Junior Achievement is a program that is aptly named. It teaches young people how to achieve success in the business world as the business environment gets more and more complex.
Debbie Harman, the Douglas County District Program Manager for JA, works with public school officials and volunteer teachers from the business community.
“JA provided programs for 250 classrooms and more than 5,000 students in Lawrence this past year,” she said. Sixteen Lawrence elementary and middle schools participated.
“The purpose of the program” Herman said at the June 4 meeting of Lawrence Central Rotary ” is to educate young people to understand business and to inspire and prepare young people to succeed.”
A non-profit operation, JA volunteers are business role models who teach five lessons of 30 minutes each, coordinating with the schools. Each lesson is prepared for the volunteers who then add real world examples. They build business knowledge about the work ethic, financial literacy, economics education, career exploration and business concepts and skills.
Working as part of the social studies curriculum JA teaches students to manage finances and develop job skills through grade level appropriate lessons. A favorite for younger students this year was how to start a doughnut business–complete with samples.
Supported solely by local business communities, JA reached 26,000 Kansas students last year. “We keep costs low and, locally, support the program with an auction, a fund drive, a Bowlathon, donations and sponsoring the Business Hall of Fame in Lawrence” she said.
“Our mission, “ Harman said “ is to inspire and prepare young people succeed in a global economy.”
