OUR CORE PURPOSE
To Inspire and prepare young people
to succeed in a global economy.
At Junior Achievement, we give young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Our corporate and community volunteers deliver relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. JA programs empower students to make a connection between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world - enhancing the relevance of their classroom learning and increasing their understanding of the value of staying in school.
Since it's founding in 1919 Junior Achievement has become a worldwide organization dedicated to preparing youth to succeed in the world of work. JA of Western PA started in the Pittsburgh area in 1939 by A.W. Robertson, Chairman of Westinghouse; Junior Achievement brought its highly regarded comprehensive portfolio of age-appropriate curriculum to Erie County in 2006. With support from the City of Erie School District and GE, JA of Western PA found in Erie County a community eager to embrace an organization ready to education it's children in work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Junior Achievement programs have been arming students from Kindergarten through 12th grade with the knowledge and skills necessary to explore career options, visualize their own success, and make sound financial decisions. Since the district operation was established in Erie County in 2006, over 24,000 students have received the benefits of Junior Achievement programs.
