March 2017 Alumni Newsletter

Alumni Survey: Early Results

Thank you to the 787 Jumpstart alumni who completed the 2016-2017 Alumni Survey, we loved hearing from you! We are still in the process of analyzing all of the data, and will soon begin using your feedback to enhance your experience as an alum.

In the meantime, here are a few highlights from the survey:

  • This experience enhanced your career. 89% of you agree that Jumpstart was a defining professional experience for you.
  • You want to continue to be involved in the Education field. 36% of you were majoring or minoring in a field related to education, child development, or human services before joining Jumpstart. Another 19% changed your major or minor because of their Jumpstart participation.
  • You want to stay involved with Jumpstart in some way.
    Almost all alumni (92%) said that they are interested in participating in future Jumpstart events or activities, such as volunteering at Jumpstart’s Read for the Record® (60%), attending networking gatherings (54%), and joining an alumni chapter in their area (61%). Interest in these activities stemmed from positive memories of Jumpstart (“I had such a great experience at Jumpstart and would love to continue in some way”), the possibility of networking opportunities (“I would like to meet more like-minded people…”), and a desire to stay civically engaged (“I want to take advantage of opportunities to give back in my community”).

Thank you for your time and thoughtful responses. We are excited to continue to be a positive force in your life!

“Working with children in Jumpstart made me realize how passionate I was about the right to education and also helped me realize that no job would ever be as amazing and fulfilling as teaching. I changed my major from International Relations to Child Development, the closest thing my university had at the time to education. I joined TFA right after graduation in 2012 and am still teaching in a low-income area at a job I adore, and it is truly all because of Jumpstart.”  – Survey Respondent

We Invite You to Join Our New Policy Advocacy Initiatives!

As a Jumpstart alum, you know the importance of offering high-quality early childhood education (ECE) opportunities to all children, provided by professionally-trained and well-compensated educators. While policy makers are showing a greater awareness that ECE is important, this has not necessarily been backed with new policies or funding. Jumpstart wants to change that, and YOU can help make a difference. If you are interested in getting involved in advocating for early childhood education with your local, state, and federal representatives, please email Mark Reilly, Jumpstart’s Vice President of Policy & Government Relations, at Mark.Reilly@jstart.org.

There is also action you can take right now!

Our AmeriCorps alumni also know personally the importance of national service. Jumpstart is ready to continue to advocate for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) – which runs the AmeriCorps and Foster Grandparent programs. Congress is preparing budgets for both the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years – now is the time is to let your members of Congress know that you are counting on them to support AmeriCorps! Click here for more details:  http://voicesforservice.org/call-congress-save-national-service/.

AmeriCorps Week 2017

Speaking of CNCS and AmeriCorps, this week (March 4-11, 2017) is AmeriCorps Week, a time when individuals, programs, and organizations honor and celebrate the contributions that 80,000 Americans make to their communities each year and the service of more than 1 million AmeriCorps alumni.

You can show your support by changing your social media profile pic (download here), and by sharing your favorite memories and stories of service by using the hashtag #AmeriCorpsWorks. Follow @AmeriCorps to learn more about how to participate in AmeriCorps Week 2017!

Career Corner

FAO Schwarz Fellowship with Jumpstart in New York

Looking for ways to continue to have an impact beyond your Jumpstart service? Want to earn full-time pay and join other fellows learning the ropes in high-impact nonprofit organizations? The FAO Schwarz Family Foundation Fellowship is a two-year program for recent college graduates designed to train future leaders in the education and youth development field and to strengthen high-quality youth-serving organizations.

Click here to learn more and to apply! Application deadline is April 30, 2017.

Urban Teacher Residency

Urban Teachers prepares career urban teachers with extensive support through a year-long residency, a master’s from Johns Hopkins University, and over 100 hours of 1:1 in person coaching.

The next deadline to apply is March 27th. Visit their website for more information!

Events

There many events coming up around the country, ranging from our Scribbles to Novels fundraising galas, Young Professionals Board events, and more.

Curious about other events around the Jumpstart network? Click here for a full list!

Want to make sure you receive the next Alumni Newsletter? Join the Alumni Network today!

 

 

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