We love and welcome volunteers! As a volunteer, you will work with children, reading to them and engaging them in literacy activities. Other duties include materials creation, translation, and special projects.  Volunteering with us is great way to be involved in the community, meet other dedicated people, and have fun with kids! For more details, please click here for short-term opportunities, and here for long-term opportunities.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Nicole at nicole.sirivansanti@jstart.org . Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!

Jumpstart Reader Program

Each year, one in three children enters kindergarten without the skills to succeed. This early deficit has a lasting impact, affecting children’s long-term success. As a Jumpstart Reader, you can help.

Jumpstart Readers volunteer in San Francisco preschools and community centers to read to and engage children in fun and educational activities. Reading and conversation helps build children’s vocabulary, creativity, decision-making, and prepares them for school success.

 Volunteers receive abbreviated versions of Jumpstart trainings focused on dialogic reading and the Jumpstart philosophy for working with children.  Reader responsibilities include the following:

• Volunteer at center for 2-4 hours a week for at least 6 weeks
• Consult with center to arrange a regular volunteer schedule and keep track of and report volunteer hours to Jumpstart
• Implement the Jumpstart reading method with children
• Assist with classroom activities
• Foster intrinsic motivation in children through play
• Help create a literacy-rich environment at the center
• Meet Jumpstart and center’s volunteer qualifications

If you want to make a difference in a child’s life and are interested in being a Jumpstart Reader, please fill out the attached  volunteer-reader-application and submit it to the address indicated on the form by Friday, June 20, 2008.

Upcoming Opportunities

Be part of the process to motivate parents to teach their children literacy at home! Jumpstart will be hosting a series of family workshops at 66 Raymond St., SF, CA 94134 and we need your help to work with the kids while parents learn about incorporating reading and literacy into everyday home life. You will be engaging children in reading and literacy-related activities. Workshops will be every Thursday beginning July 17 to August 21 from 4:30-7:30pm. If you’re interested in volunteer, please contact Nicole at nicole.sirivansanti@jstart.org or 415-536-5867 ext 124.

ELI Volunteer Orientation

Please review the following presentation before you arrive to the volunteer event to familiarize yourself with Jumpstart’s Early Literacy Initiative. This slideshow also includes tips for working with young children to help prepare you to be a more effective volunteer.