WHAT IS JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT?

It is the world’s largest and fastest-growing organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics, and free enterprise.  JA’s programs are taught by classroom volunteers from the business community in the United States and 112 countries worldwide.

PROGRAMS:

Programs span grades k-12, with age-appropriate curricula designed to teach elementary students about their roles as individuals, workers, and consumers and to prepare middle grade and high school students for key economic and workforce issues they will face.  In addition to bringing the free enterprise system to life in the classroom, Junior Achievement programs teach young people the importance of staying in school.  JA offers two programs via the internet, JA TITAN and JA Personal Finance.

WHOM DOES IT REACH?

During the 2002-2003 academic year, Junior Achievement of New Mexico, Inc. will reach over 15,000 students.  Through 151 domestic affiliates, Junior Achievement reaches more than four million U.S. students each year in cities, suburbs and rural areas.  Junior Achievement International reaches nearly two million students each year in 112 countries.

SCOPE:

Junior Achievement programs are used by teachers in more than 172,000 classrooms annually.  Junior Achievement of New Mexico brings economic education to over 80 elementary, middle and high schools in Bernalillo, Otero, Lincoln, Torrance, Chaves, Lea, Dona Ana, Valencia, Socorro, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Taos, Grant, Newcomb, Animas and Colfax counties, as well as Laguna and Ojo Encino Pueblos.  Since beginning operations in 1993, more than 52,000 students have benefited from JA.  Our programs are provided at no cost to schools, teachers or students.  We are funded solely by businesses, foundations and individuals who are committed to ensuring that future generations have the skills and opportunities to succeed in life.

VOLUNTEERS:

Junior Achievement’s 113,000 classroom volunteers come from all walks of life and include business people, college students, and retirees.  These dedicated individuals are the backbone of the organization.  This year hundreds of local volunteers in cooperation with nearly 600 teachers will partner together to bring the Junior Achievement experience to the children of New Mexico.  The volunteers take on the role of consultants while acting as role models and mentors for our youth.  These dedicated individuals are the backbone of the organization, contributing more than 12,000 hours of their time to Junior Achievement each year.

A BRIEF HISTORY:

Junior Achievement was founded in 1919 by Theodore Vail, president of American Telephone & Telegraph; Horace Moses, president of Strathmore Paper Co.; and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts.  Its first program, The Company Program, was offered to high school students on an after-school basis.  In 1975, the organization entered the classroom with the introduction of Project Business for the middle grades.  In the last 25 years, Junior Achievement gradually expanded its activities and broadened its scope to encompass an ever-widening student population. 

LEADERSHIP:

Rick Matthews of Honeywell, Inc. is the New Mexico Chairman; Mario Burgos is the President of the New Mexico organization; William M. Freeman, president of the Public Communications Group at Verizon is National Chairman; and David S. Chernow is president and Chief Executive Officer of the National Junior Achievement Organization.

FUNDING:

Junior Achievement of New Mexico operates on a $565,000 budget. It is primarily funded through gifts from business leaders, corporations, foundations and generous gifts from individuals.  Programs are delivered at no cost to students or schools.  Average cost per student is $28.00.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

Junior Achievement is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  The National Headquarters and Service Center provides strategic direction, leadership and support to approximately 1,400 employees in 151 local operations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  Local volunteer boards of directors of business, education and civic leaders set policy and direction for each affiliate.

DISTINGUISHED JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT ALUMNI:

·        U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-Pennsylvania)

·        Frederick A. Deluca, Founder & CEO, Subway

·        Dick DeVos, President, Amway Corporation

·        Arte Johnson, Actor

·        David Nelms, President & COO, Discover Financial Services

·        Marshall Loeb, Editor, COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW

·        Paul Emmick, Meteorologist, The Weather Channel

·        Mark Cuban, Founder of broadcast.com and Owner of the Dallas Mavericks

·        Bruce Kennedy, Chairman Emeritus, Alaska Air Group, Inc.

·        Dr. Donna Shalala, President, University of Miami