Loyola Neighborhood News: Lake Shore Campus - V3, I7

In 2011, the Loyola University Chicago (LUC) Center for Community Service and Action (luc.edu/serve) partnered with Jumpstart (jstart.org), a national early education non-profit dedicated to helping children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be successful in school. The partnership allows LUC students to serve as AmeriCorps members, supporting children and families in the Rogers Park neighborhood while earning a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award for their 300-hour academic year commitment.

Jumpstart at LUC is currently partnering with Gale Math and Science Academy, Jordan Community School, and the Mary Crane Center.  Student teams deliver a focused curriculum twice a week and individual classroom assistance time. There are currently 46 Corps members from three universities, including LUC, Depaul and Northwestern, serving 151 children at five preschool partners in Rogers Park.

This past March 25th, 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore and Chief of Staff, Betsy Vandercook visited the Gale Math and Science Academy to attend and observe a Jumpstart Session.   As part of the day, Alderman Moore attended “Circle Time” during which he and his staff enthusiastically joined in singing The Itsy Bitsy Spider and The Five Little Ducks. They were very impressed with the school, the classroom, Jumpstart, and most importantly, the students.

The preschoolers learned that a community is the place where a person lives and includes their neighbors and friends they play with and it is Alderman’s job it is to make his or her community better and safer.  Later, the children discussed what they love about their community; topics shared were playing at the park, going to the beach, and attending school. They all said that they enjoyed doing these things with their family and friends!

For more information on Jumpstart at LUC, please visit luc.edu/serve/jumpstart, or contact Adam Serafin, Jumpstart Site Manager (aserafin@luc.edu, 773-508-8597).

- Madelyn VanderVeen
Jumpstart Corps member, Gale Math & Science Academy
Social Work, Class of 2014