The Jumpstart Basics

Jumpstart is a national community service program based that trains college students, called Corps members, to work with low-income preschool children promoting literacy and social skills. Since 2005, Jumpstart McLean County has been based at Illinois State University, and currently serves more than 75 children in three early learning centers in the Bloomington-Normal community.

• For a full school year, Corps Members are paired with 2-3 partner children. Corps members work in teams of about 7 college students with classrooms of 20 children.
• Corps members and children participate in Jumpstart sessions twice per week, providing key one-to-one attention and group interaction.
• Jumpstart helps children develop the language, literacy, and social skills vital to success not just in school, but also in life.
• Corps members volunteer approximately 10 hours/week, totaling 300 hours over the school year.
• At the completion of 300 hours of service, Corps members are eligible for a $1000 education award from AmeriCorps. (Additionally, course credit may be available; students with work-study eligibility may get paid).

Jumpstart is working toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed.

If you are an Illinois State student with a desire to serve your community and a willingness to make a two-semester commitment to helping preschool children succeed, apply at www.jstart.org/apply or email Kim Burke, Jumpstart Site Manager, at Jumpstart@IllinoisState.edu for more information.

"I found the ability to make a difference in the life of a child through compassion, dedication and community involvement. I found that if there were enough people who care to make a difference, a difference would undoubtedly be made."