About JA
CHANGING THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE
At Junior Achievement we believe in "possible." Each day, we work to help young people discover what's possible in their lives. We do this by helping them connect what they learn in school with life outside the classroom. We let them know it's possible to invest in their future, to gain a better understanding of how the world works, and to pursue their dreams. We show them that it's possible for tomorrow to be a better day.
Our Values
Belief
In the boundless potential of young people.
Seek Out
Diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and talents in our staff and volunteers, and boards to reflect the geographies and communities we serve.
Nurture
The power of partnerships and collaboration.
Approach
Our work with passion, honesty, integrity, and excellence.
Teach
Principled market-based economics and entrepreneurship that build a more sustainable world.
Advocate
For relevant hands-on learning.
Junior Achievement of New Jersey Team
Staff
Our staff is committed to making your experience working with us absolutely the best!
JA StaffLeadership
Meet the passionate and committed team that is working hard to empower our youth.
JA LeadershipBoard
Our Board Members includes the finest business and individual leaders in our community.
JA BoardEmpowering the Next Generation
Junior Achievement's proven lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship are shown to positively impact the lives of young people. These lessons align with national and state educational standards and are delivered to millions of students across the country with the help of our education partners and volunteers from the local community.
Research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.
Learn more about 2021-2022 Alumni Survey Report
Research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.
Learn more about 2021-2022 Alumni Survey Report
Junior Achievement Facts
What is Junior Achievement?
Junior Achievement has over 100 local JA Areas across the nation, and together we are the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA's programsin the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacyignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.
Purpose
Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.
Leadership
Mr. Arnold B. Evans, Co-Head of Emerging Middle Market JPMorgan Chase, is Chairman of the Junior Achievement USA Board of Directors. Jack Harris is the Chief Executive Officer and Tim Greinert is President of Junior Achievement. Junior Achievement USA board members represent a wide range of businesses and academic institutions around the world. In addition, approximately 4,300 board members lead JA Area Offices around the United States. Serving as JA of New Jersey's President is James Horne with Christine LaCroix, Deloitte, serving as the State Board Chair. New Jersey's State Board Executive Committee also includes Vice Chair, John M. Cusano, Jr., AIG; Treasurer, Patrick Migliaccio, New Jersey Resources; Secretary, Thomas L. Earp, Esq., Earp Cohn P.C.; Audit Chair, John A. Beatrice, EY; South Board Chair, Kevin P. O'Sullivan, Crowe LLP; South Board Vice Chair, Lisa DiDio, AmeriHealth NJ; Central Board Chair, Brent Ashton, EY; Central Board Vice Chair, Bellaria Jimenez, CFP, MassMutual Tri State; and North Board Chair, Peter Wallburg, Peapack-Gladstone Bank; North Board Vice; Karen S. Lemon, AT&T.
View our board listing
Proven Success
Junior Achievement is one of a few nonprofits to use independent, third-party evaluators to gauge the impact of its programs. Since 1993, independent evaluators have conducted studies on Junior Achievement's effectiveness. Findings prove that Junior Achievement has a positive impact in a number of critical areas.
Program Reach
Nationally, Junior Achievement reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in 209,651classrooms and after-school locations. JA programs are taught by volunteers in inner cities, suburbs, and rural areas throughout the United States, by over 100 Area Offices in all 50 states. JA of New Jersey reaches approximately 82,000 students per year.
A Brief History
Now celebrating 100 years, Junior Achievement was founded in 1919 by Theodore Vail, president of American Telephone & Telegraph; Horace Moses, president of Strathmore Paper Co.; and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts. Its first program, JA Company Program®, was offered to high school students on an after-school basis. In 1975, the organization entered the classroom with the introduction of Project Business for the middle grades. Over the last 39 years, Junior Achievement has expanded its activities and broadened its scope to include in-school and after-school students.
Today, Junior Achievement of New Jersey is an award-winning JA area, known for its operation soundness, growth and innovation. This once multi-chaptered organization merged into one statewide operation back in the early 2000's. Recovering from the merge and the challenges that come with consolidation, JANJ rose from the ashes and was presented with a JA USA Phoenix Award for "The Best Turnaround of a JA Chapter"; experienced revenue and programmatic growth annually; and in 2014, became a recipient of JA USA's most coveted award and top honor, the Charles R. Hook Award. In 2017, JANJ established its headquarters in Raritan Center in Edison, turning a 22,000 sq. ft. move-in friendly fitness club into an education facility now known as the JA Education Center. The Center, home to JA Capstone programs, BizTown and Finance Park also opens its doors annually to thousands of youth who participate in other life-changing educational programs and workshops as well. More than 82,000 K-12 New Jersey youth participate in over 1,000,000 JA instructional contacts hours from a network of nearly 5,000 corporate and community volunteers who share their experiences while serving as JA volunteer role models. See our programs!
Today, Junior Achievement of New Jersey is an award-winning JA area, known for its operation soundness, growth and innovation. This once multi-chaptered organization merged into one statewide operation back in the early 2000's. Recovering from the merge and the challenges that come with consolidation, JANJ rose from the ashes and was presented with a JA USA Phoenix Award for "The Best Turnaround of a JA Chapter"; experienced revenue and programmatic growth annually; and in 2014, became a recipient of JA USA's most coveted award and top honor, the Charles R. Hook Award. In 2017, JANJ established its headquarters in Raritan Center in Edison, turning a 22,000 sq. ft. move-in friendly fitness club into an education facility now known as the JA Education Center. The Center, home to JA Capstone programs, BizTown and Finance Park also opens its doors annually to thousands of youth who participate in other life-changing educational programs and workshops as well. More than 82,000 K-12 New Jersey youth participate in over 1,000,000 JA instructional contacts hours from a network of nearly 5,000 corporate and community volunteers who share their experiences while serving as JA volunteer role models. See our programs!
Organizational Overview
Junior Achievement USA is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and provides strategic direction, leadership, and support to over 100 JA Areas across the nation. Local volunteer boards of directors comprised of business, education, and civic leaders set the policy and direction for each local office. JA of New Jersey was founded in 1975.
Local volunteer boards of directors comprised of business, education, and civic leaders set the policy and direction for each local office. JA of New Jersey is headquartered at the Education in Edison, New Jersey, and is a statewide operation. JANJ has 14 full time staff members and four boards that include three district or regional boards- South, Central, and North, and a state governing board. View JA of New Jersey's board members
Local volunteer boards of directors comprised of business, education, and civic leaders set the policy and direction for each local office. JA of New Jersey is headquartered at the Education in Edison, New Jersey, and is a statewide operation. JANJ has 14 full time staff members and four boards that include three district or regional boards- South, Central, and North, and a state governing board. View JA of New Jersey's board members
Volunteers
Junior Achievement's 237,680 volunteers come from all walks of life across the nation, including: business people, college and high school students, parents and retirees. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our organization. More than 6,000 corporate and community volunteers mentor and share their experiences with 82,000 students who participate in JA Programs: BizTown, Finance Park, NextGen Tech Series, Career Success Workshops, Inspire, JANJ High School Heroes, Titan Challenge, and Women's Future Leadership Forums in New Jersey annually.
See our Programs!
More about Junior Achievement
Financial and Annual Reports
We've consistently received high grades for accountability and transparency.
JA FinancialsOur Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We at Junior Achievement are dedicated to providing a positive, enriching learning experience free of bias that promotes greater economic opportunity and equity. Junior Achievement welcomes K-12 students, volunteers, educators, staff, and other partners and stakeholders, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or any other legally protected characteristic.
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