We're from Here.
JA of Central Texas is a locally run arm of a global, thrice Nobel Peace Price nominated, non-profit organization, JA Worldwide. Our board and staff members are deeply connected to the communities we serve. We fiercely believe that all young people need connection with caring adults and exposure to the wider world around them to achieve their potential.
We live in one of the most entrepreneurial regions in the United States, if not the world. Yet being able to participate in that economic engine and being able to afford to live here is becoming increasingly difficult - and out of reach for many of our region's young people. We believe JA is a key asset for economic equity in our region.
We are poised to take our programs to scale across Central Texas. We need your help to make that happen. Whether you are an educator who will bring JA to your district, a parent who will introduce your PTA to JA, a corporate leader who will partner with JA for a high impact employee engagement experience or an individual who believes in our mission, please join us.
JA equips young people with tools to navigate our rapidly changing workforce so that they may live productive, fulfilling lives regardless of their circumstances. We curate project-based learning experiences delivered by dedicated volunteers mentoring young people in schools, after-school programs, and in partnership with local organizations.
Junior Achievement is dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. This global footprint and tremendous scale allow us to serve young people at a much lower cost with higher quality programs than would be feasible on a local or even statewide basis. Your contribution to JA of Central Texas is highly leveraged - giving you the most impact for your contribution of time and money.
JA Educational Experiences
Junior Achievement experiences help prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate wealth and effectively manage it, how to create jobs which make their communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace. Students put these lessons into action and learn the value of contributing to their communities.
Our Approach
JA's unique approach allows volunteers from the community to deliver our curriculum while sharing their experiences with students. Embodying the heart of JA, hundreds of volunteers from Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Waco, Westlake, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville, and many surrounding communities transform the key concepts of our lessons into a message that inspires and empowers students to believe in themselves, showing them they can make a difference in the world.
Opportunity is for Everyone.
JA of Central Texas envisions a future where our community delivers on its values - where every child has an opportunity to use their talents for the betterment of society. We believe that all work is honorable. We believe that an entrepreneurial mindset benefits everyone - not just entrepreneurs or business people. And most of all, we know that Opportunity is for Everyone.
Junior Achievement maintains an active vision, front and center, on how we can have change the lives of a generation - 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
Our Mission
Junior Achievement inspires and prepares young people to succeed in a global economy.
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.
