Junior Achievement Receives $250,000 Grant from CHEFA; Honors Travelers and The Hartford; Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
/Junior Achievement of Southwest New England (JA) has received a $250,000 grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA). The funds will support the expansion and enhancement of JA’s Career Ready programs, with a focus on comprehensive industry exploration & career pathway programming.
JA, with support from business community volunteers, plans to implement a wide variety of career readiness programs for thousands of students in more than 20 towns and cities in Connecticut, with a strategic focus on Hartford, East Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and Waterbury.
“This generous support will help JA inspire and prepare thousands of middle and high school students for the world of work and the region’s most in-demand jobs,” said Jeremy Race, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England. “CHEFA’s donation will also help fuel a system of change that will ultimately lead to greater opportunities for young people who quite simply just need to be given a chance…a chance to dream and a chance to succeed.”
With funding and support from CHEFA, JA expects participating students will gain experiences that will:
Encourage and inspire young people to explore a wide variety of career opportunities, including local businesses or industries, with development of industry network for students entering the world of work
Help young people develop critical soft-skills that are required for more immediate job placements and future success
Develop a stronger and more diverse talent pipeline for industries in need of future workers
Breakdown and destigmatize stereotypes regarding the employability of urban youth through increased positive interactivity
Help students see and plan a direct and clear path to sustainable work and economic self-sufficiency
CHEFA’s Grant Program was established in 2002 and has provided more than $42 million dollars since inception to CT nonprofit organizations supporting capital projects/purchases, and programs.
“Supporting positive youth programming focused on education and career success has played an important role in CHEFA’s recent workforce funding. This $250,000 grant to Junior Achievement of Southwest New England will provide a path forward for a significant number of youth throughout Connecticut”, said Jeanette W. Weldon, CHEFA Executive Director.
The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) is a quasi-governmental agency created to help Connecticut-based non-profit organizations raise the funds needed to meet their goals of improving the health and education of Connecticut citizens. CHEFA grant programs utilize no State of Connecticut funds.
Nationally, Junior Achievement USA® recently honored 55 organizations with the 2020-21 U.S. President's Volunteer Service Awards, including two prominent Connecticut corporations. Despite the limitations on volunteerism in this past school year, these volunteer partners continued to find ways in which they could connect with students to deliver JA’s career and work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy learning experiences, according to JA officials.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. was awarded a Silver level 2020-21 U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award and The Hartford received a Bronze level award, presented at a virtual awards ceremony earlier this month.
"Our research shows that in light of the pandemic, one-third of teens are looking for additional emotional support from caring adults this school year,” said Jeremy Race, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England. “Junior Achievement volunteers are important mentors for young people, bringing our programs to life. JA volunteers share their experiences and skills with students while delivering our programs, teaching them how to manage their money, succeed in the workforce, or start a business that creates jobs and grows the economy. JA’s volunteers are critical to our organization’s success and are a vital part of our mission.”
President George W. Bush established the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers make in communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor individuals who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. In 2006, Junior Achievement became an official certifying organization for this award, which recognizes corporations with a U.S. presence that provide volunteers to teach JA programs anywhere in the world.
Junior Achievement’s kindergarten through high school programs are delivered across the country by a network of dedicated volunteers. JA programs provide innovative, hands-on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy education to thousands of students in Connecticut each year.
“Taking care of our communities is core to who we are, and our culture of volunteerism runs deep,” said Rita Ortiz, Senior Director of Community Relations at Travelers and Assistant Vice President of the Travelers Foundation. “Our employees dedicate a significant amount of their time to supporting important causes and organizations, like Junior Achievement, and it is an absolute honor to be recognized for their efforts.”
Internationally, JA Worldwide has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. Nominations may be received only from heads of state and certain elected officials, university professors in selected fields, past Nobel laureates, and a few other notable individuals.
Although the identity of each nominee officially remains anonymous for 50 years, JA Worldwide recently indicated that it has received permission to share that JA was nominated by a distinguished Professor of Law and International Affairs who was impressed by the organization’s global reach, success in delivering economic empowerment to youth at scale, and ability to find unity in diversity.
There are 343 candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2022, according to the Nobel Peace Prize website, including 251 individuals and 92 organizations.
“Our unique blend of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness enables us to impact individuals, communities, and society,” said Grete Nykkelmo, CEO of JA Norway. “Peace is achieved when young people have economic opportunity, and we are honored that JA has been recognized alongside other nominees that are striving for a more peaceful world.”
Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in over 100 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations in 100 other countries worldwide.
