AmeriCorps heads to Jacksonville

City Year’s AmeriCorps members are expanding into the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District this new school year.

The corps members, known for their signature red jackets, will be “student success coaches” at Jacksonville Elementary School. There, they will provide one-on-one and small group tutoring sessions, mentorship and social-emotional learning opportunities for students.

“The organization’s presence at Jacksonville Elementary will deliver benefits for students, teachers and the school community, Superintendent Jeremy Owoh said last week.

“AmeriCorps members will provide an additional layer of support for our teachers and make a lasting impact on the lives of our scholars,” he said.

The Jacksonville Education Foundation has provided City Year with a $10,000 gift. A public-private partnership, the nonprofit is funded by a federal AmeriCorps grant and its partner school districts, as well as contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Jennifer Cobb, the nonprofit organization’s senior vice president and executive director, said the partnership with Jacksonville/North Pulaski comes as the organization marks almost 20 years of work in Pulaski County.

“As the generous gift from the Jacksonville Education Foundation reaffirms, this school district and community share our commitment to advancing educational equity and helping all students achieve their full potential.”

City Year’s AmeriCorps members are full-time tutors and mentors in five Little Rock School District schools: Chicot Elementary, Cloverdale Middle, J.A. Fair K-8 Preparatory School, Mabelvale Middle and Stephens Elementary.