By Maria Alvarez, Program Director, Operation Jump Start
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As the new school year begins, Operation Jump Start (OJS) is more prepared than ever to support our students in their educational journeys. This year, as we finished our time as a Supporting
the Whole Student Through Mental Health and Wellbeing grantee, we’ve taken significant steps to ensure our scholars have everything they need to succeed, both academically and emotionally. We’re thrilled to share how we're bringing that momentum into
this year. Here’s a closer look at how we have prepared for this school year.
Expanding Our Team to Enhance Student Support
This year, we’ve made significant strides in building a robust support system for our students. To ensure that every scholar has access to personalized academic assistance, we’ve added a dedicated tutor to our team, ensuring our students can tackle their
coursework with confidence.
But we didn’t stop there! We also welcomed a new staff member who brings fresh insights and enthusiasm to our work. And for the first time in our history, we onboarded ten new MSW (Master of Social Work) interns—our largest cohort ever! These interns
are passionate and ready to make a difference, focusing on the social and emotional well-being of our scholars. Their support will be particularly valuable to those just beginning their higher education journey. With this expanded team, we’re better
equipped than ever to address the holistic needs of our students.
Empowering Students with Scholarships and Technology
We are thrilled to be disbursing scholarships to our deserving students, helping to ease the financial burden of higher education. Thanks to a generous donor, we are also providing new laptops to our scholars (application base). Whether they’re studying
from home or on campus, our scholars now have the technology they need to succeed.
College Readiness Meetings
Our interns and program staff have been working hard facilitating college readiness meetings and guiding students through the complexities of higher education preparation. These sessions are crucial for equipping our seniors (Class of 2025) with the knowledge
and skills they need to thrive in college. During these meetings, we make sure they apply to safety, match schools and at least one reach school— because you just never know! Additionally, we’ve engaged with our community to ensure that students are
prepared to file their Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in December.
Supporting Families with Parent Academy
Understanding that a strong support system is vital to student success, our Parent Academy will resume this month. These meetings are specifically designed for the parents and guardians of our OJS scholars. They provide valuable resources and guidance,
empowering families to support their children throughout their educational journey.
Sharing Our Practices and Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to the rest of the school year, we’re committed not only to the success of our students but also to sharing what we’ve learned with colleagues in education. Recently, five of our staff members attended the National College Attainment
Network (NCAN) 2024 National Conference, where members of our team had the honor of presenting at both a plenary session and a
workshop. We were excited to share the strategies and resources that have helped our students succeed, and we’re eager to continue collaborating with others in the field.
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