About JA

Junior Achievement's Purpose and Values

Junior Achievement's Purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

The envisioned future - what we aspire to become. Junior Achievement maintains an active vision, front and center, on how we can have a positive impact on the lives of more students - guided by our core values:

BELIEF IN THE BOUNDLESS POTENTIAL OF YOUNG PEOPLE

COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF MARKET-BASED ECONOMICS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

PASSION FOR WHAT WE DO AND HONESTY, INTEGRITY, AND EXCELLENCE IN HOW WE DO IT

RESPECT FOR THE TALENTS, CREATIVITY, PERSPECTIVES, AND BACKGROUNDS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS

BELIEF IN THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION

CONVICTION IN THE EDUCATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL IMPACT OF RELEVANT, HANDS-ON LEARNING

Junior Achievement Facts

What is Junior Achievement?

Junior Achievement has 106 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 programs—in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy—ignite 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

Siddhartha Vivek is the President & CEO of Junior Achievement of San Diego County. Mike Brown, Partner at Dowling & Yahnke, is the Chair, and Linde Hotchkiss is the Vice-Chair of the Junior Achievement of San Diego County Board of Directors. In total, 40 Board Members represent a wide range of businesses and academic institutions throughout San Diego County. We invite you to view our JA Board of Directors.

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. We invite you to read the Programs Evaluation Results. We invite you to read the Programs Evaluation Results.

Program Reach

In the 2019-2020 school year, Junior Achievement of San Diego County reached more than 20,000 students in 265 schools and after-school programs. Over 3,000 volunteers delivered experiential JA programs to students in 36 of the 41 school districts throughout the county.

A Brief History

For more than 100 years nationwide, Junior Achievement has focused on serving K-12 students through hands-on experiences that demonstrate financial literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurship. Through these pillars, we have served more than 1 million students in San Diego to date, and at least half of those students represent underserved communities where these lessons can be transformative.

Organizational Overview

Since 1950, Junior Achievement of San Diego County has provided life-changing programs to more than 1 million young people—in the classroom and after school—to foster an understanding of how the “real world” works. To ensure young people are prepared for their future, JA teaches them how to get a job, start a business and how to manage money. JA programs reach every ethnic and economic demographic. For many students, the JA experience is a major highlight of their academic year. More than 5,000 volunteers annually, including 40 board members and a staff of 21 help to impact over 35,000 students each year and empower them to become "real world ready."

Volunteers

We rely on over 5,000 volunteers each year to deliver JA's experiential programs across San Diego County. By being a JA volunteer and sharing your personal and professional experiences and skills with students from your community, you help them make the connection between what they are learning in school and what they will need to be "real world ready." We invite you to view current volunteer opportunities here.

JA Team Card

Staff

Our staff is committed to making your experience working with us absolutely the best!

JA Staff

Board

Our Board Members includes the finest business and individual leaders in our community.

JA Board

Our Supporters

These amazing and caring organizations make it possible for JA to make an impact on youth development. Their monetary contribution and volunteer base help to make JA the great organization it is today.

JA Supporters

More about Junior Achievement

Financial and Annual Reports

We've consistently received high grades for accountability and transparency.

JA Financials

Careers

Join us on our mission to empower youth and create robust communities.

JA Careers

Our 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.

"Junior Achievement reinforced concepts for me to remember later in life."

Junior Achievement Student

"I thought the experience was amazing. The presentation was unlike anything I've seen."

Junior Achievement Student

"Junior Achievement has given me a sense of what adults go through with budget issues."

Junior Achievement Student

"I liked how the Junior Achievement volunteer explained his job to us."

Junior Achievement Student

Select a button below to see how you or your organization can get involved with Junior Achievement of San Diego County.

Donate Volunteer Request A Program

Any questions? Contact us!