Explanation
The purpose of this ordinance is to authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with City Year, Inc., a non-profit corporation, in support of its AmeriCorps Member Leadership and Professional Development Program.
City Year, Inc. is seeking support for its AmeriCorps Member Leadership and Professional Development Program, a critical component of its Whole School Whole Child (WSWC) service model. This initiative prepares its corps of young adults, ages 18-25, to serve as full-time student success coaches in under-resourced Columbus City Schools, while equipping them with the professional skills, experiences, and support to thrive in future careers. Each year, City Year, Inc. recruits, trains, and supports approximately 40 AmeriCorps members. These young adults, the majority of whom identify as people of color and/or come from low- to moderate-income backgrounds themselves, receive over 300 hours of training in leadership, mentorship, data analysis, instructional best practices, conflict resolution, and career readiness. Throughout their service, members also engage in regular reflection, goal setting, coaching, and exposure to career pathways in education, nonprofit leadership, and other public and private service fields. This intentional investment ensures that members not only support student success in the short term but also develop as the next generation of civic leaders and changemakers. The professional development program directly benefits AmeriCorps members and indirectly supports almost 3,000 Columbus students they serve.
City Year, Inc. defines low- to moderate-income based on the percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals as determined by Columbus City Schools. This metric aligns with federal income guidelines set by the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which identifies students from households earning at or below 185% of the federal poverty level as eligible for meal assistance. While Ci...
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