activities · 27
what they do
direct service · 20
- Career-Readiness and Entrepreneurship Program for Minority Youth Youth Leadership & Entrepreneurship TrainingPilots a career-readiness and entrepreneurship program for two cohorts of minority youth in Arizona.
- Deliver financial literacy and career readiness programs to K-12 students Financial Literacy & Career Readiness EducationProvides hands-on, age-appropriate curricula focused on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to over 175,000–190,000 Arizona students annually, primarily low-income and diverse learners, through partnerships with over 400 schools and educational institutions. Programs are delivered in classrooms from kindergarten through 12th grade and supported by nearly 8,000 volunteer mentors each year.
- Deliver virtual career exploration and workforce readiness programs Career Pathways Development & Workforce AlignmentOffers JA Inspire, a career exploration program serving over 96,000 learners aged 12–25, and a virtual platform connecting middle and high school students to Arizona’s top industries and businesses. The virtual exhibit hall features over 100 Arizona companies and includes digital simulations such as JA BizTown Adventures for remote classroom access.
- Development of Free Online Spanish Content Bilingual Health Education Materials ProductionDevelops free, online Spanish content to expand accessibility of its educational programs.
- Development of Online Educational Content Bilingual Health Education Materials ProductionDevelops free, online Spanish content to support its educational programs.
- Expand geographic reach through regional offices Family Resource Center OperationsMaintains a presence in Southern Arizona through an office in Tucson, launched in 1957, to serve students and educational partners across the region.
- Experiential Learning Programs Youth Financial Accounts & EducationProvides experiential, simulation-based programs to students, including hands-on activities that teach financial planning and budgeting.
- Financial Literacy and Career Readiness Education Financial Literacy & Career Readiness EducationDelivers hands-on, age-appropriate programs focusing on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to over 175,000 Arizona students annually across 393 schools, including those in rural and tribal communities. These programs are supported by approximately 8,000 volunteer mentors and are offered in-classroom, experientially, and through customizable curricula for educators.
- Financial Literacy and Career Readiness Education Financial Literacy & Career Readiness EducationDelivers hands-on, age-appropriate programs focusing on financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to over 175,000 to 190,000 primarily low-income K-12 students annually in Arizona, including those in rural and tribal communities. This education is provided through in-classroom programs, experiential learning, and customizable curricula, supported by approximately 8,000 volunteer mentors and 3,200 teacher partners.
- Financial Literacy and Career Readiness Programs Financial Literacy & Career Readiness EducationServes 175,000 Arizona students annually through financial literacy and career readiness programs, including in-classroom and experiential learning opportunities.
- JA BizTown Experiential Learning Program Simulated Financial Literacy FacilitiesOperates two JA BizTown facilities in Tempe, which are on-site learning facilities featuring over 40 different businesses and industries, providing experiential, simulation-based programs for students. This includes a digital program called JA BizTown Adventures for virtual classroom access and video resources supporting deaf and hard of hearing students.
- JA BizTown Experiential Learning Program Simulated Financial Literacy FacilitiesOperates two JA BizTown facilities in Tempe, Arizona, which are on-site learning facilities featuring over 40 different businesses and industries. This program provides an experiential, simulation-based learning environment where students work with community volunteers to build a budget and experience real-world financial scenarios. A digital program, JA BizTown Adventures, offers a virtual simulation for classroom access, and specific video resources support deaf and hard of hearing students.
- JA BizTown Operations Simulated Financial Literacy FacilitiesOperates two JA BizTown facilities, providing experiential learning environments where students engage in simulated business activities.
- JA Finance Park Experiential Learning Program Simulated Financial Literacy FacilitiesOperates the experiential program JA Finance Park, launched in 2009, which provides students with tools to pursue and accomplish their financial goals.
- JA Finance Park Experiential Learning Program Simulated Financial Literacy FacilitiesLaunched the experiential program JA Finance Park in 2009, providing students with practical financial management experience.
- JA Inspire Career Exploration Program Career Pathways Development & Workforce AlignmentOperates JA Inspire, a career exploration and workforce readiness program in Arizona for over 96,000 learners aged 12-25. This program connects students to Arizona's top industries and businesses through virtual career exploration platforms, featuring over 100 Arizona companies in a virtual exhibit hall.
- JA Inspire Program Career Pathways Development & Workforce AlignmentOperates the JA Inspire program, connecting over 96,000 learners aged 12-25 to Arizona's top industries and businesses through career exploration platforms.
- Operate experiential learning facilities (JA BizTown and JA Finance Park) Simulated Financial Literacy FacilitiesRuns two physical JA BizTown® facilities in Tempe and launched JA Finance Park® in 2009, offering on-site simulation programs where students engage in real-world financial planning and career exploration. These facilities feature over 40 simulated businesses and industries, and include accessible resources such as ASL, captioning, and audio support for deaf and hard of hearing students.
