Jumpstart Holds Community Events Across the Country
Washington, DC: Georgetown Volunteers at Day of Community Service On Saturday, April 21, Jumpstart Washington, DC at Georgetown University participated in a Day of Community Service at DC Village Family Emergency Shelter. DC Village is Washington, DC's largest homeless shelter. It is home to more than 60 families and over 100 children. During the service day, Jumpstart Corps members and outside volunteers (including a former Corps member) came together to engage children of all ages at the shelter in indoor arts and craft activities and outdoor sports, including basketball, kickball, and baseball. The children really enjoyed the painting activities, and the weather outside was perfect for playing sports!
Whole Foods of Georgetown made a generous donation of delicious sandwich wraps to Jumpstart for lunch. This was Jumpstart's second planned service event at DC Village this year. Corps members and volunteers all expressed how fulfilling it was for them to spend the day with such a high-need population and everyone that participated said that they were interested in returning in the fall. The children were so excited to spend the day with the Jumpstart Corps members and the volunteers; they kept asking if Jumpstart could come back every day. The Corps members and the volunteers told them that they loved spending the day with them too and that although it would be impossible to come EVERYDAY, they will definitely be back soon! At the end of the day, all volunteers and children were given Jumpstart t-shirts, which the children put on right away.
Irvine, CA Gardening Project On March 10, Jumpstart Irvine at University of California, Irvine collaborated with Whittier Preschool and Newport/Mesa Nutrition Services to hold its annual Whittier Preschool Nutrition and Gardening Day. Twenty-five Jumpstart Corps members and three Connect Early Club members worked with many of the 30 families that attended to replant vegetables in the garden. Children learned about seeds and the way plants grow, while other families enjoyed activities related to nutrition. Children who participated in one such activity, “Tasting Passport,” tasted and learned to identify various fruits. Volunteers also assisted Whittier Preschool teachers with reorganizing and cleaning classrooms. Toward the end of the day, the families and volunteers sat in a circle and read a funny book called Is Your Mama a Llama? Before they left, each family received a nutritional gift bag from Newport/Mesa Nutrition Services and the UCI Health Center.
Jumpstart for a Day at Jumpstart Philadelphia
On Friday, April 27, Jumpstart Philadelphia at Temple University held their annual Jumpstart for a Day! The event was a huge success. The room was filled with Jumpstart Corps members, children, families, and teachers! Children and adults enjoyed stations such as face painting, play dough, puppet theatre, and mural arts! There was food, books, raffle prizes, and fun games for all. The Jumpstart for a Day event was a great way to wrap up the year in Philadelphia!
Jumpstart Geneva Celebrates CM and Children Graduations
At ABCD's graduation, Corps members secured funding from dining services and children and families enjoyed a taste of Hobart and William Smith Colleges! The children received diplomas and a special gift. Corps members also shared their favorite anecdotes of the the children.
At North Street, Corps members honored their children’s fascination with fire trucks with a visit from the Geneva Fire Department. Pizza was donated and children received diplomas, a new book, and a star balloon.
Finally, congratulations to Lisa Taylor, Jillian Petrella, and Katie Smith, Jumpstart’s leadership this year, and a special thanks to their wonderful Corps members, most of whom are finished with their 300-hour requirement and will receive the $1,000 AmeriCorps voucher, which will be matched if they turn it into Hobart and William Smith Colleges tuition. (The remaining few Corps members complete their hours this week!)
