JA of Central Texas, YMCA, and Taco Bell Foundation Partner to Inspire Local Elementary Students with the Tools of Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship
· Thank you, Taco Bell Foundation, for your support in teaching financial literacy to our future entrepreneurs!
This spring, Junior Achievement of Central Texas and the YMCA teamed up to launch JA More than Money® (JAMM) at three Austin-area elementary schools: Pioneer Crossing Elementary, Sunset Valley Elementary, and Boone Elementary. Hosted in the YMCA’s Extend-a-Care afterschool program, this exciting new initiative empowers students with the tools and mindset to understand money, think like entrepreneurs, and build a foundation for financial success.
Thanks to support from the Taco Bell Foundation, students are getting hands-on with their futures.
JAMM introduces upper elementary students to core concepts of financial literacy and entrepreneurship, all while meeting social studies learning objectives. With the help of an engaging JA cast of characters and interactive lessons, students explore money-management skills, goods and services, and global markets in a way that’s both fun and practical.
Following their experience, students will be able to:
Identify the role of money in everyday life.
Think like entrepreneurs and identify a small business they can start.
Learn the basic steps of starting a business.
Consider the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing money.
Explore the opportunities of global markets.
As part of the kickoff, students also experienced JA Launch Lessons, where local entrepreneurs visited campuses to share their journeys and advice. Among the featured guests was Destin George Bell, a Shark Tank recipient and trailblazing entrepreneur who inspired students to dream big, take risks, and believe in their own ideas.
This pilot program marks the beginning of a deeper commitment to equipping Central Texas youth with the knowledge and confidence to own their financial futures—and it wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our partners, volunteers, and supporters like Taco Bell Foundation.
In 2024, the Taco Bell Foundation awarded $23 million dollars to nearly 450 youth-serving organizations in and around communities where Taco Bell does business.
