[ View Opportunity ]

Last updated on August 7, 2008

City Year New Hampshire's mission is to build democracy through citizen service, civic leadership, and social entrepreneurship. We accomplish this by leading and mentoring young people and providing opportunities for citizens of all ages to become engaged in their communities. Whether it is rebuilding a local park, volunteering at a nursing home or mentoring students, City Year is building social capital and strengthening New Hampshire communities.

Description:
City Year New Hampshire (CYNH) engages diverse groups of young people, Corps Members (ages 17-24), in a year of community service and leadership development. CYNH is one of several national sites that comprise City Year, Inc., an affiliate of the AmeriCorps national service network, committed to "putting idealism to work" by tapping the power of promising young leaders.

CYNH provides engaging, enriching programs for middle school and high school students - working with schools, community centers, youth agencies and businesses to develop appropriate programs to address local needs. CYNH Corps Members serve as mentors for these students, assisting them with homework, leading them in community service projects and providing the help they need when confronting the sometimes confusing, complex challenges of growing up in today's world.

Civic Leadership Academies and Vacation Camps
City Year Corps Members hold weekend Civic Leadership Academies and school vacation camps for middle school students that focus on encouraging inclusive behavior and fostering an awareness and acceptance of diversity.

Issue-based Curriculum Delivery
City Year Corps Members conduct issue-based workshops for middle and high school students that focus on diversity, drug and alcohol awareness, school yard bullying and conflict-resolution skills.

Physical Service Days
Physical Service Days actively engage students in one-day physical service projects to beautify communities throughout the state. These projects bring together parents, businesses, educators, youth service agencies and civic leaders to teach children problem-solving and communications skills.

History:
City Year was founded in 1988 by Michael Brown and Alan Khazei, then-roommates at Harvard Law School, who felt strongly that young people in service could be a powerful resource for addressing our nation's most pressing issues. Over the years, City Year has been built on the belief that one person can make a difference, and with the vision that one day service will be a common expectation - and a real opportunity - for citizens all around the world.

In April of 2000, the four member City Year New Hampshire start up team hit the ground in Stratham, NH to begin the leg work to open City Year's first non-urban corps in the fall of 2000. Headquarters were established within the building that houses The Timberland Company's Global Headquarters. Jeff Swartz, CEO & President of The Timberland Company, felt strongly that a City Year program be started in New Hampshire, where the company's global headquarters are located. City Year New Hampshire will also be able to leverage and engage Timberland's employees, who are granted 40 hours of paid leave per year to participate in service."The Timberland Company is honored to have been the catalyst for the creation of City Year New Hampshire. Not only will the state of New Hampshire benefit from the work of the corps, but Timberland will benefit as well, by the presence of these energetic idealists at our global headquarters." - Jeff Swartz, President & CEO, The Timberland Company [from Champions Reception at cyzygy 2000]

The start-up team made up of Executive Director, Alexandra Allen, Development Director, Amanda Martin, Recruitment Director, John Crews and Service Director, Sarah Bailey began to meet with potential sponsors, service partners, community leaders and young people interested in helping to found City Year New Hampshire (CYNH).

The Timberland Company and Fleet came on board early as our Founding Site Sponsor and our first Founding Team Sponsor, respectively. In addition, Compaq Computer Corporation joined as the first ever City Year transportation sponsor helping the site to purchase a van and get it shrink-wrapped as a "service mobile" in New Hampshire.

Relationships were set up in the areas of Dover, Stratham, Exeter and Portsmouth as service was explored. The site determined it's focus was to be working with middle school youth through programs such as Young Heroes (City Year for middle school students), Civic Leadership Academies (intensive citizenship retreats) and DECYDE (Dramatic Empowerment: City Year Drug Education).

In July 2000, three new staff joined CYNH. Pawn Nitichan, Nikki Tabron and Seth Marbin joined the team as Project Managers, working directly with and leading corps members in the field.

In addition, 14 Senior Corps Members (corps members who are coming back to lead service initiatives during a second year at City Year) joined the staff in New Hampshire from various states across the country and nine out of twelve already established City Year sites.

As the team began to grow, service was solidified and community relationships continued to grow.

In September 2000, 10 first year corps members joined the CYNH site to complete the founding team of Corps Members. The group was now 24 in total, with 7 staff in support of their work. Basic Training Academy was organized and run as the launch of the start to their year.

CBE Technologies, Pepsi North America, Pepsi Bottling, and the GE Elfun Fund joined the powerful corporate sponsor supporters of CYNH. In addition, funding was also received from Rockingham County Department of Health and Human Services and the Fuller Foundation.

City Year New Hampshire's First Annual Opening Day was held on October 11, 2000 at The Timberland Company where over 400 people joined Timberland President and CEO Jeff Swartz, New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen, City Year, Inc. Co-Founder and CEO Alan Khazei,and the City Year New Hampshire corps and staff as they officially launched their year.

The Young Heroes Program and other after school service was begun officially by the corps at the Dover Middle School, the Somersworth Middle School, New Heights Community Campus in Portsmouth, the Stratham/Exeter Cooperative Middle School and the Outlook Teen Center in Exeter.

