You Can Make a Difference in the Life of a Child
Americans have a tradition of stepping up. We thrive on action, energy and enterprise. When someone is in need, we don’t sit back and cross our fingers, hoping that the situation will improve—we create solutions. Right now, it is our own young people who are in need.
Our children’s future in the increasingly competitive 21st-century global workplace is in peril. U.S. high school graduates’ overall preparation for entry-level jobs is unequivocally deficient, according to 42 percent of employers polled in The Conference Board’s 2006 work-readiness survey. The scope of “very important” skills listed as “deficient” is shocking; it includes written and oral communication, problem-solving, teamwork, ethics and reading comprehension!
Junior Achievement answers our children’s urgent need with a proven model. Through your volunteer service with Junior Achievement, you can step up and make it possible for students to participate in JA’s relevant, hands-on programs.
But I don't have time...
Our volunteers present JA activities in the classroom one hour a week. In this one hour, the impact that a volunteer can have on a child's life is immeasurable. JA programs range in duration from 5 weeks in elementary, 6-8 weeks in middle school to 8-10 weeks in high school. JA consultants select the activities and grade level that they feel most comfortable with. The dates and time can be very flexible.
But I've never taught anything before…
JA volunteers need not have any teaching experience to begin their involvement. A one- to two-hour training class conducted by JA Staff, along with simple, scripted lesson plans, is all a volunteer needs to enter the classroom. JA materials were specifically designed for community volunteers who most likely have no teaching background. Simply sharing your experiences in the classroom is the key to success.
Junior Achievement of Central Texas offers JA programs to schools in several counties in Central Texas. Most classroom consultants choose to volunteer their time at schools convenient to their work or home, or in a school with which their company or organization has a partnership.
It only takes one caring adult to change a child's life forever…
Why delay in making a difference? Call the JA office at (512) 499-8025 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information. Sign up today!
