Thank you for choosing to learn more about Junior Achievement. Unfortunately, the demand for JA is far greater than we are currently able to provide. Each year, an increasing number of educators ask us for our programs. As a result, we strive to increase the number of classrooms reached, so we can impact kids like Matthew... but we can't do it without your help.
As a child, Matthew faced a myriad of learning disabilities.
Once a child that would go to school full of hope for the day, he became frustrated with his limitations and the inability to communicate his needs. Things hit rock bottom after he left go to a new school. He did not cope well with this, becoming more frustrated and angry as the days went on. As his mother tells the story, Matthew was on the verge of suicide while still in Elementary school.
Thanks to support from his amazing family and the confidence that Junior Achievement builds, Matthew has seen great progress in his life and is emerging as a young leader in our community. In fact, this past spring, he defied all those who said he would never graduate by walking across the stage to accept his high school diploma with the rest of his Class of 2008 from Queen Elizabeth High School. Those of you who were at the 2008 JA Alberta Business Hall of Fame, will remember him as both he and his mother spoke that night. Their emotional story stands as a testament to power of how Junior Achievement helps young people reach their full potential.
I was there that night to watch him graduate, alongside his proud parents. I also taught the very first class to Matthew back in 2001 and over the years and delivered many more JA programs to his classes over the years. I have witnessed the full JA cycle... from first impact to graduation. This and many other similar experiences over the years have convinced me that what we do make a real and true difference in the lives of children. Matthew's story exemplifies this. Because of my personal experience with Matthew and his family, I believe more than ever before that JA programs change lives. I believe this because I have seen it work.
You can help us reach more kids with the exciting messages of free enterprise, financial literacy and opportunity! Become a JA Adopt A School Champion - right from your computer just by filling out the form below.
Join us... and let Matthew's success be your inspiration!
Jay
Become a JA Adopt A School - Family Sponsor
and give the gift of education this holiday season!
The Junior Achievement Adopt A School Program
JA is seeking families from within the Edmonton community to support the growing demand of our programs in Elementary and Junior High School. The JA Adopt A School initiative links individuals/families and corporate sponsors (and their employees) to schools requesting JA programs. Our goal is to create closer ties between the community, JA Schools and Junior Achievement.
How It Works
Typically, schools register for JA programs in spring and early summer for delivery of programs in the following academic year. Once a school is registered, Adopt-A-School partners (individuals/families or corporations) are then matched to the schools. Once a funding partner has been secured, JA then engages the Parent Advisory Council or funding partner to volunteer to deliver JA programs at the schools within the timeframe the teachers have requested.
Costs Involved in Program Delivery
Programs are delivered at no cost to the schools, which allows equal access to JA programs from all schools within Edmonton regardless of the economic situation of the students. The cost of educational materials is one of the main expenses incurred by JA. Each student is provided with a workbook and each volunteer is provided with a program guide. The JA curriculum is reviewed and updated on a regular basis. With over 470 classes delivered last year, volunteer recruitment and training has become an increasing expense incurred by JA. All volunteers are screened and interviewed to ensure a proper match of skill sets. Once recruited, all volunteers are trained in the program they are interested in delivering.
Adopt A School funding will be used in the following ways:
Volunteers:
• Recruitment
• Training
• Logistics
• Monitoring
• Screening/Security Checks
Program Delivery:
• School relations and visits
• Teacher training coordination
• Classroom material and ordering
• Class date & time coordination
• Program review and measurement
Classroom Materials:
• Student workbooks
• Teacher and volunteer guides
• Pre and post evaluations
• Parent correspondence
• Student name tents
• Interactive games & materials
• Certificates of Accomplishment
• Licensed charter expense – program development
When we Adopt A School, what do we receive?
When you participate in the JA Adopt A School program, you'll receive a welcome kit full of information about your school and the JA programs being delivered there because of your generous gift!
JA Adopt A School Partners will receive:
A picture of the class(s) receiving the JA program whenever possible
Thank you letter from the class(s)
Recognition and honorable mention in our Annual Report and other media
An annual tax receipt which allows you to claim the full benefit of your gift
The knowledge that you are making a real contribution to Alberta youth... our next generation of leaders!
Yes... we would like to become a JA Adopt A School Family Sponsor!