Volunteering with Junior Achievement
A want versus a need. How to balance a checkbook. Don't you wish that someone had taught you those things as you were growing up? Now there is someone. YOU. All we need is your enthusiasm, life experience, and a willingness to teach children about how you took chances and shot for the stars. Central Virginia provides the training, curriculum, and a classroom ready to meet you!
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Make A Difference In YOUR Community
By being a JA volunteer and sharing your personal and professional experiences and skills with students from your community, you help them make the connection between what they are learning in school and what they will need to succeed in work and life.
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Inspire a Future Generation
For a time investment of only an hour each day in one week, you may be the difference between a young person in your community just making ends meet or getting a more fulfilling career and life.
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JA provides an Amazing and Rewarding Volunteer Experience
JA gives you an opportunity through your employer's volunteer program (or on your own) to impact young people in your community in a positive way with simple to implement programs on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. This will empower young people to own their economic success.
How it Works
Two PATHS To Volunteer
JA of Central Virginia partners with companies and other organizations such as civic groups and college and high school classes and clubs to help deliver JA programs.
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Individuals in our community can reach out directly to us to set-up a time to volunteer in the classroom.
Choose Your Schedule
Whichever way you get to JA, your JA Program Manager will help you coordinate a schedule with your classroom teacher. He or she will also provide you with a short but effective training session and will make sure you are completely ready for your amazing experience!
During the Visit
Your commitment could vary from a single school day to a weekly visit of one hour each for five to ten weeks. It all depends on the grade level of the program you choose. You can choose your classroom based on a number of factors. We're flexible!
Congratulations!
Students love the hands-on learning opportunities that JA programs provide. The JA volunteer is the critical component in the success of JA programs, and sharing their professional or personal experiences that align with JA program content helps students see how JA can help them achieve their dreams!
Ways To Volunteer
Traditional In-Classroom
As a JA Traditional Volunteer, you'll be paired with a teacher in a classroom. This delivery method is an effective and popular way to show students a connection between the skills they are learning in the classroom and how they can get a more fulfilling career and life. You coordinate your schedule with the teacher offering flexibility in the time you give - and your teacher remains in the classroom with you the entire time. You can even teach in your own child's class with teacher approval.
JA in a Day
This experience uses the same JA programs as the traditional method, but it's condensed into a single day for a high-impact experience! Perfect for the volunteer who can take just a day away from work. JA of Central Virginia facilitates over 20 JA in a Days each year - that comes to approximately 1,900 students participating in this program annually. You may volunteer solo, with a partner (coworker, colleague, friend or family member) or as a group from your business or organization.
JA Specialty Programs
As students position themselves for the future, there are many unanswered questions. JA programs help students make informed, intelligent decisions and foster 21st century skills that will be highly useful as they enter the working world. Volunteer role models show these youth what is possible if they work hard and dream big, empowering them to unleash their boundless potential.
JA specialty programs address topics such as ethics, entrepreneurship and job seeking essentials.
JA Finance Park
You'll be in an actual simulated city! You'll help guide students through their assigned family scenario where they will visit many different businesses. They must purchase services and items to meet the needs of their family, such as insurance, clothing, transportation, housing, groceries, and childcare—without spending more than they earn. Volunteers serve as mentors for the day and guide students through the program with the help of JA staff.
Watch this JA Finance Park video to learn more.
Tagline
Are you a JA Alumn? We would love to see you again! We bet Junior Achievement made a difference in your life! Get Involved and learn how you can re-engage with us!
Watch the Video
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it challenging interacting with the students?
What is the investment time for me as a JA volunteer?
Does JA really have an impact on communities?
Can I choose what program and class I would like to volunteer?
