 |
|
|
|
Dear JA Supporter,
As we begin to thaw out from winter and welcome warmer weather, our minds are filled with a sense of optimism and renewal. We embrace spring and its opportunity for growth, and simultaneously revive a feeling of hopefulness and a belief in what lies ahead. Some refer to this excitement - combined with perhaps a little restlessness - as "spring fever," and at JA, this is one bug we hope all of you catch! In other words, we hope that this sense of anticipation for the future is contagious, inspiring you to take action and improve your community.
April is National Financial Literacy month, and what better time to renew your commitment to JA volunteerism and spreading economic education to our youth! More than three-quarters of students (76%) wish they had more help preparing for their financial future, and by volunteering with JA, you can be the solution. As a volunteer, you play an integral role in helping young people thrive and gain crucial financial knowledge, awakening students' confidence in their potential to succeed.
And to help you in your goal to improve our youth's financial literacy, we've developed a great new tool for volunteers - online training for JA programs! At JA of Chicago, we're doing all we can to make your volunteer experience not only extremely rewarding and fulfilling, but as easy and hassle-free as possible.
So with focus and a clear mission, we can harness this springtime giddiness and excitement, using it as a motivating force, helping us to move forward, sprout the seeds of hope, and better the future for our young people.
Sincerely,
Sandy Daffé
President
Junior Achievement of Chicago
|
|
|
|
NEW! JA Chicago's Online Volunteer Training Videos
There's no doubting that through the internet we've found new ways to learn, communicate, interact with and impact the world around us. For Jon Stewart of The Daily Show
, the World Wide Web "is just a world passing around notes in a classroom." Well, at JA, we couldn't like this metaphor more! We are working to turn JA's resources on the internet into a giant classroom, helping our volunteers reap the many benefits that come with e-learning. As part of this ongoing effort, JA has created online volunteer training videos for many of our programs, allowing you to access lessons and prepare for your upcoming volunteer opportunity wherever you may be.
 These online lessons will assist you in finding more ways to connect with JA program materials, train for
upcoming teaching opportunities, and enhance your volunteer experience. In addition to being readily accessible, the online training is also a fun way to see the material presented in a new fashion.
Our
JA Online Volunteer Training is a convenient tool for every type of volunteer. You might opt to make use of the ease that comes with preparing for your JA experience in the comfort of your home. Or, you may just want a refresher course to supplement the face-to-face training you've already received. Whatever your reason, the
JA Online Volunteer Training can help you tailor your volunteer preparation to your busy schedule, making it simpler than ever to help our youth become the successful and financially literate adults of tomorrow that we all know they can be.
|
|
|
|
JA Chicago receives $250K from the McCormick Foundation
Junior Achievement of Chicago recently announced a $250,000 grant from the McCormick Foundation that will help expand program outreach and further its collaboration with local Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) military schools.
This gift will be instrumental in expanding JA's "High School Heroes" initiative, through which Chicago Public School JROTC high school cadets not only receive JA programs in their classrooms, but also serve as powerful role models, volunteering with elementary school students and teaching JA programs that will help them prepare for the future. Kim Harrell, Director of Military Instruction for JROTC, explained, "...through JA, it is always very gratifying to see how our cadets transform from nervous young adults, unsure of how to teach a group of nine year-olds, into strong, self-assured role models in a matter of minutes
inside these JA classrooms."
The grant was presented at JA's March board meeting, where
representatives from both the McCormick Foundation and Chicago Public
School JROTC programs were in attendance. Read more about how this generous gift from the McCormick Foundation will benefit JA and JROTC students in the Chicago area.
|
|
|
Event Spotlight: JA's 2010 Day at the Races
Thursday, May 20 - Arlington Park
 JA's 16th annual "Day at the Races
" will be held at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights on Thursday, May 20th. The event is perfect for:
Client Recognition - Show your top clients a great time
Volunteer Appreciation - Reward those who teach JA
Department Recognition - Use this afternoon at the track as an incentive for your top teams or departments
Meeting Space
- Take advantage of this unique meeting space and reserve a suite for the morning (at no additional charge!) and stay for the racing action
Individual tickets are $250 or suite sponsorships are available for $7,500 and include admission for 25 guests, open bar and a delicious buffet; the event also features a live and silent auction with many great items to bid on.
Remember, your attendance will help bring economic education to more Chicago-area students and a portion of your sponsorship is tax deductible. Visit our website for more information about JA's "Day at the Races", but hurry and reserve yours today - only a few suites remain, and individual
tickets are going fast!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connect with JA!
Stay connected with JA of Chicago and see what is happening
as we continue to teach local students about the importance of
entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness, and
share in their success.
 
Enjoy what you've read or know of someone else who may be interested in JA's Shared Success? Please consider sharing or forwarding to a friend.
To ensure you receive Shared Success, make sure to add JA of Chicago to your "safe senders" list. Here's how.
To tell us what you think, submit an idea to feature, or just share your JA experience, connect with us using the social networks above or email us at info@jachicago.org.
|
Other Ways to Support JA Programs
Whether you use your Discover Card for groceries, travel
or entertainment, all your purchases will feel a little sweeter
when you direct your Cashback Bonus to JA because
Discover will add an additional 20% to your Cashback Bonus
donation. You spend. We all win.
 Find out how to donate through
Discover's
charitable Cashback
program!
JA and Papa John's have developed a partnership to deliver a
little something extra when you order online! It's easy! Visit
www.papajohns.com to order online, click "Online Specials"
to find the "JA Coupon" and continue your order.
It's that simple to raise money for JA!
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
