What is JA?

Core Purpose

To inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. JA’s Educational Focus centers around:

Entrepreneurship
Financial Literacy
Workplace readiness

Our Core Values

Belief in the boundless potential of young people.
Commitment to the principles of market-based economics and entrepreneurship.
Passion for what we do, and honesty, integrity, and excellence in how we do it.
Respect for the talents, creativity, perspectives, and backgrounds of all individuals.
Belief in the power of partnership and collaboration.
Conviction in the educational and motivational impact of relevant, hands-on learning.

Program Overview
Founded nationally in 1919 and locally in 1954, Junior Achievement programs offer a wide variety of business people the opportunity to apply their expertise to the educational needs of our communities’ students, from kindergarten through 12th grade, in an effective and fun way.

Trained volunteers use JA’s outcomes-based, activity-driven lesson plans to teach elementary students about their roles as individuals, workers, and consumers, and to prepare middle and high school students for key economic and workforce issues they will face. Programs are offered during the school day, directly in the classroom.

Junior Achievement empowers young people to own their future economic success.

Volunteers
Trained volunteers from all backgrounds visit classrooms for about 45 minutes once a week for 5-8 sessions, depending on the grade level. The volunteer uses his or her own experience in conjunction with the JA curriculum to teach about business principles, decision-making, and critical thinking skills. Junior Achievement provides all materials, training, and volunteer support. Sign up to volunteer today.

Funding
Junior Achievement of Dallas receives funding from individuals, foundations, and corporations. JA is not a United Way Agency, and depends wholly on contributions from the broader community. You can make a difference by supporting JA as a donor or as a volunteer.

Impact

During the 2010-2011 academic year, 3,000 Dallas-area JA volunteers inspired more than 38,000 students in nearly 2,000 classrooms! More than 70% of these students are from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Junior Achievement volunteers around the world inspired more than four million students in 180,000 US classrooms and an additional 4.3 million students in 105 countries!