Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans Expands Program Delivery to Mississippi Gulf Coast
Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans is proud to share the expansion of its program delivery into the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the 2022-2023 academic year, bringing its impactful initiatives to schools in the Gulfport, Long Beach, and Pass Christian areas. This expansion marks a significant milestone in our mission to empower and educate young people about financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work and career readiness.
In the Gulfport School District, Junior Achievement has made a profound impact, serving a total of 4,142 students. The programs delivered include the JA Speakers Series, led by dedicated volunteers from Hancock Whitney Bank. This series allows students to engage directly with professionals from the business community, providing them with real-world insights and inspiration.
Additionally, Junior Achievement has implemented JA in-class programming; these programs provide comprehensive lesson plans and resources that empower students to develop vital skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and financial literacy.
In Pass Christian, Junior Achievement has made a positive impact at the high school level. A trial run of the Personal Finance 2.0 program at Pass Christian High School, led by a Hancock Whitney Bank volunteer, was met with great enthusiasm by the students. In fact, the program was so well-received that the district plans to continue the programming for the entire high school in the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.
The expansion into Mississippi has allowed Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans to serve a diverse range of schools including Bayou View Middle School, Central Elementary School, 28th Street Elementary School, Anniston Elementary School, Pass Road Elementary School, Gulfport Central Middle School, West Elementary School, St. Martin's High School, and Pass Christian High School.
The positive feedback from the schools and educators in Mississippi has been truly inspiring. Pass Road Elementary expressed their delight with the JA Speakers Series, stating, "We were extremely impressed with the Speaker Series! We loved having a volunteer talk directly with the kids." Gulfport Central Middle echoed their sentiments, emphasizing the value of Junior Achievement materials and expressing their desire to continue with the programming.
Pass Christian High School had a highly successful experience with the Personal Finance 2.0 program. They shared their satisfaction, saying, "Personal Finance 2.0 went very well! We enjoyed the volunteers coming to work with the students!" These testimonials affirm the impact and value of Junior Achievement programs in fostering essential skills and knowledge among students.
The expansion into Mississippi would not have been possible without the dedication and support of our volunteers. Molly Otiende Smith, a volunteer from Hancock Whitney Bank, has played a pivotal role in bringing Junior Achievement to the Gulf Coast. Her passion and commitment have been instrumental in driving the success of our programs in Mississippi.
To further support and strengthen our presence in the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Junior Achievement staff will be attending a Rotary Club meeting in Gulfport in July. This opportunity will allow us to connect with various bank representatives from the Gulf Coast, as well as school representatives from districts ranging from Pascagoula to Bay St. Louis. We look forward to building partnerships and expanding our network of volunteers to maximize the impact we can make together.
JA would like to thank Hancock Whitney Bank for its financial support as well as its volunteer support of JA’s work in Mississippi. We also appreciate the support from the MGM Foundation, which will help ensure continued programming in the 2023-2024 academic year.
If you are interested in supporting Junior Achievement's expansion into the Mississippi Gulf Coast, we are actively seeking program sponsors and volunteers. Your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of young people in these communities. Please contact kelly@jagno.org to learn more about how you can contribute and help shape a brighter future for the students in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region. Together, we can empower the next generation to achieve their dreams and create a prosperous society.