City Year Corps Uniform Information

 

About the City year corps member uniform

The City Year uniform is a public symbol of a full-time commitment to service. Each time corps members put on the uniform; they are representatives of City Year, citizen service, and AmeriCorps. Corps members become trustees of the relationship between these organizations and the communities in which we serve. Wearing the uniform carries the important responsibility of representing City Year and its mission with excellence and inspiring others. As community leaders and role models (whether in uniform or professional attire) corps members are expected to maintain a positive public image.

Why do we wear uniforms?

The uniform represents your dedication to City Year and to the children and communities that we serve. It is a powerful and visible symbol that:

  • Promotes the idea of citizen service and the values of City Year to the general public

  • Instills a sense of spirit, discipline, purpose, and pride in all City Year members

  • Establishes a spirit of unity and connection among all City Year corps, alumni and staff

  • Adds a sense of stewardship for the organization’s relationship with the community

  • Focus on each person’s unique skills, contributions and personality rather than wardrobe

  • Provides youth and members of the community with a sense of the reliability and continuity of City Year, even though they work with different corps members each year

  • Identifies each corps and staff member as part of City Year, a recognizable symbol of hope, idealism and inspiration

  • Expresses our full-time commitment to solving social problems, training outstanding new leaders and building a more beloved and just community, democracy, nation and world.

While service only lasts for 10 months and different groups of AmeriCorps member serve in our communities and schools each year, the uniform is one of the lasting legacies that provide continuity to those we serve.

How much do the uniforms cost?

Most of your uniform will provided for free by City Year. Read the next section below, about ordering your provided uniform items and purchasing the remaining required items.

How do I order My city year uniform?

Information about ordering your uniform for the 2022-2023 service year will be reviewed on your Registration Day

Once your registration day, you’ll need to input sizes for each item. For those items, options for are listed:

polo and button down: men’s/boxed or women's/fitted

cardigan: zipper or button down. You only need to select one type of fit for those items. 

If you have any uniform related questions, reach out to Daliah Silver at dsilver@cityyear.org

 

What other required uniform items will I need to purchase on my own?

  • black pants/skirt

  • black belt

  • black shoes (flat dress shoes or comfortable sneakers)

While City Year provides you with a bomber, polo shirt, button-down shirt, vest, and outerwear, you’ll need to purchase your own black pants (at least 3 pairs) (black skirts, knee length, are also acceptable), black belt, and black shoes (can be either casual sneakers or flat dress shoes). You can purchase these items inexpensively at a thrift store.

uniform FAqs

When will I receive my uniform?

It takes a few weeks for your complete set of uniform parts to arrive, so you’ll typically receive your full uniform the last week of training.

Mid-Year ACMs, you will receive your uniform on your Registration Day or during the first few weeks of service.

Do I have to wear the uniform every day?

Once you receive your uniform, you will need to wear it every day in service. Your shirts will always need to be tucked in and ironed, your pants hemmed and ironed, and you should always be wearing your name tag.

What will I wear until I receive my uniform?

For your in-person Registration Day this summer, the dress code is business casual. During Basic Training Academy in the month of August, you will wear City Year training t-shirts provided to you on Registration Day.

Scroll below to familiarize yourself with everything you need to know about the City Year Chicago uniform for the 2022-2023 service year!

(or click HERE)