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October 31, 2022 2022 Giving Guide

Junior Achievement of Southwest New England

Mission:

Junior Achievement inspires and prepares young people to succeed.

Who are you helping, and how?

We provide programs during and after school for students across Connecticut in kindergarten through high school that focus on financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship.

We have engaged in deep conversations defining and envisioning what impact looks like. This past year, we evolved our approach to work more strategically and intentionally with all of our partners to provide our most impactful, customized programming yet, serving nearly 30,000 students across Connecticut. Our approach to career exploration, workforce development, financial literacy and entrepreneurship is a perfect conduit to set students up for long-term career success, shrinking the racial wealth gap and helping companies recruit skilled talent. Put together, these activities ensure economic viability and vibrancy across the state.

Our mission has always been to inspire and empower young people to own their economic success, but the reality is that the experience we provide transcends mere economic success. The experience embodies hope, opportunity and change. This year, Junior Achievement Worldwide — our parent organization — earned the extraordinary honor of a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for our collective contributions to world peace and for our efforts to forge connections and make change across the globe. Our triumphs here in Connecticut reflect that international effort, advancing hope, opportunity and positive change in the lives of many.

Who are you helping, and how?

We provide programs during and after school for students across Connecticut in kindergarten through high school that focus on financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship.

We have engaged in deep conversations defining and envisioning what impact looks like. This past year, we evolved our approach to work more strategically and intentionally with all of our partners to provide our most impactful, customized programming yet, serving nearly 30,000 students across Connecticut. Our approach to career exploration, workforce development, financial literacy and entrepreneurship is a perfect conduit to set students up for long-term career success, shrinking the racial wealth gap and helping companies recruit skilled talent. Put together, these activities ensure economic viability and vibrancy across the state.

Our mission has always been to inspire and empower young people to own their economic success, but the reality is that the experience we provide transcends mere economic success. The experience embodies hope, opportunity and change. This year, Junior Achievement Worldwide — our parent organization — earned the extraordinary honor of a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for our collective contributions to world peace and for our efforts to forge connections and make change across the globe. Our triumphs here in Connecticut reflect that international effort, advancing hope, opportunity and positive change in the lives of many.

Fundraising Events/Opportunities

JA Classic Golf Tournament: This event is one of New England’s best charity golf tournaments, thanks to its high-end gift package, great customer service and entertainment opportunities. The tourney is held every year on the first Monday in June at the Tumble Brook Country Club in Bloomfield.

JA Business Hall of Fame: Held every April, this event honors individuals and organizations from the Hartford and New Haven areas whose business careers and dedication to local community development make them inspiring role models for young people. For 2023, we will offer both an in-person and virtual experience.

Partners in Achievement Breakfast: This fundraiser showcases the life-changing impact of our programs by featuring students, educators, volunteers and alumni explaining how our work has impacted the local community. This event is held each May and, for 2023, will be a hybrid experience with both in person and livestreaming options.

Office Warriors: This event is a convivial opportunity for our biggest corporate supporters to playfully compete against one another in a series of dynamic and wacky office-themed games, vying for the coveted golden paper shredder. Varying levels of sponsorship support are available to participate or support the event. The games are held at the end of every June as a summertime kick-off.

Please email Ashlyn Lower at alower@jaconn.org for more information and sponsorship opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

We rely on volunteers from local businesses and the community at large to provide our programming for students. By sharing personal and professional experiences, volunteers help students understand the connection of academic learning to workplace needs, career achievement and financial success. We have created a menu of flexible volunteer experiences, including both in-person and virtual opportunities with a variety of time commitments. All volunteers receive training and activities designed to make the classroom experience gratifying and successful for everyone involved. Volunteers can participate as individuals or as part of a company as a team-building exercise.

"This program has taught me things that I would've never learned in school. As I'm about to enter a new world, this program definitely prepared me for adulthood. It also empowered me and motivated me.”

– JA high school student