Julia's Run Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM Edgewood Park Thanks to those who joined us last year! 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 will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, 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 last year's run in the slideshow above! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE RUN Thank you to our Julia's Run 2026 Sponsors & Contributors! Friend Neighbors Gifts In Kind To Join Us As A Sponsor, contact earroyo@leapforkids.org

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. LEAP is opening a new After-School at King Robinson School (Newhallville) starting on December 8th and ending on May 26th. Please click on the orange button below if you wish to apply to the Newhallville After-School! Afterschool Program Application Spring 2026 (includes Dwight, Fair Haven North and South, The Hill, Quinnipiac Meadows and Dixwell - DOES NOT include Newhallville!) Dates: January 26th to May 7th ( This schedule does not include Newhallville!) *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.* Newhallville After-School

Staff Only Leap 2020

LEAP provides academic and social development programming to young children and teens using a unique model where college and high school students are trained and employed to be mentors and tutors to younger New Haveners. About Us 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. Then and now LEAP believes that young people have the intellect, enthusiasm, courage, and leadership potential to make real change. LEAP creates the space and marshals the resources so that young leaders can mentor, educate and care for the children of New Haven. Our mission is to develop the strengths and talents of young leaders who create and implement year-round, neighborhood-based programs designed to achieve positive outcomes for children living in neighborhoods that have historically experienced systemic disinvestment. Who We Are Our Vision 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. Since our founding, LEAP has grown to become a trusted community institution serving and empowering over 1,500 local young people annually. Our Challenge College and high school student counselors provide LEAP’s direct services to younger children. Their work is not easy as the systemic challenges faced by LEAP families are significant: The neighborhoods served by LEAP have child poverty rates ranging from 35% to 58%, more than three times the Connecticut average of 15%. This is why LEAP prides itself on employing over 200 young people and supporting their efforts to graduate high school and get into and graduate from college. We count among our alumni school teachers and principals, nonprofit executives, elected officials, business leaders, and community organizers. Age Groups See our Programs! Multi-Tier Mentorship Model LEAP values the opportunity for young people to grow within our organization, progressively taking on increased responsibility and leadership. Youth are organized into four age groups: Children (ages 7-12), Leaders in Training (ages 13-15), Junior Counselors (high school students), and Senior Counselors (college students). LEAP programming is tailored toward each child’s stage in development. For example, Leaders-in-Training start to take on new responsibilities by interning under counselors. Junior Counselors participate in extensive college prep and career advising to prepare them for high school graduation. Our success is reflected in our high retention rate. Fully one third of our counselors participated in LEAP themselves as children. Work for LEAP! Community and School Centric We serve children who live in five low-income and historically African American and Latino neighborhoods in New Haven: Dixwell, Dwight-Kensington, Fair Haven, the Hill, and Newhallville. LEAP runs our free afterschool and summer programming at New Haven Public Schools located in these communities, as well as at our community center in Wooster Square. In our programs, LEAP seeks to make the entire city available to young people, from library cards and free bus passes to long-term partnerships with the city’s cultural institutions and recreational organizations. Young people at LEAP learn in neighborhood community gardens, hear from guest speakers born and raised in New Haven, read on the New Haven Green, and apply critical thinking and creativity to reimagine a future for their communities. Read our Impact! Year-Round Programming LEAP runs year-round and is split into three components: fall after-school, spring after-school, and summer camp. Our after-school program is three hours a day, Monday-Thursday. Our summer camp is eight hours a day, Monday-Friday. Some stay for several years, moving up through our age groups. LEAP kids love spending time at LEAP's Roslyn Milstein Meyer Community Center, home to our library, swimming pool, computer lab, teaching kitchen, gym, dance studio, and community garden. Join a Program! City's Largest Youth Employer LEAP counselors are trained and paid to do the important and often hard work of mentoring, supervising, and guiding children. LEAP is the largest employer of youth in New Haven: we train and hire over 200 young adults each year. A job at LEAP includes professional development for the future with sessions on resume writing, financial literacy, applying to college, SAT preparation and much more. Employing youth after school and over the summer is proven by research to be highly effective in creating bridges to academic success while making neighborhoods safer for children and teens. Read Testimonials! Make LEAP Children a Part of your Legacy! DONATE

