Junior Achievement Central Ontario Inspires Youth in Milton

By: Laura Steiner

Two years ago the Junior Achievement (JA) Central Ontario was given a $122,900 grant by the Ontario Trillium foundation (OTF) to expand t heir financial literacy programs for grades seven to nine.

“With this funding, JA Central Ontario’s work to deliver 68 in-class financial literacy programs is making a positive difference in the lives of 3,220 students in our community,” Milton MPP Parm Gill said.  The group offered three courses: Dollars with Sense (Grade 7), Economics for Success (Grade 8) and Personal Finance (Grade nine). The workshops focused on helping students develop personal money management skills and preparing for the work force.

The courses were delivered in cooperation with volunteers from  JA’s  local partners.

“We were delighted to work with OTF to deliver this vital programming to Milton students,” said  JA President and CEO Jane Eisbrenner.  The programming included a Financial Literacy Day at the velodrome in March, 2019 where 434 students were given the opportunity to learn from 27 volunteer career mentors.  “These programs are now more important than ever, as youth face an uncertain future, and changing job market,” Eisbrenner said.

In-person programming was halted in March, 2020 due to COVID-19.  The courses were then offered through an online platform allowing access via a new digital campus.  “We are thrilled to be able to reach such high numbers of students, despite the challenges faced in delivering in-person programs in 2020,” Eisbrenner added.  For more information on Junior Achievement visit their website