It is important to highlight that City Year is one of many AmeriCorps programs and falls under the larger umbrella of national service.
More than twenty years ago, President Bill Clinton and bipartisan group of leaders in the United States Congress created AmeriCorps, an innovative national service program designed to harness the energy and ingenuity of American citizens to address the nation's most pressing challenges. Since its founding, nearly one million individuals have stepped forward to serve, providing more than 1.2 billion hours of results-driven service to the nation.
AmeriCorps - managed by the Corporation for National and Community Service - provides critical services to communities in need, and develops the skills and experience of those who serve. The program helps to build a robust pipeline of 21st century leaders with a deep commitment to public service.
Education is the single largest priority area for AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps grantees are providing education services in one in ten public schools, serving students from one out of four persistently low achieving schools. These were referenced in CNCS' congressional budget justification that was published in February 2015.
Likewise, City Year believes that national service has a powerful role to play in improving educational outcomes for students, and for the past two decades, the Corporation for National and Community Service has been a steadfast partner. The support the federal agency provides has allowed City Year to expand from one city (Boston) to 28 cities nationwide. More than 20,000 AmeriCorps members have served with City Year, delivering a combined 29 million hours of service. City Year AmeriCorps members provide intensive support to students who are struggling, and help students develop the right academic behaviors and mindsets so that they can succeed in school and in life.
Federal investments in City Year are highly leveraged to ensure a maximum return on the taxpayer dollar. For every federal dollar invested in City Year through AmeriCorps, an additional four dollars are raised in matching support through private and local resources.