Herzfeld Foundation grants $50,000 to support City Year Milwaukee’s efforts in 11 Milwaukee Public Schools to increase the number of students who stay in school and on track to graduate. City Year is an education-focused organization that places young adults in urban schools to serve as full-time tutors, mentors and role models for students.

The gift is a continued commitment of Herzfeld Foundation to support the Whole School, Whole Child (WSWC) program of City Year Milwaukee. Since City Year Milwaukee’s founding in 2010, Herzfeld Foundation has been a steadfast supporter of the City Year Milwaukee AmeriCorps volunteers’ work in Milwaukee Public Schools.

"Since its founding, the Herzfeld Foundation has been dedicated to giving back to Wisconsin with an emphasis in the greater Milwaukee area," said F. William Haberman, president.  "We can see that City Year works. We all need to help more of Milwaukee's children, and City Year is a good investment in that regard."

City Year Milwaukee has 100 AmeriCorps members serving in 11 Milwaukee Public schools. It has set a goal of expanding to the 38 schools that generate 50% of the city’s students who are not on track to graduate from high school. In Milwaukee Public Schools, data shows that only 61% of students graduate in four years. City Year Milwaukee is an education-based non-profit that helps keep students in school using young adult AmeriCorps members who assist teachers by focusing on attendance, behavior and course performance in English and math.  Studies show that students who reach the 10th grade on track are four times more likely to graduate high school than students who do not.

"This year, City Year Milwaukee celebrates our seventh year working with local students, schools and communities. We know students are making significant gains in academics, behavior and attendance. " said Jason M. Holton, the executive director and vice president of City Year Milwaukee. "And that is why these gifts are so important. The city should be proud of these commitments, hopefully others will feel compelled to contribute as well."

City Year Milwaukee is made possible by a public-private partnership between corporations, philanthropic individuals, Milwaukee Public Schools, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. City Year Milwaukee works in the following Milwaukee Public Schools: Alexander Mitchell Integrated Arts School, Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education, Bay View High School, Clarke Street School, Dr. George Washington Carver Academy of Mathematics and Science, Hopkins Lloyd Community School, James Madison Academic Campus, Rogers Street Academy, Roosevelt Middle School of the Arts, Rufus King International Middle School and South Division High School.