Funding Supports Junior Achievement Work Readiness & Financial Literacy programs for At-Risk Children

City of Coconut Creek, Florida – Junior Achievement of South Florida announced today that it has received a $5,000 grant to fund its work readiness and financial literacy programming. The grant, from State Farm Insurance, is part of a larger statewide initiative totaling $60,000 that will support Junior Achievement programs in 11 localities throughout Florida, enabling over 5,000 young people to participate in Junior Achievement’s nationally recognized economic education programs.

“Junior Achievement programs benefit all students,” shares Jose Soto, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist, “however, Junior Achievement targets schools with a high percentage of low to moderate income students because they are more likely to derive greater benefit from the programs.” “Since 2014, State Farm has invested $205,000 to support JA financial literacy programs across the State of Florida”.

“Many students in our community lack the basic information they need to make good education, career and financial decisions,” explains Laurie Sallarulo, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida. “Junior Achievement provides them with the essential entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy skills to be successful future consumers, employees and leaders. We appreciate State Farm for investing in our mission to prepare and inspire youth for success in a global economy.”

Locally, the $5,000 allocation of State Farm funds to Junior Achievement of South Florida partially funds 330 at-risk high school students with Personal Finance and JA Career Success programs.

The check presentation occurred in the Dave and Lorraine Thomas JA BizTowns at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion on June 25. Pictured (left to right) are: Jose Soto, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist; Tina Teague, President of Tina Teague Insurance Agency Inc. at State Farm; Laurie Sallarulo, Junior Achievement of South Florida President and CEO; Gina Griffin, Grants Manager; and Raul Despian, State Farm Agent.

About State Farm®

The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and nearly 65,000 employees serve more than 84 million policies and accounts – more than 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies, and more than 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 33 on the 2017 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,000 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and South Palm Beach Counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion on the Broward College North Campus, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.jasouthflorida.org.

City of Coconut Creek, Florida— Junior Achievement of South Florida, still basking in the success of its milestone 30^th Annual JA Business Hall of Fame Awards Celebration, presented by Delta Air Lines, is approaching the end of its 59th year with momentum. Thanks to generous donations made at the event on April 24^th, including a $250,000 contribution from the Florida Panthers Foundation, Junior Achievement of South Florida raised more than $500,000 to support its educational programs.

“The whole evening was a thrill! On behalf of the 50,000 students we serve each year, I’d like to congratulate the Laureates and honorees. Thank you to our sponsors, supporters and guests for embracing the mission of Junior Achievement and making this year’s JA Business Hall of Fame Awards Celebration a huge success,” said President/CEO Laurie Sallarulo. “It was inspiring to hear the students share their stories of how these programs have given them opportunities to learn and practice real-life skills. We are so proud of the impact Junior Achievement programs have had on over 900,000 students since 1959, helping to create a generation of problem solvers and innovators that will lead us into the future.”

The awards ceremony included the induction of five Laureates into the JA Business Hall of Fame, which recognizes business leaders who have made a significant impact in their industry and the community. They were honored for their commitment to excellence, innovative vision, courageous leadership and community responsibility.

This year’s Laureates were: Richard Berkowitz, Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants; Jim Ellis, Ellis Diversified, Inc.; Kim and Randy Sweers, FB Marine Group; and Vincent Viola, Florida Panthers and Virtu Financial.

Junior Achievement of South Florida also celebrated Dr. Patrick Taylor of Holy Cross Hospital, who received the Melissa Aiello Award. In addition, the family of Terry Stiles accepted the Lifetime Legacy Award on his behalf. In honor of the late Wayne and Marti Huizenga, who received the first JA Lifetime Legacy Award, the award was proudly renamed the Huizenga Lifetime Legacy Award.

“Each year, this award will be given in remembrance of the life and leadership of the Huizenga’s and the deep mark they left on Junior Achievement of South Florida,” Sallarulo said.

