NEW YORK—A $2.9 million grant for tutoring, mentoring, and after school programs for public schools with high dropout rates was announced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney at PS 112 in Queens on Monday. The money from AmeriCorps is going toward funding City Year New York.
“Citizen service is an essential part of the solution to many of the problems facing our city, especially in tough economic times,” Maloney said. “Thanks to this grant, City Year corps members will be helping our children learn and strengthen our community as they develop civic and leadership skills that will last a lifetime.”
City Year partners with New York public schools to improve graduation rates in areas with high rates of students dropping out. The services are led by teams of committed young adults. Half of the grant money will go toward City Year in Long Island City, Queens, schools, which have been partnering with City Year since 2005.
Queens Borough President Helen Marshall said the grant was a wonderful resource.
“We have already seen the good results of what can happen as a result of the services these dollars can provide,” Marshall said. According to PS 204, students mentored by City Year in the past year have seen attendance rates go up from 77 to 85 percent.
This year two elementary and middle schools and the Jacob A Riis Neighborhood Settlement House will work with 48 City Year members to provide after-school programs, improve test scores, and attendance rates.
“With this funding, City Year will continue its amazing work that focuses on improving student performance in Math and English, which increases the likelihood of graduation,” said Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer.
City Year New York Executive Director Itai Dinour said the AmeriCorps funding is vital to provide public schools with the support needed to “ensure every student has the skills needed to succeed.”
City Year New York plans to continue raising funds through public and private partnerships to reach $6.2 million.
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