CitySquare AmeriCorps

N2 Texas Corps

 

The Problem:

Fueled by high unemployment rates, poverty is on the rise both nationally and locally. And the unemployment rate is highest for unskilled workers; latest statistics show while only 3.4% of college educated workers are unemployed, over 14%of those without a high school diploma remain without a job.  Given that only 45% of students in DISD will graduate from high school – it is a problem that starts early.

Our Unique Response:

CitySquare is committed to increasing the educational attainment of underserved youth.  We do this through a collaborative network made possible by funding from the OneStar Foundation to implement one of the largest AmeriCorps programs in North Texas.  AmeriCorps is a national organization funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service that provides opportunities nationally for 75,000 Americans to give back to their communities and country each year, providing much-needed support to non-profit organizations around the country. (visit www.americorps.gov for information about the nationwide AmeriCorps program.)

This crucial funding enables CitySquare to place over 250 AmeriCorps members in non-profits throughout the city, all focused on increasing the educational attainment of youth.  By doing so we are both furthering our own mission and helping to build capacity for other non-profit organizations. AmeriCorps members in our program, N2 Texas Corps, serve  in the following two primary areas:

  • Education: N2 Texas Corps partners with after school and summer programs in the Dallas area to provide over 60 year-round and 85 summer AmeriCorps members each year.  Members serve as leaders working with at-risk youth age 7-14 years old.  Members assist with homework, curriculum development, arts & crafts and other educational and enrichment activities.
  • Food on the Move: N2 Texas Corps is the lead partner in an effort to provide daily meals to up to 10,000 children during the summer.  Hunger is at its peak during the summer months and exacerbates the summer fallback experienced by children from low-income backgrounds. Members serve with CitySquare’s Food on the Move program which deploys mobile feeding units into the neighborhoods where children are not involved in other summer programming. 

Our Biggest Challenge:

AmeriCorps grants require a 15% local cash match and the size of our program is limited only by our ability to raise this match.  We would like to double the size of the program, but first we need to secure the match.

Our Effectiveness:

Everywhere our N2 Texas Corps team members go they help to build capacity and further the mission of the organizations that host them, including CitySquare.  This past school year, over 2,342 children were served in the after-school program and an additional 1,962 in summer programs.  Children in the after-school programs increased their attachment to school by 6.5 percentage points and 92% improved their grades in at least one core subject area.  In addition, 78% of the summer participants reported an increase in their academic self-confidence.  Another example of their great work is Food on the Move, in which 80 AmeriCorps members delivered 291,295 meals to 8,287 children, most of whom live in areas where 90% of the families live in poverty.The U.S. Department of Agriculture has hailed Food on the Move “a model for the rest of the nation.”

See the Food on the Move program in action - click here