is their future our future because
“JA OPPORTUNITY THAT the PEOPLE SAID I CAN’T, THAT GAVE ME THE
to tell
I CAN.”
We
can
change THe statistics
Many students in Middle Tennessee are growing up with neither the experience nor the tools they need to believe they can achieve success. Junior Achievement offers a solution to the area’s economic challenges at hand.
“If we don’t push Tennesseans to get
higher education, as many as 500,000 residents will not have the education to get an interview, much less a job,
in 10 years.”
– Governor Haslam
175,449 or 52%
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STUDENTS IN OUR 21-COUNTY IMPACT AREA ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.
66% of Tennessee’s children from low-income families do not pursue higher education.
54% of Middle Tennessee students in our 21-county impact area go to college, but only about half graduate with a degree within six years.
IN 2014, TENNESSEE RANKED
40
th
in the New Economy Index, which measures the extent to which state economies are knowledge-based, innovative and globalized.
87% of students in poverty do not have career aspirations or realize you can study and work toward a career.
they
can
own THeir success
JA is the only organization solely dedicated to preparing our youth to lead healthy financial lives. Because the future of our youth is our future, JA’s ultimate goal is to give them hope to succeed in work and in life. Together, with our dedicated volunteers, we deliver experiential, authentic and relevant programs that provide our young people with the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success.
“I want to help other
kids like me
that didn’t really know what to do but had an idea. i want to show them that
‘ok, you have something. now let’s take it further. you can take it from a dream to a reality.’ ” – JA ALUM AND VOLUNTEER
the
JA
footprint
4.6
MILLION STUDENTS IN THE U.S. ARE REACHED EACH YEAR THROUGH JA USA. JA STUDENTS ARE DIVERSE. 27% LATINO, 22% AFRICAN AMERICAN, 51% OTHER
120+
MIDDLE TENNESSEE BUSINESS COMMUNITY PARTNERS
2,000 VOLUNTEERS EACH YEAR
298,000+ VOLUNTEER HOURS SPENT WITH YOUTH EACH YEAR IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
31,000 STUDENTS REACHED IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE EACH YEAR
JA STUDENTS EMBODY AN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT AND UNDERSTAND HOW TO LEVERAGE RESOURCES TO LAUNCH A BUSINESS
JA STUDENTS ARE BETTER PREPARED TO ENTER THE WORKFORCE
JA STUDENTS ARE MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR ABILITY TO MANAGE AND CONTROL THEIR FINANCES
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
WORK READINESS
FINANCIAL LITERACY
the
JA WAy
today’s economy is
evolving rapidly.
we must also evolve to ensure that our students are
equipped for the demands of tomorrow.
WE
can
equip to succeed them
Through applied learning and a fun hands-on approach, JA programs empower students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world. This learning experience, driven by volunteers, enhances the relevance of their classroom learning and helps them understand what skills they need to maximize their full potential.
JA programs K-12 Traditional Classroom & JA in a Day Approximately 70% of JA of Middle Tennessee’s student reach is through the unique, volunteer-driven Classroom Programs. By sharing real experiences and skills with students from one’s business community, volunteers help students make the connection between their education and their future success. Classroom Programs can be delivered over a five- to seven-week period, or through a JA in a Day, which combines this experience into a single-day program. Both delivery methods allow students to understand more about the opportunities available to them in our global economy, empowers them to envision their potential and to take control of their future.
“MY STUDENTS FIND A DIFFERENT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT A RELIEF. THEY ENJOY SOME REAL-LIFE CHATS WITH THE VOLUNTEERS, AND THEY FEEL VALUED.” – JA Educator
JA company Program
JA stem summit
JA job shadow
provides basic economic education for high school students by allowing them to organize and operate an actual business. Students not only learn how businesses function, they also learn about the structure of the U.S. free enterprise system and the benefits it provides.
is a day-long program held at a high school that utilizes 30 business volunteers, each with a specific science, technology, engineering or math career, to provide information and inspire students to pursue an academic STEM focus.
experience offers students a visit to a professional work environment and insight into how to find and keep a sustainable career. The experience teaches the importance of researching the requirements needed to earn a position and helps students develop job-hunting tools.
“I learned that running a business isn’t just about making money. You have to repay loans, pay workers and pay for supplies. Work is harder than I thought. Now I know how my parents feel!”
JA biztown
100,000+ 4th–6th graders served since 2002.
91%
97% 97%
of participants say JA BizTown inspired them to work harder in school.
of educators indicate that their students work more collaboratively after completing the program.
