YPIE Volunteer Newsletter

Hello Kris,

“I’ve grown a lot in the past year and your incredible positivity and unwavering support really helps me. Whether it’s by taking the time to make and bring lunch to meetings, helping me practice interviews, or showing me new art, I greatly appreciate your influence as a mentor.” ~ YPIE Scholar 2029

“I am grateful you were my Essay Coach because you guided me to make the perfect essay that showcases who I am. One specific way you helped me is knowing how to take off the “fat” of the essay without changing the whole meaning.” ~ YPIE Fellow 2028

I am so excited to welcome spring and look forward to seeing many of you at the in-person volunteer events planned for this season. Our winter Coffee Klatch was such a success that we planned another for April, followed by a return to Untermyer Gardens in May. Finally, please save the date for our annual Gratitude Celebration on Tuesday, May 21st, when we will honor the incredible contributions and dedication of our volunteers. Please see below for more information and the link to RSVP for these events.

This month also brings several opportunities to engage virtually. All members of the YPIE community are invited to join a conversation with Sam Wallis on April 3rd to discuss the changing college landscape and YPIE’s latest data which shows that YPIE 2017 graduates were 15.4% more likely to earn a Bachelor’s degree than similar peers. Please see below for the link to register for this event.

Finally, please take a few moments this month to review the 2024 YPIE Volunteer Handbook, created as a resource for all volunteers and as a companion to the specific Essay and Graduation Coach Playbooks.

Thank you.

Stacy Winitt

Senior Director, Volunteer Engagement

UPCOMING EVENTS

YPIE Conversation: Recent Data and College Landscape

Wednesday, April 3rd, 12:00pm - 12:45pm
Join our Executive Director, Sam Wallis, for a virtual session to dive deeper into YPIE's latest data and discuss the changing educational landscape. Please register here for the Zoom link.

Transition to College via Zoom

April 10th, 12:00pm-1:00pm OR
April 16th, 3:00-4:00pm
Workshop for 12th Grade Graduation Coaches

Volunteer Event: Coffee Klatch at Yonkers Riverfront Library

April 17th from 10:30am-12:00pm
Please RSVP and bring a guest!

Volunteer Event: Untermyer Gardens Tour

May 7th from 11:00am-12:30pm
Please RSVP and bring a guest! (space is limited)

Graduation Coach End of Year Wrap Up Workshop via Zoom

May 8th from 12:00pm-1:00pm OR
May 16th from 3:00pm-4:00pm
Workshop for 10th and 11th Grade Graduation Coaches

Volunteer Gratitude Celebration at Cross County Center

May 21st from 5:00pm-7:00pm
Please RSVP and bring a guest!

Please see the YPIE Volunteer calendar at ypie.org/ypievolunteer

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARTSWESTCHESTER SUMMER INTERNSHIP

Applications for the ArtsWestchester Summer Internship are due on May 10th. Please read this informational flyer and use this link for instructions about applying. High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES DATABASE

If your Scholar is still looking to solidify their summer plans, check out the YPIE Summer Opportunities Database.

VOLUNTEER NEWS

CAREER NETWORK

Our College Success team is recruiting volunteers to serve in our network of career professionals. If you’d be willing to connect via email or phone calls with our college students about career options, please fill out the YPIE Career Networking Volunteer Interest Form. If you have any questions, please contact Jaclyn Cooke (jcooke@ypie.org)

SCIENCE RESEARCH PRACTICE PRESENTATION - FEEDBACK PROVIDERS

What: Listen to and give feedback to 25 students as they present their science research projects in preparation for a science competition
When: Thursday, May 17th, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Where: The YPIE College Zone (92 Main Street, Yonkers)
Who: Anyone! No experience necessary - we have rubrics!
Next Steps: Email Jake Schofield (jschofield@ypie.org) to let him know of your interest

VOLUNTEER REMINDERS

SCHOOL & YPIE VISITS

Essay Coaches and Graduation Coaches can meet with students at school during their lunch/free periods. Please read and adhere to the YPIE Volunteer School Visit Policy, schedule your visits on days when YPIE staff will be at the schools, and email them in advance to let them know your plans. If you need the email addresses of the YPIE Readiness Managers and College Advisors, please go to the YPIE Teams page.

If you are meeting a student at the YPIE College Zone, please email me the date and time.

FIELD TRIPS WITH STUDENTS

Volunteers are permitted to take field trips with their students provided that they arrive separately at the destination or use public transportation. Volunteers should never transport students in their personal vehicles. If you wish to take a field trip, please fill out this YPIE Coach Permission Slip, have your Scholar’s parents/guardians sign it, and keep the signed copy. Please take selfies of you and your Scholar enjoying your adventures and send them to me!

GRADUATION COACH REMINDERS

Please reach out to me if you have experienced any difficulty in maintaining continual contact with your Scholar. You should be meeting at least once every 3 weeks. Please submit an Exit Ticket for each Scholar meeting.

If you have not yet read the updated 2024 Graduation Coach Playbook, please do so at your earliest convenience.

ESSAY COACH REMINDERS

The Essay Writing Spring Season launches on April 2nd for Yonkers and April 9th for Jersey City. Please refer to the 2024 Essay Coach Playbook and my recent emails for information to start the season.