During his induction to the JA Business Hall of Fame, Vincent Viola, owner of the Florida Panthers, committed to a gift of $250,000 from the Florida Panthers Foundation. This generous contribution will support the JA Fellows Company program, Junior Achievement of South Florida’s pinnacle entrepreneurship, business and leadership experience for high school students.

“Youth education and entrepreneurship is a pillar of the Florida Panthers Foundation and a core tenant of our organization’s outreach initiatives. Being at the JA dinner and hearing so many bright, young people speak was inspiring, and we’re proud to be able to continue to support young leaders in South Florida,” he said.

Through this in-depth, leadership and entrepreneurship program, students gain real-world business experience by working in teams of 15-20 to conceptualize, capitalize and manage their own small business. Mentored by top professional leaders, students gain insight around concepts, such as market research, leadership and financial management. The program has grown since 2014 from four teams and 60 students to 21 teams and over 500 students in 2017 and captured the title of national JA Fellows Company of the Year in 2017. The ultimate goal is to have every high school in Broward and south Palm Beach Counties participate in JA Fellows. For more information about JA Fellows or to support the program, visit www.jasouthflorida.org.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,000 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and South Palm Beach Counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion on the Broward College North Campus, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.jasouthflorida.org.

JA Fellows student Geomani Brooks, 2018 Horatio Alger Scholarship recipient, shares his Junior Achievement experience with the attendees.

(Left to right): Event Co-Chair Andy Cagnetta; Board Chair Amy Allen; JA Business Hall of Fame Laureates Richard Berkowitz and Vincent J. Viola; Kenneth Stiles, son of Terry Stiles, Stiles Corporation; Laureates Jim Ellis, Kim and Randy Sweers; President/CEO Laurie Sallarulo; and Event Co-Chair Steve Hudson.

Pictured with President/CEO Laurie Sallarulo (center) are the 2018 JA Business Hall of Fame Laureates (left to right): Jim Ellis, Ellis Diversified, Inc.; Vincent J. Viola, Florida Panthers and Virtu Financial; Richard Berkowitz, Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Accountants; Melissa Aiello Character Award recipient Dr. Patrick A. Taylor, Holy Cross Hospital; Kim and Randy Sweers, FB Marine Group.

The family of the late Terry Stiles accepted the Huizenga Lifetime Legacy Award on his behalf.

Representing the Title Sponsor is Luciano Macagno, Managing Director Latin America and Caribbean, Delta Air Lines. He is pictured with Matthew Caldwell, President and CEO of the Florida Panthers.

JA Business Hall of Famers Rick and Rita Case

City of Coconut Creek, Florida—Junior Achievement of South Florida has been honored as Nonprofit of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal. Now in its 21st year, the awards program honors excellence in business across various categories, including by revenue, the H. Wayne Huizenga Startup Award, minority-owned, woman-owned and others.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by South Florida Business Journal as Nonprofit of the Year,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President/CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida. “Receiving this award is a huge honor. We thank our donors, sponsors, volunteers, teachers and partners for their support as we continue to serve and inspire more than 50,000 students each year.

Nominations for the award are submitted online, and then a group of hand-selected advisers and the SFBJ editorial team vet the nominations to arrive at the winners and finalists. The honorees will be feted at an awards gala April 26 at Jungle Island in Miami, and featured in a special section in print and online April 27.

“This is one of my favorite signature events because it highlights many of South Florida’s winning companies,” Business Journal President and Publisher Melanie Dickinson said. “The editorial package is a valuable resource for our readers, as it illustrates how these companies achieved their success.”

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 5,800 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and South Palm Beach Counties and at the Lillian S. Wells JA World Huizenga Center at Broward College, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.jasouthflorida.org.

About the South Florida Business Journal

City of Coconut Creek, Florida—After completing the 18 classroom lessons of the JA Finance Park program, every 8^th grade student in Broward County Public Schools experiences a real-life learning experience in JA Finance Park at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Foundation Pavilion, located on the North Campus of Broward College. JA Finance Park is a simulated city of storefronts representing various industries and businesses, where students apply the personal finance and career knowledge they gain in the classroom. The JA Finance Park storefront sponsorships support the program, allowing Junior Achievement of South Florida to provide this much needed financial literacy education to almost 25,000 students in just this one JA program.

