Jumpstart in Washington, DC
Currently, Jumpstart partners 300 Corps members to work with over 700 Washington, DC preschool children living in low-income neighborhoods in and around the district. Together, for the entire 2012-2013 school year, they will work on the language and literacy skills these children need to succeed not only in school, but also in life.
To learn more about how you can get involved with Jumpstart in Washington, DC, contact Katey Comerford, Executive Director, at 202.393.4444.
Stay connected with Jumpstart DC through social media on Twitter and Facebook or email JumpstartDC@jstart.org to receive our e-newsletter.
Basic Info
Number of Children Served: over 700
Number of University Partners: 7
Number of Corps members: 300
Local Advisory Board
Sekou Biddle Former Executive Director, Jumpstart Washington, DC; Vice President of Advocacy, UNCF
J.R. Clark Partner in Public Finance Group, Squire Sanders
Kenneth Hutman President, Starbridge Media Group, Inc.
Anna Edwards Vice President, Dutko Grayling
Patrick Mara Owner, Dolan Group, LLC
Linda Miller Senior Communications Analyst, U.S. Government Accountability Office
Ian Simpson Founder, Purpose Beverages, Inc.
Adam Vogt Agent, Redfin
Sponsors and Supporters
Jumpstart is grateful to the following donors and partners for their support of our work in the District of Columbia:
AmeriCorps
The Boeing Company
ServeDC – The Mayor's Office on Volunteerism
The George Wasserman Family Foundation
The Horning Family Fund
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
PNC Grow Up Great
Starbucks
Venable
Lori and Matthew Espe
Ethan Grossman
Lamell McMorris
Carter Romansky
Events
Check back frequently for events with Jumpstart DC!
Other Volunteer Opportunities
For volunteer opportunities with students older than those Jumpstart serves, please visit United Way NCA’s website to find a range of reading, tutoring and mentoring opportunities in our area.
In the News
The Huffington Post When Children Start School Behind, They Stay Behind
January 10, 2013
Through a $40,000 grant award from The Boeing Company, Jumpstart will bring its Community Corps program to D.C., enabling the organization to serve additional children in low-income neighborhoods of the District.
Washington City Paper Give It Up, D.C.
November 2012
Washington City Paper and the Catalogue for Philanthropy guide to giving in 2012 in the DC region.
The Washington Post Jumpstart DC Hosts Scribbles to Novels
June 2012
Photo gallery about Jumpstart DC's Scribbles to Novels event featuring authors including keynote speaker R. Dwayne Betts.
WAMU A Neighborhood Tries to Start Anew
March 16, 2012
WAMU 88.5: Metro Connection report on the Parkside-Kenilworth Promise Neighborhood and Jumpstart's work in this community.
University/College Partners
American University
The Catholic University of America
Georgetown University
Howard University
The George Washington University
Trinity Washington University
University of the District of Columbia
Early Education Partners
Appletree Early Learning Public Charter School – Oklahoma Avenue Campus
Appletree Early Learning Public Charter School – Parklands Campus
Barbara Chambers Children's Center
Bennett Babies
Bruce-Monroe Elementary School
Center City Public Charter School - Shaw Campus
CentroNía
Dance Institute of Washington
Edward C. Mazique Parent Child Center
Elsie Whitlow Stokes Public Charter School
Excel Public Charter School
H. D. Cooke Elementary School
Jubilee Jumpstart
Kenilworth Elementary School
Langdon Education Campus
Malcolm X Elementary School
Matthews Memorial Child Development Center
Neval Thomas Elementary School
Rosemount Center
Sunshine Learning Center
Contact Info
Katey Comerford
Executive Director
202.393.4444
katey.comerford@jstart.org
Katie Willett
Senior Program Director
202.393.4449
katie.willett@jstart.org
Chris Darragh
Associate Program Director
202.393.4443
chris.darragh@jstart.org
Sandy Keith
Development Manager
202.393.2114
sandy.keith@jstart.org
Lindsay Grimes
Regional Operations Manager
202.393.2272
lindsay.grimes@jstart.org
Karen Bryson
Market Support VISTA
202.223.1760
karen.bryson@jstart.org
Site Staff
American University
Stacia Jackson
202.885.3157
staciaj@american.edu
The Catholic University of America
Kristin Dusch
202.319.6068
dusch@cua.edu
Georgetown University
Samantha Bertocchi
202.687.8575
spb60@georgetown.edu
The George Washington University
Elizabeth Huber
202.994.0833
emhuber@email.gwu.edu
Howard University
Charles Prince
202.806.7748
charles.prince@howard.edu
Trinity Washington University
Renetta Davis
202.884.9297
renetta.davis@jstart.org
University of the District of Columbia
Shana Chapple-Savage
202.274.5754
schapple-savage@udc.edu
Executive Director Bio
Katey Comerford
Executive Director, Jumpstart DC
Katey began her work with Jumpstart in 2004 as Program Director in Jumpstart’s Central Region office. In 2006, Katey transitioned to City Director for Jumpstart in Washington, DC and propelled the organization’s presence in the region. In fall 2009, Katey joined the national team under a branch of the Education & Program department called National Field Support. In her current role, Katey oversees the programmatic, development and operational support activities geared directly to work in Jumpstart in Washington, DC, including Jumpstart DC’s seven higher education partners and growth. For over 10 years, Katey has been working with non-profit organizations focusing on education, youth development, and civic engagement. Katey has a BA in Sociology from Kent State University and received her Masters in Social Work at Temple University.