- Partnerships with Educational Institutions School Network Support & DevelopmentReaches over 190,000 primarily low-income, diverse K-12 students annually through partnerships with over 400 public, private, charter, and homeschool educational partners.
- Volunteer Mentor Program Financial Literacy & Career Readiness EducationUtilizes approximately 8,000 volunteer mentors annually to teach financial literacy and career readiness to over 175,000 students in Arizona.
research · 6
- Alumni Economic Mobility Survey Financial Literacy Education & CoachingConducted a 2016 survey indicating a statistically significant shift in alumni reporting an increased standard of living between childhood and adulthood, suggesting economic mobility.
- Alumni Entrepreneurship SurveyAn Ipsos survey showed that 60% of Hispanic alumni, 52% of Black alumni, and 51% of white alumni have started one or more businesses during their careers.
- Conduct research on financial literacy and alumni outcomesConducted a study with MissionSquare Retirement’s Foundation on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens aged 13–18 and commissioned surveys showing long-term impact, including business ownership rates among alumni and economic mobility between childhood and adulthood.
- Financial Literacy Knowledge Gap Study Youth Financial Accounts & EducationConducted a study with MissionSquare Retirement’s Foundation on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens aged 13-18.
- Financial Literacy ResearchConducts studies on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens aged 13-18 and surveys alumni to assess economic mobility and business creation rates.
- Research on Financial Literacy Youth Financial Accounts & EducationConducts research studies, including a survey on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens and the impact of JA programs on alumni's economic mobility.
capacity building · 1
- Support educators with curriculum and training Financial Literacy & Career Readiness EducationProvides educator-led, customizable curriculum in financial literacy and career readiness, delivered through JA staff and integrated into classrooms by over 3,200 teacher partners across Arizona. Offers free online Spanish content and lesson plans to expand accessibility.
strategies · 24
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Career Readiness and Future-Focused Education career_readiness_educationThe organization prepares students for post-secondary success and the evolving job market by equipping them with critical career readiness skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking. This includes educating them about the "Future of Work" and changes driven by new technologies.
- Career and Future Readiness Education career_readiness_educationThe organization prepares students for post-secondary success and the evolving "Future of Work" by equipping them with critical career readiness skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking, addressing the impact of new technologies like automation and AI.
- Career and Future Readiness Education career_readiness_educationThe organization prepares students for post-secondary success and the evolving future of work by equipping them with critical career readiness skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking. This includes addressing changes driven by new technologies like automation and AI.
- Case Methodology for Critical Thinking case_methodologyThe organization utilizes Case Methodology to enhance student engagement, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. This interdisciplinary pedagogy and project-based application accelerate academic performance.
- Case Methodology for Critical Thinking case_methodologyThe organization utilizes Case Methodology to enhance student engagement, strengthen comprehension, build critical thinking skills, and accelerate academic performance through interdisciplinary pedagogy and project-based application.
- Collaborative Outreach to Vulnerable Youth collaborative_outreachThe organization partners with other non-profit organizations and government groups to reach and support vulnerable youth populations, including those in foster care and juvenile detention centers.
- Community and Business Integration for Educational Transformation community_partnershipThe organization collaborates with school districts, the business community, and other non-profits to re-engineer education, create engaging learning environments, and provide scalable solutions by leveraging networks, resources, and expertise, including reaching vulnerable youth populations.
- Equitable Access and Community Partnerships equity_focused_program_deliveryThe organization ensures equitable access to its programs by providing them at no cost to students and schools, especially prioritizing under-resourced and minority student populations. They achieve this through partnerships with rural schools, other non-profits, and government groups, and by offering virtual programming to overcome geographical barriers.
- Equitable Access and Delivery equity_focused_program_deliveryThe organization ensures equitable access to its programs by providing them at no cost to students or schools, prioritizing under-resourced and minority student populations, and offering virtual programming and solutions for those limited by distance or transportation.
- Equitable and Accessible Program Delivery equity_focused_program_deliveryThe organization provides its in-classroom programs at no cost to students or schools, prioritizes delivery to under-resourced and minority student populations, and offers virtual programming to ensure equal access for students in rural areas or those limited by distance or transportation.
- Equitable and Accessible Program Delivery equity_focused_program_deliveryThe organization ensures equitable access to its programs by providing them at no cost to students or schools, prioritizing under-resourced and minority student populations, and offering virtual programming to overcome geographical and transportation barriers.
- Experiential Learning experiential_learningThe organization uses engaging, hands-on programs, simulations, and real-world scenarios to teach economic concepts, workplace skills, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, believing that this approach increases student engagement, comprehension, and practical application of knowledge.
- Experiential Learning experiential_learningThe organization uses engaging, hands-on, and age-appropriate programs, including simulations and real-world scenarios, to teach economic concepts, workplace skills, and financial literacy, believing that this approach empowers students with practical knowledge and skills for academic, career, and economic choices.
