All posts tagged: Junior Achievement

JA’s Summer Youth Employment Program

Inspire Tomorrow’s Leaders by Hiring JA Interns Today

South Florida employers, are you ready to bring enthusiasm, energy, and creativity to your workplace? Looking for new insights, fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and a perspective of today’s consumers? Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) has a solution – hire talented, professional JA-trained interns who have the skills to become tomorrow’s leaders. The best part, there is no cost to your organization. Thanks to a grant from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, JA has the funds to pay interns to work for you.

Junior Achievement is training the next generation of business leaders, employees and consumers by educating students about #financialliteracy, #entrepreneurship and #workreadiness. In the JA Career Bound program, high school students take part in a cutting-edge, skills-building leadership program where they learn about the skills needed to success in today’s workforce.

Upon completion, students are offered an internship through the JA Summer Youth Employment program. This program works with local businesses to offer students a summer internship to practice and further develop the skills learned in Career Bound.

With this program, our goal is to match students with an internship that will allow them to take part in meaningful projects and/or assignments that add value to the student as well as the company. Student interns are ready to work 20-30 hours per week, for up to 4 weeks, and are paid at least minimum wage. Some of the current companies we have partnered with include #Latin2LatinMarketing, #Mad4Marketing, #SOSChildren’sVillages, #BrowardHealth, #ICauseGlobalFoundation, #LiveOakCamp and many others.

These student internships are an importance culmination of the Career Bound journey. It is important for students to receive hands-on, real work experience, to further expand their skill set and prepare them to enter the workforce. It also reinforces the soft skills students learn during the program which includes public speaking, communications, conflict resolution, creativity, and ethical standards. In addition, hiring a talented intern creates a recruiting channel and better develops your industries talent pipeline.

As an employer, you will be working with the student intern and include the student in relevant meetings, events, projects and tasks that will provide them with a one of a kind learning opportunity. We highly encourage a mentor/supervisor that will work as a guide for the student, and will provide meaningful feedback, evaluation and a letter of recommendation upon program completion.

To find out more on how you can host a JA funded intern contact Patricia Josue at (954) 979-7106 or email [email protected]. You can also visit us online at www.jasouthflorida.org/summer-employment/

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Teams to Compete at National Student Leadership Summit

For Immediate Release

For More Information Contact:

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

Social Media: @JASouthFLorida

JA FELLOWS TEAMS PARTICIPATING AT
NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Two Junior Achievement of South Florida teams invited to compete against 13 other student-run companies at the 2020 National Student Leadership Summit

City of Coconut Creek, Florida – Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) is proud to announce that two of its JA Fellows Company Program teams have been selected as part of 15 finalist teams (out of more than 500 nationwide) to complete at the Junior Achievement USA 2020 National Student Leadership Summit (NSLS).

The teen entrepreneurs from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s “Good Scents” and NSU University School’s “Germ Genie” will be competing for the coveted National JA Company of the Year and other awards.

“We are thrilled to have two highly innovative teams represent Junior Achievement of South Florida at this prestigious competition for the 5^th consecutive year,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO. “We applaud the students for their outstanding efforts, their teachers, mentors and our community partners who continue to support our entrepreneurship program.”

The annual JA Company of the Year Competition is a contest of business skills, ingenuity and innovation that focuses on the accomplishments of U.S. JA Company Program^® students, ages 15-18. Reaching more than 10,000 U.S. students during the 2019-2020 school year that created nearly 500 start-up companies, JA Company Program gives teens the skills to start and run their own businesses under the mentorship of local business volunteers. The teens develop a product/service designed to fill an unmet consumer or community need/service, they secure investments, produce, source, market and sell their product or service.

This year’s summit will run from June 15th-18^th and will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. JA Fellow company teams from throughout the nation will be competing for JA Company of the Year by showcasing their innovative product or service idea to a panel of judges consisting of top business leaders. Students will also have the chance to attend virtual webinars led by national experts in innovation, entrepreneurship and business.

Good Scents started off with a citrus scented oil to help combat decreased energy and poor moods and to help improve daily functions. Their product line now includes an air freshener and they have expanded their scents to include lemongrass, peppermint, grapefruit, cinnamon and much more. These students were not only tasked with creating their product, but they also had to budget, plan, market and sell their finished product.

“JA has taught me numerous skills, including marketing a business, project management, and presenting myself professionally. It has allowed me to further enhance and develop my skills in hospitality, finance and marketing,” said Hunter Dorman, President of Good Scents.

Germ Genie came up with an airplane tray table cover to help limit the spread of tray table bacteria and viruses. Their product line has diversified as well, and now includes a travel pack with face masks, gloves, hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes and a head rest cover. This student company has been successful in bringing in revenue and partnering with other businesses to bring awareness to their product.

