Pride Sports Info.
Recent Greensboro College graduate Mary Sandifer ’09 wanted to make a difference. Unlike most grads, she wanted to do one year of service before getting job.
“I did some research and found
City Year, which is a non-profit/Americorps program that works with inner city children on achieving academic success,” said the former Pride soccer and lacrosse student-athlete.
Sandifer, a Washington, D.C. native, relocated to North Philadelphia. She works with a 6th grade class, primarily with students that show indicators they won’t either make it to high school, or won't earn a high school degree. Many of the kids are truant in attendance, exhibit bad behavior, and perform below their grade level.
See the EdWeek video about Sandifer and her program:
Naggers and Nurturers from Education Week on Vimeo.
“I have a focus list, but I work with all the students,” Sandifer said. “This is a pilot program for City Year called ‘Diplomas.’ If the pilot program is successful, it could go nationwide. I am also service coordinator at our after school program that teaches kids about the importance of community service.”
At City Year, I have gained skills that I would never have gained," she added. "The program has given me experience in co-Teaching workshops, marketing workshops and interacting with stakeholders in the community. I also work with a diverse group of people."
The City Year program allows mentors like Sandifer to make and impact on young people's lives.
"I worked with a student that has been suspended through out the school year and was marked as a student that 'cannot be helped.' Yet since I started to work with him he has not been suspended in more than a month, is now attending our after school program to get help with homework and is improving his social interaction. He has raised his math grade reading and literatures grade from an F to a C, which is awesome and truly rewarding! "
What does Sandifer have planned for the future?
"I might work with after City Year another year or doing another Americorps program, such as NCCC, or pursuing a career in non-profit or special education." Sandifer said. "I am also applying to Teach For America."
Nevertheless, the GC graduate highly recommends service after graduation.
"Internships that GC career services provided made me realize that I wanted to pursue this path." said Sandifer. "I think students at Greensboro College would be very interested and would greatly benefit from this program."
For more information, or to apply to City Year, visit their web site:
www.cityyear.org
Read the full EdWeek Story
www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/12/16/15dropout_ep.h29.html.
