The Jumpstart program, which partners with BU Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, was instructed to slow down operations and end its partnership with BU by May 31 in wake of cuts to federal funding and diversity, equity and inclusion programs with AmeriCorps.
The grant-funded program serves as a federal work-study, allowing university students to mentor children ages 3 to 5 in Boston community preschools. Students who train under the program act as members of AmeriCorps.
After completing 300 hours, members receive education awards where students can pay educational expenses, repay qualified student loans and receive forbearance of accrued interest payments.
Alondra Hernandez-Cruz, the community engagement coordinator for Jumpstart at BU, wrote in an email to The Daily Free Press that Jumpstart has deeply impacted her since she first began as a team leader, helping her discover the aspects of education she is most passionate about.
“I learned as much from the children as they did from me,” she wrote.
Hernandez-Cruz wrote that student workers would face “significant” impacts from the cuts.
Student workers under Jumpstart “receive session plans, books, and materials to lead lessons twice a week focused on cultural awareness, social-emotional learning, and cognitive development,” Hernandez-Cruz wrote.
“This isn’t just a job — it’s an opportunity to make a difference,” she wrote. “[Students] put in countless hours, not just in sessions, but thinking about how to support these children holistically. Taking that away feels unfair.”
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s grant termination and dismantling of AmeriCorps, arguing the move was a violation of the Constitutional principle of separation of powers.
Kerry Fargnoli, the Jumpstart site manager, said the program has more than 35 BU work study students across seven Boston preschool classrooms, providing services to more than 120 children.
“It was a really valuable program for BU students to earn their federal work study, gain valuable life skills, gain classroom experience and support young children in their language, literacy and social, emotional development,” Fargnoli said. “That, to me, is the biggest loss.”
Fargnoli said Jumpstart would not renew its partnership at BU because there has been “uncertainty with funding across the board.”
Hannah Granger, a team leader for BU’s Jumpstart site, said the program allows her to help in classrooms with children who have special needs or who are on Individualized Education Plans.
The program creates trusting bonds with children, paving the way for early detection of developmental or learning challenges, Granger said.
“It hurts me because the motto for Jumpstart is ‘children first,’ and this is very clearly not putting children first,” Granger said. “This is putting protectionism first, and money first.”
Granger received a message in a group chat with fellow team leaders from Fargnoli Monday saying the California Jumpstart program received an immediate termination. California Jumpstart workers only received a portion of their awards.
Jumpstart members received an email from Fargnoli later that day saying they had until May 30 to complete their required hours towards their educator award.
“This outcome is deeply saddening, but changes in federal funding have played a significant role in this decision beyond our control,” Fargnoli wrote in the email to Jumpstart members.
Hernandez-Cruz wrote the impact stretches beyond students and the University, also impacting preschoolers, teachers and administrators.
“I’m unsure whether the children — especially those who’ve been with Jumpstart for years — fully understand what’s happening,” she wrote.
Gina Hutchinson, head of marketing communications and brand at Jumpstart, emphasized the organization is in active discussions with BU and other University partners to continue to maximize its impact on early childhood education.
“We are evolving, not ending, our program implementation and partnership with Boston University,” Hutchinson wrote in an email to The Daily Free Press.
Hernandez-Cruz wrote that many other programs are being impacted by federal cuts, and she urges people to educate themselves on how communities beyond their own are affected by the current policies and administrative decisions of the federal government.
“Knowledge is power — and action begins with awareness,” she wrote.