Paris Jones Youth Development Coordinator pjones@leapforkids.org Paris (she/her/hers) I am the Youth Development Coordinator, which means I oversee the Leaders In Training Program, our young teen program, and work with youth ages 13-15. I joined LEAP in January 2019. I am an alumna from Johnson & Wales University, and I have a B.S. in Counseling Psychology. I love LEAP because LEAP is a place where children, teens, and young adults all find themselves and learn how to give back to the communities that they come from. Some hobbies I have are reading, painting, yoga, and of course, shopping.

Staff Only Leap 2020

At Home Educational Activities The New Haven Public Schools are providing packets for kids to do school work from home. But that may still leave a lot of time in the day when we kids can be doing fun learning activities. Here are some options: If your child is in LEAP and needs some help with their homework, do not hesitate to contact their counselors or site coordinator via phone or email. Site coordinators can be emailed through the About/Staff section of this website. Scholastic offers activities for children from pre-K through grades 6 and up. The American Federation of Teachers has a wealth of resources to help with learning at home from Pre-K through high school. They also have materials on social-emotional learning and an online discussion community for people to share ideas, lesson plans, and resources. This is a resource that is useful for educators and community youth workers. The New Haven Free Public Library has a wonderful list of free activities, including many that do not require a library card. The State Department of Education and educational consultants in English, Social Studies, Science and Math have gathered resources for families to support their children’s learning. These resources and materials are broken down by grade level (Pre-K through 12th grade). Khan Academy has a variety of rich educational resources and video lessons that parents, teachers, and students can use to structure each day of learning in core subjects and offer introductions to new topics not typically taught in school. Khan Academy is also offering free PSAT and SAT test prep materials and lessons. Attached you will find activities to do at home, courtesy of New Haven Park and Recreations Department. Check out this Calendar of Virtual Field Trips . See the Louvre in France, Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, or Polar Bears in the Tundra! The Calendar is from April/May but the trips have not expired. Sportsometry is helping 2nd-4th graders with math homework Gather New Haven has compiled online resources for students focused on the natural environment and science. Internet Needs Talking to Kids about COVID-19 Medical Needs COVID-19 Updates Food & Unemployment Free Online Books At Home Activities LEAP Activity Videos

Children's Afterschool Program Application (ages 7 to 12) Please note that when you are done filling out the application, you must click Submit Form at the end of the application. You cannot save the form and return to it. Afterschool Program Application Fall 2025 Dates: September 29th to December 11th *Application does not automatically save. When you complete the form, you must press SUBMIT FORM at the end. If you refresh or leave this page, any entered information will be lost.*

Julia's Run Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM Edgewood Park Thanks for joining us! Julia's Run for Children celebrates the legacy of Julia Rusinek and embraces the ideals for which she lived. Julia was a student at Yale College, and she dedicated her summers and her free time to working with or on behalf of underprivileged children. This year's run took place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM in New Haven's historic Edgewood Park! The proceeds of this event support LEAP's programming. Our LEAP kids are busy learning and building community together through our phonics program, revamped aquatics program, and college application readiness resources. Check out photos from this year's run in the slideshow above! Thank you to our Julia's Run 2025 Sponsors & Contributors! Athlete Friend Neighbor In Kind Donations

