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The Joint Educational Programs, also known as JEP, celebrated 50 years of community service with a gala last Thursday. The Town and Gown event commemorated the program’s success, and gave JEP volunteers, faculty and student workers a chance to get together and show gratitude for the program’s mission.
What is JEP?
Since 1972, JEP has been pairing USC students with local community organizations, like schools and nonprofits, in Downtown Los Angeles. In particular, students can tutor local kids and formulate lesson plans for elementary school students while, in exchange, volunteering and earn work-study or volunteer hours.
“We had so many people that had gone through JEP and now do great things in the world,” said Kathrin Rising, JEP’s director of communications. “The program touches so many people and seeing everyone come together at this event was incredible.”
As a service-learning program for students and community members alike, JEP teaches lessons about mental and physical well-being. From the Little Yoginis, a yoga program with local communities to a series of lessons introducing conflict resolution and self-awareness, JEP shows topics students can learn beyond their academics.
The program also introduced the first federal work-study opportunity to enlist college students to help improve math and reading skills of K-12 students. The ReadersPLUS Math and Literacy Tutoring program commends a wide variety of tutoring opportunities at local institutions like the USC Hybrid High School near campus.
How can students become more involved with JEP?
Currently, there are four core programs to get involved with JEP. Students can serve elementary through high school students in a variety of subjects. JEP continues to expand their program and discover topics like science learning experiences and lessons on active listening.
“My experience in this program brought back my passion for working with kids,” said Sebastian Rodriguez, a sophomore enrolled in an Oceanography course that offers extra credit opportunities through JEP. Rodriguez volunteers as a tutor for elementary school students.
“[The kids] absolutely love college students…whenever I walk into class, they start smiling and get really excited. I think it’s really important for us, as individuals, to remember what it felt like to be a kid and make meaningful memories with them.”
What’s next for JEP?
After their 50th anniversary, JEP hopes to offer virtual service activities.
“The joint program continues to provide what is needed to match and emulate the environment that we continue to serve – and that truly is the beauty of it.” said Sharon Blount, JEP’s office manager. She has served as part of the JEP community for five years.
“The opportunities we have offered for the past 40 years have changed…like going from virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. JEP has continued to evolve into what the current community needs,” Blount said.
One of JEP’s focuses for the future is offering STEM tutoring and learning services to all students in K12 schools, not just K-6.
“The program really does their best to actually ask the community what they need and what they want versus the savior complex aspect of it to be like, I’m going to give this to you because I can and I see the need,” said DJ Kast, director of STEM education programs.
To learn more about JEP, visit their homepage here or contact jephouse@usc.edu for more information. You can also visit the JEP House at 801 W 34th St on USC campus.