Junior Achievement leads kids to business

From left, Junior Achievement’s JA BizTown Director Wendy O’Keefe,Vice President of Education Brenda Dryer and Director of Development Sara Isaacson. Photo by Duane Tinkey

Nonprofit

Junior Achievement of Central Iowa Inc.

Address: 6100 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50312 Phone: (515) 279-9602 Web site: www.jadsm.com

E-mail: info@jadsm.com

Junior Achievement leads kids to business BY TODD RAZOR With three full-time employees, four part-time staff members and 1,600 volunteers, Junior Achievement of Central Iowa Inc. has a goal to provide every student in the 29 counties in its jurisdiction with business and economic education.

"Eventually we want to reach every student in Central Iowa," said Brenda Dryer, Junior Achievement's vice president of education. "With 29 counties, it may take a while. But that is our goal and our national mission."

Since its establishment in 1955, Central Iowa's Junior Achievement facility has developed programs to reach children in elementary, junior high and high school.

Junior Achievement developed the curriculum for an accredited economics class for juniors and seniors in high school. It also has a curriculum designed for in-class programs for students in all grades that is taught by volunteers.

"Only 15 percent of our volunteers are parents," Dryer said. "Business people serve as liaisons and reinforce our concept. They are positive role models and show what Des Moines has to offer."

The programs fit the grade level and interest of students, including engaging in activities and making an impression through visits from professionals.

"Volunteers are giving back to the community," said Sara Isaacson, director of development for Junior Achievement. "They support our children, who are learning about real-life work experience."

JA BizTown is a capstone project for fifth- and sixth-graders. Local companies, such as MidAmerican Energy Co., Meredith Corp. and Wells Fargo & Co., sponsor the JA BizTown businesses. The students, or "citizens," are taught in class and visit JA BizTown to apply their knowledge.

Citizens apply for positions, perform services and make products to support a business and learn to run a town. They sometimes feel time constraints and learn to rely on their colleagues.

"We want them to feel some of that because that is real life, but (JA BizTown) is a safe and caring environment where they can learn," Dryer said.

The town includes everyone from a judge to a bank president and insurance agents. The citizens get loans, paychecks and even get tickets or are assigned to community service if they break the city laws.

The program teaches students "business literacy" and prepares them for the working world, said Wendy O'Keefe, JA BizTown director.

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