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Champions of Bright Futures

City Year Celebrates 10 Years of Impact
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The City Year corps members make a huge impact on our students, because we are in a community that needs a lot of support. These mentor-student relationships are vital to their long-term success.
- Sherqueena Jackson, Principal, Frederick Douglass Elementary
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City Year Dallas has been transforming educational outcomes and addressing inequities locally for the past decade. The organization recruits and trains young leaders ages 18-25 from diverse backgrounds to serve full-time in Dallas schools, providing essential support in literacy, math, attendance, and social-emotional learning. By fostering meaningful connections with students, City Year AmeriCorps members play a vital role in mentoring those most at risk of dropping out, ensuring they have the resources needed to succeed.

Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) made an initial investment in City Year Dallas in 2015 with a $750,000 grant to launch its program in two schools. As the program expanded its reach to six schools, CFT remained a critical partner, providing ongoing support.

“Amazing partners like CFT made it possible for us to launch,” reflects Heather Holland, executive director of City Year Dallas. “During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, CFT made another investment of $500,000 to help us adapt our programming to better meet the evolving needs of students.”

City Year’s work has been particularly notable in schools identified as Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) campuses, including Frederick Douglass Elementary, which was able to improve its rating from a D to a B. Principal Sherqueena Jackson shared, “The City Year corps members make a huge impact on our students, because we are in a community that needs a lot of support.”

Aldair Quiroz recalled his own upbringing in underserved schools. His experience motivated him to become a City Year corps member and informed his relationship-oriented approach to mentorship. “I try to get to know a student first before we actually get to the logistics of helping them with their academics,” he explained.

Donavon Orozo, a student Quiroz supports, recognizes the difference the mentors make in his life. “He helps me understand difficult concepts,” Donavon explained with a smile, later admitting that his favorite part of the day is the goodbye hug they share before heading home. Another student, Sincere Davis, appreciates having mentors who bring humor, joy, and connection, noting, “They make me want to get up early to come to school.” These mentor-student relationships are vital to enhancing student experiences and long-term success.

As City Year looks to the future, they hope to extend the program to more schools that need intensive support, which means developing more mentors. Tiarra Thomas, City Year’s managing director of development, shared how the program allows young people like Quiroz to see first-hand the impact they can have on their community. “Being able to provide a community service experience while supporting more schools is what we want to do,” said Thomas. “The mentorship support provided creates a positive ripple effect, empowering students to grow into engaged citizens.”

Learn more about City Year Dallas 

This story was originally featured in our 2024 annual report. For additional details and content, click here.

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