- Experiential Learning experiential_learningThe organization uses hands-on, age-appropriate, and scaffolded experiential learning, often through simulations and interactive programs, to engage students and teach economic concepts, workplace skills, and financial literacy. This approach aims to make learning engaging and connect classroom knowledge to real-world experiences.
- Holistic Youth Development for Economic Mobility youth_developmentThe organization aims to motivate students to stay in school, inspire them, educate them about money, and instill hope for their future, focusing on youth investment as a community imperative to promote economic mobility and reduce financial instability.
- Integrated Community and Business Partnerships community_partnershipThe organization collaborates with school districts, the business community, and other non-profit/government groups to integrate core competencies, leverage networks and resources, and reach vulnerable youth populations, transforming education from within for scalable solutions.
- Integrated and Re-engineered Education Models re_engineered_educationThe organization re-engineers education through comprehensive, replicable school models and integrates with school districts and the business community. This approach aims to transform education from within, create engaging learning environments, and address student disengagement.
- Integrated and Re-engineered Education Models re_engineered_educationThe organization re-engineers education by integrating its programs within traditional school structures, offering comprehensive models that cover curriculum, teacher development, and community integration. This approach aims to transform education from within by leveraging networks, resources, and expertise for scalable solutions.
- Re-engineered and Optimized Education Models re_engineered_educationThe organization re-engineers education through innovative programs and comprehensive school models, such as the 3DE model, to create engaging learning environments, increase student engagement, strengthen comprehension, and build critical thinking, ultimately empowering students for economic opportunity.
- Turnkey School Model for High School Optimization turnkey_school_modelThe organization provides a comprehensive, replicable model for high school optimization, integrated into traditional schools, which covers structure, curriculum, and teacher development, and utilizes case methodology to increase student engagement and academic performance.
- Volunteer-Led Education and Mentorship volunteer_led_educationThe organization leverages volunteers, including alumni and professionals from local businesses, to deliver programs and provide mentorship, connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences and assisting students in practical decision-making.
- Volunteer-Led Education and Mentorship volunteer_led_educationThe organization leverages volunteers, including alumni and professionals from local businesses, to deliver programs and provide mentorship. This connects students with real-world experiences and guidance, enhancing their learning and development.
- Volunteer-Led Education and Mentorship volunteer_led_educationThe organization leverages volunteers, including alumni and professionals from local businesses, to deliver programs and provide mentorship, connecting classroom learning to real-world experiences and assisting students with practical decision-making.
- Volunteer-Led Education and Mentorship volunteer_led_educationThe organization leverages volunteers, including alumni and professionals from local businesses, to deliver programs and provide mentorship. This connects students with real-world experiences and guidance, enriching their learning and development.
named programs · 8
what they call their work
3DE by Junior Achievement
A program that re-engineers high school education to create engaging learning environments, empowering students with knowledge, skills, and confidence for economic opportunity through partnerships with school districts and businesses.
JA BizTown
An engaging, hands-on program for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders that introduces economic concepts, workplace skills, and personal/business finances through classroom lessons and a day-long simulation in a student-sized town.
JA BizTown Adventures
A self-guided virtual simulation of the JA BizTown experience, allowing students to understand business operations by taking on roles like CEO, CFO, and marketing director through online adventures.
JA Finance Park
An experiential, real-life simulation for middle school students that provides classroom lessons on personal finance, including budgeting, interest rates, earning potential, and saving, followed by an application of these skills.
JA Finance Park Virtual
A virtual platform for middle school students to apply personal financial planning and career exploration skills learned in classroom lessons.
JA Hand in Hand
Video resources specifically for JA BizTown supporting learning for deaf and hard of hearing students through American Sign Language, closed captioning, and audio.
JA Inspire
A premier career exploration and workforce readiness program for learners aged 12-25, designed to prepare them for post-secondary success.
JA Money in Motion
An on-site simulation for 3rd through 12th grade students in rural schools that teaches financial planning, budgeting, and identifies qualities employers look for, complemented by educator-led curriculum.
relationships · 11
who they work with
- Bechtel Partner — Introduced an alumna to the company, where she now works as an Employee Relations Coordinator.
- Central Arizona District Board of Directors Partner — Regional governing body overseeing operations in Central Arizona.
- Emeritus Board Partner — Board composed of former directors providing ongoing advisory support.
- Foundation Trustees Partner — Governing body responsible for foundation-related oversight and support.
- Junior Achievement Partner — 3DE is a program by Junior Achievement, combining core competencies with school districts and the broader business community.
- Junior Achievement USA Network — Member of the national Junior Achievement network.
- Junior Achievement Worldwide Network — Member of the global Junior Achievement network, recognized by JA Worldwide at its Global Leadership Conference.
- MissionSquare Retirement’s Foundation Partner — Partnered to conduct a study on financial literacy knowledge gaps among teens.
- Southern Arizona District Board of Directors Partner — Regional governing body overseeing operations in Southern Arizona.
- State Board of Directors Partner — Governing body providing strategic oversight at the state level.
- Toyota Partner — Administers the Toyota Scholarship Program for students.