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Join Us for City Year Washington, DC’s Graduation on Friday, June 18

Please join us as we honor the 2009-2010 City Year Washington, DC corps members for their service to the community.

Friday, June 18, 2010
6:30-8:30pm
Francis-Stevens Education Campus
Auditorium
2425 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037

Keynote Speaker:
DC Council Chairman Vince Gray

RSVP by Tuesday, June 15 to Katie Whitehouse or CLICK HERE for more information.

HIGHLIGHTS

2010 Idealism in Action Gala a Huge Success!

Richard Stengel received the 2010 Lifetime of Idealism Award & a hand-painted Timberland boot.

Thank you to everyone who came out to support City Year Washington, DC's 2010 Idealism in Action Gala on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. Nearly 300 City Year supporters helped celebrate the spirit of service as TIME Managing Editor Richard Stengel was honored with the 2010 Lifetime of Idealism Award. City Year also recognized the 2010 Idealists of the Year, 15 individuals from local corporations who made a difference in the lives of others.

Attendees enjoyed a spirited demonstration of PT, or Physical Training, by the 2009-2010 corps members, a step routine performance by elementary school students who participate in City Year's after-school program at Simon Elementary School in Southeast DC, corps member Jazmin Wilburn's reflections on her service year, and remarks about the importance of the national service movement by Lifetime of Idealism Award honoree Richard Stengel. The evening was extremely successful and we are already looking forward to next year's Gala!

City Year Invited to Speak about the Importance of Mentors at Wes Moore's Book Signing Event

Corps member Naomi Ho spoke about her experience as a mentor at Wes Moore's "The Other Wes Moore" book signing.

Wes Moore, The New York Times best-selling author of "The Other Wes Moore," invited City Year to speak at his book signing at Politics and Prose on Wednesday, May 19. Moore grew up in the Washington, DC area and attributes his personal success to the strong support he received from family and other role models in his life.

The book compares Moore's experience to that of another man by the same name who grew up in a similar situation but without the same family and community support. The other Wes Moore ended up in jail. The book highlights the importance of having mentors and role models available to young people and includes a resource directory for interested volunteers. Corps member Naomi Ho was invited to share her testimonial about City Year and her experience as a mentor to children in a DC elementary school. Moore is also donating 5% of proceeds from his book to City Year to support our corps members' work as tutors, mentors, and role models in high-need schools. CLICK HERE for more information about the book.

Comcast Cares Day on Global Youth Service Day

Volunteers paint Ballou's new school song.

On Saturday, April 24, City Year Washington, DC and Comcast partnered for a transformative day of service at Ballou Senior High School in Southeast DC. This year, the day was both Comcast Cares Day, a day when Comcast employees from across the country serve their local communities, and Global Youth Service Day, a day dedicated to empowering youth around the world to better their communities through service. Comcast sponsored service for 500 volunteers, including Comcast employees and their families, City Heroes, Young Heroes, high school and college students, community members, teachers, and City Year staff and corps members. The event was part of "The New Ballou" initiatives to change the face of Ballou Senior High School. One of the day's highlights included the Good Food Garden project, which the school will be able to use for their new biotechnology curriculum. The Food Network's Aaron McCargo even joined us to help build the garden. Other familiar faces in attendance were DC Council Chairman Vince Gray, Councilmember Marion Barry, and Neil Smit, President of Comcast Cable Communications.

Ballou Senior High School's Director of Resource Development Ruth Jones said, "The outcomes of the day were truly remarkable! In fact, several students and staff asked about the possibility of implementing ongoing days of service that engage our community partners so effectively... Thank you again for your support and leadership. It was a pleasure to work with the entire team from Comcast and City Year Washington, DC." Thank you to Comcast and all of the day's volunteers for partnering with City Year to help beautify Ballou!

IN THE NEWS

City Year Featured in POLITICO PLAYBOOK

On Wednesday, May 26, City Year Washington, DC's 2010 Idealism in Action Gala was included in Mike Allen's POLITICO PLAYBOOK for honoring TIME Managing Editor Richard Stengel with the 2010 Lifetime of Idealism Award. CLICK HERE to check it out.