Junior Achievement volunteers go virtual to help kids in need
JA Virtual Volunteer Meetup virtual meetings scheduled for August

 

[August 10, 2020]   More than 18,000 kindergarten through twelfth grade students are impacted by Junior Achievement (JA) programs annually in Central Illinois with the help of over 600 volunteers.

School may have changed this year, but the need for positive mentors and role models hasn’t! Young people will benefit from the inspiration provided by JA Volunteers through the same mission and proven programs but with new, virtual ways of connecting this school year.

Angie Houck, Program Director of JA of Central Illinois said, “While volunteer opportunities with schools will look different this year, Junior Achievement has expanded online opportunities to not only provide educators with new learning solutions but also to support volunteers with virtual program resources to meet students wherever they are – at home or in the classroom. It was important with this innovative, virtual transition to maintain JA’s commitment to programs correlating directly with state and national learning standards. We find most educators take advantage of JA programs not as an add-on but rather to help them meet their classroom learning goals and objectives, especially the new social science standards. Our teachers and students need JA more than ever before, and we are fortunate to be a part of such a generous community where so many people have a common vision and want to collaborate to help young people succeed.”

JA's programs—in the core pathways of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and prepare for the opportunities and realities of work and life.

To get started, individuals can attend a JA Virtual Volunteer Meetup through MS Teams.

To sign up, email [e-mail].

Additional sessions may be scheduled to accommodate demand.

Tuesday, August 11,
10:00 am – 10:30 am

Thursday, August 13,
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Monday, August 17,
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm

Tuesday, August 18,
9:30 am – 10:00 am

Wednesday, August 26,
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm

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 partners with 90 schools and organizations within 11 counties, impacting approximately 18,000 students each school year through the work of over 600 volunteers. JA of Central Illinois is recognized by JA USA as a Four Star operation. For more information, visit centralillinois.ja.org.

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