Check out articles on LEAP through the years. Press Archive For the Latest News, check out our News page here ! 20 22 100s Turn Out for the Nutcracker at the Q December 6 2022 | New Haven Independent LEAP holds 'thankful dinner' for New Haven children November 22 2022 | WTNH News 8 New Haveners Celebrate the Spookiest Night of the Year November 2 2022 | Yale Daily News Q House Halloween Lets Kids Be Kids October 31 2022 | New Haven Independent What's Right With Schools: New Haven students continued learning over the summer September 6 2022 | WTNH News 8 New Haven High School Grads LEAP Forward July 25 2022 | New Haven Independent Read-In LEAPs Into Summer on the Green July 18 2022 | The New Haven Arts Paper LEAP Reading event held on the New Haven Green for kids July 15 2022 | WTNH News 8 LEAP Read-In Combats Summer Slide July 15 2022 | New Haven Independent LEAP Exec. shares info on Annual Read-In Event July 14 2022 | WTNH News 8 Biden Administration Visits New Haven's Progress on Building More Equitable Access to Healthy Foods July 8 2022 | WSHU Public Radio Q House Farmers Market Launches, With New Mac & Cheese Twist June 23 2022 | New Haven Independent $194K Seed Planted in Dixwell Food Desert June 20 2022 | New Haven Independent New Farmers Market Coming to New Haven to Help Feed City Residents June 20 2022 | WTNH News 8 27th LEAP Year Dinners Raise $320K For Youth March 7 2022 | New Haven Independent Dream House February 16 2022 | Daily Nutmeg LoveBabz LoveTalk with Henry Fernandez February 10 2022 | LoveBabz LoveTalk with Babz Rawls-Ivy LEAP Leaps into Quinnipiac Meadows February 3 2022 | New Haven Independent "LEAP Year" Dinner-Convos Loom, Some In Person, Some Zoomed February 2 2022 | New Haven Independent 2021 27th LEAP Year Dinners Raise $320K For Youth March 7 2021 | New Haven Independent Hopes High As New Q House Ribbon Cut November 6 2021 | New Haven Independent New Haven's All-New Q House Set to Debut October 29 2021 | New Haven Register New Haven's Iconic Q House to Return After Nearly 20 Years October 22 2021 | NBC Conneticut As Opening Nears, Q House Qs Answered October 22 2021 | New Haven Independent Rally Readies Return to School, In Person August 16 2021 | New Haven Independent LEAPers Travel the Globe in Summer Showcase August 10 2021 | New Haven Arts Paper Summer Camp Spotlights Biking ABCs July 28 2021 | New Haven Independent What’s Right With Schools: New Haven LEAP Program prepares kids to go back to the classroom July 22 2021 | News 8 WTNH At Read-In, Students and Symphony LEAP Back Into Books July 19 2021 | New Haven Arts Paper Q House-LEAP Contract Approved July 8 2021 | New Haven Independent LEAP-Q House Contract Advances May 11 2021 | New Haven Independent LEAP-Q House Contract Proposal Submitted April 5 2021 | New Haven Independent LEAP Tapped to Manage Q House April 1 2021 | New Haven Independent LEAP Celebrates With First-Ever Virtual Fundraiser March 1 2021 | New Haven Independent LEAP’s Famous Fundraiser Goes Virtual January 29 2021 | New Haven Independent 2020 Academic and Social Enrichment with Henry Fernandez of LEAP for Kids December 14 2020 | Comcast Newsmakers New Haven LEAP program continues helping at-risk kids with schooling during pandemic September 15 2020 | WTNH LEAPers Reimagine Dixwell Avenue July 23 2020 | Arts Council Greater New Haven LEAP, National Dairy Council Encourage Healthy Eating, Exercise in New Haven Summer Camps July 21 2020 | WTNH How LEAP Salvaged Summer July 15 2020 | New Haven Independent LEAP Counselors See “Breaking Point” On Policing June 10 2020 | New Haven Independent Chromes for Kids June 9 2020 | New Haven Independent Adapting and Responding to Challenging Times April 30, 2020 | WTNH News Nonprofit Fills Covid-Related Gaps For Families April 1, 2020 | New Haven Independent LEAP To Start Video-Based Programs During COVID-19 Mar 19, 2020 | New Haven Independent LEAP Celebrates 25th Anniversary Mar 3, 2020 | New Haven Independent LEAP Year Celeb Dinners On Tap Jan 18, 2020 | New Haven Independent Teen Follows Mom’s College Dream Jan 10, 2020 | New Haven Independent 2019 LEAP: Surrounding Kids With Approachable Neighborhood Role Models is Key to Success Nov 8, 2019 | Kars4Kids Spooky Doings Planned Oct 23, 2019 | New Haven Independent YHHAP to host nonprofit meet and greet Oct 11, 2019 | Yale Daily News New York Life Foundation Awards $1.35 Million in Grants to Out-of-School Time Programs to Help Middle School Students Transition to 9th Grade July 24, 2019 | New York Life Community Connections: LEAP June 2, 2019 | Connect Media Julia’s Run celebrates two decades April 14, 2019 | Yale Daily News 20th Annual Julia’s Run for Children April 14, 2019 | New Haven Register Road race to benefit New Haven’s LEAP, honor Yale student who died in 1999 March 18, 2019 | New Haven Register USA Swimming Foundation Awards $507,461 of 2019 Grant Funding for Make a Splash Local Partners March 25, 2019 | Swimming World Editorial Team Evening Raises Consciousness, 200K For Young People March 3, 2019 | New Haven Independent LEAP Plans Major Fundraiser Feb 24, 2019 | Yale Daily News Learn + Dine Feb 7, 2019 | New Haven Independent 2018 LEAP Book Drive Hits The Suburbs Dec 16, 2019 | New Haven Independent LEAP hosts 10th annual Halloween festival Oct 28, 2018 | Yale Daily News CT LIVE!: LEAP's Halloween Festival October 23, 2018 | NBC CT Trick or LEAP October 22, 2018 | New Haven Independent LEAP re-opens fifth site October 08, 2018 | Yale Daily News LEAP looks to help kids make life-changing choices while learning crucial skills. July 18, 2018 | WTNH News LEAP's Read-In Rocks The Green July 12, 2018 | Arts Council of Greater New Haven LEAP mixes sunny weather with spoken words at Read-In July 13, 2018 | New Haven Register Bookworms swarm New Haven Green for "Leap Read in Green" event July 12, 2018 | WTNH News LEAP Children's Program May 17, 2018 | Comcast Newsmakers Why Are Minority Children In The US More Likely To Drown? May 16, 2018 | WNPR News LEAP receives Hearst Foundations grant May 10, 2018 | CT Post Nonprofit receives grant for swim program April 25, 2018 | Yale Daily News LEAP Awarded $35K Grant to Expand Programs April 17, 2018 | NBC CT New Lifeguards Minted April 15, 2018 | New Haven Independent Despite cold, nearly 250 participate in Julia’s Run April 14, 2018 | Yale Daily News Julia’s run goes into its 19th year April 10, 2018 | Yale Daily News USA Swimming Foundation Awards Over $436,000 in 2018 Grant Funding for Make a Splash Local Partners March 26, 2018 | US Swimming Foundation Chris Murphy Visits Wakanda March 18, 2018 | New Haven Independent Kids LEAP into Wakanda March 05, 2018 | New Haven Independent Nonprofit presents Black History Month showcase February 15, 2018 | Yale Daily News

