All posts tagged: entrepreneurship

Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® to Celebrate 2019 Awards

Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® to Celebrate 2019 Awards

By Brittany Sylvestri
Research Park at Florida Atlantic University

The Research Park at Florida Atlantic University recently named the recipients of its fourth annual Research Park Annual Awards. The awards celebration will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Addison, 2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton. Tickets cost $125 per person.

The Research Park awards recognize distinguished contributions to the Research Park’s mission to create and sustain the ideal environment for innovation and invention, maximizing the academic and entrepreneurial talent and regional resources in South Florida to accelerate economic development and prosperity.

“The Research Park at FAU Awards highlight the work of our stakeholders to make the South Florida region more innovative and competitive in the knowledge economy and this year’s recipients personify the mission of the Research Park at FAU, each one is innovating and bringing new forces to bear which enrich our region,” said Andrew Duffell, president of the Research Park at FAU.

The award recipients for 2019 are:

Distinguished Entrepreneur: Rodrigo Griesi is one of the driving forces behind DECORA, a Brazilian startup that was recently acquired by Creative Drive, a content creation engine. Griesi’s involvement at the Research Park at FAU and his participation in its economic gardening initiatives helped the company get noticed and acquired by Creative Drive in 2018. He has 20 years of experience building and running new businesses in the technology industry. Griesi started at DECORA in its early stages, as an angel investor, then became the country manager, bringing DECORA’s services to market.

Distinguished Researcher: Borko Furht, Ph.D. has several patents pending and interesting corporate interactions that will leverage patents. Furht is a faculty member in FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science and is the site leader for the NSF-funded Center for Advanced Knowledge Enablement, which has been joined by several Research Park at FAU companies. His current research is focused on software designed for the next stage of video compression technology.

Distinguished Organization: Junior Achievement of South Florida is training the next generation of business leaders and employees by educating students about financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness. Its mission is to inspire and prepare youth to succeed in a global economy. Junior Achievement delivers more than 20 unique programs to 50,000 students in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Distinguished Leader: Honorable Michael Udine is the District 3 commissioner in Broward County, a position he was elected to in 2016. He advocates for innovation and knowledge-based economic development, supporting regional organizations’ initiatives. When introduced to one of the Research Park at FAU’s entrepreneurs he immediately started business development for him. In addition, Udine is a director at Legacy Bank of Florida, a small community bank assisting small businesses in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

To purchase tickets to attend the event, click here. For more information about the Research Park at FAU, visit research-park.org.

Research Park at Florida Atlantic University® to Celebrate 2019 Awards
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Junior Achievement of South Florida Welcomes New Partners

Junior Achievement of South Florida Welcomes New Partners

On March 26, Junior Achievement of South Florida held a ribbon cutting ceremony to formally recognize generous gifts made by several donors. Along with 75 community leaders, elected officials and JA supporters, four new partners joined us to cut their ribbons and officially unveil the areas named on their behalf.

“This donation and ribbon cutting signifies so much more than a name change,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President and CEO of JA. “It’s supporters like the Lillian S. Wells Foundation that allow us to continue our mission in empowering the young people in our community with important career and life skills.”

Thanks to a very substantial gift from the Lillian S. Wells Foundation, JA World’s official building name is now JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion. After celebrating the unveiling of the new outdoor sign, guests entered the main doors into the JM Family Enterprises Inc. Atrium, named with a generous gift to support capital improvements of the JA World facility. Only a few steps to the right of the Atrium guests then entered the Falcone Family JA BizTown through the new Moss Family Art Park, a beautiful area designed to expose students to the arts. Finally, guests followed the main street of JA BizTown to the new and exciting  Florida Panthers storefront, where JA students learn about career opportunities in the sports industry.

JA is incredibly grateful for each of these supporters as they help us educate 50,000 students each year. Their support will  help us to bring workforce skills, entrepreneurship and financial literacy programming to 50,000 students each year and help secure the future of the world-class center. Please enjoy the short video clip of this special morning!

