“I would recommend City Year to anyone and everyone. If someone doesn’t think they’re ready for college, loves helping others, or is looking for a gap year activity, City Year is perfect.”
Casey Accardi: What is City Year?
Evan Carper: In my own words, I would describe City Year as a program that invites young individuals from all different backgrounds to come together for a full year of service in which personal growth and leadership qualities are strengthened, and lifelong bonds are created.
CA: Why did you choose to apply?
EC: I chose to apply to City Year because I was enrolled in a large state university, and at the last minute, I decided that it wouldn’t be the best fit for me. Best decision I ever made!
CA: What does the application process entail?
EC: The process consists of writing a series of essays followed by interviews with City Year Program Managers.
CA: Where did you serve?
EC: I served in Jamaica Plain, and we were assigned our schools/cities based on what the City Year program managers believed would be the best fit for each individual.
CA: What lessons did you learn from participating in City Year?
EC: Oh, man. I learned so much from City Year. I learned a lot about my future goals and about myself. I learned how to handle an eight to six hour workday. I became more responsible for my actions. In City Year, while in uniform and even off work hours, you are still held to City Year standards.
CA: What is an average day with City Year like?
EC: The average day for me while I was in City Year consisted of getting to the school I worked for at 8 a.m. Throughout the day, I worked at Agassiz Elementary School where I served as an assistant to teachers in kindergarten and third grade classes. After school was over, I helped to run an afterschool program at my school until 6 p.m. In the afterschool program, we did homework, and played outside or in the gym.
CA: What sort of person would you recommend City Year to?
EC: I would recommend City Year to anyone and everyone. If someone doesn’t think they’re ready for college, loves helping others, or is looking for a gap year activity, City Year is perfect.
CA: Did participating in City Year lead you to opportunities you would not have had otherwise?
EC: Absolutely. While in City Year, I got to partake in numerous community service activities and also was able to work in a classroom with some of the most amazing children I have ever met. Additionally, the City Year alumni network is extremely large, and City Year alumni are always looking to help each other out, whether it is with a job or just needing somewhere to stay in an unfamiliar place.
CA: Any downsides to City Year?
E.C. No downsides, whatsoever.
CA: What did you gain from the program that you would not have expected?
EC: I can’t begin to explain how much I personally gained from the program. I know this may sound corny; I honestly matured from a teenager to an adult in City Year. There were times where it would be hard to get up early in the morning, but the smiling faces of the kids that I worked with kept me going every day.
CA: Why did you feel it was important to take a gap year to participate in a community service program?
EC: I felt it was important because I have been fortunate to have a great upbringing, and to be able to bring joy to someone else’s life is an amazing feeling.
CA: What advice would you give to a student who is interested in applying to City Year?
EC: Get ready for the most rewarding experience you’ll ever be a part of!
If you’re serious about participating in City Year and want to secure your spot for the 2010-2011 school year, early applications are due November 30, 2009. Registered TeenLife Boston members can learn more about City Year by visiting their online profile at www.teenlifeboston.com/members/?id=5875948. If you are not a member, JOIN NOW.
Evan Carper is a junior at Boston College where he is majoring in business/marketing, with an interest in international business. He’s also a big sports fan, especially when it comes to any Boston or New England team.
Casey
Accardi is a Junior at Wellesley High School who is interested in
communications, social work, and psychology. She is co-president of the
Premier Choir of the Boston Children's Chorus and music director of her
school's female a cappella group, Ladies First.
Pictured Above: Former City Year Corps Member Evan Carper (left) with student Jonathon (right). "It was Valentine's Day and Jonathan got dressed up so all the girls would, in his words, 'think I'm really handsome,' " remembers Evan. "He was one of the kids I worked with one-on-one and we became best buddies during the year." --Photo courtesy of Evan Carper
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