John Crawford, Junior Achievement in Western New York executive director, is pictured with Marion Beckerink, president of the Rotary Club of Jamestown, NY.

Amy Rohler, Rotary Club of Jamestown program chairwoman, introduced John Crawford, executive director of Junior Achievement in Western New York, during a recent meeting.

Before joining Junior Achievement, Crawford served as operations director at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Buffalo, providing services to those most in need. Crawford also served as president of college relations at Medaille College for 10 years and as director of development at SUNY Buffalo and the American Red Cross.

Crawford described Junior Achievement’s services in the eight counties of Western New York. He said the organization’s goal is to empower young people by supplementing the education of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Junior Achievement develops a curriculum on topics such as financial literacy. Complete packets of information about each curriculum are provided to teachers and volunteers. The agency trains the volunteers and teachers. These activities include games and activities in school, after school, and during the summer.

Joelle Washer Conti of Northwest Bank added that she and many other bank representatives have acted as volunteers.