Senate Resolution No. 1575

BY: Senator PERSAUD

COMMEMORATING the 30th Anniversary of Jumpstart on
April 11, 2024

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
30th Anniversary of Jumpstart to be celebrated on April 11, 2024; 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 30-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 30th Anniversary of Jumpstart to be celebrated on April
11, 2024; and be it further

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