WHAT'S NEW

CITY YEAR WASHINGTON, DC GEARS UP FOR ANNUAL GALA FEATURING TIME MANAGING EDITOR RICHARD STENGEL

Please save the date for the seventh annual Idealism in Action Gala on Tuesday, May 25th at 6:30pm at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW). City Year Washington, DC is thrilled to be presenting the Lifetime of Idealism Award to TIME Managing Editor Richard Stengel. City Year is excited to honor Stengel for his dedication to promoting national service and expanding opportunities for all Americans to serve their country.

Stengel has had a distinguished career in print journalism, writing for notable publications such as The New Yorker, The New Republic, and the New York Times. In addition, he has authored three books, including collaborating with Nelson Mandela on Mandela's best-selling autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. Throughout his career, Stengel has always found ways to give back. He's a member of the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism's Board of Advisors and City Year's Board of Trustees. But perhaps his most active community involvement has been as an advocate for national service. As co-moderator of the ServiceNation Presidential Candidates Forum in 2008, he helped bring national service to the forefront of the national agenda by pressing presidential candidates Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain on their plans to expand national service. Additionally, he has testified on Capitol Hill about the importance of service and in September 2007 helped significantly increase the public's awareness by writing a TIME cover story entitled, "The Case for National Service." Stengel has since continued his commitment to promoting service, pledging that TIME will dedicate one issue each September to discussing volunteerism, philanthropy and service.

In addition to honoring Stengel, City Year will celebrate the efforts of the 100 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 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 Gala and featured in a June 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'll join us!

HIGHLIGHTS

JOIN CITY YEAR IN SERVICE ON MLK DAY 2010!

Make this Martin Luther King Jr. Day a "day ON, not a day off." On Monday, January 18, 2010, celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by joining City Year, event sponsor Corporate Executive Board (CEB), and more than 400 community volunteers in a service project at Ron Brown Middle School (4800 Meade Street, NE). The project will run from 9:00am-1pm, with lunch for all volunteers after the project ends. Immediately following lunch, 125 middle school students and 75 high school students will officially begin their six-month participation in the City Year Heroes service-learning program with an inspirational Opening Day Ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 2pm in the Brown Middle School auditorium. All are welcome to serve, but pre-registration is required. CLICK HERE for more information about all of City Year's MLK Day activities.

DON'T FORGET CITY YEAR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

As the year comes to a close, we hope that City Year Washington, DC is on your giving list! Please help support the corps members who are working hard to make a difference in the lives of children in the Washington, DC community. Make your tax-deductible gift today! CLICK HERE to donate online directly to City Year Washington, DC or CLICK HERE to find out about donating by mail or making a stock gift.

SIGN UP TO FOLLOW CITY YEAR WASHINGTON, DC'S BLOG

As you may know, City Year Washington, DC's blog is a forum for current corps members to post information about the service they do, the activities they participate in, and the events going on at City Year Washington, DC. The blog is also a clearinghouse for all of City Year Washington, DC's social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. CLICK HERE to become a follower and read about everything going on at City Year Washington, DC from the perspective of corps members.

IN THE NEWS

CITY YEAR WASHINGTON, DC FEATURED ON NBC4'S 12 DAYS OF GIVING

On Monday, December 7, City Year Washington, DC Executive Director Jeff Franco and corps members Chelsea Davis and Sheun Ogunsunlade were interviewed live for NBC4's 12 Days of Giving segment. On the 11am and 4pm newscasts, NBC4 highlighted City Year and viewers had the opportunity to call in to learn more about and donate to City Year. CLICK HERE to read more about NBC4's 12 Days of Giving campaign.

CITY YEAR WASHINGTON, DC CORPS MEMBER TESTIFIES AT DC COUNCIL YOUTH HEARING

On Saturday, December 12, City Year Washington, DC corps member Nadia Purvis testified at the DC Council Youth Hearing hosted by DC Council Chairman Vince Gray. Nadia spoke about her educational experience growing up in DC and how she's now helping to create a more engaging learning environment for DC students through serving with City Year. She also shared how she thought it was important for every DC young person to have access to a "near-peer" role model like a City Year corps member. Nadia's testimony aired live on DC Cable Channel 13 and will run again throughout the month. CLICK HERE and scroll down to the bottom of the page to the 12/12 Committee on the Whole Public Hearing to watch the hearing on demand. Start the video at 1 hour and 33 minutes to specifically watch Nadia's testimony.