“After doing much research, we discovered that tray tables are eight times dirtier than a toilet flush-button. There is nothing like our tray table cover on the market. In just four months, we have over $45,000 in revenue. In addition to individual sales, Germ Genie sold in bulk to AutoNation, BBX Capital and PTM Travel. We are currently in discussions with Delta Air Lines, Hudson News, Royal Caribbean and other large companies,” said Henry Hurowitz, President of Germ Genie.

The student companies competing at the JA NSLS were assessed on their financial performance, individual team members’ personal and professional development, on a self-produced commercial about their product or service, on their team’s live presentation to a panel of business leaders and on their company’s performance.

The students from NSU University School also won the local JA Company of the Year Award during the May 9^thSpark Tank Finale. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School came in second place.

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 4.7 million students per year in 106 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 more information.

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Latest News

Virtual Event with Mark Cuban and Brian Hamilton

Business Leaders Offer Insights on Entrepreneurship With Nation’s Teens

We are pleased to share the recording of Why Entrepreneurship Now? A Virtual Event for America’s Teens, featuring Shark Tank’s Mark Cuban and Sageworks’ founder Brian Hamilton, and moderated by Fox News Channel’s Harris Faulkner. The guests answered teens’ questions about startups in the time of COVID-19. Below you will find a recording of this informative and inspiring virtual event.

Please feel free to share this recording with the young people, parents, caregivers, educators, and aspiring entrepreneurs in your life.

The event was proudly presented by the Brian Hamilton Foundation, Mark Cuban Foundation, Microsoft and Junior Achievement USA.

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Sun Sentinel June 2020: Comerica Gift of Knowledge Scholarship

Bank Awards Dillard High Senior Gift of Knowledge Scholarship

By Mary Lou Cruz, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Read the article here

Comerica Bank Florida recently presented Junior Achievement of South Florida Fellow Shatasia Daniels with its $1,000 Gift of Knowledge scholarship during a virtual presentation. The award supports a deserving graduating senior who plans to pursue a business degree in college or as a budding entrepreneur during the COVID-19 pandemic. Daniels is a member of the Dillard High School class of 2020 who will attend Florida State University in the fall. She is the first recipient of this scholarship in the state.

The JA Fellows company program is an in-depth and highly intensive leadership and entrepreneurship opportunity for high school students. Participants gain real-world business experience where they learn how to conceptualize, capitalize and manage their own small business.

According to Junior Achievement, graduating students are often inadequately prepared to participate in a meaningful way to their community’s success because they lack basic skills such as communication, problem-solving and critical thinking. Also, financial literacy is not mandatory or even offered in some traditional education systems; therefore, young people need the tools to make sound financial decisions once they enter the workforce.

Press

Lifestyle Magazine June 2020: Business as Usual

By: Keren Moros

Coconut Creek Lifestyle reached out to business leaders in Coconut Creek during the shutdown (and prior to Phase 1 reopening for Broward County) and asked four questions: How did COVID-19 and its ramifications affect your business; how did you position your business in the interim; how will experiencing this unprecedented pandemic change the way you conduct business moving forward; and how did you give back to the community during this time. Here are their answers.

Our very own President and CEO, Laurie Sallarulo, was one of the leaders featured. Check it out:

Click to Read Full Article

Press

JA + CNBC Virtual Town Hall Recording Available

Recently, Junior Achievement and CNBC teamed up to present a Virtual Town Hall to answer teens’ questions about the financial impact of COVID-19. Hosted by CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson, this unique interactive event provided across America direct access to some of the country’s most knowledgeable economists, entrepreneurs, psychologists and counselors and ask them top-of-mind questions about how to best adapt to the new normal. The panelists will offer simple, straightforward strategies to help empower participants to strive toward a bright and successful tomorrow – because tomorrows are more important than ever.

This video features teens from across America asking a panel of experts, including former FDIC Chair Shelia Bair and Shark Tank’s Daymond John, about steps being taken to deal with the economic downturn resulting from the pandemic and what that might mean for the future.

The Virtual Town Hall lasts about an hour. Please feel free to share this video with any teens, teachers, parents, or others who you think might find it helpful!

Latest News

Support Restaurants and Beverage Providers During COVID-19

Funky Buddha Brewery giving back to the community. JA celebrates supportive restaurants.

Junior Achievement of South Florida and the JA Circle of Wise Women are fortunate to have developed outstanding relationships with local restaurants and beverage providers who support our programs as storefronts in JA BizTown and at the annual JA World Uncorked event. Now, it’s time to give back to those who are providing delivery or take-out services during COVID-19. Below are logos linked to the restaurants.

