Are you a teen trying to get into college -- or do you know one? Learn more here about the college application process, financial aid, and skill building resources. LEAP College Lifesavers Welcome to LEAP College Lifesavers! LEAP aims to support all of our counselors in their post-secondary goals and has created a series of resources for counselors to use to help in that process. Please review, download and use the resources made available below as you prepare for the college application process, figure out financial aid and develop your skills for entering the professional world. College Application Process View Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Loans View Professional Skills Resources View

LEAP Year Event 31 Years & Counting Watch the 2026 LEAP Year Event Reception Livestream below! LEAP Year Event Reception – Thank You for an Extraordinary Evening! Thank you to the more than 300 supporters who joined us on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Dixwell Community (Q) House for the LEAP Year Event Reception. The energy in the room reflected the strength and heart of the LEAP community. We are especially grateful to our inspiring speakers, our dedicated counselors and staff, and our generous dinner hosts who welcomed guests into 23 locations across Greater New Haven following the reception. Your leadership and commitment to LEAP’s mission made the evening deeply meaningful. We extend heartfelt thanks to our Guests of Honor, Martin Looney and Madeline Negrón , for their partnership and steadfast support of New Haven youth. Additional LEAP Year dinners will take place on Saturday, February 28; Monday, March 2; and Thursday, March 5, continuing the celebration and conversations across the community. Because of this incredible community, the 2026 LEAP Year Event has raised more than $600,000 to support LEAP’s free, year-round programs. To everyone who attended, hosted, sponsored, volunteered, and gave: Thank You . Your generosity ensures that LEAP continues opening doors of opportunity for young people across Greater New Haven. LEAP Year Event '26 Photos Thank you to our 2026 LEAP Year Event Sponsors Superhero Champions with David Moulton Roger Ibbotson Heroes Roz & Jerry Meyer Julie Wilson Joann Thompson & Robert Alvine Leader The Scillia Family Stacey & Hap Perkins with Carol Sirot Mentors Dr. Marcus McFerren Jacqueline Koral Henry Lord Dick and Marissa Ferguson Educator Cynthia Mann, MD Marna Borgstrom & Eric Borgstrom Diane Ariker Athlete Jody Ellant with Dorothy Robinson Charles and Dinny Wakerley Beverly Hodgson & John Leventhal Ruby Melton & Gail McAvay Ellen Shuman & Doug Rae Beverly & John Hodgson Celeste Suggs & Joel Zackin Kaaren Janssen & Robert Jaeger Elizabeth & Miles Lasater Dorothy Robinson Ann Calabresi Partners With... Waterbury Building Trades Council Alison Bonds & Larry Levine John S. Nussbaum Allie Perry & Charles Pillsbury Jason & Christina Price Bonnie Becker & John Krystal Katherine McKenzie & Kraig Crews Sue McDonald & Corey Stone Terry and Carl Porto Friends The Foundation And The Health Center With & Kenneth Boroson Architects LLC Helen Kauder and Barry Nalebuff Lisa Stanger & Greg Colodner Constance Clement Joseph & Myra Zelson Kathryn Hill & Gerald Kahn Ellen & Robert Scalettar Lynne & Mark Schpero Marian Chertow & Matthew Nemerson Neighbors Apex Security Systems, LLC Wayne Card Mary Jane Burt JOIN US AS A SPONSOR! To Learn More About What Sponsorships We Offer Click Here Thank you to our LEAP Year Event Planning Committee Eliana Arroyo Ann Baker Pepe Alison L. Bonds Rachel Kline Brown Ruofan Chen Jack Ciccolo Judy Clark Susan Kerley Jacqueline Koral Melissa Liriano Cynthia Mann Zehra Patwa Fallon Thomas

Check out photos of LEAP kids and counselors through the years. Photo Archive 1992 1992 Describe your image 1992 1/24

Formulario de Aplicación Programa de año académico (de 7 a 12 años) * La aplicación no se guarda automáticamente; Si actualiza o abandona esta página, se perderá cualquier información ingresada. * Para completar la aplicación en español, cambie el botón de traducción a español en la parte superior derecha del formulario a continuación.

