There are a lot of reasons why we love the Pistons, and we just added another to our list. The Detroit Pistons and City Year Detroit have announced a long-term partnership to help grow City Year’s reach in Detroit Public Schools over the next three years.
The agreement will help the non-profit organization further its mission of placing AmeriCorps members in high-poverty urban high schools to help mentor at-riusk students and prepare them for college and career success.
“Education is a powerful tool that can transform people’s lives and help revitalize communities,” said Pistons owner Tom Gores. “We want to inspire these kids, give them a reason to dream and then provide the resources they need to make those dreams come true.”
Gores, Palace Sports & Entertainment Vice Chairman Arn Tellern, and the Detroit Pistons Foundation will support a team of City Year AmeriCorps members working each day with students at Osborn High School and surrounding elementary and middle schools. The AmeriCorps members will offer academic, social, and emotional support to students.
Pistons players, executives, and staffers will also be participating in the school visits, encouraging academic engagement among students. New acquired Pistons forward Tobias Harris has signed on to be an honorary City Year AmeriCorp member.
“We’re pleased to partner with City Year to assist Detroit Public School students and help grow the reach of their successful program,” said PS&E Vice Chairman Arn Tellem. “Tom and I believe in the power of education. City Year Detroit’s successes with public school kids will augment and underscore the rebirth of the city and region.”
Almost a third of DPS students are at risk of dropping out. City Year Detroit aims to reduce that risk by placing AmeriCorp members – 18 to 25 year-olds from diverse backgrounds – into the highest need schools in Detroit. Currently, City Year has 71 AmeriCorp members who work with students all day, every day as role models, mentors, and tutors.
Schools that partner with City Year are two to three times more likely to improve English Language Arts and math proficiency rates than schools that don’t.
“We currently have three to four applicants to City Year for every one we are able to accept,” said Andrew Stein, Executive Director for City Year Detroit. “This shows me that young people want to be a part of the solution in Detroit schools.”
Over the next three years, City Year Detroit plans to expand into four high schools and the elementary and middle schools that feed into them. In order to achieve this goal, City Year Detroit will need to double in size from 71 to 139 AmeriCorp members. The organization estimates that it could serve 10,000 students every day at that size.
