Jumpstart

Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students, community members, and adult volunteers to serve preschool children where the need is the highest.  The Jumpstart program is replicated across the country in 14 states and the District of Columbia.  Jumpstart nationally collaborates with higher education institutions, community organizations, Head Start programs, community-based preschools, and school districts to create sustainable solutions in order to close the kindergarten readiness gap.

Overall, Jumpstart envisions a day when every child in America enters Kindergarten prepared to succeed.  Jumpstart at Rutgers University-Newark (RU-N) engages dedicated undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in working with preschool children through yearlong relationships and consistent delivery of Jumpstart sessions in program partner classrooms. The Jumpstart program features a curriculum that is designed to focus specifically on building the key skills that research shows are critical in supporting children’s language, literacy, and social-emotional development and it is always evolving as research continues to emerge about the best strategies in early learning.  Jumpstart at RU-N provides an opportunity for college students to earn Federal Work Study (if  eligible), Internship Course Credit, an AmeriCorps Education Award, and/or Professional Development Skills.

Jumpstart team members receive extensive professional development training in the fields of early education, family and community engagement, and leadership. Team members do not have to be an education major to apply.

Jumpstart collaborates with AmeriCorps through The Corporation for National and Community Service. To be eligible, student’s must be an U.S. citizen, provide a valid U.S. passport, birth certificate, green card, and social security card. Members serve one calendar year beginning August 31st until the following August. (August 31st, 2020-August 31, 2021) Upon completion of 300 service hours, members complete their exit survey and create an education award request.

Congratulations Graduates

Natasha Wilson

BA Economics
School of Arts & Sciences
America Reads Counts Tutor (2 yrs.) & Jumpstart AmeriCorps Scholar (1 yr.)

Program Statistics 2020-21

School Affiliate: University Heights Charter School (Newark)

Scholars: 55

• 30 AmeriCorps Scholars
• 17 Non-AmeriCorps Scholars
• 8 Program Assistants

Of these:

• Returning Jumpstart scholars                              18
• Former America Reads Counts tutors                 12
• New scholars (2020-21)                                      25

Families Served: 120

Service Hours: 7,228

Service-Based Scholarship Awards

Traditionally AmeriCorps scholars serve 300 hours, however, regulations were modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Scholars completing 150 hours or more, earned a full Segal Education Scholarship Award, valued at $1,311. The scholarship award is for education expenses. Scholars have the option to apply the funds to their fall FY 21-22 term bill or student loans and have seven years to utilize their education award. The Segal Education Award is a benefit for scholars in addition to their work-study award. In 2020-21:

• 24 Rutgers-Newark AmeriCorps Scholars received the full award
• The remaining 6 will receive partial prorated education awards based on their service hours.

Outstanding Service

Stephanie Seda

• AmeriCorps Team leader, Stephanie Seda (3-year Scholar) completed 327 hours of service.

Iris Lainez Amaya

• AmeriCorps Team leader, Iris Lainez Amaya (2-year Scholar) completed 299 hours, developed a Canva newsletter template, complete with photo illustrations.

   

   

   

   

   

  “Together we can help all children build the key language and literacy skills they need to take on the world”. -Jumpstart National

Jumpstart Photo Highlights