Check out photos of LEAP activities for young people. Activities Gallery Gardening 1/8 Literacy IMG_2947 fullsizeoutput_32de fullsizeoutput_413f IMG_2947 1/14 Swimming IMG_8091 IMG_8085 IMG_8097 IMG_8091 1/8 Sculpting A counselor sculpts a portrait alongside her group. 1/8 LEAP Computer Learning Center (LCLC) 1/8 LITs Go to Philadelphia 1/12 LIT Camping Describe your image. Describe your image. Describe your image. Describe your image. 1/9 Adam Krieger Adventure Ropes Course IMG_3501 IMG_3507 IMG_3506 IMG_3501 1/5 Outdoor Corps & Peabody Museum 1/9

Learn about LEAP's programs for children and young teens both after school and summer. Fill out an application for your the afterschool program, summer program, or the Leaders In Training program. Programs Overview Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership, Inc. (LEAP) was founded in 1992 by educators, students, and community activists to address the historic disinvestment in young people of color in our city. In our two community centers and seven neighborhood-based sites, we provide children with a welcoming place to learn, explore and grow, while offering teens and young adults a platform to find their voice and become leaders and role models. Afterschool Children's Program What Homework assistance, extra reading, activities including athletics, arts, computer science, cooking, and gardening. When + Where The program operates after school Monday-Thursday from 3 pm - 6 pm. LEAP operates in 8 neighborhoods. Who This is for children ages 7-12 who live in one of our 8 neighborhoods. Summer Children's Program What Literacy, athletics, arts, computer science, cooking, and gardening + field trips around New Haven. When + Where The program operates after school Monday-Thursday from 8:30 am - 4 pm, Friday from 8:30 - 1pm. LEAP operates in 8 neighborhoods. Who This is for children ages 7-12 who live in one of our 8 neighborhoods. Leaders in Training Program What Participate in unique programming just for teens and intern with counselors working with younger children When + Where Afterschool: Mon-Thurs 3pm - 7pm Summer: Mon-Thurs from 8:30 am - 4 pm, Friday from 8:30 - 1pm Who This is for teens aged 13-15 who come from any neighborhood. They will receive a stipend. Swimming Program What Swim lessons for a fee to children and adults who want to learn to swim or improve their skills. When + Where See more details + cost on this page! Who There are classes for children 5-17 and adults 18+ . Make LEAP Children a Part of your Legacy! DONATE

