A Message from our Chairman

For more than 50 years, Junior Achievement has been a force for positive change in Greater Reading and Lehigh Valley. Thanks to your investments in our young people, the power of free enterprise, entrepreneurship and economic competition continues to inspire them to dream a bigger dream. A dream that embodies the spirit we celebrate this year, as past uncertainties have given way to a renewed optimism in the greatness of tomorrow’s promise.

Today, because of our commitment to these ideals, we are well on our way to a stronger, more relevant and higher impact. Additionally, 50,000 students will be served by our Organization over the next five years. In our current program year, we are serving nearly 30% more students than one year ago. The growth establishes a firm Organization for sustainable, annual increases in the impact of our mission—thru our goal of 13,000 students by 2016. And, as a result of our JA Graduation Pathway Models, 2,500 more students will successfully complete high schools ready to work or pursue additional education in our region by the time our plan is exhausted.

As we appreciate, and even celebrate where we are today, it is momentary. We have miles to go before we sleep. Everywhere you go you can find students, volunteers and other friends of Junior Achievement, leading in our communities. Communities that are strong in their purpose have enduring values and relentlessly pursue new opportunities. These qualities have been the bedrock of our successes for generations, and these same qualities will be what enable us to succeed for tomorrow.

Junior Achievement, unlike any other organization, exposes young people to these lessons of success, provides them with the tools to realize their ambitions and models excellence for them in partnership with our community’s business leadership. And because of its unique contributions to developing young people, the demand for our programs in schools, communities and among business leaders is strong, and getting stronger. As the numbers of students we reach continues to grow, the bonds between our communities, schools, and businesses, deepen, and our economies become more vibrant, businesses thrive and workforce becomes more skilled. Be the change that you want to see in your communities. Invest in our young people. Let’s embrace tomorrow’s promise and dream a bigger dream together.

We appreciate your continued support of, and belief in, Junior Achievement!

Sincerely yours,
John Hanna, Chairman

(message from 2011 JA Annual Report, Bridging the Workforce Gap)

Junior Achievement at a Glance

12,000+ Bowling pins knocked down
6,500 Students taught
2,376 Golf holes played
1,592 Square miles
523 Donors thanked
244 Classes held
347 Dinners served
223 Volunteers trained
72 Schools partnered with
66 Years in operation
21 Programs
4 Symposiums
3 Counties
1 Mission

Our Core Values

• Belief in the boundless potential of young people
• Commitment to the principals 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