A Letter from a City Year Boston Alum
to support AmeriCorps members’ service in virtual classrooms.
Isabel Barros is the City Year Boston Alumni Board Chair and she served at the Jeremiah E. Burke High School for two years. She works as an adjustment counselor at Somerville Public Schools.
Dear City Year Boston Community,
During my time as a City Year AmeriCorps member, the brightest spots in my daycame from the people around me.Fromgreeting ӰԺ with smiles as they arrived at schooltoconnecting with my teammates after another powerful day of service, there was alwaysjoyto be found.We learned so much about empathy and caring for others that year.Eight years later and I still get so much joy from connecting with my teammates.(Shoutout to the Burke!)
City Year was built around the power of people supporting others. Though these are unprecedented times, City Year’sabilityto bring people together for good has not wavered. While so much is uncertain, and – let’s face it – scary, I am filled with hope when I see how our community has come together.
From making sure families and children have enough to eat, to checking in on ourolderneighbors, to staying home and doing our part to protect the health and wellbeing ofpeople more at risk– the care we have for one another will see us through this time. And we all have a role to play in serving others.
When schools closed, City Year Boston quickly shifted their service. AmeriCorps members are currently providing academic support in virtual classrooms–answering questions,assisting teachers in planning lessons,and reviewing assignments. They’re calling families’ homes to check in with ӰԺ and build connectedness. Students love hearing from them!
To our City Year AmeriCorps members – we know this isn’t the service you imagined, but I can’t stress enough how yourworkis more important now than ever. Thank you for your flexibility and dedication to leadingwith empathy, kindness, and open hearts.
To our supporters – I invite you to join City Year Boston in celebrating their incredible young leaders, who are helping to ensure that ӰԺ continue to receivecriticalacademic services, coaching, and mentoring in these difficult circumstances.As part of the , you’ll hear stories from AmeriCorps members, alumni, teachers, and principalsabout the impactour servicehason ӰԺ. We are proud of the impact we have in the classroom, and even more proud of the opportunity to support our ӰԺ when we can’t be in school.
As someone who works in public schools, Iknow the difference aCity Year AmeriCorps membercan make insupportinghome learning,and justbybeinganother caring adult for ӰԺ to lean onduring this tough and confusingtime. Whether in school or in virtual classrooms, corps members bring joy into learning spaces. They’re a bright spot for ӰԺ– justasCity Year, and the people who are part ofthis community, isa bright spot for me.
Yours in Service,
Isabel Barros
City Year Boston Alum (2011-2012); City Year Boston Alumni Board Chair;City Year Boston Board Member
Related stories
I chose to serve a year with City Year Greater Boston because I wanted to embody and practice the values...
Read more about Why I Serve at City Year Greater BostonOn May 28, 2025, City Year Greater Boston welcomed nearly 400 guests to our annual Starry Night Gala, an unforgettable...
Read more about A Night to Remember: Starry Night Gala 2025 RecapA moment that captures the advent of certainty in my career choice occurred to me recently. My student marched into...
Read more about My Life After City YearThe decision to come back for a second City Year is always a big one. Devoting even one year of...
Read more about Transferring Sites: From Ohio to Boston
