Jumpstart's Literacy Fair

Hello, my name is Jazmin Salcedo and I am the Volunteer Coordinator for Jumpstart at UCLA for 2016-2017 year. This is my fourth year in Jumpstart, and I am extremely passionate about closing the achievement gap, because I grew up in similar communities our UCLA volunteers work in. 

WHAT IS JUMPSTART at UCLA?
Jumpstart UCLA is part of a national early childhood education program (Jumpstart) that rigorously trains dedicated college students and community volunteers -- known as Corps members -- to serve preschool children in low-income neighborhoods.

At Jumpstart UCLA, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her potential. As a mega-site, UCLA sends 80 undergraduate students each year into one of eight local low-income schools to work with preschool children toward the development of key skills for kindergarten. These skills include:
o   Alphabet knowledge
o   Meaning and use of print
o   Phonemic awareness
o   Rhyme awareness
o Vocabulary and comprehension


Jumpstart's 2017 LITERACY FAIR: 

Each year, we bring hundreds of local low-income preschool children, families, and teachers to the UCLA campus to join students, staff and community volunteers in fun-filled games and interactive educational activities. The Jumpstart Literacy Fair is always free to the public. This May 17, 2017, we expect to have more than 400 children, teachers, and family members join us. 

Your contributions will directly support the following components of the 5th Annual Jumpstart Literacy Fair:

 o Rental of space and facilities
 o Books and supplies to implement over 14 literacy enrichment activities and games at the event
 o Transportation for all Jumpstart children, families, and teachers to and from the fair.
o A healthy lunch for each of our Literacy Fair guests
o A gift bag for each Jumpstart child full of storybooks, toys, and school supplies
o Any excess donations will go towards creating family take-home literacy activity kits for our Jumpstart families to encourage extending the learning at home!

Jumpstart's IMPACT WITH PRESCHOOL CHILDREN:



At Jumpstart UCLA, we are dedicated to promoting early education - and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Academically, children from low-income neighborhoods enter kindergarten 60% behind their more affluent counterparts. Sadly, most will never catch up. By the third grade, these children are less likely to read at the appropriate grade level, and down the road, are less likely to graduate from high school. This can lead to significant losses in employment opportunities and financial security, which ultimately damages the health and well-being of our communities.

Jumpstart UCLA helps to close this cycle of poverty.

Our Jumpstart UCLA Corps members confront these barriers by helping children build their language and literacy skills at an early age.

The evidence is clear. Jumpstart works.

By the end of the academic year, children we work with have learned the alphabet, can write their names, and have developed the skills and confidence they need to begin reading.  They are better prepared for kindergarten and beyond. The annual Jumpstart Literacy Fair celebrates these early academic achievements and plants the seed that anything is possible – including one day becoming a college student (maybe even a Bruin)!

Jumpstart's IMPACT WITH UCLA STUDENTS:
While the program’s main goal is to prepare young preschoolers for success, our Corps members often find that their perspectives about the world around them, and their place in it, have been transformed. Pragmatically speaking, they are also in a better position to meet their own academic and career goals. For example, as a Jumpstart member, students are able to earn academic units through the Center for Community Learning. And upon graduation, students find that the program provides a great addition to their resumes, giving them a competitive advantage in the career market. 


“Corps members receive hands-on experience of what it's like in the classroom.” says Sharon Hong, UCLA Site Co-coordinator, “Many interested in education may choose to teach older students, but Jumpstart allows you to understand where some of these students may have come from. Even if a career with children/education isn't for you, Jumpstart does much to prepare you professionally. You develop leadership skills, teamwork, communication, improvisation. I guarantee you'll leave the end of the year with greater preparation for life after college.”

THE JUMPSTART FAMILY:

We could not have the impact on our local preschoolers without our amazing Corps members. Our 80 UCLA students are the true magic of Jumpstart! What makes Jumpstart UCLA so unique is the energy and sense of family created by the site coordinators and Corps members. Many students come away with lasting relationships, exciting networking opportunities, and a sense of purpose. Corps member Erik Martinez sums it up when he says:

“When I think of my college experience, I think UCLA, academics and Jumpstart. I feel like I created a family here.  I will always remember the connections, the relationships I made, and it also it provides really interesting opportunities.”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
With your generosity we can continue to make literacy fun for kids. Please share our campaign and cause with your family and friends and follow us on  Instagram, Facebook , and Twitter !

LEARN MORE ABOUT US
Jumpstart UCLA is currently funded by the National Jumpstart  organization, AmeriCorps and the UCLA Center for Community Learning.