Status Update: All Jumpstart programming is currently on hiatus through the spring semester due to the COVID-19 outbreak and all Jumpstart offices are currently closed. For more information about Jumpstart events, including our spring Scribbles to Novels galas, visit our events page. Please check back soon for the latest information.

A Note from Jumpstart CEO Naila Bolus 

These are unprecedented times. On behalf of all of us at Jumpstart, I want to share an update with you about our COVID-19 response. It is our top priority right now to ensure the young children and families we serve, our college student volunteers, and our staff stay safe and supported. Given the growing university and preschool closures all across the country, it is now clear that this outbreak will significantly impact our programming over the next few months.

Our Children and Communities

Our goal right now is to be nimble, thoughtful, and creative in responding to this rapidly changing situation. We are committed to rallying our resources and moving swiftly to support communities in need. Together with our education team, we are currently developing innovative ways to support critical early learning for the children we serve—including leveraging technology to provide early literacy resources for children and families.

One thing is clear: our efforts are critical—perhaps now more than ever. That’s because we are keenly aware that our most vulnerable children will undoubtedly be hit hardest by the gaps in access to early learning opportunities that result from this outbreak. We will—without a doubt—need to double down on our efforts to support our youngest learners as soon as we are able and in order to prevent early education gaps from widening even further.

Be well and thank you,

Naila Bolus