School of Interdisciplinary Studies

UT Dallas Jumpstart Program Makes Strides

If it takes a village to raise a child, University of Texas at Dallas Jumpstart volunteers are members of a village called Dallas - Fort Worth.

More than 30 volunteers currently work in three Dallas child care centers, assisting the staff as they work on literacy and social skills. The goal: Every child enters kindergarten ready to succeed academically, emotionally and socially.

Currently, 40 children are being served by Jumpstart at UT Dallas. Volunteers have completed 2,692 hours in daycare facilities and on service projects like trash pick-up and apartment complex rehabilitation.

“The Jumpstart program at UT Dallas contributes to the goals of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies by bringing together students from various majors to serve in the community,” said Irene Marroquin Bellatin, Jumpstart site manager. “The program has grown in the past year because the word has spread that Jumpstart members are making a difference in the community and having fun.”

Jumpstart activities will continue through the summer. Recruitment is currently underway for the 2010 - 11 school year.

Junior Jenny He, a chemistry major in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, joined Jumpstart in order to help children learn, much as she was helped as a young girl.

“Growing up as a first-generation American, neither of my parents spoke English,” said Jenny. “However, I was fortunate enough to have friends of my mom who did speak English. They would often help me with my homework when I was younger.

“Because of the time they spent with me, I developed a curiosity for knowledge and a good foundation for learning in school that brought me to where I am today.”

UT Dallas became an affiliate of the national nonprofit organization in summer 2008. Since 1993, Jumpstart has been pairing at-risk preschool children with adult volunteers in intensive, year-long relationships to build the literacy, social and emotional skills children need to thrive. Jumpstart is a volunteer program; however, UT Dallas participants who complete the service term may be eligible for work/study assistance, course credit or an AmeriCorps education award of up to $1,000 to use toward tuition, loans or books.

Anyone may volunteer to assist with service projects. Contact Irene Bellatin for more information by email or call 972-883-2024.