Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley, Inc. is doing GREAT things, and I'm so happy to be involved with such a wonderful organization. I had the opportunity to volunteer in the classroom last year and really got to see the programs and materials at work. The students had so much fun while learning about important topics and discussing their future goals. The impact this organization has on our youth is incredible AND measurable! I hope that JA continues to grow and be funded so that more students have a greater chance for successful futures and land themselves in a career they LOVE.
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An old friend of mine was previously the Program and Special Events Coordinator at Junior Achievement, so that is how I first heard about the organization. She had reached out to me asking if my place of employment would be interested in getting a team together for the JA Bowl-a-Thon fundraiser. The insurance agency I work for, Thompson Insurance Group, is extremely committed to our community and loves to help out and participate in various events whenever possible, so we were definitely on board. Becoming involved with that event and learning more about what Junior Achievement does eventually led to me becoming a Board Member, and I couldn't be happier with my decision to do so. JA is helping thousands of students focus on their futures. JA is providing invaluable programming to local schools in our communities. JA is inspiring our youth to set goals, dream big, and achieve financial success in our economy. JA is truly making a difference, and I am thrilled to be a part of that!
JA has opened up my world and given me access to students who I can speak into their lives at an early age. Conversations that I never got at their age excite me knowing that they could get an exponential jump on life all because JA has the foresight to engage them now! Junior Achievement is truly more than a namesake, it is the lifeblood and mantra of this wonderful organization.
I have recently been named the Chief of Core Curriculum in The Youngstown City Schools and already have met with President Michele Merkel to plan for our JA Program. Michele is full of ideas, is always there for support, and JA's resources are phenomenal. We are currently planning to expand our JA offerings into the after school program and are looking for community partnerships. Our students will be the true beneficiaries!
JA of Mahoning Valley does a great job of partnering with local school districts to find funding and volunteers so students can experience this valuable program. 2018 is my 6th year as a classroom volunteer and I look forward to teaching at least one "JA In A Day" each year. My favorite one is the 4th grade "JA Our Region" - kids have a chance to run create their own businesses and run a hot dog shop to see if they have profits or losses. The program focus on Entrepreneurship allows for a great connection with students as they are asked to think of all entrepreneurs in their community. I learn something new from the kids every time too!
The structured curriculum and materials makes it easy for new volunteers and engaging for the kids. My children are very fortunate that this program is a priority in their school, and the concepts tie into real world learning making the impact lasting.
My first exposure to Junior Achievement was when I was in my 20's and was a volunteer that assisted students in running the "bank" for the Junior Achievement teams that were making and selling their products. It was so rewarding when those students reached out after they were in the business world to tell you what an impact that Junior Achievement had on their business sense and work ethic. I now serve on the Executive Board and get to see the many ways that this organization helps the young minds of our community. I recently was able to get back into the classroom and see that immediate impact that these programs have on our youth. Thank you Junior Achievement for all that you do!
Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley, Inc. is an extremely impressive organization with great leadership that has had a tremendous impact on local youth. In teaching young people about financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship and connecting them with role models from throughout the community it provides a vital educational resource in the community. As someone who works in higher education, I can attest to the importance of the educational foundation that JA is providing to our young people and that gives them the grounds on which to further their educational and occupational goals. Simply put, a great program with great people!
Everything about Junior Achievement is phenomenal. The programs are well designed and the schools we get invited to are great. Our volunteers are totally committed and our fundraisers and community involvements are truly rewarding. Whether it's a board meeting or a day of volunteering, I am always fulfilled when the day is over.
Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley, Inc. is an amazing organization. When I was in fifth grade I learned how to build and sell pens, part of the project was how to market the pens. That was the first experience I had with Marketing and because of that, I have completed degrees in under graduate and graduate school and have worked in the field for more than 13 years.
My point is without the JA program, I would not have been exposed to this profession or at least not in the classroom. I believe that it just takes one person to show a student what possibilities are out there. Knowing that you have the opportunity to change someone’s future is truly priceless. I now volunteer for JA, to provide a student with that chance to learn something new and help prepare them for their careers and lives as adults.
Junior Achievement Mahoning Valley does a great job grooming the leaders of tomorrow by educating them on financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship in a way that connects them to real life experiences in their community.
Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley helps fill the gap of financial literacy that is needed for the upcoming generation of entrepreneurs! I love volunteering in the classroom and hearing the laughter while the young kids learn. It warms my heart to be a part of such a wonderful organization that is helping teach my children and those growing up along side them to be our future!
I have been working with Junior Achievement for 4 years now and have the pleasure of teaching a lot of children how the government works and how to handle money . The children are always very eager to learn and very welcoming . we have always had a ton of fun with the kids and have the opportunity to teach them some things the may not get otherwise .
I volunteered to participate in the Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley (Ohio) in the fall of 2017 for the first time along with other members of the East Palestine, Ohio community. I found my experience to be extremely positive . JA partnered with East Palestine Middle School to launch "JA in a day". The program was launched in replace of "career day" to add more learning and structure to the experience. I started my day feeling very prepared from JA and ready to spend the day with young minds. Having the choice on the topic and grade level that I would teach gave me the confidence I needed to have a successful day. I was (positively) overwhelmed with the student's excitement and willingness to share ideas and information. I truly valued and appreciated the opportunity to volunteer at my home town school. Count me in next year.
Since then, I have participated in additional fundraisers (such as bowl-a-thon) and look forward to continuing to invest into this fantastic program.
I volunteered to participate in the Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley (Ohio) in the fall of 2017 for the first time along with other Sodexo Roth Corporate Responsibilities Team members/employees and found it to be a positive experience - both for the children and the volunteers. While I speak to roofing contractors, field technicians and various levels of company and customer management on a daily basis, it is typically on the other end of a phone - not in person - not in front of a crowd. Public speaking (outside of my normal work environment) is not something I am typically comfortable with. As such, I started my day feeling very nervous - but that quickly turned to a feeling of being welcomed. For the most part, the kids were excited in receiving and sharing ideas and information - which helped tremendously in reducing my nervousness. I soon found myself enjoying the experience of volunteering and contributing.
I started volunteering with Junior Achievement of the Mahoning Valley in Ohio when my children were in Kindergarten. It was so fun doing lessons that were very clearly age appropriate, easy to teach and easy for them to learn. When I started volunteering again with them many years later I started in the high schools. The lessons are just as easy to teach and just as fun to do but they are also teaching our kids how to be better prepared financially in life among other things. But what I didn't expect was that I was going to get a lesson too. I am now on a financial budget that I picked up from Junior Achievement and well on my way to becoming debt free. What a absolute asset Junior Achievement is to our young people and our school systems by teaching Financial Literary, Work Readiness and Entrepreneurship, lessons that schools may not always have the time for or their parents haven't mastered yet.