WHAT'S NEW

Idealism in Action Gala 2009: Honoring Governor Frank Keating and Presenting the 2009 Idealists of the Year

Join City Year Washington, DC for the sixth annual Idealism in Action Gala on Thursday, May 14 at 6:30pm at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). City Year Washington, DC will be awarding the 2009 Lifetime of Idealism Award to Governor Frank Keating, an exemplary model of citizenship and service.

After earning an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and a law degree from the University of Oklahoma, Governor Keating embarked on a more than 30-year career in public service. In addition to serving as an FBI agent and a member of the Oklahoma House and Senate, Governor Keating has held positions such as U.S. Attorney, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, and United States Associate Attorney General. In 1994, he was elected Governor of Oklahoma and less than three months after taking office, united Oklahomans to overcome the horrific tragedies of the Oklahoma City Bombing. Additionally, Governor Keating oversaw reform and growth for Oklahoma, leading the charge on environmental protection and economic development. During his second term, Governor Keating worked specifically on an education-focused agenda. Introducing charter schools and increasing spending for education facilities, Governor Keating's policies led to the largest investment in higher education in Oklahoma's history.

Currently, Governor Keating is the President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers, heading up efforts to promote public policies that boost Americans' retirement and savings security. Additionally, he is President of the Federal City Council, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the improvement of Washington, DC. He also serves on the boards of the Economic Club of Washington, DC, the National Archives Foundation, and Mt. Vernon. Governor Keating is also an award-winning author of three children's books. City Year Washington, DC is proud to honor Governor Keating with the 2009 Lifetime of Idealism Award for his tireless commitment to public service and improving our country.

In addition to honoring Governor Keating, City Year will celebrate the efforts of the 85 corps members who work tirelessly as tutors, mentors, and role models to over 6,000 DC students. City Year will also recognize Washington, DC's most committed employee volunteers with the 2009 Idealist of the Year awards. Every table sponsor has the opportunity to nominate an employee 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 Gala and featured in a summer issue of National Journal.

Table sponsorships and limited individual tickets are still available. CLICK HERE for sponsorship levels and benefits or CLICK HERE for more information about the Gala.

HIGHLIGHTS

Camp City Year: Calling All Campers and Volunteers!

Campers show off their self-made masks at Camp City Year 2008.

During DC Public School's spring vacation week, March 23-27, City Year Washington, DC corps members will run the 9th annual Camp City Year. Camp City Year is a week-long camp that provides a safe, fun, and enriching environment for kindergarten through sixth grade students. This year, camp will be from 8am-4pm at three Washington, DC locations: J.O. Wilson Elementary School (660 K Street, NE), MC Terrell Elementary (3301 Wheeler Road, SE) and Turner at Green Elementary School (1500 Mississippi Avenue, SE). The cost for the entire week of camp - including breakfast and lunch each day - is only $20 if you register before March 3rd.

If your child is interested in attending Camp City Year, CLICK HERE to download a camper application. Or, if you or someone you know is interested in volunteering at Camp City Year, CLICK HERE for a volunteer application. If you have any questions about Camp City Year, please contact Camp Director Scott Goldschmidt at 202-569-9467 or sgoldschmidt09@cityyear.org.

Making a Difference, One School at a Time

From Texas to Michigan to Massachusetts, the Comcast Team serving at Browne Gibbs Young Educational Campus includes nine young people from different backgrounds who are all giving back to the DC community. The team is led by Program Manager Nicole Lucas, an NCCC AmeriCorps alumna, and senior corps member Emmanuel Ekekwe, a proud graduate of DC Public Schools, who decided to return to his hometown after college to provide a much needed service. The Comcast Team is one of five City Year Washington, DC "Whole School Whole Child" teams that serve all day, all year long in their partner school. The Browne Gibbs Young team provides in-classroom support, after-school programming, and positive school climate activities for over 250 first through fifth grade students. They also provide small group literacy tutoring and test preparation to students at the school. Team member Alex Eichel notes, "Working with my fifth grade students and watching their academic and character growth has been the best part of my year so far!"

Corps member Anna Toner works with a group of students during after-school time.

