Volunteers and Public Service: The story of City Year

In 1988, Michael Brown and Alan Khazei, then-roommates at Harvard Law School, felt strongly that young people in service could be a powerful resource for addressing our nation's most pressing issues. That’s why they created City Year.

Today, City Year is a national organization that annually recruits more than 1,000 young people aged 17 to 24 for a year of full-time community service, leadership development, and civic engagement. Corps members focus primarily on education and youth development, serving as mentors for children in partnership with public schools, and organizing and running after-school programs.

A model for AmeriCorps, America's national service initiative, City Year has been built on the belief that one person can make a difference, and with the vision that one day service will be a common expectation - and a real opportunity - for citizens all around the world.

City Year has established programs in its home city of Boston as well as in Chicago; Cleveland; Columbia, SC; Columbus; Detroit; Little Rock; Louisiana; New Hampshire; New York; Philadelphia; Rhode Island; San Antonio; San Jose/Silicon Valley; Seattle/King County; and Washington, DC. In 2005, City Year opened its first international site in South Africa. Since 1988, corps members have completed a total of more than 9.7 million hours, reaching more than 686,000 children.

Comcast's Commitment: A partnership that delivers

Comcast is a National Leadership partner with City Year. In fact, this is Comcast's largest national community partnership, and reflects Comcast and City Year's shared commitment to public service, volunteerism, and the development of youth leaders in their communities.

In March 2005, we announced a $2.2 million contribution through The Comcast Foundation. The three-year commitment will fund an expansion of the Leadership Training Programs at City Year's 16 sites nationwide. The training programs include Leadership Academies and retreats for corps members, as well as workshops and roundtable explorations of leadership issues, ensuring that incoming corps members receive the basic training and ongoing leadership development to help children across the country develop as successful, confident, caring, and actively engaged citizens.

Comcast Leadership Awards: Citing commitment, promoting core values

In addition to the expanded Leadership Training Program, the increased grant will fund the Comcast Leadership Awards, created and first presented in 2005. The awards will recognize City Year alumni who have maintained their commitment to community service and excellence and who continue to exemplify City Year's core values of teamwork, responsibility, diversity, respect for others, leadership, innovation, and personal growth.

Airtime Across America: Public service announcements that truly serve

Comcast will continue its in-kind commitment to City Year, by providing a substantial schedule of free airtime and production of public service announcements. This will provide additional visibility to City Year, its mission, and the impact of its service while extending the reach of its recruitment message to more young people across the country.