About JA of Northern New England

Junior Achievement’s (JA) mission is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Our programs take a “learn-by-doing” approach, building students’ self-confidence as they experience curricula focused on JA’s three pillars of knowledge – entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and workforce readiness. When students participate in JA programs, working together to problem-solve in the context of the economy and the workforce, they build skills that create a platform of selfconfidence for pursuing higher education, managing their finances, and navigating a successful career.


JA learning is not restricted to the confines of a classroom, but is instead strengthened by the community and the successful individuals working within it. JA programs are delivered by corporate or community volunteers, allowing students to hear relatable, real-world stories from caring adults, and to visualize a future that might be different from anything they had imagined for themselves. JA’s curriculum and its network of business volunteers teach young people the skills to help them believe in themselves, dream big, and reach their full potential.


JA was founded in 1919 by Theodore Vail, President of American Telephone & Telegraph; Horace Moses, President of Strathmore Paper Company; and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts. JA’s first program, the JA Company Program, was offered to high school students on an after-school basis, and allowed them to experience the inner workings of an entrepreneurial endeavor by starting and operating their very own company. This value of free enterprise and creativity has not left the core of JA’s mission, even after 100 years of the organization’s existence. Today, JA remains relevant to students through its broadened scope and expanded activities, providing diverse programs that allow each student to experience JA consistently in their educational years. Offering these sequential economic education programs to schools and students at no cost, JA provides access to real-world, “life learning” that is often otherwise unavailable to our youth.


The demand for JA programs has generated a network of 105 offices around the nation. In addition to the U.S., over 100 countries worldwide offer JA programs, and its 100 million alumni are a testament to JA's global impact. Incorporated in Boston in 1950 as a regional JA organization, Junior Achievement of Northern New England (JAofNNE) seeks to empower the next generation of resilient leaders by providing economic mobility and opportunity to youth in Central/Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire, with a focus on providing greater access to JA programs, from middle school to career, in 10 inner-city impact communities (Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Quincy, Somerville, Worcester, and Manchester NH). JAofNNE teaches young people to effectively manage their finances, build critical skills for the workforce, develop their entrepreneurial mindset and increase their confidence, all of which prepares them to succeed in our global economy and empowers them to break the cycle of poverty.


Junior Achievement of Northern New England is a nonprofit organization that is 100% funded through corporate, individual, and foundation support, in addition to fundraising efforts through special events. With a staff of nine and a FY21 budget of approximately $1.7 million, we are positioned to impact the lives of our students in a deep, meaningful way. Our Board of Directors is an engaged group of corporate and community leaders that meets on a quarterly basis, and many commit additional time and talent by working on one of our Board committees. Our Associate Board of Directors, comprised of 19 ambitious professionals, lead special fundraising initiatives and recruit new individuals to JA through volunteerism and other efforts. Together with a passionate staff, an engaged Board, and strong community partners, we are poised for lasting impact on the young people and their communities.
 

Please visit http://newengland.ja.org/ for more information and ways to get involved!