They say it takes a village to raise a child; in this case, our students.
One of my favorite things about working at Operation Jump Start (OJS) is seeing our community show up for our students. Every summer, our students step into new experiences that introduce them to new careers, new people, and the amazing community around them. These opportunities don’t happen by chance; they are made possible through the incredible partnerships that have supported our mission for many years.
One of our longest-standing collaborations is Camp Justin, created by Justin Rudd. If you know Long Beach, chances are you KNOW Justin Rudd. He’s one of those people who is always finding ways to bring people together and make our city a better place. He is a dedicated community leader who works tirelessly to improve our city through his engagement and various events he organizes.
For more than a decade, he’s partnered with OJS to create Camp Justin, a week our students look forward to every summer. Justin has exposed our students to those moments when they say, “Wait… Long Beach has this?!” or “I’ve never done this before!” never get old.
Camp Justin provides students a chance to explore the unique people, places, and professions that define Long Beach. Through career exploration, community engagement, and hands-on experiences, students discover opportunities they may not have known existed, all while developing a stronger sense of belonging in their city.
Over the years, through Camp Justin, students have traveled to San Francisco for the day, gone horseback riding, met city officials, tried new adventures like Sky Zone, cruised around on a Duffy Boat, and experienced many “firsts.” Students say they are experiencing a whole new world of Long Beach that they did not know existed. Oh, and did I mention they are VERY well fed? Trust me, nobody leaves Camp Justin hungry and maybe a few pounds heavier, proof that they had a great week!
Through this partnership, students have also secured internships and job opportunities by meeting the owners of the restaurants they visited. 100% of student participants reported visiting a new place or trying something they have never done before this week.
In addition, our commitment to exposure extends beyond Long Beach through another cherished partnership for almost 12 years, is with UCI LIFEvest. “The UCI LIFEvest program is a free, weeklong summer residential camp at UC Irvine designed to teach financial literacy and college readiness to underserved, first-generation 8th and 9th graders. Hosted by the Paul Merage School of Business, the program allows teens to experience campus life, build personal budgets, track mock stock portfolios, and prepare for future careers.” They don’t simply learn about college- they experience it!
Students get to experience firsthand what it feels like to be on a college campus by spending a week there, attending lectures, staying in the dorms, and building lifelong friendships. For many of our students, this is the first time they’ve ever slept on a college campus. They begin to picture themselves there one day, and that’s exactly the point.
Our mission is strengthened by an incredible network of partners, including universities, community organizations, volunteers, mentors, local professionals, and donors who all share one belief: every young person deserves access to higher education!
At OJS, partnerships are more than collaborations; they are investments. Together, we are helping students discover new passions, build meaningful relationships, and imagine futures that are brighter, bolder, and full of possibilities.
As a first-generation college graduate myself, I know how powerful exposure can be. Sometimes all it takes is one experience, one mentor, or one person who believes in you to completely change the way you see your future. That’s why these partnerships mean so much to me and why they matter so much for our students.
Be Part of Village!
Behind every successful program is a community that chooses to invest in its youth. Whether you can share your expertise, host a career exploration opportunity, mentor a student, sponsor a program, or collaborate on a new initiative, your partnership can make a difference.
Let’s get in touch!
Maria Alvarez
Program Director
maria@operationjumpstart.org
