Jump Start is a one-to-one tutoring and mentoring program operating in the Illinois Youth Centers (IYC) in the new Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ). It is a joint venture between Literacy Volunteers of Illinois and School District #428 of the IDJJ. The program has also received support from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA), and was originally funded by a three-year grant from the Retirement Research Foundation. At its inception, the purpose of Jump Start was to help raise the literacy levels of incarcerated youth. It became obvious quite early that tutoring in reading and writing was only part of what was actually happening. That is, while the tutoring was helping youth improve their literacy skills, the tutors also began serving as mentors, bringing life experience, caring guidance and dependability to the young people with whom they were working. An important additional aspect of the program is the emphasis on improving the life skills and the decision making the process of the youth. As a result, the tutors assist in strengthening the educational and counseling ervices provided by the Youth Center.
Tutoring
Jump Start’s first volunteers were retired teachers, and while the focus of the program remains on retirees, we welcome individuals of all ages and backgrounds. However, most IYC locations do require that volunteers be 21 or older, so be sure to check with your location if you have questions about or want to double check your eligibility.
Our current tutors include homemakers, clergy, college students, business people, educators, social workers, and retirees. A background in education is not required, as training will be provided. The most important attribiutes to have are to be flexible, non-judgemental and committed to the student and the concept that positive change is a reachable goal. By giving one and a half hours per week of your time, you can help prepare youth for their eventual return to society.
Can it Make a Difference?
A study done by the National Center for State Courts and the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities shows the positive impact that tutoring can have. In the study, 970 juvenile offenders were randomly assigned to two equal-size groups: a study group whose members received tutoring services and a controlled group whose members did not. Researchers found that with 55-60 hours of tutoring the incidence for delinquent acts was significantly reduced. When tutoring increased to 100 hours, delinquency reduced to zero.
The Jump Start program cannot solve the myriad problems faced by at-risk youth. What you as a volunteer can do is help to lower the rate of recidivism among incarcerated youth through tutoring in literacy and life skills, and bringing both help and hope to them through mentoring.