Camden JROTC Students Help to Re-launch JA High School Heroes Leadership Development Initiative
Edison, NJ – November 23, 2021 - For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ) held it’s first in-person High School Heroes Day at Forest Hill School in Camden, New Jersey, thanks to an incredible ongoing partnership with the PSEG Foundation.
“JANJ is extremely grateful for the continued support of the PSEG Foundation and proud of our partnership with Camden Public Schools,” said Catherine Milone, President of JANJ. “We are delighted to see our young leaders step back into the classrooms and serve as role models to elementary school students. The High School Heroes program nurtures personal growth, instills community service values and gives high school students the opportunity to hone valuable leadership skillsets like showing empathy, building confidence, public speaking, and demonstrating responsible decision-making.”
JA High School Heroes is an all-encompassing solution, providing students with the experiences and skills they need to succeed in school and beyond. The program is designed to support New Jersey schools and educators while helping students build leadership and life skills. The High School Heroes serve as volunteer role models as they teach JA’s curriculum to local elementary school children, who in turn gain direct knowledge about the importance of an education, work ethic, and financial literacy.
In a year of continued uncertainty, resuming in-person High School Hero Days is critical to ensuring students in New Jersey feel connected to their communities and remain hopeful for bright futures. In the first of many scheduled High School Heroes Days across New Jersey, 55 Camden High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) students taught hands-on lessons with confidence, showcasing their leadership, collaboration, and public speaking skills. The Heroes gained a newfound respect for teaching through their first-hand experiences in the classroom, while 300 Forest Hill Elementary School children learned valuable money management and business skills through volunteer role models from within their own community.
The Heroes channeled their talents into inspiring young minds, making this program a success. “This project helped me feel more connected to my community through volunteerism. The experience will help me in the future to speak in front of people,” expressed Reynaldo, a 9th grade Camden High School Hero.
As a long-standing JANJ partner, the PSEG Foundation has been a major champion of the JA mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. Kearny Bank Foundation and the William G. Rohrer Foundation are additional major investors of JA High School Heroes with their sponsored leadership development days taking place in the upcoming months.
To get your district and school involved: Celeste Hardrick / chardrick@ja.org
To underwrite student’s participation in this life-changing leadership development experience: Ashley Donecker / adonecker@ja.org
About Junior Achievement of New Jersey (JANJ):
JANJ is an award-winning, best-in-class JA operation. With its headquarters and Capstone programs located in the JA Education Center, in Raritan Center, Edison, NJ, JANJ is a free educational resource dedicated to giving all young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success and plan for their futures. JA’s learning experiences primarily focus on career readiness, financial empowerment, entrepreneurship, and life skills, and are held at the JA Education Center, in schools, on college/university campuses, in corporate facilities, and online through digital learning experiences. For more information, visit janj.org and follow JANJ on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.
About Kearny Bank Foundation:
Seamlessly melding the finest traditions of community banking with state-of-the-industry capabilities, Kearny Bank provides a range of progressive offerings to its personal and business banking clients. Established in 1884, and operating now from administrative headquarters in Fairfield, NJ, Kearny Bank is steadily expanding its footprint throughout New Jersey, as well as New York City’s Brooklyn and Staten Island boroughs. Additional details are available online at kearnybank.com; an overview video can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3fIa7GD.
About the PSEG Foundation:
The PSEG Foundation, 501(c)(3), the philanthropic arm of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), prioritizes investments in the environment, safety, STEM education & workforce development, diversity & inclusion, and the communities served by PSEG. Headquartered in Newark, N.J., PSEG is a diversified energy company with approximately 13,000 employees. In 2020, PSEG was named one of Forbes' Best Employers for Diversity for the third year in a row. In addition, PSEG was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the 13th consecutive year in 2020.
About the William G. Rohrer Charitable Foundation:
The William G. Rohrer Charitable Foundation was funded by the estate of William G. Rohrer, a former banker, businessman, public official, and humanitarian from Camden County whose life was dedicated to improving the educational and economic prosperity of southern New Jersey. The foundation that honors Mr. Rohrer focuses on funding local causes in keeping with Mr. Rohrer’s long-time dedication to local organizations.
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