class. Checking in everyday shows this student that David is looking out for him, and cares about his personal growth.

After City Year, David wants to “continue working in communities with youth and families but also have a broader impact to change conditions of poverty and education.” He would like to focus on poverty reduction, community development, and youth development through education policy analyst positions. For his LACY plans (Leadership After City Year), he’s seeking out this kind of opportunity through a master’s degree, abroad, or with a second year at City Year as a Team Leader.

City Year’s front line against the dropout crisis is exceptional corps members like David Blount. As we start the second half of our year and begin to recruit next year, we celebrate our dedicated talent!

–post written by Holly Brennan

The actual service, including mural painting, building benches, and other indoor painting and organizational projects, benefited Roger C. Sullivan High School and Joyce Kilmer Elementary School.

City Year and volunteers we also addressed by several public figures, including Alderman Joe Moore, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky who graduated from Sullivan High School and Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Matthew McCabe, board member for the Corporation For National and Community Service also addressed volunteers. You can read Matthew’s account of the day on his blog.

Several volunteer groups and corporate partners were in attendance, including: BMO Harris Bank, Capital One, The Chicago White Sox Volunteer Corps, The Chicago Sky, Deloitte, Starbucks, and The Alter Group. Non profit organizations in attendance included: City Year Alumni, Urban Alliance, buildOn, Public Allies, Justice Corps, and students from UIC, Rush University, DeVry, Loyola, and Wheaton College.

Many volunteers tweeted about the impact they were having during their service as well as their thoughts on the life and legacy of Dr. King. You can follow the service of our volunteers by searching #cymlk and #cychi hash tags. Also, the SERVE Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service created a Storify that highlights the tweets and photos of AmeriCorps programs across Illinois!

View more photos from City Year Chicago’s MLK Day here! Thank you for serving!

Chicago Cubs Charities (and Clark) join City Year in service at Casals School of Excellence for 100 Gifts

This has been a big week for the Chicago Cubs! Not only did they introduce Clark the Cub, their new mascot, to their fans, but the Cubs also kicked off 100 Gifts of Service. 100 Gifts of Service, kicks off a yearlong program featuring Cubs players, coaches and front office associates engaging in community service projects to celebrate Wrigley Field’s 100th birthday.

City Year Chicago was excited to plan and lead members of the front office, Cubs Charities, players and Clark in service at Casals School of Excellence in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Volunteers painted sports themed panel murals and a Chicago Skyline in the gymnasium. Murals were also added to hallways and the cafeteria.  Cubs volunteers also build benches and painted a multipurpose room where students will read and use school computers.

See the excitement of the students when the Cubs Caravan arrives at Casals!

On Monday, January 20, City Year Chicago and 750 volunteers will celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by performing transformational physical service projects, such as painting inspirational murals and quotes, building mural backed benches and planter boxes, and creating a series of panel murals. This year MLK Day service will benefit two local schools, Roger C. Sullivan High School and Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, in the Rogers Park Community.

Currently the 45 projects that are planned for the day are at capacity and individuals who have not registered are not guaranteed a spot if they simply show up on the day.  Please visit the City Year Chicago Website for additional information about the event.

If you are interested in serving in Chicago please visit the MLK Day Official Website and search for projects or activities within your community so you can make MLK Day a “Day On” in service to others!

Check out some of the photos from City Year Chicago’s 2013 MLK Day of Service and check back for a recap next week!

On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, City Year Chicago Executive Director Lisa Morrison Butler and Chicago corps member Michael Sugihara received a check from the Chicago Bulls Community Assist Fund.

The Chicago Bulls Community Assist Fund, a fund of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, is committed to helping underserved Chicago at risk youth by funding nonprofit organizations in Chicago.