The JA Hispanic Initiative

en espanol

Consider this:

• Latinos are the least educated among all Americans

• 2 out of every 5 Latino adults have not graduated from high school
• Latino school-age students account for the highest number of drop-outs of any ethnic group in the United States
• Lack of education is one of the reasons Latinos rank as the poorest ethnic group in the United States
• More than 80% of the 23 million jobs that will be created in the next 10 years will require some post-secondary education
• Language and cultural barriers limit the opportunities for Latino students to connect with role models

It is against this backdrop that JA Worldwide launched the JA Hispanic Initiative with the support of the Goizueta Foundation.

The Purpose of JA's Hispanic Initiative

The purpose of the JA Hispanic Initiative is to inspire and prepare Hispanic students to succeed in a global economy with the tools they will need to navigate the "business of life" - practical workplace readiness, entrepreneurship, and personal financial literacy skills.

A key focus of the JA Hispanic Initiative is to increase the number of Hispanic volunteer role-models providing Hispanic students with JA programs enhanced with supplemental tools that integrate culturally relevant materials, lessons, and themes.

These expanded supplemental materials are designed to affect students' attitude, behavior, and self-efficacy towards work readiness, post-secondary educational opportunities, financial literacy, and future careers.

How you can make a difference

This Initiative will target and recruit Latino volunteers to serve as role models. Latino professionals possess valuable experience and practical advice that they can share with Latino youth in the Chicagoland area. These students are beginning to consider their future educational and professional ambitions and prospects. As a volunteer role model, Latino professionals should feel free to share your "story" with these students. This provides the students with the ability to understand that boundless possibilities exist for them if they work hard, understand their options, and maximize existing opportunities available to them.

Latino volunteers will:
• Deliver skills, hope and opportunity through JA programs at predominantly Latino schools'
• Provide bilingual and culturally-relevant supplemental materials to make JA programs more pertinent;
• Make a positive connection with the parents of Latino and immigrant students regarding the importance of education in their children's lives.

Here's how easy it is to become a Junior Achievement of Chicago Latino Initiative volunteer:

Minimal Time Commitment - Maximum Impact:
• Elementary grades - Five to seven 30 to 45 minute sessions
• Middle grades: Six to Seven 45-minute sessions
• High School: Seven to twelve 45-to 120-minute sessions

No Expertise Required - Training Provided:
• JA provides you with all necessary material to implement our programs
• You don't need to be an expert in business, finance, entrepreneurship or education. You just need to be willing to share your life experiences with students.
• JA will train you in classroom management, understanding and relaying the JA curriculum, working with the classroom teacher and communicating effectively with students.

JAC seeks business and educational partners who are committed to the economic empowerment of young people in the Illinois Latino community. The JAC Latino Initiative will focus on creating partnerships and connections with corporate/diversity affinity groups, professional associations, community groups, and individuals who can help raise awareness of JA programs and engage participation of the Latino community in an exciting new program. Volunteer Today!

Contact

To learn more about how you can support the Junior Achievement of Chicago Latino Initiative, please contact Ms. Valerie Garcia, Associate Director of the Latino Initiative, at (312) 715-1300 x229 or vgarcia@jachicago.org.