About JA | Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT'S PURPOSE AND VALUES

About Junior Achievement

Junior Achievement's Purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

The envisioned future - what we aspire to become. Junior Achievement maintains an active vision, front and center, on how we can have a positive impact on the lives of more students - guided by our core values:

BELIEF IN THE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Commitment to the principles of market-based economics and entrepreneurship

Passion for what we do and honesty, integrity, and excellence in how we do it

Respect for the talents, creativity, perspectives, and backgrounds of all individuals

Belief in the power of partnership and collaboration

Conviction in the educational and motivational impact of relevant, hands-on learning

Junior Achievement Facts

What Is Junior Achievement?

Junior Achievement is the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy—ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

Purpose

Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Leadership

Lori Jacob is the President and CEO of JA of Greater St. Louis. Michael Deniszczuk, U.S. Independence Leader (retired), PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, is the Board Chair.

Proven Success

Junior Achievement is one of a few nonprofits to use independent, third-party evaluators to gauge the impact of its programs. Since 1993, independent evaluators have conducted studies on Junior Achievement's effectiveness. Findings prove that Junior Achievement has a positive impact in a number of critical areas. We invite you to read our Impact Study Results.

Program Reach

Locally, Junior Achievement reaches more than 124,000 students per year in 5,300+ classrooms and after-school locations. JA programs are taught by volunteers in inner cities, suburbs, and rural areas . These volunteers come from all walks of life, including: business people, college students, parents and retirees. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our organization.

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, JA 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. Over the last 39 years, Junior Achievement has expanded its activities and broadened its scope to include in-school and after-school students.
 
Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis was founded in 1943. 

JA of Greater St. Louis Awards

Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis maintains the highest standards.  We are honored to be recognized by our peers and the community.

Junior Achievement USA Star Award 1998-2019, Junior Achievement USA Peak Performance Team Award 2013-2014, Excellence in Community Development 2014 - Progress 64 West, Metlife Foundation Entrepreneurial Award: JA Finance Park Online and JA Accounting: INROADS to a Certified Professional Achiever

 
 

JA of Greater St. Louis Team

leadership

Meet the passionate and committed team that is working hard to empower our youth.
 

JA Leadership

STAFF

Our staff is committed to make your experience working with us absolutely the best!
 

JA Staff

BOARD

Our Board Members include the finest business and individual leaders in our community.
 

JA Board

YPaB

JA's Young Professionals Advisory Board is a group of innovative, energetic, and philanthropic young professionals.

YPAB Board

More About Junior Achievement

Financials AND Annual Reports

We've consistently received high grades for accountability and transparency.

JA Financials

Careers

Join us on our mission to empower youth and create robust communities.

JA Careers

JA Business Hall of fame Laureates

Learn about our illustrious laureates.

Laureates

JA Map

Junior Achievement of Greater St. Louis District Operations

Wabash Valley      Central Missouri      NE Missouri/WC Illinois     

 

SE Missouri      SW Missouri      SW Illinois     

 

Diversity Statement: Junior Achievement is the recognized leader in "empowering young people to own their economic success®" through volunteer-led, experiential learning. We are dedicated to providing a positive, enriching learning experience free of bias. Junior Achievement welcomes K-12 students, volunteers and potential staff regardless of race, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other legally protected characteristic.

  • "Junior Achievement has given me a sense of what adults go through with budget issues."

    -Junior Achievement Student

  • "Junior Achievement reinforced concepts for me to remember later in life."

    -Junior Achievement Student

  • "I thought the experience was amazing. The presentation was unlike anything I've seen."

    -Junior Achievement Student

  • "I liked how the Junior Achievement volunteer explained his job to us."

    -Junior Achievement Student

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