Let LEAP help you find important resources during the COVID-19 global pandemic. COVID-19 Resources Important Information for Kids, Parents & Families Regarding COVID-19 Internet Needs Talking to Kids about COVID-19 Medical Needs COVID-19 Updates Food, Rent & Unemployment Free Online Books At Home Activities LEAP Activity Videos

Reasons to Donate to LEAP COSTS RISING... ...FUNDS FALLING LEAP is one of the largest youth employers in New Haven. We train and hire over 200 young people as counselors every year, and their salaries are our largest cost, making up a third of our annual expenses. Starting in Oct. 2019, Connecticut's new minimum wage law requires counselor pay to increase an additional $1/hour each year for five years. LEAP supports the new law because it will make a big difference for many of our families. But we will have to raise an additional $1 million over the next five years to ensure that we do not need to make program cuts. LEAP has relied on support from the Connecticut State Department of Education since we were founded 27 years ago. However, the government has been decreasing its funding for LEAP over the last five years due to general state budget cuts. Since 2015, our state funding has decreased 63%; state funding went from 40% of our total budget in 2015 to 14% of our budget in 2019. We must continue to diversify our funding sources and rely less on state funding in order to ensure LEAP's future financial stability. $375,000 $300,000 $225,000 $150,000 $75,000 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Additional Costs Due to Min. Wage Increase $281,000 $312,000 $462,000 $620,000 $750,000 $312,000 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 State Funding for LEAP Despite these challenges, LEAP is still growing and improving our programs for young people! LIT PROGRAM Our Leaders in Training (LIT) Program fills a gap in services for young teens by providing 13-15 year olds a safe, enriching environment when they are not in school. Since 2018, LEAP has been growing the LIT Program; we plan to add additional LITs each summer. 50 100 LITs in summer 2018 LITs in summer 2021 COLLEGE ACCESS 100% of LEAP high school seniors graduate and are accepted to college; however, as guidance counselors are cut from the public school system budget, LEAP is expanding our college access support to help students ultimately attain an affordable degree, not just get into college. Our services will include: Scholarship opportunities Financial aid counseling PSAT/SAT prep Essay workshops Week-long college tour CHILDREN'S PROGRAM Aquatics: LEAP will continue to teach boys and girls how to swim. We also will expand our swimming curriculum so our own swim staff are Red-Cross certified to train lifeguards. Literacy: LEAP's summer literacy program is a big part of how we make sure students stay on track in school. LEAP plans to hire an experienced educator as a new full-time staff member to improve our literacy curriculum and counselor training. LEAP Computer Learning Center: LEAP kids build robots, code apps, edit videos, and more. We are starting a free Saturday Code Camp for kids who want to learn even more. Resources: From gardening, to cooking, to dancing⁠—LEAP kids get to have fun and explore. Camping: learning natural science by exploring nature Summer Journeys: expanded from 1-day to 3-day out of state trips Kids discover museums, libraries, universities, and more!

LEAP is a great place to work, with unique opportunities. If you are a college or high school student looking for counselor positions or someone interested in a full time position in youth development, check LEAP out. Work for LEAP LEAP is structured so that children are surrounded by strong role models — college and high school students trained by LEAP to be mentors, instructors, and counselors. Following our mentorship model, many children who participate in LEAP grow up to become counselors themselves, or even full-time program staff. Many LEAP counselors have gone on to become teachers, principals, elected officials and community leaders — maintaining their commitment to children from low income neighborhoods. LEAP is committed to finding highly motivated counselors who work hard and believe in our kids. Thus, in addition to the application, a rigorous in-person interview is required. If this sounds like you, please apply! Our Positions LEAP Junior Counselors must be New Haven high school students 16 years old or older. Junior Counselors LEAP Senior Counselors must be college or graduate students in good standing at a 2- or 4-year college or university. Senior Counselors LEAP Swim Instructors and Lifeguards are high school or college students. Swim Staff Full time staff support LEAP’s work. Full-Time Positions Newly hired staff can access required materials here. New Hire Information There are many opportunities to help out at LEAP. Volunteer Want to enroll in a program instead? Afterschool Children's Program Summer Children's Program Leaders in Training Aquatics Check out our Programs Here!

