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Citizens Community Service Sabbatical Program

What if you had the chance to step away from your daily routine—not for a vacation, but for something even more rewarding? Imagine not only applying your professional skills in a new way but also developing new ones, helping a nonprofit address real challenges while gaining fresh perspectives that could transform the way you work.

Citizens Community Service Sabbatical program is our pinnacle volunteer opportunity that invests in the growth of our colleagues and nonprofit partners.  Selected colleagues receive a paid, four-to-six-week leave of absence to perform hands-on, skills-based volunteerism in their local communities supporting the business needs of one of Citizens’ workforce development or financial empowerment partners.

Short-Term Commitment with Long-Term Impact

    We value our colleagues' well-being and growth, both personally and professionally. Sabbaticals have been shown to improve work-life balance, spark creativity and innovation, enhance skills and knowledge, and offer new experiences and perspectives, with these positive effects often lasting long after the sabbatical ends. By intrinsically linking our sabbatical with volunteerism efforts, our program delivers a unique way for colleagues to live our Credo.

    Colleagues are paired with nonprofit partners who are seeking business support.  By leveraging their skills and talents in new ways, Citizens Community Service Sabbatical participants are able to support and propel the critical missions of organizations that are helping make a lasting difference in our communities.

    • Joseph stepped away from his role in business analysis and automation to assist the Genesis Center in Providence, RI in drafting their 2025 strategic plan. Diving into interviews, data analysis, and creative problem-solving, his sabbatical helped impact the organization’s growth.

    • Ruby used her financial analysis expertise to develop a budgeting model for NYC-based nonprofit Futures and Options, tracking revenue allocation of staff costs, directly supporting its mission to grow and succeed.

    • Sami completed his sabbatical with Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York, where he played an instrumental role in supporting their volunteer recruitment and corporate engagement efforts.

    Strengthening Partnerships and Culture

    During his six-week sabbatical with Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York, Sami stepped away from his role as a Branch Manager to make a meaningful impact in the community. He played a key role in advancing volunteer recruitment and strengthening corporate engagement efforts, securing more than 50 volunteer commitments and helping generate $15,000 in donations. He also led hands-on, real-world learning experiences for students.

    “One of my biggest takeaways was seeing firsthand how impactful experiential learning can be for young students,” said Sami. “Watching them step into roles, manage budgets, make business decisions, and collaborate with their peers showed me how powerful programs like Junior Achievement can be in building confidence and financial awareness at an early age.”

    Having previously volunteered with Junior Achievement, Sami welcomed the opportunity to deepen his involvement. He immersed himself in the experience by hosting Discovery Center tours, engaging with business leaders, and leading interactive simulations like JA BizTown and Finance Park.

    “The experience reminded me how important it is to stay connected to our communities and invest in the next generation. Seeing how just a few hours of someone’s time can bring these programs to life was incredibly powerful. It also helped me strengthen my skills in building partnerships, understanding organizational dynamics, and communicating in ways that drive real impact—skills I bring back with me to my role at Citizens.”

    Back at his branch, Sami continues to apply what he learned by building stronger partnerships, leading with purpose, and investing in the people and communities that drive our shared success.

    Learn more about the impact our colleagues make by living our Credo, putting their time and skills to work for our communities here.