JA of Western Massachusetts
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Mission Statement
Junior Achievement is a non-profit founded in Springfield, MA in 1919 dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to own their economic future through participation in JA programs focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career readiness. In Western MA, JA annually serves thousands of young people ages 5 to 25. Trained JA volunteers teach hundreds of classes annually and donate over 40,000 hours annually to the community.
About This Cause
Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts was founded in 1919 in Springfield, MA and today is part of a worldwide organization that reaches over 9.25 million students in the US and 120 foreign countries. In Western Massachusetts, we serve thousands of students annually from ages 5 to 25. Junior Achievement empowers young people to own their economic success. Our volunteer-delivered, programs foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills, and use experiential learning to inspire young people to dream big and reach their potential. In November 2023, JAWM opened the JA CLIC- Career Leadership and Innovation Center, offering middle and high school students hands-on learning experiences and the opportunity to explore hundreds of career opportunities and gain credentialing in Advanced Manufacturing, Health Services, Information Technology, Automotives, Transportation and Logistics, and more. a. In longitudinal studies, JA students were significantly more likely than their peers to believe that they would graduate from high school, pursue post-secondary education, and graduate from college. b. Students who participate in JA programs develop skills necessary for future success c. Seven out of 10 agree or strongly agree that participation in JA improves students' decision-making skills. d. More than seven out of 10 (72%) agree or strongly agree that participation in JA improves students' critical-thinking skills. e. Almost eight out of 10 (78%) agree or strongly agree that participation in JA improves students' interpersonal communication skills. Throughout the year JA volunteers deliver many different JA programs, each developed to meet the age-appropriate skill sets of the youth participating as well as meeting State Curriculum Standards and the Common Core Standards. At Junior Achievement, we give young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Our corporate and community volunteers deliver relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. JA programs empower students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world – enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning and increasing their understanding of the value of staying in school. By focusing on education, economic and youth development, JA programs contribute to the vitality of our community and the availability of a well-educated workforce. For donors and supporters, Junior Achievement provides a visible and meaningful demonstration of an organization’s commitment to youth in the local community. Donors are helping students develop the competence, confidence and character needed to compete in today’s global economy. The financial and volunteer support that Junior Achievement receives allow us to provide a JA experience for more students.