Junior Achievement of Central Illinois receives $5,000 Monsanto Fund grant for Career Pathways Initiative

 

[August 21, 2018]   Employees from Mason City recommended Junior Achievement of Central Illinois to receive a $5,000 grant from the Monsanto Fund.

Funds from the grant will be used to provide a hands-on curriculum and career expo experience for eighth graders. In partnership with local schools, students will examine personal skills and interests as they relate to careers, identify careers of specific interest and be introduced to and network with local employers.

Junior Achievement is proud to partner with Monsanto to bring work and career readiness education to students in central Illinois,” said Mary Pille, President of Junior Achievement of Central Illinois, “this strategic partnership will equip students with the knowledge and tools to explore careers, experience jobs, and design a lifestyle that fits their unique interests and skills.”

“Junior Achievement was recommended for a grant through the Monsanto Fund to support their efforts to expand career readiness education in the local areas where we operate. Our mission is to be involved in the growth and development of our local communities and we are excited to start this partnership with the Junior Achievement organization” said Anna Jahnsen, Site Lead at Monsanto, Mason City, IL. “It’s an honor to support Junior Achievement with this Monsanto Fund grant.”

This year, the Monsanto Fund awarded more than $1.4 million to nonprofit organizations in rural communities to help address essential needs in Food & Nutrition, STEM Education, and Community Development. Nonprofit organizations across the U.S. have received more than $7.5 million through this program over the last five years.

About Junior Achievement of Central Illinois

For over 70 years Junior Achievement has been an integral part of the education and business communities in Central Illinois. JA of Central Illinois currently operates in 113 schools and organizations within seven counties. During the 2017-2018 school year, 583 volunteers delivered JA programs in 804 classrooms, impacting 17,002 students in Central Illinois. For more information, visit centralillinois.ja.org.

About Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsanto fund.org.

[Sally Jo Eastman
Marketing & Special Events Manager
Junior Achievement of Central Illinois]