Junior Achievement of South Florida Welcomes New Partners
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JA Receives Two Distinguished National Awards

JA Receives Two Distinguished National Awards

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2109

For More Information Contact:
Christopher Miller, Marketing Manager
Junior Achievement of South Florida
(954) 979-7110
[email protected]

Junior Achievement of South Receives Two Distinguished National Awards for Top Performance

City of Coconut Creek, Florida—Junior Achievement of South Florida has been awarded, for the first time in its 60 year history, the Peak Performance Team Award. This award recognizes superior annual performance by a JA Area team in achieving growth in students reached or contact hours delivered, while sustaining financial and operational soundness. The nonprofit organization was one of 17 JA Areas (out of 107 total) to earn the 2017-18 Peak Performance Team Award.

“Junior Achievement of South Florida has been focused on creating deep impact programming that meets the needs of its local school district, employers and community organizations. In addition, the organization has worked hard to build its brand awareness and credibility. Congratulations to Laurie Sallarulo and the entire team,” said Jack Kosakowski, JA USA President & CEO.

In addition, for the second year in a row, Junior Achievement of South Florida received one of Junior Achievement USA®’s (JA USA) highest ratings: 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. Recipients must demonstrate growth in student impact and superior fiscal performance. Achievement against these criteria is certified through JA USA and audited financial statements.

In 2017-18, Junior Achievement of South Florida served nearly 47,000 students in Broward and south Palm Beach counties. The number of combined hours of impactful instruction provided to students was a record 1,050,975. This wouldn’t be possible without the help of a record-breaking 7,150 volunteers and mentors. In addition, Junior Achievement of South Florida will reach a significant milestone this year, its 60th anniversary, of serving 1 million students since its inception in 1959.

“These accomplishments cannot be achieved without an exceptional team, dedicated Board of Directors, our partners, teachers, the thousands of volunteers and business mentors and our donors, who truly believe in our mission of inspiring and preparing youth to succeed in a global economy,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President/CEO. “We set very ambitious goals for the organization, and we’ve worked hard to achieve these milestones and to be honored for our dedication and teamwork. We are dedicated to being part of the solution to the workforce challenge.”

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 7,100 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, 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.

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JA Receives Two Distinguished National Awards
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Latinos In Action Students Enjoy Volunteer Experience

Latinos In Action Students Enjoy Volunteer Experience

Junior Achievement of South Florida is honored to have more than 7,000 trained volunteer role models and mentors from the local community to help teach our core principles – entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. These dedicated individuals consist of working and retired business professionals, members of a corporate team, parents, college as well as high school students.

Recently, Monarch High School’s Latinos In Action group volunteered at JA World with the 5th graders from Liberty Elementary who participated at JA BizTown. This is a school that they typically tutor, which is why they came to help them throughout the simulation. Our team then asked their teacher, Christopher Machado, if there was a possibility that these students could come back and help other schools that have a huge need for volunteers. This is how the partnership was formed and has grown extensively in the course of a month.

The group’s mission is “to empower Latino youth to lead and strengthen their communities through college and career readiness.” It aligns perfectly with JA’s mission of inspiring and preparing youth to succeed in a global economy.

“We are always excited to have large volunteer groups, especially corporate teams, spending a day mentoring students at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion,” said Alexa Diaz, Director of Community Outreach. “But it’s even more special when high school students take the initiative to volunteer. They are our future leaders.”

LIA has volunteered twice in JA BizTown, our engaging, hands on program introducing 5th graders to economic concepts, workplace skills, personal and business finances all in a simulated city built for young students. And, based on their reactions, it will not be the last time they volunteer at JA:

“My experience was fantastic and sensational. I felt great helping the kids getting their tasks done. I would volunteer at JA Biztown anytime.” -Steven Arbelaez, Grade 12

“I had a really fun time meeting the kids and getting to know them, leading them in life was exciting and adventurous.” -Tiffany Melo, Grade 12

“I had a great time at JA BizTown. I loved working with the kids because they were excited to do stuff and show up on ‘TV.’ It was a great experience for me and I made sure to make it a great experience for them as well.” -Angel Delgado, Grade 12

