Junior Achievement of Rocky Mountain, Inc.

Junior Achievement of Rocky Mountain, Inc. Profile Page

General Information

Organization Name:	Junior Achievement of Rocky Mountain, Inc.
Year Established:	1919
Executive Director:	Annette Paetzel
Address:	151 South College Avenue, Suite J
City:	Fort Collins
Zip Code:	80524
Phone Number:	(970) 490-1035
Website:	www.janocowy.org
List of Board Members:
Paul Brinkman Jennifer Johnson Terri Shields Vickie Bajtelsmit Steve Laine Mark Soukup Dave Barnett Ryan Land Paul Steinway Joe Basta Mike Nichols David Whitley Jim Blatter Chris Ruff Warren Yoder Sandy Ellison Ken Salazar Travis Gillmore Steve Schrader Tim Jares
Number of Clients Served:	18,500 kindergarten - grade 12 students
Cause:	Education

Mission Statement

Mission Statement:
Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and prepare young people to embrace free enterprise and succeed in a global economy.

Program Summary

Program Summary:

Organization History & Programs
Since 1919, Junior Achievement (JA) has been creating and implementing relevant, hands-on business and economic programs in schools through the dedicated efforts of business volunteers. Our mission is to inspire young people to embrace free enterprise and prepare for success in a global economy. JA programs focus on the three pillars of financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship.

JA has set our sights on being the partner of choice in building workforce ready, entrepreneurial and financially literate young people. JA programs focus these content ‘pillars’ to achieve the following impact:

 Ignite a student’s motivation and pursuit of education
 Inspire a workforce that is better prepared for local industry demands
 Develop a generation of students who are financially literate

To this end, JA has developed a portfolio of 22 programs that inspire kindergarten through grade 12 students to embrace the economics of life and prepare them to become productive members of society. This learning experience establishes the foundation from which today’s students can acquire the skills and dispositions necessary to be successful in our fast-changing world.

However, Junior Achievement is not just about teaching young people about business, economics and free enterprise. It is about our responsibility to ensure that students are ready for the future. It is about giving students a role model, a mentor who will inspire them, a chance to dream, the tools to realize their dreams and the opportunity for success.

Given the critical need for workforce readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship education and the increasing demand from educators; it is imperative that local students are provided with JA programming and positive role models to offer them with a sense of hope and a solid foundation of business, economic and workforce readiness knowledge that can help prevent them from making poor life decisions that may take years to overcome.

Wish List

Organizational Wish List:
•Classroom Volunteers •Digital Camera – 10 or more Megapixel •Memory Sticks for Digital Camera •Laptop Computer •16GB Flash Drives •Reams of white and colored 81/2 x 11 paper •First Class Stamps •Gift Certificates/Cards to local merchants to be used as door prizes for fundraising events

Client Story

Share a Brief Client Story:

Educator Comments:
“I have been having a JA volunteer come to my classroom for many years and I always have a quality experience. The curriculum is fun and the kids love to learn about the business world.”

“JA has become an important asset to our business education program here at Platte Valley. As a small rural school, at times we are missing some real world experience with instructors/volunteers other than school staff. The students not only receive great information, but gain insight into the world outside school. They make valuable contacts with business professionals also.”

“My students always enjoy the experience of learning about their community, and JA program enhances that immensely! The children started looking at their community from a business and economy standpoint, and were very excited by the curriculum!”

“My students LOVED this experience. They learned so much about businesses and what makes them successful. They were fully engaged in the learning and activities, and I was impressed by how much they recalled the next time we had JA. Their favorite activity was the one where they had to toss a ball of yarn around to see all the many countries involved in manufacturing one car. They were thoroughly impressed.”

“The money portion of JA was in correlation with our money unit so it gave my students a great connection to know the importance and value of money.”

“This was an incredible experience. My kids learned about the importance of education and had a great time. They looked forward to Junior Achievement every week! We appreciate your volunteers--what a great way to give back to our community and make a difference for kids.”

Classroom Volunteer Comments:
“No one moment comes to mind, but it's all about those little moments that make the experience so amazing. The smiles, the hugs, the laughter ... no matter what kind of a day I am having before JA, I am certain to feel great after I walk out of that classroom!”

“Since this year is the Presidential Election, I was able to connect the kids to the current events in our community, and the nation. They were excited to learn that they had choices, and learning how to vote, and why it is important. They learned why we need the services in our community, as well as connecting them to how taxes help provide the services that we receive, in our community. They were very excited, and many times shared with me the conversations that they had with their parents on what they were learning in the JA program.”

“Every time I teach, the kids blow me away with their knowledge and desire to learn and interact. It's one of the most rewarding things I do.”

“I pulled up to the school to teach one of my JA classes and I realized I had a smile on my face. I was having a tough day, and this was my bright spot. The students were so receptive, asked inquisitive questions and looked forward to the sessions. When I passed them in the hall, during other days I was helping with another class, they would always greet me kindly and I could tell they were looking forward to the next sessions. I was happy to see that at the end of the classes when handing out certificates, each classmate clapped and cheered for the other classmates when they came up for their certificates. It was rewarding for me; and valuable to the students as well!”

“We live in a very hectic and fast paced world. It seems like it is full of negative traits and feelings. But, when I come out of the JA classroom, I am positive and pumped up for the rest of the day. Today was my last class of middle school. As I was leaving, several of the students came up and said that they were sorry to see me go. They used the term, "We love it when you come to our class!" Now, that is a powerful motivator.”

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