Learn about and apply for the afterschool program for kids ages 7 to 12. Afterschool Children's Program LEAP's afterschool program combines homework assistance with extra reading and activities, including athletics, arts, computer science, cooking, and gardening. All programs are overseen by an experienced site coordinator with trained counselor pairs drawn from local colleges and high schools. LEAP's afterschool program is free for participants. what who LEAP's afterschool program is available for children ages 7 to 12 who live in one of our five neighborhoods (what matters is where the child lives, not where he or she goes to school): Dixwell Fair Haven The Hill Dwight-Kensington (including West River) Quinnipiac Meadows The program operates after school Monday-Thursday from 3 pm - 6 pm. LEAP operates in five neighborhoods at these local sites (find more info below): Dixwell Fair Haven North Fair Haven South Hill South Dwight-Kensington Quinnipiac Meadows when & where Apply for our Fall 2025 Program Here! Application in English Aplicación en Español 2025 Fall Component Information Our in-person programs will include: LEAP groups will meet in schools and community spaces to complete homework, engage in literacy activities, and have fun projects including arts, sports, dance, computer learning, and community walks. Start Date and Times: The program will begin Monday, September 29th, and will end Thursday, December 11th. It will run from 3pm to 6pm Mondays through Thursdays. If your child is not feeling well or someone in your house has COVID-19 symptoms, please keep your child home. If there is someone who is vulnerable to COVID-19 in your household (for instance a senior citizen or someone whose immune system is compromised), then it may not make sense for your child to participate in our in-person program. Important LEAP Dates and Closures for Children’s Programming Fall 2025 ●September 29th - First Day of Fall Leap Programming ● October 2nd - No LEAP (Yom Kippur) ● October 13th - NO LEAP (Indigenous People Day) ● October 22nd - No LEAP (Early Dismissal) ● November 4th - No LEAP (Election Day) ● November 11th- No LEAP (Veteran's Day) ● November 19th- No LEAP (Report Card Night K-8) ●November 26th-27th - No LEAP (Thanksgiving Recess) ● December 4th - Last Day of Fall LEAP Programming Dixwell Site Coordinator: Darcus Henry Jr. School Operating Site: Wexler-Grant School Fair Haven North Site Coordinator: Daikichi Washington School Operating Site: Clinton Avenue School Fair Haven South Site Coordinator: Jahvon Soto School Operating Site: Family Academy of Multilingual Exploration Hill South Site Coordinator: Emiya Pearse School Operating Site: Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy Dwight-Kensington Site Coordinator: Tamia Scott School Operating: Augusta -Lewis Troup School Quinnipiac Meadows Site Coordinator: Alyssa Parrott School Operating Site: Ross Woodward School Site Information Check out our some of our other programs!

