JA Finance Park® gives students a powerful opportunity to connect classroom learning to real-life financial decision-making. During this immersive experience, students explore budgeting, saving, career choices, and collaboration while gaining a clearer understanding of what adult life looks like and how their decisions matter.

Thanks to the support of Title Sponsor- Taco Bell Foundation, Week Sponsor- SouthState Bank, and Lunch sponsor- Hancock Whitney Bank, students step into realistic life scenarios that challenge them to think critically about money and the future.

Thank you to Austin Community College- Make It Center for making this experience even more impactful with tour & more and to Adventum for connecting us to their client Certain Affinity that donated their unique space for our middle school JA Finance Park.

As students navigate the simulation, many quickly recognize the importance of being intentional with their finances. One student shared, “I learned that saving money is a good thing, and I should take care of my money and how real life works.” Others began to view planning in a new way, noting that “when you make a financial plan, it should be used as a tool to help you create a comfortable life for yourself.” Beyond finances, students also emphasized the value of teamwork, learning “to collaborate with other people, not to just do things on your own.”

The experience is brought to life by dedicated volunteers who serve as mentors throughout the day. Volunteers guide students through financial decisions while sharing real-world perspectives, and one volunteer reflected, “My favorite part of Finance Park was being able to share my professional experience and knowledge with the students.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated professionals from:

Bank of America
Brighton Jones
Broadway Bank
Capital One
Cherry Bekaert
Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union
Longitude Financial Planning
Prime Bank
RBank
SouthState Bank
Whitney Hancock Bank

Their time, expertise, and enthusiasm bring authenticity to the experience and help students connect classroom learning to real-life careers and financial responsibilities.

Educators see the impact clearly as well. An educator from Travis Early College High School shared, “The kids got to see real life experiences and really see how much things are. And they got to use things that they are used to. The volunteers were awesome and so interactive with the kids.”

Through hands-on learning, authentic collaboration that includes Junior Achievement, schools, and community partners- JA Finance Park helps students build confidence and begin thinking intentionally about their futures, empowering them to take meaningful steps toward financial independence.

Together, we are shaping confident, informed, financially capable, and career-connected young people for what’s next in Central Texas.

Thanks to All for Investing in the Future of Central Texas

If you’re interested in volunteering, sponsoring, or learning more about JA Finance Park, we invite you to join us in helping the next generation answer the question: “Who will I become?”

This experience is growing beyond Austin to support more young people in Central Texas but we need your support.

Email Emily Long at emily@jacentex.org to get involved.

#EducationForWhatsNext #EconomicMobility #OpportunityIsForEveryone