National Recognition and Local Impact: How the EJS Project Models High-Quality Afterschool
The founder and executive director of the EJS Project Emanuel "Dupree" Jackson Jr. received the National Education Association's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award for his commitment to leadership, service and civil rights in his work. This recognition also highlights something equally important: the value of building organizations that are committed to continuous quality improvement in programs held for children and youth after the school bell rings.
As a participating site of the Palm Beach County's Quality Improvement System (QIS), the EJS Project demonstrates what it means to invest in excellence. The QIS program that provides afterschool and summer programs receives one-on-one coaching, professional development trainings, yearly assessments and strategies to improve the quality of a program year after year. Rather than focusing only on compliance, Prime Time’s system of supports builds a relationship with the program to help build an environment where teens feel safe, supported, challenged and empowered to succeed.
Since founding the EJS Project in 2014, Jackson has helped create opportunities for more than 5,000 young people and families through mentoring, academic support, workforce development, leadership training, civic engagement initiatives, mental health services and paid internship opportunities. Named in honor of his late father, Emanuel Jackson Sr., the EJS Project was built on the belief that every young person deserves access to opportunity, guidance, and a community that believes in their potential
"What makes this recognition meaningful is not the award itself, but what it represents," said Jackson. "For more than eleven years, we have worked alongside young people, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners to help create pathways to success. This honor belongs to all of them.”
Programs that participate in the QIS and become a part of Prime Time’s ecosystem do not just improve the operations of their program; they also have real benefits impacting the lives of the children and youth who depend on these programs every day. Consistent involvement in high-quality afterschool programs has been shown to boost self-esteem and self-efficacy, strengthen positive social behaviors, increase youth’s motivation to attend and engage at their program and improve school-day behavior and readiness
For afterschool and summer programs, the Prime Time’s system of supports is a path to lasting, meaningful impact.
"Dr. King taught us that real change requires both vision and action," Jackson added. "Our mission has always been to help young people understand that their voice matters, their story matters, and they have the power to shape their future."
Congratulations to Emanuel "Dupree" Jackson Jr. And the EJS Project. We are proud to support you as you change the lives of the teens and their families that you work with.
Ready to join the Palm Beach County Quality Improvement System? Learn more here.
