Celebrating milestones on both ends of the classroom

As another school year wraps up at Colorado Youth for a Change (CYC), many of our students in our Corps for a Change and Reengagement programs are graduating or earning their GED certificate as they prepare to enter postsecondary school or the workforce. Meanwhile, our AmeriCorps members fill out final paperwork, bid their goodbyes to students, and prepare for a summer break before they return to serve again in the fall or embark on their next adventure. With our footing at all pivotal points of a student’s education journey firmly established, we’re struck by our joy for our students’ and members’ accomplishments alike.

Celebrating our Students

Our AmeriCorps members and Reengagement staff have the great honor of walking alongside students as they maximize their own learning and growth and achieve success on their terms. This school year, our Reengagement staff supported nearly 300 students with options to reenroll in school or a GED program. Meanwhile, our Corps for a Change members connected 570 high school students to resources and one-on-one support.

Some of our CYC students who are graduating this month shared with us what this accomplishment means to them and their families.

“Graduating is a huge achievement to me, especially as neither of my parents graduated,” T’Jaya, a student in Denver Public Schools, shared. “This brings me closer to starting college and a career as a Radiology Technician.”

Jocelyn, another first-generation student, said, “Graduation signifies the start of a new life. I am the only person in my family to have made it this far. I’m doing this for me, to fulfill my nursing career goals, and for my parents.”

Honoring those who serve

Our 2024 AmeriCorps cohort officially crossed the 1,000 member threshold for individuals who have served at CYC. One of our biggest points of pride at CYC is our member retention rate—in other words, how many members we have that choose to return for another year of making a difference in the lives of students. This year, 53% of members indicated interest in returning for the fall—and 62 of those have already been hired on.

In fact, 15 of our members have met or are near the national limit of 4 AmeriCorps terms. 14 of those have served three terms, and many of these have expressed that they hope to enter their final term of service in the fall. Additionally, Math Corps member John is completing his fourth and final term this month. What inspires these members to dedicate years of their lives to supporting Colorado students?

• “I continued to serve because I really loved what I was doing. I felt like I was really making a difference.” John, Math Corps member in Greeley-Evans School District 6, finishing his final AmeriCorps term this month
• “After previous experience at the school district level and in the private sector, I can’t think of anything I would rather do. Tutoring children brought me back to life. It is much more fulfilling knowing that I am helping students reach their reading goals.” –Diana, Reading Corps member in Mesa County Valley School District 51, will begin her final AmeriCorps term in the fall
• “I finally found a job I loved doing and a community where I was welcomed and belonged.” –Brooke, Reading Corps member in Thornton, will begin her final AmeriCorps term in the fall

Connecting Individuals to Teaching Careers

We are also celebrating a different type of “graduate”: our members who engaged in our teacher pipeline program and took on the added responsibility of completing teacher licensure coursework while serving their caseload of students. Through this program, 6 Reading Corps members are completing a two-year process and earning their teaching license this May.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher and started going down this path toward licensure in college,” Ashley, one of the program’s graduates, told us. “Unfortunately, I had to leave college because of personal circumstances. Completing this program means that I am able to accomplish a goal in life that I thought I would never be able to complete.”

Another program graduate, Caroline, told us, “This program means I get to teach in my own classroom with a full teaching certification and the confidence to command the classroom. It will make a major difference in my career trajectory and my financial freedom.”

At our core, CYC is dedicated to education and is intentional about supporting both students and educators. Our work supports both student success as well as the development of a robust educator pipeline in Colorado. We are committed to continue connecting individuals passionate about advocating for students to roles that develop and uplift them along the way.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about serving with AmeriCorps at CYC, we are now hiring for the 2024-2025 school year with start dates in August and October! For more information, visit https://youthforachange.org/join-americorps/ or email CassieD@youthforachange.org.  

If you or someone you know is looking to get back into school in the Denver metro or Englewood areas, we can help. Visit https://youthforachange.org/our-programs/go-back-to-school/ or email DylanS@youthforachange.org.