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SECTION 1: THE CITY YEAR AMERICORPS MEMBER UNIFORMA COMMITMENT TO A CAUSE GREATER THAN SELFCity Year’s highest value is “service to a cause greater than self.” One of the mostimportant ways we publicly share our commitment to this value is through the CityYear AmeriCorps member uniform.While the City Year AmeriCorps member uniform has evolved over the years—mostrecently with City Year’s 30th anniversary Student Success Coach uniform, launched in2018—it has always represented idealistic teams of diverse young Americans who havededicated a year of their life to serve where they are most needed.The City Year uniform represents a big idea—that from year to year, school to school, cityto city and generation to generation, there is an unbroken chain of idealism expressedby the young people of City Year through service to students, schools, communitiesand country.In your red and yellow jackets, you are the stewards of this big idea, and highly visiblerepresentatives of our mission, work and organizational values. Your uniform serves as apublic display of your personal commitment to service—and the collective commitmentof the entire City Year corps—and brings about the commitment of others.When one commits to a cause “greater than self,” there are some elements of personalsacrifice and individual expression that one accepts—and ideally embraces—for thegreater good. The City Year uniform is no exception. The standards associated with howthe uniform is worn are in place to foster a spirit of unity and common purpose, buildtrust with the students we serve, promote young people as professional service providersin education and promote your safety and comfort. The standards are also an importantpart of expressing our commitment to the students we serve, who deserve our fullestcommitment to their success.131
THE ICONIC CITY YEAR JACKETThe iconic City Year jacket is the signature piece of the City Year uniform and afundamental symbol of our service and values. Thirty thousand young people haveworn the City Year jacket. For the students and schools we serve, it signifies hope andinspiration, caring and support.You will receive your City Year jacket at a special Dedication Ceremony during BasicTraining Academy, when you will have an opportunity to dedicate your jacket to someoneor something important to you. There is a special pouch inside of the jacket where youcan place your dedication, keeping it close to your heart during service.City Year AmeriCorps members in our California sites—Los Angeles, Sacramento,and San José/Silicon Valley—wear yellow City Year jackets due to pre-existing gangassociations with the color red in these communities, while AmeriCorps members fromother sites wear red.We hope that you will wear the City Year jacket every day and with great pride. While it isnot required that you wear it at all times, there are times when it will be required.132
REFERENCE GUIDE: THE CITY YEAR UNIFORMThe City Year AmeriCorps member uniform program has three distinct uniforms, eachfor a different aspect of your service and training experience.Your Student SuccessCoach UniformThe centerpiece of youruniform complement isthe City Year AmeriCorpsStudent Success Coachuniform, which you wearwhile serving in schools.This uniform identifiesyou in school as a trustedpartner and a full-timetutor, mentor and rolemodel to the studentswe serve.Your Training UniformThe City Year AmeriCorpsmember training uniformis a simple and comfortableuniform designed topromote unity of purposeduring training sessionsthat you will receivethroughout your year ofservice. Please note: theremay be some occasionswhen you will be askedto train in your StudentSuccess Coach uniform.Your Physical ServiceUniformYou will be engagedperiodically in physicalservice projects thattransform public spacesused by our students,schools and communities,including painting schooland community meetingrooms, refurbishingschool libraries andrenovating playgrounds.ELEMENTS COMMON TO ALL THREE UNIFORMSThere are a number of uniform pieces that are meant to be worn or used with all threeuniforms, including your City Year jacket, City Year AmeriCorps name tag, City Yearlayers (including cardigan, vest and full zip), shoes, belt, all-weather shell, backpack andwinter accessories.PITW #128TAKE ENORMOUS PRIDE IN THE CITY YEAR UNIFORM.Is your uniform clean? Your name tag straight, in the right place and easy to read?How we wear the uniform speaks the loudest about how we feel about our work,our values, ourselves and commitments.133
THE STUDENT SUCCESS COACH UNIFORMREQUIRED TO BE WORNDURING IN-SCHOOL SERVICECity Year Polo or Oxford: Tucked is thepreference, but if you go untucked, it mustlook neat and should not show out of thebottom of the City Year jacket when worn.Black Pants or Black Skirt:Pants: Pants should ideally fall straight,just above the sole of the shoe. No jeans,leggings, yoga pants or sweatpants.Skirt: Knee length or longer. Black orneutral tights or leggings may be wornwith skirts.City Year AmeriCorps Name Tag: Clean,visible and straight. Positioned on theopposite side of the City Year logo.Belt: Plain, black, with a simple buckle.Must be worn if pants or skirt has visiblebelt loops.Shoes: Professional and safe. Black, closedtoe. Your shoes should not limit yourservice with students. We prefer all blackfootwear, but if there are accents, pleasehave them be neutral colors. No brightlycolored options.City Year BackpackADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT CAN BE WORN DURING IN-SCHOOL SERVICECity Year JacketSocks: Express yourself! Please keep any graphics appropriate for schools and in line withAmeriCorps and City Year policies.City Year Layers: The black cardigan (button down or full zip up), red or yellow vest, redor yellow full zip or (for returning AmeriCorps members) black full zip.City Year All-Weather ShellCity Year Beanie and Other Winter Accessories: May be worn outside only. Winteraccessories should be plain black; neutral colors and minimal patterns also allowed.Stick to what's listed above. No additional items.134