In addition, JA is extremely proud of its partnership with Funky Buddha Brewery, which last year released the exclusive Dreamers of Dreams, a craft beer dedicated to JA’s 60th Anniversary. Funky Buddha has started a new project during the COVID-19 crisis – Beers For The Biz. The project brings aid and awareness to family in the service industry affected by COVID-19. Proceeds from each case of Funky Buddha beer sold in April will be donated to CORE™: CHILDREN OF RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving food and beverage service employees with children, who are faced with medical diagnosis, illness, injury or affected by a natural disaster and are in need of help.

Click here to learn more about this project.

RESTAURANTS PROVIDING DELIVERY & TAKE-OUT SERVICES

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The Impact of COVID-19 on Business and Innovation

Presented by Junior Achievement USA

A Guide to How Entrepreneurs and Businesses are Responding to COVID-19

COVID-19’s Impact on Business Unlike other viruses, such as the seasonal flu or common cold, the coronavirus, or COVID-19, is considered a “novel,” or new, virus because humans have had little exposure to it. Hence, we don’t have readily available treatments, like a vaccine, to prevent people from getting sick from COVID-19. As a result, the first line of defense against the disease is called “social distancing.” This means people are being encouraged not to be around other people unless it is necessary.

In many cities and states, officials require so-called “non-essential” businesses to either reduce their operations or close completely to promote social distancing. While these businesses are referred to as non-essential, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t important. But it does mean that their closure will help limit the spread of COVID-19.

Businesses affected include restaurants, which in many cases must close their dining areas, even though they can still prepare food for delivery or take out. Others that must close completely include hair salons, clothing stores, and various retail establishments that don’t offer what are considered “essential” products or services, such as food or medicine.

Due to these restrictions and closures, businesses large and small have had to release many of their employees. This means people who worked for these businesses lost their jobs either temporarily, through a furlough, or permanently, through a layoff. Many of these people are eligible for unemployment benefits, which means that they will receive some amount of money from the government to help pay basic expenses like rent, house payments, and food. The hope is that non-essential business closures will only last a few months and that people will be able to go back to work in the not-too-distant future.

Click here to read the full report

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Understanding the Financial Impact of COVID-19

Presented by Junior Achievement USA

A Guide to How COVID-19 is Affecting People and the Economy and What It All Means

Making Sense of It All

A lot has changed in a very short amount of time. At the beginning of 2020, the U.S. stock market was at an all-time high, the economy was experiencing an historic milestone of growth and things seemed to be going well for many people. Then, the coronavirus (COVID-19) appeared in the United States and in a very short amount of time everything changed.

While things may seem uncertain, and maybe a bit scary, know that what we are experiencing with COVID-19 won’t last forever. We at Junior Achievement (JA) have some explanations about what’s happening, as well as answers to some of your questions when it comes to the financial impact of COVID-19.

What Makes COVID-19 Different from the Flu or a Cold?

COVID-19 is referred to as a “novel”, or new, coronavirus. This means it is new to humans, though it has probably been around in animals, such as bats, for a long time. It is believed that COVID-19 was first transmitted to humans from animals in Wuhan, China in late 2019. Because human immune systems – the human body’s way of fighting disease – haven’t had much experience with COVID-19, people who get it tend to be sicker for longer, though most people will recover from the disease.

To help put COVID-19 into perspective, think of leveling up in a game. If it’s a level you’ve never experienced before, it may be harder and take you longer to beat it. But with enough time, you will win. For most people’s immune systems, COVID-19 is like a new level of a game. Eventually human immune systems will get used to battling COVID-19 and will win more easily, most likely through a combination of vaccines and an increase in natural resistance. But this won’t happen right away.

Click here to read the full report

Latest News

Junior Achievement’s highest priority is the health and safety of our donors, sponsors, partners, honorees, staff and volunteers. It is with this priority in mind that we have decided to postpone the 2020 JA Business Hall of Fame event on Friday April 24, 2020.This decision is in line with the directive issued by Broward County regarding high attendance gatherings.

We look forward to bringing our business leaders together in the near future to recognize the visionary leadership of our Hall of Fame Laureates and Honorees and, in light of these challenging times, to celebrate the collective courage and resilience of all our community’s leaders.

We would like to take this time to thank all those who support this event each year and the mission of Junior Achievement to prepare our young people to be your next consumers, employees, business owners and job creators. Junior Achievement will continue to play its part in driving workforce training and experience for young people. We hope that all of you will plan to join us on the new date for a well deserved celebration!

Junior Achievement of South Florida’s leadership will continue to monitor the COVID19 situation as it evolves. We encourage you to visit the JA Business Hall of Fame webpage (https://jasouthflorida.org/events/) to check on the status of the event.

If you have any additional questions or need further information, please contact me at [email protected] or Robyn Harper, Development & Event Director, at [email protected] or call (954) 979-7124. We look forward to celebrating with you soon to empower over 50,000 young people each year to own their economic success.

Regards,

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