Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania received a $15,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it plans to use to expand its YES! (Your Economic Success) and JA Inspire Career Discovery Experience programs for middle school and high school students in the Hazleton Area and Weatherly Area school districts.
The YES! program provides an opportunity for sixth, seventh and eighth grade students to begin discovering the career choices that lie ahead. By combining career exploration and financial responsibility, Junior Achievement connects the importance of education to students' future economic success. YES! consists of a series of activities intended to help students gain an appreciation for the importance that career and financial decisions will play in their lives as young adults. Through YES!, volunteers work with the students and share their background with them as the program proceeds.
JA Inspire is a two-day career exploration event that engages area high school students in 85 hands-on, experiential exhibits with local companies and organizations representing 10 different career clusters. The event exposes students to career opportunities, creates connections, and helps to inspire them toward a pathway for future success.
Junior Achievement plans to use the funding it received from the First Federal Charitable Foundation to support program delivery, volunteer recruitment and training, curriculum materials, volunteer-led career mentoring events, and partnerships with local schools.
Susan Magnotta, President, Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, said, "We are incredibly grateful to the First Federal Charitable Foundation for investing in the futures of young people in our region. This grant will help Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania expand our YES! Your Economic Success and JA Inspire learning experiences to reach more Hazleton and Weatherly Area middle and high school students – at no cost to the school districts. Through hands-on career exploration, financial literacy education, and meaningful connections with local employers and mentors, we are helping students discover their potential and prepare for successful futures. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to strengthening our communities by investing in the next generation."
First Federal Charitable Foundation Executive Director Megan Kennedy said, “We're proud to help Junior Achievement advance its mission to introduce students to a variety of careers, demonstrate the relevance of high school learning to career success, and prepare students for graduation with a defined path for success. By expanding this program, we know it will help so many students attain steady employment and establish a financial foundation for future success.”
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.
For more information on the foundation or to obtain a grant application, visit www.1stfederalcharitable.org or email
CAPTION: Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania received a $15,000 First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it plans to use to expand its YES! (Your Economic Success) and JA Inspire Career Discovery Experience programs. Pictured are, first row, from left: Pearl Shah of
Suffolk Construction; Jocelyn Sterenchock of CAN DO, Inc, Samantha Schumacher of Gentex Corporation, Desislava Dimitrova of Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, Jilann Baron of Suffolk Construction, and Amanda Salko of Community Bank N.A.. Second row: Matt Peruchetti of Talen Energy, Ursula Uhrin of Luzerne County Community College, Nico Makuta of CAN DO, Inc., Terri McGarry of Mondelez International, Bill Andahazy of Penn State/Cross Valley Credit Union, and community volunteer Jay S. Goldstein.