City Year

I get to learn a lot about our country now. I learn that all over the country there are Americans who are dedicated to helping their brother and sister. AmeriCorps flourish throughout our land, and today we were joined by forty-something 18-24 year olds who are part of City Year, an organization dedicated to community service and helping develop our nation's youth through tutoring, mentoring and developing leaders. The reason they helped today was to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by 'taking a day on' rather than off.

They are new to this community, but not a new organization. City Year Louisiana was planned before Hurricane Katrina struck this area, but they completely ramped up this new site in the aftermath. They've been reported on by local media, and I think they are performing an invaluable service. Not only do they help our local schools with their tutoring and mentoring, but they are developing those in their ranks by giving them a chance to build and develop themselves.

Browse through their website and you will find a link to this op-ed in the Boston Globe. Boston is where the organization was founded. The op-ed suggests that our country may be ready for a new type of GI Bill, where the government rewards those who understand civic service is a great aid in building our nation by first building our communities.

Thanks to these young people, all of the houses on Fountain Drive (part of Operation Home Delivery) are now painted. Thank you guys for helping today. It was an honor to meet you.