Amongst the JA Finance Park storefronts is Minto Communities. Junior Achievement of South Florida has been fortunate to call Minto Communities a storefront partner since 2012. Minto has donated $162,500 to date, and has positively contributed to the overall success and education of over 100,000 students. During the JA Finance Park simulation, students gain invaluable knowledge about renting, buying or leasing a home, and the process of applying for a home loan in the Minto storefront.

“I love volunteering in JA Finance Park and witnessing the students’ ‘aha’ moments when they begin to understand the importance of how to manage their finances,” said Steve Svopa, Minto’s Vice President of Operations, Florida. “Teaching the students in JA Finance Park is incredibly rewarding, and our team always has a great time. Minto has truly enjoyed our partnership with Junior Achievement, working together to provide financial literacy education to every student.”

JA Finance Park is a physical center, comprised of 16 local business storefronts within the 60,000 sq feet JA World building. During their day in JA Finance Park, 8^th grade students engage in creating and maintaining a personal budget, while considering such factors as health care, real estate, car payments, shopping, banking, utilities and more.

“We are so grateful to Minto for their continued support of Junior Achievement. Without storefront sponsors like them, these programs would not be available to our students,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of South Florida. 

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 5,800 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and South Palm Beach Counties and at the Lillian S. Wells JA World Huizenga Center at Broward College, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.jasouthflorida.org.

About Minto Communities Florida

Minto Communities, based in Florida since 1978, has represented integrity, financial strength and enduring value for 40 years.  Minto builds exceptional new homes and communities to meet every lifestyle, with more than 25,000 new homes built in Florida in 44 communities throughout the state.  Minto is dedicated to continuous improvement in design, quality and customer experience. Applauded and recognized as an expert in the home building industry, Minto was awarded “Best Floor Plans” from Ideal-Living magazine.  

These are just some of the elements that set Minto apart as an exceptional home builder and community developer and have earned the company national recognition that includes consistently high rankings from Eliant Customer Service Surveys.  Minto has earned multiple national awards for community and home design, including Best Mixed-Use Community and Best Clubhouse from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) for The Isles of Collier Preserve community in Naples, Florida; and Best Clubhouse from NAHB for the Beach Club at Harbour Isle located in Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida.  

The Minto Communities team recently volunteered their time in JA Finance Park and presented Junior Achievement of South Florida President/CEO Laurie Sallarulo (far left) with a $162,500 check as part of their storefront sponsorship contribution.

City of Coconut Creek, Florida—Junior Achievement of South Florida has been awarded one of Junior Achievement USA^®’s (JA USA) highest honors: the 4 Star Award. The purpose of the Star Award is to recognize staff and boards of JA Areas that meet Junior Achievement’s national standards in operational efficiency and through strong representation of the JA brand. Recipients must demonstrate growth in student impact and superior fiscal performance. Achievement against these criteria is certified through JA USA and audited financial statements.  

“These Star Award winners represent the best Junior Achievement has to offer,” said Jack E. Kosakowski, president and CEO of Junior Achievement USA. “They set the standard by which Junior Achievement’s success is measured at the local level. Their commitment and dedication to young people is reflected in their achieving this honor.”

As an organization, Junior Achievement understands that its effectiveness depends on how well JA Areas deliver the organization’s financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurship programs in local communities.

“We are thrilled to receive the 4 Star Award,” said Laurie Sallarulo, president of Junior Achievement of South Florida. “Bringing the status of Junior Achievement of South Florida from a 1 Star to a 4 Star area has been a huge accomplishment for the staff and board of directors. We thank our donors, sponsors, volunteers, teachers and partners for their support. We are committed to sustaining a healthy financial position so we may continue to serve and inspire almost 50,000 students each year.”

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 5,800 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and South Palm Beach Counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at Broward College, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.jasouthflorida.org.

About Junior Achievement USA^® (JA)

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in over 100 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations in 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. Visit www.ja.org for more information.