Maithé Ulloa Counselor Development Coordinator mulloa@leapforkids.org Maithé (she/her/hers) I joined LEAP in 2019 as a Senior Counselor. LEAP has allowed me to work with a diverse group of children and families who come from different paths of life. I love learning about the cultures and backgrounds of those who I work with. I received my bachelors degrees in Bilingual Elementary Education and Interdisciplinary Studies. I am currently working on my masters degree in School Counseling at Southern Connecticut State University. I am Ecuadorian and originally from East Hartford, CT, but currently reside in West Haven. During my free time, I enjoy listening to music, going on walks, and I also love to travel!

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

Staff Only Leap 2020

Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Loans Paying for College Presentation View This presentation covers the different ways that you will be able to cover the cost of college so that you can plan ahead. We suggest looking over this presentation with your family so you all have an understanding of how to prepare for the expenses of a college education! Financial Aid Resources Handout View This handout accompanies the "Paying for College" presentation and provides a list of helpful resources in understanding and preparing for the college financial aid process. Scholarship Tracking Worksheet View This spreadsheet is part of the "Paying for College" materials that should help you keep track of any scholarships that you apply to when trying to fund your college education. College Loan Tracker View If you will need loans to attend college, this tracker will help you stay aware of loan requirements and deadlines so you can eventually pay them off as quickly and correctly as possible. College Loan Tracker Walkthrough Video View No sure where to start with the Student Loan Tracker? LEAP's former Counselor Development Intern Durel Crosby explains how to use it in this brief video!

Want to volunteer at LEAP? Maybe your business or school group is looking for a volunteer opportunity? Or possibly, you are a student looking to intern? Learn more here. Internships & Volunteers The following is a list of possible internship or volunteer opportunities at LEAP throughout the year. Site Tutors and/or Assistants: Work directly with the Children’s Program by assisting counselors on site with homework help, reading activities, educational activities and field trips for LEAP children. Community Center Tutors and/or Assistants: Work within the LEAP Community Center on various projects including (but not limited to) after-school and summer program assistance. Building, Facilities and Administrative Assistants: Work within the LEAP Community Center on projects related to facilities maintenance, administrative support, and clerical support, etc. LIT and JC Tutors: Work directly with the Youth Development Program by tutoring our Leaders-in-Training (ages 13-15) and Junior Counselors (ages 16+ in high school) in various academic topics including math, science English, Foreign Languages, SAT preparation, etc. Minimum: 1 hour a week for a full semester. Between 7 and 14 weeks, depending on the semester. Workshop Facilitators: Teach a weekly afternoon enrichment activity or workshop (known at LEAP as “resources”) for LEAP program participants in areas such as music, dance, arts and crafts, athletics, or another area of expertise. Alternatively, teach a one-time or series of professional development workshops for LEAP staff and board members. Minimum: 1 hour a week for a full semester. Between 7 and 14 weeks, depending on the semester. Library Assistants: Support LEAP’s librarian in organizing and cataloguing our library of over 3,000 books, which counselors use for literacy-based lessons and activities with LEAP participants. Development Assistants: Support fundraising campaigns, help plan events, write publications, create marketing materials and put together grant proposals in the Development Department. Finance Assistants: Assist with payroll and accounting tasks as well as perform clerical work in the Finance Department. One-Time Event Volunteers: Support LEAP as a one-time volunteer at one of our many community and/or fundraising events throughout the year. If you are unaware of LEAP’s upcoming events, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator (contact information at below). If you do not see an opportunity that interests you from the list above: please reach out to our Counselor Development Manager, Maithé Ulloa , at mulloa@leapforkids.org to discuss what your skills are and what you are interested in doing to support the work that LEAP does for our participants. If you wish to intern or volunteer at LEAP, please fill out the interest form linked below so we can help determine where we could best use your talents. Interest Form

