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History:

When we asked our local school how we could help, we heard stories about parents dropping off their kids at the locked front door of the school at 6:30AM, so they could get to work on time.  Elementary age children stood outside in cold, dark, rainy weather until staff arrived, let them in the building, and huddled them in the front office until school started at 8:45AM.  Kids started the school day cold, wet, hungry and sad.  School staff was eager to improve this situation. 

Early morning childcare was the solution.  The school staff and City of Bellevue Wrap Around Services Coordinator referred 20 children to us, and Morning Jubilee began.  Twelve volunteers provided a safe, warm, fun place where students ate a nutritious breakfast, got help with homework, hugs, and playful attention.  They jumped rope together, did art projects, played games, built forts and made new friends.  After gathering for a group activity, they opened their bright orange umbrellas and took the “walking school bus” to school, arriving dry, with full stomachs and happy faces.     

What Kids Say:

“I’m here, everybody!” shouts a grinning first grader.   “This is my favorite public place,” says a thoughtful 4^thgrader.  “This is my Jubilee,” says a kindergartner in pink.

What Parents Say:

“I could not do it without Jubilee,” says a single mom.  In annual interviews with parents, we hear how Morning Jubilee gives parents peace of mind.  “You are like a family with us,” says an immigrant father.  To invest in the JRC community, parents give a small financial donation or volunteer time.  “It feels good to give back for all you do for my boy,” says a single dad.  Parents often participate in other JRC programs interwoven to build a deep sense of community.

What Volunteers Say:

The smell of bacon brings the kids running.  Business leaders cook bacon and eggs for breakfast because “It’s great to see these kids happy.”  A retired school bus driver says, “It is a privilege loving these kids in the morning.”  A construction contractor says, “I was these kids.  I never had people like you when I was a kid.  Wish I had.”  A young engineer says, “This is a blast!  These kids make my day.”        

What School Staff Say:

“Thank you for all you do for our kids.  This is an unprecedented partnership that should be repeated throughout our school district.”