Jump Start

Jump Start is a transformative one-to-one tutoring and mentoring program operating in the Illinois Youth Centers (IYC) in the new Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ). 

At its inception, the purpose of Jump Start was to help raise the literacy levels of incarcerated youth. We discovered that tutoring in reading and writing was only part of what was actually happening.

The Big Picture

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 aspect of the program is the emphasis on improving life skills and decision-making abilities. As a result, the tutors help strengthen the educational and counseling services 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 years of age 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 attributes 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 can do as a volunteer 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.

Jump Start 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.

Get Involved

Interested applicants should send an email to cjordan@lvillinois.org with the subject “Jump Start Volunteering.”