98% said they now know the importance of staying in school.
9,500+ students per year.
of educators indicate that students are putting forth more effort since their JA BizTown visit.
JA biztown is an experiential learning simulation for 4th–6th graders that combines in-class learning with a fully interactive mock town that simulates the day-to-day functions of real-world communities. The journey begins in the classroom, where children study basic economic principles and learn to write checks, apply for jobs and be a business owner. Then, the students transition to the JA BizTown community to relate what they’ve learned to everyday scenarios in the town’s bank, medical clinic, factory, post office, town hall, retail facilities and more. The goal is to expose them to a variety of jobs in the community and help them see the increasing value of education in securing jobs for the future.
“Today I learned that life is not easy. You have to spend money everywhere you go, and things are not cheap. You need money to maintain your life, but you have to make smart choices.�
JA finance park CAN SUPPORT
10,000 students each year
90%+
say they learned about living within their budget and the cost of living in today’s world.
80%
say that the JA Finance Park experience reinforced the importance of staying in school.
JA finance park is a place developed to educate, but designed to inspire independence. Empowering students to be in control of their futures, this program gives middle and high school students the skills they need to fill and create the careers of tomorrow. The experience begins with a month-long, in-class economics program, during which students learn personal finance planning and examine pathways to various careers. They then travel to JA Finance Park, where each student is assigned a “life situation” that includes their career, income and family composition. There, they make real-life decisions such as buying a car, negotiating a mortgage and creating a savings account. Through this experience, they understand the symbiotic relationship between life choices and the ability to achieve desired outcomes.
86%
of students who didn’t initially think it was important to manage their money change their minds after completing the program.
WE
can
inspire our future
JA alumni credit Junior Achievement with helping them develop the skills and confidence they use throughout their lives to build professional and personal success. Our volunteers, the cornerstone of our organization, often become positive role models whose real-life experiences provide invaluable learning opportunities to our students. Because our youth’s future is our future, we’re committed to helping prepare them for the world of work, inspiring future leaders and igniting a passion for excellence.Â
JA alumni “THE [JA] MENTORS EXPOSED ME TO THE POSSIBILITY OF COLLEGE. I ALSO HAD EMPOWERMENT, LEADERSHIP AND APPLICABLE SKILLS ALL PROVIDED TO ME THAT TAUGHT ME THAT I COULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE WORKPLACE. IT TRULY WAS THE MOST POWERFUL INFLUENCE IN [HIGH SCHOOL] THAT HELPED PAVE MY FUTURE SUCCESS AS AN ADULT.” – JA Alumnus
89% 67% 84% of alumni say JA helped prepare them for the world of work.
of alumni say JA made them realize the importance of staying in school.
of alumni indicate that JA helped them connect the classroom to real life.
WE
can
engage them hope and give
JA’s unique approach allows community members like you to engage with students, deliver our curriculum and share personal life experiences. Together, with the business and education community, you help JA elevate students’ engagement in academics and produce a generation of aspirational and skillful leaders.
giving back with JA VOLUNTEER JA volunteers come from all walks of life and are the keys to JA’s success. But they all have a common vision: sharing a message of hope and opportunity with each and every young person they reach. Through volunteer partnerships from organizations large and small, or with individuals interested in sharing their experiences with the children of their community, JA’s classroom volunteers engage, equip and inspire.
SCHOOL PARTICIPATION JA complements the hard work and dedication teachers put into educating their students. Our comprehensive curriculum, developed in partnership with educators, reinforces and supplements Tennessee learning standards/common core requirements from kindergarten through high school and gives young people the knowledge and skills to plan for their future and make smart academic and economic choices.
DONATE JA’s contributors really do make a difference. Donors’ generosity can give the children of today endless opportunity for tomorrow. Curriculum development and revisions, recruitment of volunteers, special events, scholarships and other student-focused initiatives are just some of the areas that would not be possible without the generosity of our donors.
“WHAT I ENJOYED MOST ABOUT JA IN A DAY WAS SPENDING TIME IN A CLASSROOM... THE INNOCENCE OF CHILDREN AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO LEARN AND PARTICIPATE WAS A GREAT REMINDER OF WHAT’S IMPORTANT – GIVING BACK.” – JA Volunteer
we CAN reason They can be the
Imagine a generation of students armed with the confidence and knowledge to take control of their future. Together, we can give them the tools and the skills they need to be prepared, inspired and motivated for success. But, we need your help.
we invite you to join JA as we Embark on this Journey To
BUILD the Foundation for their Future.