Students offer 'jumpstart' on reading

umpstart, a national enrichment and literacy program, is pairing 20 University un-dergraduates with preschool children at the Carlson MetroCenter YMCA of Greater Rochester, the first Jumpstart site in Rochester. The one-on-one tutoring, which began in November, prepares the preschoolers for kindergarten and helps students earn money for college expenses.

For at least 10 hours each week, the college students help children enhance literacy, language, and social skills. The students also become part-time AmeriCorps members, earn a work-study award, and gain access to other career opportunities following graduation. The commitment continues for one year and can be renewed.

"Jumpstart offers college students a positive experience with preschool children, which impacts the lives of the children involved, builds their chances for success in school, and strengthens the neighborhood," says Burton Nadler, director of the College Career Center, where the Jumpstart office is located. From a career perspective, he noted, Jumpstart shows students the kind of job opportunities available in teaching and leadership in early childhood education.

Founded six years ago, the national program emphasizes the need for quality early childhood education by involving college students. Forty-four universities and colleges are current partners. (Details on the Web at www.jstart.org.)

In Rochester, the children are enrolled in the MetroCenter YMCA's child care program and live in the surrounding area. Besides working as individual tutors in the classroom biweekly, the students also assist the preschool teacher.

"College students get the chance to change a child's life while building their own leadership and teamwork skills and gaining vital professional experience," says Michelle Werth, an administrative assistant at the Career Center and site manager at Jumpstart Rochester.

Students selected for the program receive training and will interact with the children's families as the year progresses. University students who are interested in learning more about the program can contact Werth at x5-2366 or mdsn@mail.rochester.edu.

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