By Bry’Shaniq Brown-Byrd
Bri Rodriguez said she is “looking for a more wholesome way to give back.” That’s why she chose to be a City Year volunteer at Roosevelt High School.
City Year is a program that you can sign up for during your senior year in high school and join after you get your high school diploma or GED. City Year workers are called corps members that serve full time in school for 10 months, and work as tutors, mentors, and role models to improve high school students attendance, behavior, and course performance in English and math classes.They provide one-on-one academic tutoring to lower the high school drop out rate.
“They connect with you, they’re funny, and really helpful,” freshman Melvin Cabrera said.
City Year volunteers receive a living stipend, student loan forbearance on eligible loans, and health insurance, and for Rodriguez, a Palmview native, it’s a win-win. She says “you can only service city year for two years,” and that after she’s done with another one year service she plans on doing service abroad (not with City Year). Those interested in pursuing City Year can choose from 24 service locations.