BADGER REACH
EMMA ROMELL
City Year is an education-focused non profit that places a diverse group of young Americorps members, or Corps Members, in struggling schools for a year of service, during which they provide whole school, classroom, and individual level support. Corps Members partner with administration and teachers to help kids stay in school and on track to graduate. They help with homework, make sure students are coming to school regularly, and act as positive role models. City Year also provides an opportunity for young adults to develop leadership and problem solving skills, and prepares them to be active members of their communities after finishing their service.
At City Year Milwaukee, my main project involved researching the Wisconsin political environment and compiling a report that offered suggestions for how City Year Milwaukee could engage more effectively with elected officials. My report consisted of information on the budget process and members of the state legislature, as well as tips for civic engagement.
I also created a resource for the incoming Corps members called The Bridge. The Bridge is a database of information regarding 30 evening, weekend, and paid internship opportunities in Milwaukee. Corps members will be able to use The Bridge to connect their students to community organizations that they may be interested in, such as The Urban Ecology Center, Arts@Large, and the African American Children's Theater.
Finally, I assited with welcoming the new Corps to Milwaukee by creating an online pamphlet to get out-of-towners introduced to the city, and by helping plan a "Meet Milwaukee" event, which involved the Corps meeting representatives from several local businesses, as well as a scavanger hunt around the south side of Milwaukee.
Interning at City Year opened my eyes to the struggles that so many kids in Milwaukee face, but it also introduced me to so many programs and people that work to make life better for those that need it. The staff and Corps members at City Year Milwaukee are so diverse, empathetic, and passionate, and I am honored to have been able to make a small impact there. There's a Margaret Mead quote painted on the wall at City Year that I think describes the organization perfectly - "Never doubt that a small, determined group of people can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has".