“My experience at JA was amazing and my kids were great! Whenever they needed help, they would come to me and they were really excited about ‘working’ and I made sure they had a good time (one of them gave me chips he was so nice).” -Heyleng Castro, Grade 11

“My experience as a high school volunteer at JA Biztown has been inspirational. I have been lucky to experience this in 5th and 8th grade, and now I get to experience how young children understand the real world. It brings a smile to my face when I see a child able to succeed and I feel very honored to be able to be a part of this wonderful experience.” -Stephanie Vargas, Grade 12

“My experience as a high school student and going to JA BizTown was great! This visit brought me so many memories, I had a good time and I would love to go again and volunteer.” -Michelle Zuniga, Grade 12

Thank you Latinos In Action students from Monarch High School for making a difference in the lives of the students we serve!

CLICK HERE to become a JA volunteer.

ABOUT LATINOS IN ACTION:

Latinos In Action (LIA) offers an asset-based approach to bridging the graduation and opportunity gap for Latino students, working from within the educational system to create positive change. Our program operates as a year-long elective course taught by a highly-qualified teacher at the middle school, junior high, and high school level. The end goal of everything we do is to empower Latino youth to lead and strengthen their communities through college and career readiness. We accomplish this by focusing on four pillars: leveraging personal and cultural assets, excelling in education, serving the community, and developing leadership skills.

Because of this unique combination, the LIA model has proven effective throughout the United States. Our students go on to successfully complete post-secondary education and earn a livable wage at a higher rate than the national average while continuing to lead and strengthen their communities. In 2015, LIA was awarded the White House Bright Spot for Hispanic Education by the White House Initiative on Excellence in Hispanic Education.

For more information about Latinos In Action nationwide, visit www.latinosinaction.org.

Latinos In Action Students Enjoy Volunteer Experience
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Hear Why RVG & Company Chooses JA

Hear Why RVG & Company Chooses JA

“It doesn’t feel like volunteer work, because you are having fun too! Thank you Junior Achievement of South Florida for allowing RVG & Company the opportunity to volunteer at JA World and be part of your family.” – Brittany Nehring, RVG & Company Employee.

Each year, more than 7,000 trained volunteer role models and mentors from the local community help teach core principles around financial literacy, career skills and entrepreneurship, to students in the classrooms and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion. These mentors include working and retired business professionals, corporate teams, parents, and college students. We have a wide range of opportunities from a few hours in JA BizTown guiding 5th-grade students as they learn how a real city operates or JA Finance Park helping 8th grade students on how to manage their personal finance through budgeting to classroom experiences that range from once a week to 15 sessions with high school students in JA  Fellows as they operate their own real business throughout the school year.

Watch Brittany’s testimonial and be inspired to volunteer your time for any worthwhile organization, like JA, that has a lasting impact on our community.

Hear Why RVG & Company Chooses JA
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Go Riverwalk Magazine December 2018: JA World Uncorked

Go Riverwalk Magazine December 2018: JA World Uncorked

Go Riverwalk Magazine December 2018: JA World Uncorked

“JA Is Brewing Up Something Special For Their 60th Anniversary”
December 2018 Issue

Junior Achievement of South Florida was founded locally in 1959 by the Fort Lauderdale Rotary Club and is celebrating its 60th anniversary of training the next generation of business leaders, employees and consumers by educating students about entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy.

An organization that exemplifies the tenants of Junior Achievement and has been a success for close to ten years is Funky Buddha Brewery.The brewery started out with small batch, hand-crafted beers and growing to become one of Florida’s most recognized and awarded breweries…

…It was a natural fit that Funky Buddha Brewery became involved with Junior Achievement’s premier annual event – JA World Uncorked, a Circle of Wise Women signature event.

CLICK HERE to read the full Go Riverwalk Magazine article.

CLICK HERE to buy your tickets to JA World Uncorked.

Go Riverwalk Magazine December 2018: JA World Uncorked
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