Art Fitness Read-Alouds Dance Kung Fu & Music LEAP Activity Videos Art Classes with Alicia Cobb Ripped Paper Project (1 hour) Language Monsters Self-Portraits Project (1 hour) Art Day of the Dead memes inspired by Jose Guadalupe Posada (1 hour) Sun Moon Portraits Project (1 hour) Positive Negative Art Project (1 hour) Pointillism Flowers Project (1 hour) Fitness Classes with Taivon Jones Fitness Fitness Class Quarantine Theme Workout #1 Fitness Class Quarantine Theme Workout #2 Virtual Fitness Class (about 10 minutes) Anna Simon Reading My Father's Dragon Part 1 Read-Alouds Anna Simon Reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing Chapters 1 and 2 Read-Alouds Anne Northrup Reading Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan Anne Northrup Reading The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan Part 1 Anne Northrup Reading The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan Part 2 Wendy Simmons reading Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkney Anne Northrup Reading Peter and the Starcatchers pt 1 Anne Northrup Reading Peter and the Starcatchers pt 2 Dance Lessons Dance African Dance Lesson #1 Provided by Art in CT African Dance Lesson #2 Provided by Art in CT African Dance Lesson #3 Provided by Art in CT Kung Fu & Music Kung Fu & Music Mitchell Jay Kung Fu Lesson 1 Steven Riccio Music Lessons Introduction

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!

LEAP's board of directors combines unique and diverse skills with a commitment to Creating A New Haven for our Children. Board of Directors Rick Antle, Ph.D. Board member Anne Tyler Calabresi Co-Founder Adriana Arreola Joseph Vice Chair Susan Biel Kerley Treasurer Cynthia Mann, M.D. Secretary Marcus A. McFerren, M.D., Ph.D. Board member Roslyn Milstein Meyer, Ph.D. Co-Founder Ann Baker Pepe Immediate Past Chair Tai Richardson Board Chair Kenneth Russell Board member Alexis Smith Board member Deborah Stanley-McAulay Board member Clifton Watson, Ph.D. Board member Stephen Wizner Board member Honorable William Dyson Emeritus Jerome Harris Meyer Emeritus

College Application Process Building a College List Presentation View These slides are from a presentation focused on how to develop a list of colleges and universities that reflect your interests and goals. Building a College List Resources Handout View This handout follows up on many of the topics covered in the "Building a College List" presentation. College Planning Worksheet View This spreadsheet that accompanies the "Building a College List" materials will help you organize all your research on colleges and universities before you start the application process. Community College and Technical School Presentation View This presentation covers the basic information that high school students should know about community colleges and technical schools as they consider these post-secondary options. Common App and Coalition App Walkthrough Presentation View The Common Application and the Coalition for College are two major college application websites that students use to get into several colleges around the country. This presentation walks you through these application sites and provides some tips on how to successfully complete them. LEAP Additional Information Section for the Common App View The Common Application has an "Additional Information" section where applicants can provide more details on anything not mentioned in other parts of their application. If you have worked at LEAP, this basic description of LEAP will be helpful if you want to explain to your application readers what LEAP is and the work that you do as an organization. Feel free to copy-and-paste this and add additional information about your LEAP experience when using it in your Common App. College Essay Writing Handouts View We know that LEAPers have great stories and experiences to showcase in their college applications. That is why this handout was created to help guide you through how to write a strong and effective college essay.

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.