Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Wynkoop.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Over the past decade, there has been an increasing interest in the phase of life known as “young adulthood” and this group of “emerging adults”, often understood to be people between 18 and 30 years old. A number of people in our group have spent their careers working with teens and young adults and we had been hearing of an ever higher number of students struggling to make the transition from high school to college. We felt inspired to find solutions for students who needed more support than colleges were offering.
In 2011, we launched EDGE Learning & Wellness Collegiate Community to offer supported living and coaching services to young adults who had a history of struggling in high school or college due to mental health or emotional well being concerns. We began small–only 3 student apartments with capacity for 9 students–and worked to build a uniquely supportive model that uses the strengths of Chicago (public transit, access to a broad array of educational opportunities, volunteer and work possibilities, and a vibrant cultural surround) to maximize success for students.
We have built a wellness community of college students who have the support of masters-level Therapeutic Life Coaches, an academic coach, and each other. It’s a unique model that emphasizes interdependence, self-advocacy, and balance in life. It’s been an incredibly rewarding endeavor and has given us the opportunity to help students and their parents realize success that has been elusive in the past.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s taken a lot of collaboration and a tremendous amount of persistence as we’ve grown the program. Though we were operationally profitable after just a few months, real growth and consistent success took more than 3 years. We’ve continued to enhance the program as we’ve grown and embrace the challenge of continuing to be progressive and relevant.
Because we were–and still are–among the only programs of our kind to operate in a major city. we were both trading on what is great about Chicago and also learning to successfully navigate difficult conversations with families about safety issues since Chicago is often in the national news for all the wrong reasons. Ultimately, the intensive coaching that we do combined with the fantastic resources of the city have helped students and families understand the great benefits of our program. Winning that argument has been key to our success.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with EDGE Learning & Wellness Collegiate Community – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
There are a number of things that differentiate us from others in our field and that make us special. First of all, our model is really built to give young adults a college experience that is focused on wellness and creating habits for sustainable success: an appreciation of the whole person and seeing each person as a unique individual are hallmarks of EDGE. We offer the unique opportunity for students with potential to overcome obstacles to have a full and successful college experience.
I think that we continue to succeed because of the deep emotional investment we make in each family with whom we work and also because we recruit and retain great staff. It’s been amazing to build teams that really exemplify the sorts of habits and relationships that we want our students to have when they complete our program.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago is a huge part of our program. All the amazing resources and the fact that it’s a travel hub for the country make it a huge draw for the families we serve. Our students love living in the Loop because it’s so vibrant. Being part of the evolution of the Loop from business and theater district to thriving residential area has been amazing. Being near Lake Michigan and at the center of the shopping and theater district, service economy, and tourism corridor is an amazing opportunity for our students and staff.
One challenge that we’ve had to overcome in recruiting students from the coasts is the perception that Chicago is a dangerous city since the gun violence is often in the news. Helping families to have an experience of Chicago–to come here and tour the Loop and recognize that Chicago is like other large cities in that the daily living experience is really on the neighborhood level. We’re fortunate to be based in a neighborhood that is resource-rich and in many ways, is ideal for college students.
Contact Info:
- Address: 63 E. Lake Street (Lake & Wabash)
Chicago, IL 60601 - Website: edgelearningcommunity.com
- Phone: 224-616-2655
- Email: info@edgelearningcommunity.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EDGEChicago/
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