Junior Achievement has received local support as it helped nearly 1,000 students in several Chautauqua County schools during the last school year.

Junior Achievement USA worked to transform its learning experiences to a digital platform. Since then, not only was that achieved but program offerings doubled. Junior Achievement of Wester

n New York continues to provide flexible options for volunteers and educators. Ultimately the goal was to make Junior Achievement accessible to all students regardless of their ever-changing learning environments during this past challenging school year. With support from Chautauqua County Area funders, Junior Achievement learning experiences reached 942 students in Chautauqua County in the 2020-2021 school year.

Funding support came from Holmberg Foundation, The Lenna Foundation, Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, and Blackstone Advanced Technologies LLC. School district partners include: Falconer, Fredonia, Frewsburg, Jamestown, Sherman and Westfield.

The local community continues to provide the volunteers necessary to support JA’s unique delivery model. Volunteer partner organizations include: Cummins, Falconer Central School District, Flatback Technologies, HSBC Bank, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Community Learning Council, M&T Bank, Media One Radio Group, Merrill Lynch, Monofrax, Sherman School, SUNY Fredonia, The Resource Center and Wells Fargo.

Junior Achievement works with schoools to help students improve financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work and career readiness. A 2020 National survey of JA Alumni indicated:

¯ four out of five alumni report Junior Achievement played an important role in their decision to pursue further education

¯ 51% of JA Alumni say they have worked in the same job or career as their volunteer.

¯ four out of five alumni report Junior Achievement played an important role in choosing their career path.

¯ 96% of Black alumni, 95 % of Hispanic alumni, and 93 % of white alumni say JA positively impacted their future choices and perceptions.

¯ 60% of Hispanic alumni, 52 % of Black alumni, and 51 % of white alumni have started one or more businesses during their careers.

¯ four out of five alumni report Junior Achievement played an important role in their belief they could achieve their goals.

“Junior Achievement is committed to ensuring that all students have access to the skills and experiences that prepare them for future economic success,” said Laurie Mahoney, president of JA of WNY. “JA’s Digital First education platform and virtual volunteer delivery model allowed JAWNY to reach students wherever learning was taking place this past year. The mentoring support provided by volunteers was critical to helping students make the connection between what they are learning in school and how it translates into the ‘real’ world of work”. The strong and continued partnership between Junior Achievement, Chautauqua county schools, businesses, community volunteers and funders provided the foundation needed to serve your students during this challenging year.”