Staff Only Leap 2020

LEAP hires and trains high school students to serve as Junior Counselors, responsible for mentoring and turtoring younger children. Learn more and find an application here. Junior Counselors Our Junior Counselors (JCs) are high school students who are paid members of the LEAP staff, and each works under the supervision of a Senior Counselor who guides and mentors them. LEAP Junior Counselors must be New Haven high school students 16 years old or older. LEAP employs approximately 100 JCs each year, full-time during the summer and part-time during the school year. Our JCs also receive resources such as professional development, financial literacy workshops, and academic coaching. Our goal is to prepare our young adults for successful futures, and part of this is ensuring that they can pursue higher education. Apply for our Program Here! Junior Counselor General Application About the Position LEAP Junior Counselors must be New Haven high school students 16 years old or older. In addition to working with children, you are required to participate in your own development including college access opportunities and tutoring when needed. The application for this position is at the bottom of this page. Our college access programming includes writing workshops focused on college essays, career fairs, college advising, a week-long out-of-state college tour, and financial aid training for parents. On our free college tour, JCs visit colleges along the East Coast, touring at least ten different colleges each year. LEAP also awards $13,000 worth of scholarships to our JCs entering college, rewarding them for their dedication and service to our LEAP community. *Application does not automatically save; if you refresh or leave the page, any entered information will be lost.* Younger than 16? Apply to be a LIT! Apply Here!

