After taking the fall semester off to address complications in programming amongst other points of concern, the City Faces program will return this spring with a revamped structure.

The new structure will result in fewer initiatives and require all current members to reapply in order to stay in the program.

City Faces, a student-run program devoted to the service of Clinton-Peabody public housing residents, has historically allowed students to serve as mentors for children living in the community. The program aims to guide mentees in areas of academia and art, as well as in domains that extend beyond textbook pages and traditional curricula, such as introspection, self-confidence and problem-solving.

Since its launch in 1994, the program has amassed over 150 members. This growth has necessitated program reconstruction due to disorganization and difficulties with communication and protocol. In September, a volunteer’s car was stolen during programming, which triggered the decision to reevaluate the organization’s internal issues through a hiatus.

A new framework that takes into account the expanded pool of volunteers will likely function to further increase the radius and magnitude of City Faces in the community.

As opposed to the former five initiatives, the City Faces executive board is now operating as three initiatives: one-on-one, peer and group mentoring. The activities will be targeted specifically for the kids in each group. Program leaders believe in the greater efficacy of forging connections with children and young adults in the community on a personal level.

“Each program exists to foster personal, academic and creative growth in our students while tapping into and supporting their current skills and hobbies,” wrote co-president Drew Hubbard in a statement to Student Life. “The shift to a mentoring focus is because we want to improve the effectiveness of our programs and ensure that we are catering our programming to what the students actually want and need.”

City Faces member junior Cameron Tate said that the new programs will have a more effective volunteer-to-kids ratio.

“With this new direction City Faces hopes to provide a safer space for the kids,” Tate said.

The program has also been developing two advisory boards, one for parents and families and the other for youth in the community.

In order to more evenly balance responsibilities, City Faces is working with Assistant Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Tarrell Campbell. The executive board is currently in the process of developing a tactic for an advisor selection process.

Junior Manuel Panzardi, a former member, wrote in a statement to Student Life that despite the program’s faults in the past, his experience in the program was ultimately valuable.

“I’m aware of what has been going on and know several people who were personally affected,” Panzardi wrote. “I can say, however, that my experiences with City Faces were among the most impactful of my time at Wash. U. I was really lucky to be a part of a great group of volunteers, community partners and (in my role as Boys Club Co-Coordinator) young men from the community.”

Due to the changes in structure, City Faces is asking current members to reapply for the spring semester during the month of January. The organization looks forward to returning to operation, and will host info sessions next week for interested applicants.

“City Faces has been a really important part of my time at Wash. U. because of those relationships that I have been able to have with the kids we work with,” City Faces member junior Leela Raj said. “Many of the kids are consistent members of City Faces so we get to grow and learn alongside one another. Every week I get to look forward to having fun with people who mean a lot to me.”