TRAINING UNIFORMREQUIRED TO BE WORNDURING TRAININGSImportant note: There may be some occasions when you willbe asked to train in your Student Success Coach uniform.City Year T-Shirt: Founding Story Shirtor City Year Skyline Shirt. Tucked is thepreference, but if you go untucked, it mustlook neat. It should not show out of thebottom of the City Year jacket.Black Pants or Black Skirt:Pants: Pants should ideally fall straight,just above the sole of the shoe. No jeans,leggings, yoga pants or sweatpants.Skirt: Knee length or longer. Black orneutral tights or leggings may be wornwith skirts.City Year AmeriCorps Name Tag: Clean,visible and straight. Positioned on theopposite side of the City Year logo.Belt: Plain, black, with a simple buckle.Must be worn if pants or skirt has visiblebelt loops.Shoes: Professional and safe. Black, closedtoe. Your shoes should not limit yourservice with students. We prefer all blackfootwear, but if there are accents, pleasehave them be neutral colors. No brightlycolored options.City Year BackpackADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT CAN BE WORN DURING TRAININGCity Year JacketSocks: Express yourself! Please keep any graphics appropriate for schools and in line withAmeriCorps and City Year policies.City Year Layers: The black cardigan (button down or full zip up), red or yellow vest, redor yellow full zip or (for returning AmeriCorps members) black full zip.City Year All-Weather ShellCity Year Beanie and Other Winter Accessories: May be worn outside only. Winteraccessories should be plain black; neutral colors and minimal patterns also allowed.Stick to what's listed above. No additional items.135135
PHYSICAL SERVICE UNIFORMREQUIRED TO BE WORNDURING PHYSICAL SERVICECity Year T-Shirt: Founding Story Shirtor City Year Skyline Shirt. Tucked is thepreference, but if you go untucked, it mustlook neat. It should not show out of thebottom of the City Year jacket when worn.City Year AmeriCorps Name Tag: Clean,visible and straight. Positioned on theopposite side of the City Year logo.Khaki PantsBelt: Plain, black, with a simple buckle.Socks: Express yourself! Please keep anygraphics appropriate for schools and in linewith AmeriCorps and City Year policies.Shoes: If you are participating in servicethat could result in stains, please do notwear your in-school shoes. Comfortablesneakers or shoes you are willing to getdirty may be worn.City Year BackpackADDITIONAL ITEMS THAT CAN BE WORN DURING PHYSICAL SERVICECity Year JacketCity Year Layers: The black cardigan (button down or full zip up), red or yellow vest, redor yellow full zip or (for returning AmeriCorps members) black full zip.City Year All-Weather ShellCity Year Beanie and Other Winter Accessories: May be worn outside only. Winteraccessories should be plain black; neutral colors and minimal patterns also allowed.Stick to what's listed above. No additional items.Please note: These additional uniform parts are also worn as part of your Student SuccessCoach and training uniforms. Please do your best to ensure that these items remainclean and stain-free during your physical service.136
YOUR APPEARANCE WHILE IN UNIFORMThe City Year AmeriCorps Member uniform is a public symbol of your commitment tothe students and communities we serve, and an inspiration to all. City Year appearancestandards are intended to foster a spirit of unity, support the professionalism of the corpsand ensure your safety. As in any workplace, you are expected to present a professionalappearance while in uniform, making sure all uniform parts are clean, wrinkle-free andin good condition.City Year welcomes and respects the practice of wearing articles of clothing oraccessories that express one's religious faith. Any variation to the uniform necessary formedical reasons should be discussed with your impact manager or impact director.HAIRIt should be neat and clean.JEWELRY AND ACCESSORIESIn order to present a uniform look and increase safety, the following is our approach tojewelry and accessories while in uniform: Necklaces should be worn under your shirt. Small studs or small hoop earrings are preferred. Ear disks should be solid. One simple nose stud is permitted. Jewelry for all other facial, lip, mouth, tongue andseptum piercings must be removed while in uniform. Clear spacers or retainers canbe used.CITY YEAR BACKPACKYour City Year backpack is an important part of your uniform—a tool you will need withyou every day. Feel free to use tags or ribbons to identify your bag. Buttons or pins thatadvocate a political, religious or personal issue are not allowed. However, buttons or pinsthat are issued by City Year or your school or are directly connected to City Year's or yourschool's culture are welcome and encouraged.137
