WHAT'S NEW

Attend City Year Washington, DC's 2010 Idealism in Action Gala Honoring Richard Stengel

Corps members perform PT at the 2009 Idealism in Action Gala.

Please join us for the seventh annual Idealism in Action Gala on May 25 at 6:30pm at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building. City Year Washington, DC is excited to present the 2010 Lifetime of Idealism Award to Richard Stengel, managing editor of TIME, for his dedication to promoting national service and expanding opportunities for all Americans to serve their country.

The Idealism in Action Gala is also a celebration of the 100 corps members who work tirelessly as tutors, mentors, and role models to over 6,000 DC students. The gala is also an opportunity to recognize Washington, DC's most committed employee volunteers with the 2010 Idealist of the Year awards. Every table sponsor has the opportunity to nominate one of their employees as an Idealist of the Year, an individual who has made a difference in the life of one person, an organization, or an entire community. All Idealists of the Year will be recognized at the Idealism in Action Gala and in a post-event issue of National Journal.

Table sponsorships and limited individual tickets are available. CLICK HERE for sponsorship levels and benefits or CLICK HERE for more information about the Gala. We hope you will join us!

HIGHLIGHTS

City Year Honors Martin Luther King, Jr. with Day of Service

US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan paints a mural with City Year CEO and Co-Founder Michael Brown and acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service Nicky Goren.

On Monday, January 18, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, City Year Washington, DC led a powerful day of community service at Ronald Brown Middle School and Houston Elementary School in Northeast DC. The event was sponsored by Corporate Executive Board and engaged over 600 community volunteers in service. The kick-off program included remarks from City Year CEO and Co-founder Michael Brown, Ronald Brown Middle School Principal Darrin Slade, Corporate Executive Board Chief Executive Officer Thomas Monahan, and Ward 7 DC Councilmember Yvette Alexander. City Year was also honored to have US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and his family attend the service event and paint a mural of US Commerce Secretary Ronald Brown, the school's namesake. Over 600 community volunteers and 100 City Year corps members painted inspirational murals and quotes, organized the library, and built bookshelves and benches for the library and courtyard. In addition, volunteers made no-sew blankets and toiletry kits for children transitioning between homes.

This was no ordinary day of service. It was also the official kick-off to City Year Washington DC's Young Heroes and City Heroes programs. More than 150 young people took the public pledge to serve in the Heroes program, a five-month service-learning and social justice program for middle school (Young Heroes) and high school (City Heroes) students. The Heroes kick-off was co-hosted by The Case Foundation Young Heroes Team corps member Andrés Harris and City Hero member Aimee Pollard. President and Co-founder of DC Central Kitchen Robert Egger expressed how proud he was that these young people were giving back to their community, and City Year CEO and Co-founder Michael Brown helped swear in the Heroes. City Year Executive Director Jeff Franco also gave remarks, thanking The Case Foundation and Bank of America for their support of the Heroes programs.

Thanks to Au Bon Pain, Buca di Beppo, DC Central Kitchen, Gist Family Catering, Honest Tea, Olive Garden, and Starbucks for providing the food and beverages for the day. And special thanks to all our community partners for working with City Year Washington, DC to put on an inspiring and transformational day of service!

DC Area Alumni Celebrate MLK Homecoming Weekend

Over 50 City Year alumni attended City Year's MLK Day of Service.

From Friday, January 15 through Monday, January 18, the City Year Alumni Association of Washington, DC welcomed former corps members to the fourth annual Homecoming Weekend. More than 50 City Year Alumni showed up to take part in a weekend spent catching up, reminiscing, celebrating, and of course, serving the DC community! The weekend kicked off on Friday with an alumni-hosted event for the corps at City Year Washington, DC's Headquarters, followed by a happy hour.

The following evening, alumni convened for dinner to catch up since their service year. On Sunday, alumni attended a brunch at the University of California Washington Center. The brunch included a panel on how to continue to be a leader for life; panelist included DC AmeriCorps Leadership Council President Stephen Anfield, Serve DC AmeriCorps Program Officer Natalie Wasserman, and SMYAL Director of Development & Communication Jason Maclaughlin. Alumni Homecoming Weekend culminated on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, when more than 50 alumni helped revitalize and improve Ronald Brown Middle School in Northeast DC.

The Alumni Association would like to thank the Alumni Board Members for their help in a successful MLK Homecoming Weekend. A special thanks to Kelsey Boler, Roxy Garcia Marcus, Jason Mayer, Ben Marcus, and Meredith Ney. The alumni are already looking forward to next year's Alumni Homecoming Weekend!

Are you an alum and interested in getting more involved? Contact Harry Cheema for more information about upcoming alumni events.

Heroes Benefit Day at a Cosi Near You!

Members of the Heroes program take the pledge of service.

On Wednesday, February 3 from 3pm-6pm, ten percent of all proceeds from eight Cosi locations around Metro Center, Capitol Hill, and Dupont Circle will be donated to City Year's Young Heroes and City Heroes programs. The Heroes programs are City Year's Saturday service-learning programs for middle school and high school students. Students learn about pressing social issues in the community and how they can create positive change. Cosi locations particpating in the Heroes benefit include:

• 700 11th Street, NW
• 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 1501 K Street, NW
• 1333 H Street, NW
• 301 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
• 1275 K Street, NW
• 1647 20th Street, NW

Show your support for City Year's Heroes programs and order a sandwich on February 3 - but please take note of the locations and time frame!

Follow City Year Washington, DC's Blog

As you may know, City Year Washington, DC's blog was created for current corps members to post information about the service they do, the activities they participate in, and the large-scale events going on at City Year Washington, DC. The blog is a great way for past and future corps members to read about what today's corps members are up to. Other followers include corporate partners, service partners, City Year family and friends, and those hoping to gain a greater understanding of what life is like for a corps member. We would love to share our stories with you as well! CLICK HERE to become a follower and read about how corps members are spending their year of service.

IN THE NEWS

City Year Washington, DC and Students Featured on Los Angeles Lakers Blog

City Year corps members and Stanton Elementary School students pose for a picture with the LA Lakers.  Photo courtsey of Ned Dishman, NBAE/Getty Images.

On January 25, City Year Washington, DC's Stanton Elementary School Team brought Stanton's fifth grade students to the Verizon Center to participate in a basketball clinic with the World Champion LA Lakers. Students participated in drills run by coaches and players, and talked with the team about the importance of being active and staying fit. This exclusive event was a way for the LA Lakers to give back to the community while they were in town. Later that day, the Lakers met with President Obama so he could congratulate them on last year's championship title. The clinic was featured on the LA Lakers blog, and even President Obama mentioned Stanton Elementary School his congratulatory speech!  

City Year Washington, DC's MLK Day Service Project Featured on WAMU 88.5 FM

Corps member Evan Waldt and Executive Director Jeff Franco were interviewed by local NPR station WAMU at Ronald Brown Middle School on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Evan spoke to the importance of a friendly and functional educational space. He noted that the murals City Year painted, like the one with students in graduation gowns, provide students with inspiration and encouragement to stay in school. Jeff pointed out that service not only helps the school, but also the people who live in the community and the ones performing the service. CLICK HERE to read the transcript.