Jumpstart

Logo of the Jumpstart program

 

Jumpstart is an early childhood education organization working toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. We provide language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschool children from under-resourced communities and promote quality early learning for all children. Since 1993, the national Jumpstart network has trained over 45,000 college students and community volunteers to transform the lives of over 100,000 preschool children across the country. For more information and to apply, visit the Jumpstart national website

 

 

Jumpstart at Southern

AmeriCorps Connecticut Logo

Established in 2012, Jumpstart’s site at Southern Connecticut State University is housed in the College of Education in the Department of Curriculum and Learning, but is open to students of all majors. Jumpstart Corps Members are trained by the Site Manager to serve in local preschools in the surrounding community. Corps Members work in teams with other SCSU students to engage with preschool children through many activities such as reading, singing, and playing games.

Check out an article describing the impact of our program here!

A lrage group of students holding a sign for 'Read for the Record 2022'

Corps Members who complete 300 hours of service throughout the year are eligible to earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,400 to use towards tuition and/or federal loans. Southern is a School of National Service, and will match AmeriCorps funds that are used towards tuition up to $1,000. Jumpstart is a Federal Work-Study opportunity, but students are not required to have Work-Study eligibility to be Corps Members. Students who are not eligible for Work-Study may be eligible for AmeriCorps stipends during their term of service.

In order to serve as a Corps Member with Jumpstart, applicants must be:

  • Current SCSU students (part or full time)
  • Available two days per week during one of the offered session times
  • Able and willing to serve approximately 12-15 hours per week in local early childhood centers and available for both the fall and spring semesters
  • Able and willing to complete 300 hours of service during the academic year to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award

Benefits of Joining Jumpstart

  • Work with preschool children in the local community on reading, writing, and social-emotional skills
  • Earn Federal Work-Study or AmeriCorps living allowance stipend, if eligible
  • All majors and academic backgrounds welcome
  • Receive professional training in early education
  • Serve 12-15 hours per week with a team of your peers
  • Receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award following your service
  • Join a diverse service network, including over 20,000 alumni
  • Priority class registration for freshman and sophomore students
  • Education majors are able to use their hours served with Jumpstart toward their entry level fieldwork courses

Session Blocks

Interested applicants must be available during one session time two times per week for the entire academic year. Our sessions take place during the following times:

Mondays & Wednesdays 9am-12pm

Mondays & Wednesdays 2pm-5pm

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am-12pm

Tuesdays & Thursdays 2pm-5pm

Contact Information

Blake Brandes, Site Manager
Email: blake.brandes@jstart.org
Phone: (203) 903-4885

Office Address:
501 Crescent St
Jennings 126
New Haven, CT 06515