JumpSpark Invests in Teens with Spark Grants
JumpSpark, an innovation initiative of Federation, has just awarded more than $266,000 in Spark Grants to six Atlanta organizations, all working to expand programming for Jewish teens in Atlanta. Following a thorough analysis of the teens, families and professionals who make up Atlanta’s teen ecosystem, the Spark Grants are a major investment in the Jewish teen space. They are renewable for up to three years and are intended to create and fund new programs and initiatives, support programmatic growth, and rethink existing models of teen engagement. “In the fast-paced, demanding world teens live in today, the Jewish community must focus its resources to create diverse entry points to lifelong Jewish learning and community engagement,” said Kelly Cohen, JumpSpark Director. Learn more about the 2019 grant recipients and how they will open new doors for teens:
Creating Connected Communities – $39,000 to expand the successful Leadership Development Program.
In the City Camps – $45,000 to expand Break Into Business camps for middle school students.
Jewish Kids Groups – $36,850 to launch the Learner-Leader-Teacher Development Academy.
Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta – $70,000 to sponsor the VOX ATL-run Maccabi Star Reporter program and catalyze participation in the Atlanta-hosted 2019 Maccabi games into expanded year-round programming for teen athletes.
SOJOURN – $25,000 to pilot the Tum Tum program, a safe space for Jewish LGBTQ+ identified teens and allies to share, learn, and connect.
Union for Reform Judaism – $70,000 to launch the Atlanta Teen Collective, a year-round leadership and engagement model successfully piloted in the northeast.
