Senate Resolution No. 3315

BY: Senator PERSAUD

COMMEMORATING the 26th Anniversary of Jumpstart to be celebrated on April 11, 2020

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 26th Anniversary of Jumpstart to be celebrated on Saturday, April 11, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Established in 1994, Jumpstart is a national early education nonprofit organization which delivers high-quality language, literacy and social-emotional programming to preschool children from under-resourced communities and promotes quality early learning for all; and

WHEREAS, The idea for Jumpstart began when college students Aaron Lieberman, Rebecca Weintraub, Jordan Meranus and David Carmel met while working at Ramapo Anchorage Camp, a residential summer camp in Upstate New York which serves children who are experiencing social, emotional, or learning challenges; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Aaron, Rebecca, Jordan and David started to notice the dramatic impact tailored, one-on-one attention and support was having on their young campers after just a few short weeks; and

WHEREAS, Inspired by the opportunity to build something with the potential for a deep impact on the lives of countless vulnerable children, these passionate entrepreneurs established a partnership with New Haven Head Start and began recruiting volunteers; and

WHEREAS, That first year, Jumpstart volunteers worked one-on-one with their assigned children, reinforcing the key academic and social skills all children need to succeed; they spent time with the children's teachers and met with families to provide an integrated effort to support the children in their growth and skill-development; and

WHEREAS, After the first pilot program wrapped up, the teaching staff at the New Haven Head Start reported 100% of the children participating in the Jumpstart program improved in both classroom behavior and skill level; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, Jumpstart has grown tremendously, training more than 50,000 college students and community volunteers, and transforming the lives of over 123,000 preschool children nationwide; and

WHEREAS, Today, this vital organization leverages partnerships with higher education institutions, community organizations, Head Start programs, community-based preschools, and school districts to create sustainable solutions in an effort to close the kindergarten readiness gap; and

WHEREAS, Jumpstart recruits and trains its college student volunteers from 10 universities and colleges throughout New York City to deliver quality support at its 40 preschool partner locations, serving nearly 1,500 children during the school year; and

WHEREAS, In addition, Brooklyn College students serve FirstStepNYC preschool, and during the summer months, volunteers provide a modified program designed to address regression prior to the start of kindergarten, reaching an additional 500 children; and

WHEREAS, Over its distinguished 26-year history, Jumpstart has demonstrated continuous service to the residents and communities which it serves; and

WHEREAS, The success of Jumpstart is in direct correlation to the efforts of its founders, Aaron Lieberman, Rebecca Weintraub, Jordan Meranus and David Carmel, as well as its dedicated volunteers, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 26th Anniversary of Jumpstart to be celebrated on April 11, 2020; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jumpstart.