Junior Achievement Helps "Recession-Proof" Georgia’s Youth

Atlanta, GA, May 14, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Research shows that teens spend their money as fast – and sometimes faster – than they earn it, without ever learning basic financial management skills, such as how to open a checking account or the difference between debit and credit cards. Considering the economic concerns of many Georgians, ranging from the mortgage and credit crises to company layoffs and an unemployment rate that exceeds the national average, Junior Achievement of Georgia is teaching students as early as kindergarten the skills to manage their own financial matters.

JA inspires young people to realize their full potential through hands-on real life learning experiences in the areas of personal financial literacy, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking, and global business perspectives. The organization’s award-winning programs, which align to both state and national education standards, are offered in classroom, after school, and corporate settings throughout the school year. By the time they become high school seniors, JA students are well-equipped to compete in the global economy, whether they join a Fortune 500 company or launch their own businesses, ultimately driving the economic success of Georgia.

“The financial literacy of our youth has become a growing concern, especially in this uncertain economic climate,” said Donna Stone Buchanan, president of Junior Achievement of Georgia. “Junior Achievement has responded by collaborating with the National Endowment for Financial Education to develop new financial education curriculum to teach teens wise money management skills.”

Not only do the JA curricula help students become more “recession-proof” by equipping them with diverse skill sets, they introduce them to broader financial concepts such as high- and low-risk investments, enhance their character skills and teach students the economic benefit the economics of staying in school.

In addition to the traditional in-class curricula, JA offers targeted programs, including:
• JA Hispanic Outreach, the first JA program designed to address the challenges many Hispanic youth face, including the economic benefit of staying in school and the importance of being bilingual
• JA Fellows, an elite after-school program that offers personally motivated high school students hands-on, real world experience in business leadership and entrepreneurship
• JA Job Shadow, an opportunity for middle and high school students to experience how the knowledge and skills they learn in school are applied in the workplace

JA of Georgia is supported by the generous contributions of corporations, individuals and foundations, and volunteers who facilitate the programs and mentor students by sharing their own business and life experiences. JA programs are currently being offered in 444 schools, serving more than 100,000 students statewide. Schools that do not currently offer JA to their students can contact Junior Achievement of Georgia at (404) 257-1932.

About Junior Achievement of Georgia
Founded locally in 1943, Junior Achievement of Georgia inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy. With the support of business and community volunteers, JA brings award-winning economic programs to K-12 students in classroom, after-school, and corporate settings by offering hands-on real world experiences to students, opening their minds to their full potential. JA programs teach children about today’s economy, develop character skills, and reinforce the value of staying in school, ultimately driving the economic success of the state of Georgia. Headquartered in Atlanta, JA has five district offices located in Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville and Savannah and reaches over 100,000 annually. For more information about Junior Achievement of Georgia, visit www.georgia.ja.org.

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