MISSION

Junior Achievement Orange County & Inland Empire inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy.

WHO WE ARE

At Junior Achievement we believe in “possible.” Each day, we work to help young people discover what’s possible in their lives. We do this by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. We let them know it’s possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams. We show them that it’s possible for tomorrow to be a better day.

BOUNDLESS FUTURES THROUGH EDUCATION

Junior Achievement has impacted millions of young people since 1954 through common core aligned K-12 programs guided by the three pillars of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work & career readiness. JA programs enable students to make connections between what they learn in school and real-world applications. JA programs ignite the spark in young people to recognize the value of their education; be aware of, and plan for their future; realizing the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century through hands-on learning experiences. These early insights are essential building blocks for economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.

Junior Achievement Orange County & Inland Empire serves a diverse population of students from across the socio-economic spectrum. We deliver JA programs through implementation methods that address the specific needs of our community and schools. Through continually evolving and expanding our programs. Junior Achievement curates learning experiences that engage and inspire local youth.

WHY JA?

Recognizing the growing disparity between student debt and viable career pathways combined with the EDC’s forecast of thousands of jobs that may remain unfilled, Junior Achievement Orange County & Inland Empire continues to focus on opportunities that better prepare – and connect – Orange County & Inland Empire students with future careers.

About one in five students does not graduate from high school and only 52% of high school graduates are college ready, as per data from the California Department of Education. JA programs have become increasingly more relevant as schools are placing a stronger emphasis on career readiness. In an ever-changing economy and job market, students need to gain a better understanding of the career opportunities that exist and how to obtain them.

Using experiential curriculum and a network of industry mentors, Junior Achievement allows students of all learning styles to thrive and learn important life lessons. This, in turn, reinforces the value of staying in school and drives rising high school and college graduation rates in our community.

We recognize many of our neighbors have been historically disenfranchised and continue to be underrepresented in Orange County & Inland Empire’s high-growth industries.

JA is making intentional efforts to provide programming that economically empowers young people. Engaging with communities that have been underserved by providing access to social and financial capital is integral to building an equitable future in which all people can thrive.

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

Junior Achievement’s proven lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship are shown to positively impact the lives of young people. These lessons align with national and state educational standards and are delivered to millions of students across the country with the help of our education partners and volunteers from the local community.

Research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.