YOUR CONDUCT WHILE AT CITY YEAR & IN UNIFORMRULES AND EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL CITY YEAR AMERICORPS MEMBERSAs members the City Year community, as members of our school communities, asrole models to students and as ambassadors of City Year, you are required to conductyourselves professionally and demonstrate City Year values and Power Courtesy (see page19) at all times.“DOS” & “DON’TS” IN THE CITY YEAR AMERICORPS MEMBER UNIFORMThe “Dos”Each City Year AmeriCorps member is expected to demonstrate the following qualitiesthroughout their City Year experience: Build authentic, empathetic relationshipswith your teammates, students andschool and site staff Participate fully in all aspects of theCity Year experience; plan and preparefor your work Embrace a growth mindset foryour students and yourself—commit to continuous learning andself-improvement Make the time to reflect and to thinkcritically about the challenges facingyour students and schools Be flexible and resilient—perseverethrough challenges Suspend judgment—serve with an openheart and open mind Connect and communicate in ameaningful and consistent manner Demonstrate strong personalorganization skills Take responsibility and hold yourselfaccountable to high standards Be on time and dependable—practice effective time managementand punctuality Have a positive, constructive “cando” attitude—including professionalbody language Show respect and courtesy for allThe “Don’ts”While in uniform or on City Year time, City Year AmeriCorps members must representour organization professionally in public settings and adhere to AmeriCorps guidelines.While in uniform, you may not: Purchase, chew, smoke or vape tobacco Purchase, possess or deal weapons Undertake political activity Swear or use offensive, rude or crudelanguage, gestures or actions Purchase, possess or consume alcohol,marijuana (even if legal) or anyillegal substance Engage in public displays of affection ofa sexual naturePlease note that the above list does not represent the AmeriCorps Prohibited Activities policy in full. For a comprehensive list ofprohibited activities, please refer to page 158 in this handbook, along with City Year’s Nonpartisanship and Political Participationpolicies found on page 182.Headphones: The use of headphones is not allowed on your school campus (exceptin your City Year specific planning space), during training sessions, team meetings orcollaboration times. If your site serves as transit ambassadors you may be asked to refrainfrom wearing headphones during your commute. For your safety and as a courtesy toothers, we ask that when you do wear headphones the sound does not disturb thosearound you and you remain alert and available to be of service to others.Jaywalking: For your safety, and so as not to impede traffic while traveling in groups,please no jaywalking.Gum: Please no gum chewing while serving in our schools or while interacting withothers when serving as an ambassador of City Year.138
YOUR UNIFORM PIECESWHAT YOU WIILL RECEIVE AND WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BUYMost elements of the City Year AmeriCorps member uniform program will be provided toyou free of charge. Some elements you will need to purchase yourselves.City Year will provide every AmeriCorps member with thefollowing items, free of charge: 1 Red or yellow City Year jacket 1 Red or yellow all-weather shell 2 Gray oxford shirts 4 Gray polo shirts 1 Red or yellow full zip (black for returning AmeriCorps members) 1 Red or yellow vest 1 Black cardigan (choice of button up or zippered) 4 City Year founding stories t-shirts 1 City skyline t-shirt 1 Pair of khaki pants 1 City Year backpack 1 City Year AmeriCorps name tag 1 Black winter hatPlease note, if you alter, lose or damage a required uniform part you may be issued a newpart at your expense. Please take care of your uniform.HOW TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL UNIFORM PARTS:The number of uniform pieces provided by City Year is intended allow for a full week ofservice without laundry, meaning that you are able to save laundry for weekends.If you would like to replace or purchase more uniform parts, they can be purchasedthrough the Aramark uniform portal, which can be accessed via cyconnect. Please note,non-California sites may not wear yellow pieces. Uniform parts should only be purchasedfor yourself—they may not be gifted to family and friends.139
City Year AmeriCorps members will need to purchase the following items: Black pants and/or black skirts»» Pants: Pants should ideally fall straight, just above the sole of the shoe. No jeans,leggings, yoga pants or sweatpants.»» Skirts: Knee length or longer. Black belt: A plain black belt with a simple buckle. Black closed toe shoes: We prefer all back footwear, but if there are accents, pleasehave them be neutral colors. No brightly colored options. Socks: Express yourself! Please keep any graphics appropriate for schools and in linewith AmeriCorps and City Year policies. Tights or leggings: Black or neutral tights or leggings may be worn with skirts. Winter accessories: Preferably plain black; neutral colors and minimal patternsalso allowed.140
City Year T-Shirt: Founding Story Shirt or City Year Skyline Shirt. Tucked is the preference, but if you go untucked, it must look neat. It should not show out of the bottom of the City Year jacket. Black Pants or Black Skirt: Pants: Pants should ideally fall straight, just above the sole o