Thinking about making a donation to LEAP, or maybe you already are a donor? Either way, this page is for you. You can make a donation and learn about a range of ways to give now and in the future. Give to LEAP LEAP is a non-profit organization and all of our programs are free of charge. We rely on donors like you to carry out our mission. Every dollar you give to LEAP creates new and amazing opportunities for a child or teen. Donations are 100% secure and tax-deductible. Donate LEAP's Tax ID Number: 22-2906547 Our Impact To view LEAP's financial documents and learn more about our funding challenges Financial Information To view LEAP's financial documents and learn more about our funding challenges Reasons to Donate To learn more about why donating to LEAP matters now more than ever Planned Giving Options To learn more about ways to make a planned gift to LEAP and how to join the LEAP Legacy Society Donor Privacy Policy: LEAP does not share, sell or trade our donors' names or other personal information with any other entity, nor do we contact our donors on behalf of other organizations. Information for Donors Donate Today You can make a secure online donation by credit card, wallet, or direct debit to support academic and social enrichment for New Haven youth. If you want to dedicate your gift to a friend or relative, p lease click "One-time donation" and check the box "I would like to dedicate this gift." If you want us to notify someone about your donation, please check the box "I would like someone to receive communication about this gift," and we will inform them accordingly. Please be advised that our payment processing partner, Blackbaud, includes a pre-selected, automatically checked option to add a 9% contribution to their services during the transaction process. This contribution supports the maintenance and development of their platform. However, this is entirely voluntary and not required to complete your donation. To opt out of this contribution, uncheck the corresponding box on the payment form. Thank you for your support! Donate Become a Sustaining Donor Monthly recurring gifts provide steady, reliable support. Donate Donate by Mail Send your check to LEAP, 31 Jefferson Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Donations can be made payable to "LEAP." Give Appreciated Stock Donations go to Firm Name: Name: Janney Montgomery Scott DTC: 0374 Account #: 3234-9911 Account Name: LEAP, Inc. Support LEAP through the gift of an appreciated asset. Please notify Rachel Kline Brown (rklinebrown@leapforkids.org ) what is being transferred including the number of shares and who the donor is. Make a Planned Gift & Join LEAP's Legacy Society Remember LEAP in your estate plan for a specific dollar amount or percentage. By doing so, you will become a member of the LEAP legacy society. More Info Give Through a Donor Advised Fund If you have a donor advised fund, DAF Direct enables you to recommend grants to LEAP, directly from your DAF (sponsoring organizations are Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or BNY Mellon ). Simply click here go to our personalized Donor Advised Fund page. Once there, you can select the institution, the designation (how the funds should be used) and the amount of the gift. When you click the “Next” button, you will be taken directly to your donor advised fund provider. If your donor-advised fund provider is not listed, contact your provider directly with a request to make a grant to LEAP. LEAP's Tax ID Number: 22-2906547 More Info Other questions? Contact Rachel at rklinebrown@leapforkids.org

Get in touch with LEAP! Contact Us Get in Touch 31 Jefferson St, New Haven, CT 06511 203-773-0770 To send an email to a member of the LEAP staff, their address is the first letter of their first name + their last name at leapforkids.org. Ex: John Smith would be jsmith@leapforkids.org . For programming-related inquiries, please contact the following: Children's Program Deputy Director of Programs, Stefanie Vargas - svargas@leapforkids.org Leaders in Training Program Director of Programs, Nikilia Reid - nreid@leapforkids.org Aquatics Program Aquatics Manager, Elvert Eden - eeden@leapforkids.org For press-related inquiries , please contact our Communications Coordinator, Melissa Liriano, at mliriano@leapforkids.org . You can also email us with any questions by filling out this form. If you want us to be able to call you back, please be sure to include your phone number. Enter Your Name* Enter Your Number Enter Your Email* Subject* Type Your Message Here* Send Thanks for submitting! Locate Us! We Need Your Support Today! By Mail Make checks out to "LEAP" and send to: 31 Jefferson Street New Haven, CT 06511 Online Make a tax deductible donation‏. Click to Give Over the Phone It's easy to donate offline too. Tel: 203-773-0770 Make a Gift Today! DONATE

LEAP's lifeguards and swim instructors teach children to swim and keep our pool area safe. Learn more and find an application here. Lifeguard & Swim Instructors LEAP Swim Instructors and Lifeguards are high school or college students who want to help to save lives by teaching swimming to youth and adults. They should be strong swimmers or want to become strong swimmers. LEAP will provide the training needed to become certified swim instructors and lifeguards. You can download this application or you can pick up an application at the office. Please download and fill out the PDF below, and email to svargas@leapforkids.org . Apply to become a Lifeguard or Swim Instructor LEAP Swim Instructors and Lifeguards are high school or college students who want to help to save lives by teaching swimming to youth and adults. They should be strong swimmers or want to become strong swimmers. LEAP will provide the training needed to become certified swim instructors and lifeguards. You can download this application or you can pick up an application at the office. Please download and fill out the PDF below, and email to jobs@leapforkids.org . Apply for this Position Here! Lifeguard & Swim Instructor Application About the Position At LEAP, we teach youth to swim and be safe in the pool using a 5-level swimming curriculum. Children, teens and adults all take swimming lessons at LEAP. LEAP’s summer and after-school programs include swimming lessons as part of the curriculum. LEAP also offers community members low-cost swim classes in the evenings. If you are a good swimmer, want to promote swimming safety and help to save lives, then this job could be for you. In this role, you will need to have strong observation skills, the ability to communicate clearly with other LEAP lifeguards and swim instructors, and to react quickly in emergencies. You need to have at least basic swimming skills and the interest in learning to become a strong swimmer. Want to sign up for swim classes instead? See our Programs