Jane Beamis

Operation Jump Start

 “I believe education is necessary to help people grow as well as expose them to a multitude of opportunities in the world.”

Jane is a mentor and a volunteer.
Photo courtesy of Jane Beamis

Established in 1994, OJS offers a wealth of programs and opportunities that empower first generation, low-income, high potential students throughout the Long Beach Unified School District. Its mission is to help eighth graders through high-schoolers get in, stay in, and graduate from, four-year colleges. OJS is committed to providing educational support, mentoring, and exposure to more than 350 of these students annually.

Two years ago, Jane began her mentoring relationship with a 10th grade girl and her family. Though the student is graduating from high school this year, the relationship will continue as she attends college. Jane and her student now meet monthly and communicate often through texts. Jane’s goal is to help her develop personally and socially, plus encourage her to build skills to prepare for her future. To help broaden her student’s world perspective, she offers her experiences as well, such as a UCSB campus tour or a trip to Disneyland.

Jane also supports her student’s family. She attends parent-teacher meetings and educates the parents about the many opportunities OJS offers to aid them in preparing their daughter for college. When needed, Jane works alongside her student’s tutor and counselor (which OJS also provides).

After becoming a mentor, Jane was invited to serve on the board of Directors for OJS, a position she was delighted to accept. Within a short time she was offered the position of acting Chief of Staff while the Director was away for a year. In her role as acting chief, she contributes financially on a personal level, and helps develop outreach donations and fundraising campaigns.

Jane has deep respect for Operation Jump Start, which inspired her to become an extraordinary volunteer in the name of education. As she puts it, “I believe education is necessary to help people grow and expose them to a multitude of opportunities in the world.”

Gratefully, through OJS and volunteers like Jane Beamis, thousands of young people are getting a well-deserved “jump start” on such opportunities!