June 31st, 2001 marked the end of our first "City Year" in New Hampshire. The 24 dedicated Corps Members and 7 staff accomplished a great deal in their founding year. City Year New Hampshire won the coveted City Year, Inc "Cup of Idealism". City Year's Cup of Idealism is awarded annually to the site that best represents the organizational values, and achieves excellence in the areas of: recruitment and retention of Corps Members and community partners, raising the revenue necessary to sustain and grow the organization, and achieving results through high quality service. Here are a few of the accomplishments that CYNH achieved that warrents this award.
In their first year serving New Hampshire communities, from October 11th, 2000 through June 31st, 2001 City Year New Hampshire united young people, citizens, community leaders, teachers, parents, and industry leaders throughout the state to...

Provide over 40,000 service hours to NH communities and youth, the 2000-2001 corps completed 43,938 hours!

Encourage over 300 service hours from volunteers engaged through CYNH,

Engage over 900 CYNH visitors who participated in program, events or service days,

Collaborate with 35 Service Partners comprised of NH schools, camps, community and youth agencies to serve the youth in their community,

Recruit 11 corporate sponsors since CYNH's launch on October 11, 2000,

and Serve over 450 middle school youth through after-school programming and service projects.

CYNH honored the 24 founding Corps Members at the June 21, 2001 Graduation. "Twenty-four young people tool a risk last fall. Just out of college, in between careers, or half way across the country, they moved to New Hampshire to invest themselves in serving the state." Portsmouth Herald, July 1, 2001. This is what City Year's community of support has to say about these young leaders:

"In the face of our national tragedy, all of you at City Year can be proud of the work you commit yourselves to. Indeed, the spirit of volunteerism and brotherhood that you exemplify is the very best of the American spirit and it is that very spirit that will be needed to bring our country together to rise above the pain and trauma inflicted upon us. I am more proud than ever to be associated with the CYNH staff and the ideals and dedication embodied by all of you!" Beckie Pazdon, Dover Middle School.

"Really, though, isn't idealism what City Year is all about - that is, putting aside preconceived notions about what a community and its young people are capable of and working to achieve the goals that City Year embraces: promoting community service, tearing down social barriers, developing new leaders, and raising young people who are useful to society and happy with themselves." Manchester Mayor Robert Baines

"We're extremely pleased to participate in City Year's first New Hampshire project," says Dennis Healy, Human Resource Manager at GE Meter in Somersworth. "City Year is a great partnership fit with our Downeast Chapter of GE Elfun, the GE volunteer organization. City Year's community service goals closely parallel Elfun activities and goals. Elfun members have been working closely with the City Year staff, local educators and other corporate supporters to broaden the successful City Year model to include a rural state."

Today City Year serves in Hampton Middle School, Portsmouth Middle School, Seabrook Middle School, the ALT School in Nashua, Hillside Middle School in Manchester and runs community based service projects and youth programs throughout the state for citizens of all ages.

Since October 2000, City Year New Hampshire has been uniting young people, citizens, community leaders, teachers, parents, and industry leaders throughout the state and increasing the national statistics above by making the following contribution:
80,000 hours in service to NH communities & youth
3,741 middle school youth served in CYNH after school programs & community service projects
5,672 hours from volunteers engaged through CYNH
1,120 visitors to CYNH
113 Service Partners - schools and youth agencies who we partner with to meet the needs in the community.
45 corporate & foundation sponsors since CYNH's launch on October 11, 2000.

City Year New Hampshire will celebrate it's ninth annual Opening Day celebration in downtown Manchester on September 26th, 2008.

Contact people:

Alex Allen, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Jodi Harper, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Briana Cribeyer, Other, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (603) 773-1649

Address:

200 Domain Drive Stratham, NH 03885 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.cynh.org

Directions:

From Massachusetts: Follow route I-95 North, cross NH border to Exit 2(50 cents toll). Take exit 2 and follow signs for Route 101 West (you will bear right after toll booth). Stay on Route 101 West to first exit (Exit 12)- Route 111. Take Exit 12 for Route 111 and bear right at end of ramp. Proceed 200 yards after the ramp and take the first left (Marin Way) (watch for the City Year, Timberland, Tycom and Lindt Signboard). Take the second left onto Domain Drive. Timberland is on the right. City Year New Hampshire is located in the Timberland Headquarters. From Manchester, NH: Stay on Route 101 until you see Exit 12 for Route 111. Take the exit for Route 111 and at bottom of exit turn left to go under the overpass. After you have gone under the overpass proceed 200 yards and take first left (Marin Way) (watch for the City Year, Timberland, Tycom and Lindt Signboard. Take the second left onto Domain Drive, Timberland is on the right and City Year New Hampshire is located in the Timberland Headquarters From Portsmouth, NH and Maine (I-95): Follow Route I-95 South to Exit 2 - In New Hampshire. Take Exit 2 (50 cents toll) and follow signs for Route 101 West (you will bear right after toll booth). Stay on Route 101 West to first exit (Exit 12)- Route 111. Take Exit 12 for Route 111 and bear right at end of ramp. Proceed 200 yards after the ramp and take the first left (Marin Way) (watch for the City Year, Timberland, Tycom and Lindt Signboard). Take the second left onto Domain Drive. Timberland is on the right. City Year New Hampshire is located in the Timberland Headquarters   Nearest Bus Stop: Exeter - Downeaster Train, not walking distance minute walk

Miscellaneous Information

Name of Executive Director (or equivalent) if not listed above:
	Alexandra M. Allen and Pawn Nitichan
Type of organization
	Nonprofit 501(c)3
Is your organization a Health and Human Service agency?
	No

---

Be the first person to offer feedback on this agency!
Post a user reflection to share your experiences with other users!