January 10, 2013 – Katey Comerford, Executive Director of Jumpstart in Washington, DC, shares her mission to engage older adults in service to preschool children in low-income neighborhoods through Jumpstart's Community Corps program. The expansion of Community Corps to the DC metro area is made possible by a $40,000 grant award from Boeing.
Imagine starting a race knowing everyone will get a head start, except for you. Not exactly fair, is it? But for many children, this isn't too far off from reality.
That's because there are millions of children living in poverty who are not getting the high-quality early learning opportunities they deserve. When children start school behind, they stay behind — and most never catch up. By adulthood, our nation sees an increase in high school dropout rates, incarceration, and countless other remediation programs.
While these statistics are unsettling, we believe there's a clear solution and it starts with Jumpstart. Through our research-based, cost-effective program, we train college students and community volunteers to serve preschool children in low-income neighborhoods, both in the D.C. metro area and across the country. Our proven curriculum helps children develop the language, literacy and social skills they need to be ready for kindergarten, setting them on a path for lifelong success.
Read the full article on the Huffington Post.
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