Michigan's AmeriCorps Volunteer of the Month

Volunteer of the Month Spotlight Article –April 2024: Johnny Susany, City Year Detroit

Johnny Susany is a first year AmeriCorps volunteer serving with City Year Detroit. City Year focuses on supporting the development, growth, and success of students in systemically under-resourced schools, while preparing AmeriCorps volunteers to be leaders in their communities and careers.

After graduating from Ohio University in Spring 2025, Susany knew he wanted to gain real life experience and serve his community before applying to graduate school. Susany applied for the City Year Detroit position in order to grow both personally and professionally. In his current role with City Year Detroit, Susany serves as a Student Success Coach for 9th grade students at Cody High School in Detroit Public School Community District, where he provides whole class support and small group tutoring for ELA, and coaching in improving students’ interpersonal skills and attendance. Johnny and his fellow City Year Student Success Coaches address opportunity gaps for students in schools across Detroit Public School Community District, where they provide holistic supports for youth in the schoolhouse to drive student growth in academics, and attendance, ultimately driving growing graduation rates.

According to Julie Okada, City Year Impact Director, Susany is a “true force for strong student outcomes on his Cody High School team, that sets a standard of excellence in service delivery across his cohort of City Year Detroit AmeriCorps volunteers. Because of his collaboration and efforts, 80% of the students directly serviced by the City Year team he is on, have on-track grades in ELA or Math in their Quarter 2 report cards.”

Susany was also selected as the program’s LeaderCorps representative, acting as a liaison between the Michigan Community Service Commission and his cohort, and has diligently served as his site’s ambassador. Susany is regularly cited by peers and staff at City Year Detroit as a model for excellence, care, and dedication in his service. He has earned the trust, respect, and love of the students he supports as well as school staff and his fellow AmeriCorps team.

Susany is currently applying and preparing for law school after his service term ends. He hopes to use the skills he has developed during his time serving throughout his professional life.

For more information about City Year Detroit and other Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs making a positive impact in communities across Michigan. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.