Our Impact
Get Started With JA
Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes provides several ways that you can get involved whether you're someone looking to volunteer, part of a district or school looking for educational materials, or part of a business looking to help us expand the reach of our mission.
Educators
Junior Achievement provides activities, guides, thought leadership and lots of additional resources to support learning.
Volunteers
In-person or Virtual you can Volunteer with Junior Achievement and make a profound difference in the youth of our community.
Impact Partners
Junior Achievement partners with corporations and individuals to fund the programs that are delivered to our local students.
JA of Michigan Great Lakes Spotlight
JA BizTown Summer Camp
Can you imagine a place where kids get to be in charge, be the boss, make the decisions, do the things that adults get to do? What would it be like to get a paycheck and go shopping with money from your own bank account, or be able to vote, donate to worthy causes, and make the community a great place for others? Well, there is such a place- JA BizTown! This summer, we invite YOU to be our neighbor in JA BizTown Summer Camp. Students will learn how to manage money, be a part of a community, interview for a job, run a business, and so much more! Throughout the week students will learn, hear from guest speakers from the community, participate in hands on activities, and after learning about various money and business topics, will run their business in BizTown for the day!
JA Financial Literacy for Michigan
In response to the new requirement that high school students in Michigan must take a half-credit personal finance course before graduation, Junior Achievement of Michigan is stepping up to help schools and students meet this mandate by utilizing the resources, experience and curriculum of our regional and national offices.
JA can help your school and students meet Michigan's new financial literacy graduation requirement with practical, hands-on financial education curricula. Three of our JA programs meet the requirements outlined by the Michigan Department of Education and are available to schools statewide:
JA Financial Literacy is a one-semester teacher-led course that equips Michigan high school students with foundational personal finance skills, including how to:
- Earn and save money
- Manage money by being a wise consumer and creating and using a budget
- Manage bank accounts, investments, and credit
- Assess risks and use insurance
- Address financial problems like identity theft and debt
JA Finance Park Advanced is a teacher-led classroom curriculum that culminates with a visit to JA Finance Park, where students put into practice what they’ve learned by developing a personal budget. Students learn about successful budgeting, financial responsibility, and career
exploration.
JA Personal Finance is a course where students experience the interrelationship between today's financial decisions and future financial freedom. Students will learn about money-management strategies, including earning, employment and income, budgeting, savings, credit and debt, consumer protection, smart shopping, risk management, investing, credit card usage, debt management, taxes, FAFSA and net worth.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Please contact Laura Lutterbeck, Chief Operations Officer, at laura.lutterbeck@ja.org.
The Tom Fox Family JA BizTown® Now Open for Business!
In this fully interactive town that simulates the day-to-day functions of a thriving community, 5th and 6th grade students become both producers and consumers, responsible for running businesses, managing money, fundraising, advertising, voting, and more! Students apply for jobs in the town and then experience careers like electricians, store managers, bankers, retailers, civic leaders, just to name a few.
Our community sponsors have designed their storefronts to give the town a realistic and immersive feel. We are proud to welcome BISSELL, Independent Bank, Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Gordon Food Service, GRCC, LMCU, Meijer, Parkway Electric, Chick-fil-A, Perrigo, Eileen DeVries Family Foundation, WCSG, and Wesco to the JA BizTown® neighborhood.
Storefront sponsorships are still available.
If you are a business interested in being a part of this innovative, one-of-a kind facility, please reach out for more information by emailing Jay Ediger, SVP of Development, at jay.ediger@ja.org or by calling (616)575-9080 ext. 2227.
Schools are signing up their students for JA BizTown®!
If you are affiliated with a school and want your 5th or 6th grade students to take part in the JA BizTown program, please contact Capstone Director, Clare Shubert at clare.shubert@ja.org or by calling (616)575-9080 ext. 2239.
Interested in being a volunteer in JA BizTown?
Please contact Capstone Director, Clare Shubert at clare.shubert@ja.org or by calling (616)575-9080 ext. 2239.
Karl & Susan Hascall JA Finance Park®
- Car Insurance
- Cell Phone
- Clothing
- Dining Out
- Entertainment
- Furniture
- Investments
- Life/Disability
- Insurance
- Pet Care
- Utilities
- Vacation/Travel
Interested in owning a storefront in JA Finance Park? If you are a business interested in being a part of this innovative, one-of-a kind facility, please reach out for more information by emailing Jay Ediger, SVP of Development, at jay.ediger@ja.org or by calling (616)575-9080 ext. 2227.
Schools are signing up their students for the JA Finance Park®! If you are affiliated with a school and want your 8th-12th grade students to take part in the JA Finance Park program, please contact Capstone Director, Clare Shubert, at clare.shubert@ja.org or by calling (616)575-9080 ext. 2239.
Get Involved with Junior Achievement!
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