Eric Roberts is LEAP for Education’s Teen Center Coordinator.

JUNE 15, 2021 BY Max D’Amato Claudia, College Success Program participant, Salem State University (2022) Nursing Major with minors in Psychology and Biology An interview with Claudia, College Success Program (CSP) participant, sharing tips and wisdom about scholarships. Claudia is a Nursing Major with minors in Psychology and Biology at Salem State University and a College Success Program participant. In this interview we hear how CSP has supported Claudia’s studies and journey to find the right school through guidance in seeking out scholarships, as well as

By Emma Cundari [custom_frame_right][/custom_frame_right]On the bright morning of January 4th, I sat at the desk in the spare bedroom of my home in northern New Jersey. That morning, in that room, is where I kicked off the first day of my remote Career Services internship with LEAP for Education for my English & Creative Writing major. It started with the first of many video calls with my internship supervisor, Madison Seligman, LEAP’s Career & Outreach Coordinator. Over three weeks have passed since that moment and yet,

By Max Harris-D’Amato The blue glow of computer screens delivering LEAP for Education into students’ living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms, describes the typical interactions that many AmeriCorps members are having in the midst of the pandemic. For some of its programs, LEAP also runs in person classes where Corps members Evan and Maiya are seen beaming despite their masks, their enthusiasm revealed through their eyes and voices. Their improvisation and initiative reminds students that LEAP is a safe haven. Born and raised in Salem, Evan Aroko,

Recently LEAP high-school student Jeison sat down with Teen Center Coordinator Vicki Tzortzis to talk about school, life, and LEAP during the pandemic. Their insightful q-and-a follows. VICKI: How many years have you been coming to LEAP? JEISON: I came to LEAP before it was LEAP. I started coming to LEAP officially when I was a freshman, but LEAP has been a part of my life since the fifth grade, a year after I came to this country. I went to Cyberspace with my cousins and

On October 17, 2020, Elizabeth Dias, a New York Times reporter published an article in the paper entitled “Biden and Trump Say They’re Fighting for America’s ‘Soul.’ What Does That Mean?”. As Ms. Dias wrote, “It is a phrase that has been constantly invoked by Democratic and Republican leaders. It has become the clearest symbol of the mood of the country, and what people feel is at stake in November. Everyone, it seems, is fighting for it.” Vicki Tzortzis, our Teen Center Coordinator, put that question

Being a summer intern at LEAP, as a college student is such a fruitful experience! Interns have the opportunity to work closely with a variety of teams from the organization (including, Expanding Horizons, the Teen Center, and the College Success Program) to strengthen their professional skills and gain experience in the nonprofit sector. This summer, Lenny Tejeda – a rising sophomore and Posse Scholar at Denison University in Granville, Ohio – served as the “Career and Outreach Intern” and worked directly alongside the Career Services Team.

Important conversations about race and social justice have been happening at LEAP among staff members and with students. While teaching and motivating young people of color to be their best and to dream big and build agency has always been at the core of LEAP programs, we know we need to do more – for both our staff and our students. Because change happens locally, we are committed to do so with very specific actions that will be sustained and continued well beyond the concern and

Grant funds will be used to expand free after school programs in Lynn. Download the News Release SALEM, MA — Executive Director Linda Saris announced on January that LEAP for Education (LEAP) received a $250,000 Catalyst gift from the Wellington Management Foundation. The grant will be paid out over three years and used to open a free after-school program for 80 youth at the Thurgood Marshall Middle School (TMMS) in Lynn, Massachusetts. Scheduled to begin in spring of 2020, the program will be open to all

A key element of LEAP’s success is our ability to recruit talented team members with a variety of experience, skills, and expertise. We are pleased to introduce our newest team members, Hilary Kopp, Vicki Tzortzis, and Eli Santana. [divider] Vasiliki “Vicki” Tzortzis, Teen Center Coordinator [custom_frame_right][/custom_frame_right] Vicki oversees all of the programs, staff, and volunteers at the Teen Center. Vicki has a bachelor’s in Expressive Arts Therapies with specializations in Holistic Psychology and Dance/Movement Therapy. She has over three years of experience as an academic tutor in