Synchrony Financial donates 700 fully-supplied backpacks to DC students, $5,000 to JA of Greater Washington

Synchrony Financial donates 700 fully-supplied backpacks to DC students, $5,000 to JA of Greater Washington

On July 28, 2016 at the National Harbor’s Gaylord Convention Center, Heath Carelock, Education Director for Junior Achievement of Greater Washington's JA Finance Park® Prince George's County, accepted a surprise $5,000 check from Synchrony Financial on behalf of Junior Achievement of Greater Washington.

In acceptance of the donation, Heath spoke before an audience of 400 financial professionals from across the country who were gathered for Synchrony Financial's Global Diversity Network Symposium. The teams in attendance sorted, organized, and donated 700 fully supplied backpacks which will be given to students in the DC area in the coming weeks in preparation for the upcoming school year. 

JA of Greater Washington wraps up 2015-2016 Bowl-A-Thon season with Record-breaking Fundraising Numbers

JA of Greater Washington wraps up 2015-2016 Bowl-A-Thon season with Record-breaking Fundraising Numbers

On Tuesday, July 12, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington wrapped up the 2015-2016 JA® Bowl-A-Thon season with an Awards and Recognition Reception at Cesco Osteria in Bethesda, Maryland. 

At the event, hosted by Bowl Committee Chair and JA Board of Directors Secretary, Mike Steinitz of Robert Half, Steinitz announced that, all together, JA bowlers raised over $515,000 during the 2015-2016 Bowl-A-Thon season, the highest total dollars raised in JA of Greater Washington's history. 

BLOG: 2013 JA Essay Competition Winner Mimi Robinson: "Your voice is strongest when you speak, write, and live with passion"

BLOG: 2013 JA Essay Competition Winner Mimi Robinson: "Your voice is strongest when you speak, write, and live with passion"

I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity recently to reflect on how the Junior Achievement Community has affected my life. In 2013, I participated in the essay competition that revolved around the following question: “Which will do more to improve life in the United States over the next decade, business entrepreneurs or social entrepreneurs? Why?” I remember reading the question and asking out loud and responding – Why not both? 

Greater Washington Futures (May)

Greater Washington Futures (May)

As we close out an incredible 2015-2016 school year, in which Junior Achievement volunteers delivered programs to over 63,000 District, Maryland, and Virginia youth, I want to share with you some advice from Junior Achievement Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani in Inc. Magazine on 6 expert ways you can make your kids financially successful for life. It's never too early to get started.

The Clean Water Partnership performs retrofit at JA Finance Park® Prince George’s County

The Clean Water Partnership performs retrofit at JA Finance Park® Prince George’s County

Corvias Solutions is excited to announce its partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater Washington to perform stormwater retrofits at JA Finance Park® Prince George’s County located on the campus of G. James Gholson Middle School/Cora L. Rice Elementary Middle School in Landover, Maryland. The work will be performed under the Clean Water Partnership (CWP), a groundbreaking community based public-private partnership (CBP3) between Prince George’s County (the County) and Corvias Solutions to retrofit up to 2,000 acres of impervious surfaces using green infrastructure and drive local economic development by using local, small and minority businesses to build local capacity.

JA of Greater Washington announces winners of 2015 Junior Achievement Essay Competition sponsored by Mr. David Rubenstein

JA of Greater Washington announces winners of 2015 Junior Achievement Essay Competition sponsored by Mr. David Rubenstein

Today, Junior Achievement of Greater Washington announced the winners of the 2015 Junior Achievement Essay Competition. This year's competition was intense, as over 1,800 qualified applicants submitted compelling essays answering this year's question: “What does the American Dream mean to you and is it still thriving in Greater Washington?

Washington Post: Redskins rookies turn to Maryland middle-schoolers for money advice

Washington Post: Redskins rookies turn to Maryland middle-schoolers for money advice

“I’m having some trouble applying for a loan.”

Su’a Cravens, a safety and linebacker whom the Washington Redskins drafted in the second round of this year’s National Football League draft, is hunched over a tablet, trying to buy a house.

If this were a real house, Cravens — his first name is pronounced “SUE-uh” — probably wouldn’t have much trouble. He’ll make nearly half a million dollars playing for the Redskins this season.

On a recent visit to the Junior Achievement Finance Park in Landover, Maryland, however, he and two dozen other Redskins rookies are taking on new identities to learn personal finance skills. Cravens, 20, has become a mechanical engineer with a $78,000 salary, a wife and a 3-year-old kid.

U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica shares how JA® inspired his life and work

U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica shares how JA® inspired his life and work

The Honorable Luis G. Moreno, U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, has developed foreign policy and negotiated peace in the Americas and the Middle East. He was also part of a JA company that produced and sold lava lamps. Watch the ambassador's inspiring story as he joins our 100 Lives series of JA alumni, a video series from JA Worldwide to celebrate Junior Achievement's 100th birthday in 2019.

JA Worldwide President Asheesh Advani: 6 Expert Ways to Make Your Kids Financially Successful for Life (Inc. Magazine)

Many think of teenagers being fiscally irresponsible. Everyone wants their kids to understand the value of money, but somehow, a lot of them never get there. It makes letting them go that much more difficult. You don't have to push your child to be an entrepreneur just so they will understand how to manage money. Actually there are some simple ways to accomplish this task even if you struggle with money yourself.

Recently I discussed this topic with Asheesh Advani, CEO of Junior Achievement (JA) Worldwide, a massive global organization that educates more than 10 million young people per year. I had long thought JA was primarily focused on teaching kids about entrepreneurship. In actuality, JA has three major pillars of how they help children become productive and resilient in society. Aside from entrepreneurship, they teach career readiness and most importantly financial literacy.