NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
8.18.2022
Contact:
Cassi Steenblok
Junior Achievement of Rhode Island
cassi.steenblok@ja.org
401-331-3850 ext.18
Junior Achievement Updates Brand to Reflect Role as Education Leader
Update Comes with the Launch of Key Financial Literacy and Work Readiness Program
(Warwick, RI) – Today, Junior Achievement of Rhode Island announced the launch of its new branding. It’s the first update to the Junior Achievement brand since 1986. The update reflects the organization’s evolution to a fully-integrated K-12 education partner. Junior Achievement envisions a world in which young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities.
“Junior Achievement has changed significantly since it first started offering programs in Rhode Island 100 years ago, and this update of our brand reflects our move into the next century,” said Lee Lewis, president, Junior Achievement of Rhode Island. “As a thought leader and solution provider in the fields of financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship it is important that we have a brand to reflects the changing needs of our state and how we are working to address them.”
This change comes as the State of Rhode Island is making financial literacy a priority. A state law that was passed in 2021, establishing financial literacy education standards and graduation requirements, is taking affect during the 2022-2023 school year. As a leader in experiential economic education for more than 100 years, Junior Achievement is supporting schools in meeting these requirements with its new semester-long JA Financial Literacy program and numerous other offerings that start as early as kindergarten.
Junior Achievement is also relaunching JA Inspire, their premiere work and career readiness program and career exploration fair for 8th grade students, this school year. JA Inspire is a coalition of educators and business leaders, led by Junior Achievement, preparing young people for high school, college, careers, and beyond. After two years of virtual delivery, the JA Inspire Career Exploration Fair will be returning to the Rhode Island Convention Center in December of 2022. The Governor’s Workforce Board recently announced the award of a $200,000 grant to Junior Achievement to support the relaunch of JA Inspire and help reach more Rhode Island students.
In partnership with the Providence Fire Department and Providence Public Schools, Junior Achievement launched a school to career pipeline for Central High School students interested in becoming firefighters. Participating students will receive firefighter training and EMT certification with placement in the Providence Fire Academy upon completion and graduation from high school. The pilot program kicked off in July and continues through the 2022-2023 school year.
“Junior Achievement’s expertise has helped us shape our approach to provide the best experiences for our students while educating them on the necessary skills to be successful once they enter the workforce,” said Central High School teacher Nestor Puello. “The students are being transported from traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms to real-world scenarios where they are learning career, collaborative, and communication skills that will benefit them regardless of the career path that they ultimately choose.”
Globally, Junior Achievement has been recognized for their success and dedication to the betterment of society. This included a recent nomination of JA Worldwide for the Nobel Peace Prize and the awarding of a $38.8 million donation to JA USA from Mackenzie Scott to support Junior Achievement’s work in over 100 locations around the country including Rhode Island.
This brand update is occurring globally, with JA operations in more than 100 countries worldwide beginning the process this year. Since 1986, the Junior Achievement logo has consisted of a green triangle with three white or gold stairsteps in the triangle. The new logo, which resembles planes flying in formation or a flock of geese, borrows elements from the five previous JA logos. The new logo and branding represents how one leader in the community, working in tandem with Junior Achievement, can impact many lives. Ultimately, by working together, we can all rise above.
The first part of the brand update began August 18, 2022, with the relaunch of the website and social media channels. The transition will also include updating curriculum, signage, and more. Changes will continue to occur within the next few weeks and months.
Following two years of a global pandemic, Junior Achievement is excited for this update to their brand and vision. The organization is gearing up to return to pre-pandemic levels of reaching over 12,000 students a year with a focus on urban and urban-ring communities.
About Junior Achievement of Rhode Island - Junior Achievement is the state's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 5,500 students per year in more than 17 communities across Rhode Island. For more information, visit our website at http://jarhodeisland.org, connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/juniorachievementri, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JARhodeIsland.