City Year is an education focused, non profit organization that helps students stay in school, and on track to graduate.  There are over one million drop outs a year, and it has been found that students who reach the tenth grade are four times more likely to finish high school.  City Year serves in 25 sites across the United States where the drop-out crisis is most prevalent.  Corps members work as near-peer tutors, meaning they are partnered with a teacher in either a math or reading class to provide whole class support, and small group interventions to the lower performing students in the class.  Corps members also serve as mentors to their students through lunch and after school programming.  Benefits to joining this organization include a biweekly stipend, an education award which is obtained once a Corps members has completed 1700 hours of service, and exceptional networking opportunities with City Year alumni.  Anyone who has achieved at least a high school diploma, and is between the ages of 17-24 is eligible to apply.  The application, and more information about the program can be found at www.cityyear.org, and the next application deadline is November 15th.  I know this is coming up extremely soon, so it is important for potential applications to note that the application can be completed in a very short time frame, and recommenders will have five extra business days after the deadline to complete their forms, so long as the applicant submits their application by the deadline.