Non-Profits

Heroes, Inc.

It's just too easy to pick on press releases, but the most recent from City Year, City Year, Inc. to Develop a Headquarters for Idealism, is above and beyond, at that rare intersection of Stan Lee, Flannery O'Connor and 1930s heroic Marxism:

The $10 million center will "operate the organization’s Young Heroes program." Workers there will "train to become idealistic civic leaders and social entrepreneurs." The Center will also house Care Force®, "City Year’s corporate service event planning division." "The facility will also serve as a community resource and incubator for new social entrepreneurs." The first floor will be "a dynamic signature space:" a “'theater of idealism,' with large-scale video screens, banners, and inspirational photo murals of civic heroes and their words of motivation and insight… Similar bold ideas will bring the building’s façade on Columbus Avenue to life, reflecting the youthful idealism of City Year and young adults around the world… To support the development of its new facility, City Year has a launched a $10 million capital campaign, the Campaign for the City Year Headquarters for Idealism… City Year’s 9,000 alumni will also be challenged to join the campaign as 'Headquarters Heroes' and be recognized in the new facility for gifts of $100 or more…"

All of which leaves me with no idea what it is they do, or why. I'm pretty sure, though, that it's heroic…

The Onion offers a more sour take on another of Americorps' paid volunteer programs here.