Jumpstart to Host Jumpstart for a Day Celebrations Across New York City

Literacy and community celebration for young readers and families in all New York City Boroughs

NEW YORK (April 11, 2017) — Jumpstart, a national early education non-profit, will host its annual Jumpstart for a Day community events throughout April and May across four of New York City’s boroughs. Jumpstart for a Day will feature literacy activities and family resources to support young readers and their families, ensuring that all children start school prepared to succeed.

With a focus on early literacy and language skills, Jumpstart for a Day highlights the importance of family and community involvement for a child’s academic and life-long success. In addition to Jumpstart’s literacy programming, community based organizations will include: The New York Fire Department, SNAP, City’s First Readers, Empire Health Care, Queens Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, The Early Years Collaborative, and The Reads Initiative. City Council Members and New York State Senator Leroy Comrie will also conduct group read alouds, as well as address attendees on their support of Jumpstart’s mission and the importance of early literacy.

Jumpstart for a Day celebrations will offer children and parents from local communities — Lower East Side, South Jamaica, South Bronx, and East New York — the opportunity to engage in fun reading and literacy activities together. The event will encourage families and children to interact, explore, and learn together, as well as inform families of the importance of reading and learning together for their child’s learning and success.

An expected 200 children and families will attend each event. All children attending the event will receive a Jumpstart backpack filled with books and school supplies to take home. Community partner organizations will also provide resources and information on their accessible family services.

“Jumpstart for a Day is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Kerri Osborne, Jumpstart Vice President of Field Operations and Strategy. “The event allows Jumpstart to bring the magic of our program out of the classroom and into the community. We are able to work with our partners around NYC to engage children and their families in fun learning activities that strengthen language and literacy skills.”

Last year’s Jumpstart for a Day events provided over 550 children with critical literacy resources and community based resources.

Event locations & details:

• April 22, 2017, 12pm to 3pm – Seward Park, Lower East Side, Manhattan
• April 29, 2017, 12pm to 4pm – Rufus King Park, South Jamaica, Queens
• May 6, 2017, 12pm to 4pm – Crotona Park, South Bronx
• May 13, 2017, 12pm to 4pm – Highland Park, East New York, Brooklyn

ABOUT JUMPSTART

Jumpstart is a national early education organization working toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. Jumpstart delivers a research-based and cost-effective program by training college students and community volunteers to serve preschool-age children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven curriculum, these children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for kindergarten, setting them on a path for lifelong success. Jumpstart is also a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. Learn more at jstart.org and follow us on Twitter at @Jumpstartkids.

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