After school, corps members run enrichment clubs which serve as a catalyst to spark creativity and promote literacy. These clubs include theater, beat club, theatrical playground, and Bringing Books to Life, a literacy curriculum aimed at sparking a love for reading. During this time, students have the opportunity to create costumes and props, act out stories, read different books and plays, and watch theater performances. The team recently received a grant to help fund new theater initiatives during after-school time. This grant will help bring in local theater companies to do workshops for the students. Also, it will allow the team to take their students to see shows at various venues throughout the city. This project is an effort to build community and infuse culture into the newly merged school, Browne Gibbs Young. At the end of the school year, the team plans to have a talent showcase event in which they will invite neighboring schools to participate in the fun.

Do you or someone you know want to make a difference like the corps members on the Browne Gibbs Young team? City Year Washington, DC is still accepting applications for the 2009-2010 corps. CLICK HERE for more information and to apply online.

Alumni and Friends Fundraiser Tickets Still Available

The Alumni and Friends Fundraiser is tomorrow and it's not too late to buy tickets! It will be held this Friday, February 27 from 6:00pm to 9:30pm at the NEW City Year Washington, DC Headquarters at 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 1130. Can't make it? You can still become a member of the Alumni Leadership Circle by donating to City Year Washington, DC. CLICK HERE to donate or buy tickets.

City Year Washington, DC Welcomes Two New Board Members

City Year Washington, DC is pleased to announce the addition of two new board members: Salene Hitchcock-Gear and Roxanna Garcia Marcus.

Salene Hitchcock-Gear is President and CEO of Ameritas Investment Corporation and Acacia Life Insurance Company. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate degree from New York University School of Law. Salene recently celebrated her 20th anniversary with husband Ken and they have three children, Gabrielle, Jordan and Noah.

Roxanna, or Roxy, is a proud City Year Washington, DC alumna and currently serves as the Development Manager for Year Up National Capital Area. Roxy is a native of Florida and graduated from the University of Florida in 2006. In June 2008 she married fellow City Year alumnus Benjamin Marcus.

City Year Washington, DC is very excited to welcome Salene and Roxy as they join the other 12 committed DC-area corporate, nonprofit, government, and community leaders already serving on the board. CLICK HERE to see a list of current City Year Washington, DC board members.

City Year Washington, DC Receives Unprecedented Number of Corps Member Applications

Corps members take the pledge during morning Physical Training.

City Year Washington, DC has received a record number of applications for the 2009-2010 year - a 379% increase over last year's applicant count. In response to this amazing news, City Year CEO and Co-Founder Michael Brown stated in a recent AP Article, "It's not just a matter of needing employment, which I think is still important, but there's something in a declining economy that clarifies all our values. Young folks are saying, ‘I am needed more than ever because I'm needed in this economy. Now is the time I should go do this.'" City Year is excited that more and more young people are turning to full-time national service as a way to give back to their community.

City Year Washington, DC is still recruiting for next year's corps - the largest corps in its history. Next year, 100 corps members will provide more than 170,000 hours of service to the DC community. If you know an idealistic young person who you think would be interested in joining City Year, please have them visit our website or contact Recruitment and Alumni Affairs Manager Derick Eng.

IN THE NEWS

City Year DC Alumni Featured in College Newspapers

City Year Washington, DC alumnus and current Wheaton College student Aaron Bos-Lun was interviewed about his experience at City Year in the Wheaton College newspaper, Wheaton Quarterly. Aaron served with City Year as a gap year between high school and college and is now encouraging Wheaton seniors to apply to become corps members. CLICK HERE to read the full story.

Additionally, current American University student and City Year Washington, DC alumnus Raphael Dunfey was featured in American University's newspaper, The Eagle, as one of the many American University students who take an active role in service to their communities. A former Civic Engagement team member, Raphael spoke about his experience planning service days and working at City Year Washington, DC. CLICK HERE to read the full story.

Camp City Year Featured on Comcast

Comcast subscribers will be excited to see corps member David Steber on Comcast channels in early March. David, one of Camp City Year's Executive Directors, was interviewed at Comcast studios about City Year Washington, DC's spring break camp and will be featured on next month's Comcast Newsmakers. Be sure to keep an eye out for this segment as you channel surf!

City Year Alumni Identified as Leaders for Life

In a recent editorial about national service, The Washington Times identified City Year alumni as citizens who continuously give back to their communities long after the completion of their service year. In addition to their continued service, City Year alumni were also credited with active citizenship and community involvement. CLICK HERE to read the full story.