City Year Student Success Coaches, alumni and community partners will beautify San Jose Elementary School on February 1, 2025
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – January 16, 2025 – City Year Jacksonville, the local branch of the national nonprofit, will celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of service at San Jose Elementary School on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The City Year team will be joined by stakeholders including Legacy Leader Sponsors, NexGen Roofing and Thigpen Heating & Cooling; Community Champion Sponsors, RF-SMART; other City Year supporters including CSX, Truist, EverBank, JPMorgan Chase, CISV, and the Beaches Rotaract Club; and our partners at Duval County Public Schools.
The 2025 program will focus on the beautification of both indoor and outdoor areas of the San Jose Elementary School campus, a diverse dual language school serving over 800 students. City Year began partnering with San Jose Elementary last school year. Currently, six City Year AmeriCorps members serve there full-time as Student Success Coaches, providing mentoring, tutoring, culture-boosting, after-school programming, and other support to the school’s students and staff. On this inspiring day of service, representatives from Duval County Public Schools, families of students who attend San Jose, City Year staff, and various community partners will join all 60 of City Year’s Student Success Coaches to give back.
“We are so thankful to be the recipients of City Year’s beautification project. I know this support will be a blessing to our deserving students and will boost their engagement in their education,” said Jasmin Gomez, Principal of San Jose Elementary School. She is passionate about making school a welcoming environment. “School is where I found myself feeling safe. That feeling of belonging, I wanted to replicate that for other people.”
This service day not only honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but also kicks off Black History Month, celebrated in the United States and Canada every February since 1970. The day will begin with a program reflecting on MLK’s legacy and Black History Month featuring Dawn Curling, the Executive Director of Jacksonville’s Melanin Market, as the keynote speaker. Those interested in serving in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, February 1 are welcome to join City Year Jacksonville with their beautification project at San Jose Elementary. Learn more and register at this link here.
“Every year, the City Year team gets to share this special day of service with our community. It’s beautiful to see our values, such as Service to a Cause Greater than Self and Belief in the Power of Young People, come to life,” said Allishia Bauman, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of City Year Jacksonville. “It is an honor to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by taking tangible action and building the Beloved Community he spoke of.”
City Year Jacksonville is actively recruiting idealistic young people between the ages of 18-25 to serve as Student Success Coaches in Duval County Public Schools starting in the fall of the 2025-2026 school year. As part of their year of service, Student Success Coaches receive a bi-weekly stipend, an education award, and free health benefits, as well as professional development training and post-service college and career opportunities. Learn more about this opportunity with City Year Jacksonville at www.cityyear.org/jacksonville.
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About City Year Jacksonville:
City Year helps students and schools succeed, while preparing the next generation of civically engaged leaders who can work across lines of difference. Diverse teams of City Year Student Success Coaches provide holistic support to students, classrooms and the whole school. A 2020 study shows that the more time students spend with Student Success Coaches, the more they improve on social, emotional and academic skills – skills that help students thrive in school and contribute to their community.
A proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network, City Year is supported by AmeriCorps, local school districts and private philanthropy. City Year partners with public schools in 29 communities across the U.S. and through international affiliates in the U.K. and South Africa. Learn more about City Year Jacksonville at https://www.cityyear.org/jacksonville.
About NEXGEN Roofing:
NEXGEN Roofing is a Northeast Florida Roofing company specializing in residential and commercial roof replacements and repairs. The NEXGEN Foundation's mission is to empower local communities through academic, environmental, and humanitarian initiatives in support of Florida's next generation. For more information, visit https://www.nexgenfl.com.
About Thigpen Heating and Cooling, Inc:
Since 1962, Thigpen Heating and Cooling, Inc. has been a trusted, family-owned and operated business serving the Greater Jacksonville Area. Our mission is to provide fast, courteous, and high-quality workmanship at a fair price, with a steadfast commitment to 100% customer satisfaction. From winter’s chill to the height of summer heat, our primary goal is to ensure homes and businesses remain comfortable year-round. We offer peace of mind by ensuring equipment operates safely and efficiently, helping our customers save money on energy bills while improving indoor air quality. At Thigpen Heating and Cooling, Inc., we take pride in delivering reliable HVAC solutions, from system installation and maintenance to repairs, all while prioritizing the health and comfort of our community. Experience the Thigpen difference—where tradition meets excellence in heating and cooling. Find out more at https://thigpenhvac.com/.