Helping Students Achieve the Dream of a College Degree

Youth economic advancement

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

OJS is witness to the ongoing unmet need for college access programs and services for middle school, high school, and college students. Our organization seeks to improve and change the lives of promising youth from disadvantaged areas that have a dream of attending and graduating from a college or university. Although the graduation rates have significantly improved in Long Beach for our population, those who do graduate are not always properly prepared to pursue a college education. As evidenced by the most recent results of the California Assessment of Student Progress Test, less than 42% of economically disadvantaged 11th grade students in Long Beach meet or exceed expected standards in English and only 13% score proficient or advanced in Math (California Department of Education, 2023).

Our College Access Program serves students in grades 8th through 10th. For three years, students are equipped with the guidance and support of a mentor as they navigate through the challenges of high school with an eye toward college preparation. This extensive program provides vulnerable youth an average of 360 hours of personal mentoring, 150 hours of enrichment programming, as well as one-on-one tutoring and counseling as needed. Most of our volunteer mentors are involved in the community and offer OJS students the opportunity to participate in a variety of community outreach and extracurricular experiences, leading by example while encouraging civic engagement. The College Success Program goes one step further by increasing the persistence rate of college students, improving transfer rates of community college students to four-year colleges or universities and increasing the number of college students that earn a degree within 6 years of beginning higher education. College Success uses a two-fold approach to assist students as they work towards the goal of a college degree. The first is to prepare and support high school students for the challenges they will face gaining admission to and preparing to begin their college education. Then, once college admission is obtained, the program provides individualized case management, financial, educational, and emotional support. This support is designed to meet the specific needs of each college student.

Beyond the immediate educational and economic benefits for the individual students and their families, successful implementation of OJS programs will yield long-term societal improvements. Higher levels of educational attainment are associated with improved health outcomes, lower crime rates, and increased civic participation. These factors could contribute to an overall enhancement in the quality of life for residents across Los Angeles County.
In essence, the programs of Operation Jump Start have the potential to create a ripple effect of positive change throughout Los Angeles County. By investing in the education and future of vulnerable youth, these initiatives could help build a more equitable, prosperous, and engaged community. The comprehensive support provided by these programs, from high school through college completion, offers a promising pathway to transform individual lives and, by extension, the broader social and economic fabric of Los Angeles County.

OJS tracks each program participant's progress during their time in the program and outcomes at the end of their participation.
The specific OJS program goals are as follows:
Goal 1: 100% of high school students who participate in OJS programs will complete all grade-level courses needed for admission into state colleges and universities in California ('a-g' requirements as appropriate to age).
Goal 2: 85% of OJS graduates will begin college the fall after their high school graduation, and 80% will begin their education at a 4- year college or university.
Goal 3: Students beginning their education at a 2-year college will earn a minimum of 20 credit hours eligible for transfer to a 4-year college each academic year.
Goal 4: 75% of College Success program participants will obtain a bachelor’s degree within 6 years of beginning college.
Goal 5: 40% of students participating in mental health programs will report a reduction in academic stress and anxiety.