About Us
JumpStart is an in-school youth career focused program based out of Maine Township High School District 207, federally funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Funding for this program is made possible through a grant provided by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. For more
information, please visit ChiCookWorks.org/DOL-Funding.
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Our agency is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.​
JumpStart provides services to youth who face barriers to education, training or employment.
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Youth who participate in JumpStart meet with their Career Advisor on a regular basis to develop work readiness skills, receive job search assistance and academic support.
JumpStart offers short term paid work experiences for qualified youth to help develop their work readiness and job skills. JumpStart may also provide funds to support youth's academic and employment goals.
Career Advisors continue to work with youth beyond graduation to ensure stability in college and/or employment.
Meet Our Team
Patricia
Kamienski
Director
Pat has been part of the JumpStart team for over 15 years and is currently the program director. She coordinates the
day-to-day activities of the WIOA grant-funded program. Pat will identify, recruit and assess eligible participants, as well as initiate employer and academic outreach efforts.
Prior to joining JumpStart, Pat was Assistant Director of University Career Services at Northwestern University and Director of Career Services at Robert Morris University. She holds a Master's Degree in Counselor Education, Career Development and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.
Rachel
Anderson
Career Advisor
Rachel uses her prior experience in the special education field to assist JumpStart youth in their academic and employment goals. Rachel also regularly communicates and connects JumpStart youth with our community partners during the Paid Work Experience process.​
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Rachel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Early Childhood Education from Ripon College.
Rory
Martin
Career Advisor
Rory utilizes her vast experience of fine arts and financial aid in order to best assist the students in the Jumpstart program. Rory graduated from Concordia University with a Master's in School Counseling and holds a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Marquette University.
Ann
Looby
Career Advisor
Ann advises in-school youth to help them reach their academic and career goals. Prior to joining JumpStart, Ann spent over 10 years in the investment industry, managing employees in a variety of roles, including sales, service and marketing.
Ann holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Norbert College.
Diana
Uribe
Assistant
Diana works directly with staff to maintain up to date paperwork and files.
Diana also assists with communicating with our Spanish speaking families.​
Before joining JumpStart, Diana was a secretary for a family business. She was also a translator between employer and customer.
Diana has a Medical Coding Certificate from Oakton Community College.