Check out LEAP's newsletters and recent news pieces on our work with young people and the community. The Latest LEAP News Newsletter Archive Press Archive Photo Archive In the Press New Haven Independent | 3.1.21 LEAP Celebrates with First-Ever Virtual Fundraiser New Haven Independent | 1.29.21 LEAP's Famous Fundraiser Goes Virtual Comcast Newsmakers | 12.14.20 Academic and Social Enrichment with Henry Fernandez of LEAP for Kids WTNH | 9.15.20 New Haven LEAP program continues helping at-risk kids with schooling during pandemic Arts Council of NH | 7.23.20 LEAPers Reimagine Dixwell Avenue Newsletters Summer 2020 Fall/Winter 2020 Spring 2020 Summer 2019 In the Press New Haven Independent| 3.9.26 31st LEAP Year Raises $600K+ Yale Daily News | 3.4.26 New Havens volunteer negoitatior Sits in the middle of town and gown New Haven Independent | 1.26.26 Get Ready For Another LEAP Year New Haven Independent | 11.26.25 LEAP, Peabody Team Up For “Night At The Museum” New Haven Register | 11.21.25 New Haven's 'Golden Swimmers' embracing swim, water aerobics after age 55 New Haven Independent | 11.17.25 Rose & Blanca Learn To Swim The Arts Paper | 10.27.25 Braving Federal Funding Cuts, LEAP Leaps Into Halloween New Haven Independent | 10.22.25 City To Grow Swim Program For Seniors NBC CT | 9.22.25 New Haven's Barack Obama Magnet school to receive state funding for afterschool WTNH News8 | 7.30.25 About 900 New Haven-area kids learn to swim with LEAP New Haven Register | 7.28.25 New Haven hopes to buy old UI 'English Station' island, build 'Mill River Park' New Haven Independent | 7.28.25 City Eyes English Station Transformation New Haven Independent | 7.28.25 Tutors & Tutees Celebrate Progress WTNH News8 | 7.25.25 New Haven Tutoring Initiative celebrates success of summer camp programs Fox61 | 7.25.25 New Haven Tutoring Initiatives hosts field day to celebrate its success Yale Peabody Museum | 7.24.25 Healing outdoors Over 900 New Haven youths have a special summer experience at Camp Cedarcrest New Haven Independent | 7.14.25 Teen Helps LEAP Secure Elevator Approval WTNH News8 | 7.11.25 Read-In on the Green supports summer literacy, community The Arts Paper | 7.11.25 Future Bookworms LEAP Into The Power Of Kindness New Haven Independent | 7.9.25 Kids LEAP Into Pool, In Fair Haven New Haven Independent | 7.3.25 Kids LEAP Into Pools New Haven Independent | 5.20.25 Now Hiring: Lifeguards, Swim Instructors New Haven Independent | 5.7.25 181 Run, Walk For A Cause Thru Edgewood Park New Haven Independent | 4.25.25 Julia’s Run Returns To Edgewood Park New Haven Independent | 3.7.25 LEAP Year Raises $500K Nyberg on WTNH News8 | 2.14.25 Nyberg: LEAP New Haven celebrates 30th anniversary LoveBabz LoveTalk with Babz Rawls-Ivy 103.5 WNHH | 2.7.25 LEAP, Henry Fernandez (The 30th Annual LEAP Year Event) WSFB Channel 3 | 1.29.25 Hello Connecticut chats with LEAP! New Haven Independent | 1.29.25 LEAP Year Turns 30 The Arts Paper | 11.27.24 LEAP Takes A Pause To Be Thankful WTNH News8 | 11.16.24 The New Haven Tutoring Initiative takes learning from the classroom to the community Yale Daily News | 11.08.24 LEAP wins $2 million grant from MacKenzie Scott New Haven Independent | 10.31.24 Spooooky Fun At Q House Halloween Fest New Haven Independent | 7.29.24 Campers Dribble, Shoot, Score! At The Q WTNH News 8 | 7.19.24 LEAP’s Read-In on the Green connects kids and community leaders The Arts Paper | 7.19.24 Young Readers Rejoice With A Book Or Two Of Joy New Haven Independent | 7.19.24 Hundreds Fill The Green … To Read! New Haven Independent | 6.28.24 LEAP’s Pool To Open This Summer, Too WNPR - CT Public Radio | 6.26.24 Diving into the state of swim access in CT WFSB Channel 3 | 4.23.24 After school counselors help New Haven students reach highest potential New Haven Independent | 4.18.24 LEAP Students Hit The Road Yale News | 4.09.24 Awards celebrate those strengthening bonds between Yale and city New Haven Independent | 3.21.24 Billionaire Gives LEAP $2M Fox61 | 3.20.24 4 Connecticut non-profits each get $2M in latest round of donations from MacKenzie Scott WFSB Channel 3 | 3.20.24 New Haven based non-profit gets recognized for its work with kids WTNH News 8 | 3.20.24 MacKenzie Scott donates $2M to Leadership, Education and Athletics in Partnership, Inc. in New Haven WTNH News 8 | 3.19.24 MacKenzie Scott donates $2M each to 4 Connecticut nonprofits WTNH News 8 | 3.19.24 Nyberg: New Haven organization offers help to youth The Arts Paper | 3.19.24 Deltas Recognize Five For Their 'Lighthouse Effect' New Haven Independent | 3.12.24 LEAP Raises $450k For Underserved Kids LoveBabz LoveTalk with Babz Rawls-Ivy 103.5 WNHH | 2.23.24 LEAP (29th Annual Leap Year Event) New Haven Independent | 1.30.24 29th Annual LEAP Year Event Approaches The Arts Paper | 11.22.23 A Night of Gratitude: Celebrating the LEAP Community With Thankful Dinners WFSB | 11.4.23 Book giveaway held to improve literacy skills in New Haven Newsletters Summer 2025 Fall 2026 Spring 2025 Fall/Winter 2025 Summer 2024 Spring 2024 Want to dive deeper into LEAP's history? Check out our Newsletter, Press and Photo Archives! Newsletter Archive Press Archive Photo Archive