From feeling lost about his future to finding purpose in the maritime industry, Jacob W. discovered his path through JA’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program. “High school was mentally taxing and stressful,” Jacob recalls, uncertain about his career direction. Through JA, he gained industry certifications, hard and soft skills, and vital networking connections that led to his current role at D’Angelo Marine Exhaust. “This isn’t just any program,” Jacob emphasizes, “this is a program that works.”

Stefano's journey with JA began in fifth grade at JA BizTown and continued in eighth grade with JA Career Discovery Park. These early experiences sparked his entrepreneurial spirit and provided financial literacy that would later prove crucial. Putting these lessons into practice, Stefano founded Carevocacy, a learning platform helping people become tech-savvy. The company offers private tech tutoring, group classes, and recently launched APO, an AI-powered digital health literacy coach. Now, Stefano has built Carevocacy into a successful venture serving over 23,000 learners across 30 locations and partnering with major healthcare organizations like Humana. His achievements and impact earned him recognition in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list. While building his company, Stefano also serves as a caregiver for his grandmother who has Alzheimer's, demonstrating his commitment to creating solutions that truly meet people's needs.

As a 12th grader at Plantation High School, Shaniya joined JA's Career Bound program in late 2023. The program introduced her to the business world and taught her about work readiness, collaboration, and leadership. Through JA, Shaniya secured an internship at Broward Health Medical Center where she gained firsthand insight into healthcare careers. In a defining moment, she was invited to observe two oral surgeries where the resident surgeon, Dr. Josiah Smith, took time to explain procedures and encourage her aspirations. Inspired by her mother, who works in healthcare, and supported by JA mentors who believed in her potential, Shaniya overcame self-doubt to pursue her dream. She aims to be "the reassuring voice and hand that brings hope and joy in the midst of chaos" for patients facing medical challenges.