FREEDOM

As we struggle to understand the cost, we have gained a much greater appreciation of the value.

The remarkable economic system we have worked so hard to develop has been challenged by the recent acts of terrorism. With hope as our beacon, we move forward with respect and resolve.

We have the responsibility, as Americans, to protect and preserve our free enterprise system. The long-term guarantee that our economy will remain the strongest in the world rests in the education of our children. One way to help our young people understand and appreciate the tremendous value of our system of commerce is through Junior Achievement.

Junior Achievement is passionate people inspiring kids to learn the economics of life through free enterprise education. These passionate, caring adults include teachers, who open their doors to this unique dimension of learning, volunteers, who are the heart of JA’s learn-by-doing approach, and investors, whose generous resources turn classrooms into learning laboratories of the future. These people dedicate their precious time, energy and resources to change the lives of young people. They desperately want kids to be successful.

And how does Junior Achievement define success? It’s the opportunity to improve a person’s quality of life. That means that young people, if they desire, should be able to become a CEO or a dedicated, productive employee. It also means that all children will grow up to be literate voters and wise consumers. We must ensure that every child in every city, suburb, and rural community across our country has a fighting chance to reach his or her full potential.

JA’s sequential and integrated kindergarten through 12^th grade programs give kids that chance. More than 15,500 students this year will participate and learn through Junior Achievement’s business, economics, and free enterprise experiences in our community.

Our mission is to ensure that every local child, ultimately, will have a fundamental understanding of how our remarkable free enterprise system works.

The question is often asked, does JA work?

Well, independent studies prove that students who have had the benefit of Junior Achievement’s programs have a better understanding of economic and business concepts than students who don’t participate. Studies also demonstrate that JA students use higher levels of thinking to synthesize and integrate information and are better prepared to take on leadership roles.

We also are asked, how does it work?

JA provides programs that complement and enhance existing school curricula. They contain a variety of turnkey activities and are a platform to bring theory to life. The activities are relevant and provide a unique and rewarding forum for all involved. Training and service is provided to ensure a positive experience.

Themes, such as, personal finance, workforce readiness, business and entrepreneurship and general economics are addressed in JA’s active learning method. The length of the experience depends upon the particular program implemented, and usually last between five to twelve classes. The dialogue is open, honest, engaging and always fulfilling. After all, kids will be kids!

This new effort extends the already successful program menu, which currently impacts 72 schools in 13 counties. These schools view JA resources as vital in connecting the traditional and valued way of learning to a dynamic, relevant bridge to business.

The validation of the experience rests in the outcomes. Elementary school students like Aaron Bennington and his classmates in Appalachia who were inspired by their volunteer to dream about the day when they can open an amusement park in their community. Aspiring high school philanthropist, Julio Olvera, who learned from his JA Titan class that he wants to help close the digital divide in his hometown of Austin. And Southern California middle school students Andew Waage and Siddharth Jain, who have to applied their JA skills to start their own technology company.

JA provides a framework for the volunteer and the teacher to paint a portrait of opportunity for young people. It also provides a foundation of learning that helps kids take advantage of that opportunity. In other words, JA helps kids dream and reach that dream!

Junior Achievement is about the American dream. It’s about the entrepreneurial spirit. It’s about free enterprise.

We now have a very clear understanding that free enterprise is not free. It takes time, energy and hard work. These are the ideals that JA represents. These are the ideals that define the students who benefit from the commitment made by our partners.

We need your commitment to help the children in this community. We need you to reinforce the importance of free enterprise in our successful democracy. We need you to be part of Junior Achievements response.

After all, kids are our future. Let their success be your inspiration!