2020 FISCAL YEAR IMPACT REPORT grandparent, or church. Or maybe they were related to the servers working behind the counter. So, I asked, “Excuse me girls…I have a question…” I summarized what I observed and then asked, “Who taught you to be so generous?” Without missing a beat, one girl answered: “We learned it in Junior Achievement. We were in a class where we were taught how the economy works, and…yeah.” [My mentor told them I worked with Junior Achievement, and they couldn’t have cared less about my role!] The conversation ended and they walked away. About 10 minutes later they returned. “Excuse me, sir,” said one. “Are we going to have Junior Achievement again this year?” I responded yes, but it would be either through a virtual volunteer or their teacher would teach JA. “Okay good” said one as the others smiled. And then they were gone. Photo: MKE Lifestyle The moment was amazing. And would not have been possible without the generous gifts of support and the thousands of dedicated volunteers A Message From the President and teachers who help bring JA education programs to life. 2020 was ripe for telling stories of heroes, optimism, paying-it- On behalf of all my co-workers, thank you for your commitment to forward, and unrelenting goodness in the midst of bleak days, weeks, Junior Achievement, and for inspiring and preparing students for their and months. One such story happened to me when I was enjoying futures and enriching the communities they call home. coffee and conversation—safely—with my mentor on the patio of a local establishment. After some time, I re-entered the coffee shop to With gratitude, get a refill. While inside, I was standing behind three teen-aged young ladies. As each one paid for their fancy morning beverages, they each placed $1-$2 in the gratuity cup. I was really impressed but kept my observation to myself. I got my refill and returned to the patio. Michael Frohna, President, Junior Achievement of Wisconsin About 20 minutes later, the girls emerged from the coffee shop. P.S. If you would like to become part of these success stories as a Curiosity got the best of me. I needed to know why they gave such financial partner or volunteer, please reach out. I’d love to hear from a generous tip to the servers. I figured they learned it from a parent, you, [email protected]. FROM THE DESK OF Tim Daanen FROM THE DESK OF Andrew Shallow The 2020 fiscal year provided the Greater Green Bay Area with two The core of what we do at Junior Achievement is to deliver financial opportunities to expand JA programs. The first was through a new literacy and work readiness programs to students. The way we do this partnership with the Greater Green Bay Chamber of Commerce on most effectively is in the classroom – but COVID-19 required us to a career readiness program. The partnership allowed us to add 120+ adapt. Schools and teachers struggled to get students to engage online in classrooms and reach an additional 3,200+ students. Our second the core subjects like reading and math; meaning that time to welcome partnership with IBM and Schneider provided a focused, day-long JA into a virtual classroom was put aside. But that didn’t mean that Design Thinking experience for 20 area high school students. We are JA lessons were not important. Having a sound financial foundation is very thankful to these organizations for their partnership and to the critical to allow people to adapt to whatever surprises might come their great volunteers who helped make the programs a success. way. Life can throw curveballs and people need to be prepared. Those of us that volunteer for JA get to play an important role in students’ – Tim Daanen, Board Chair lives by helping them learn how to withstand life’s curveballs and adapt Junior Achievement of the Greater Green Bay Area quickly to respond. – Andrew Shallow, Board Chair FROM THE DESK OF Chris Casey Junior Achievement of the Northcentral Wisconsin Area Sharing the JA message with students has been a more rewarding gift than I ever would have imagined. I have presented to a variety of central FROM THE DESK OF Wisconsin classes and each experience is so special to me. The reaction Bret Wagner from the kids from the moment you arrive until the moment you finish The 2020 fiscal year was a rewarding year as a leader on the JA Dane the last lesson has been wonderful. I have been presented with thank Board of Directors - first as the development committee chair, and then you cards after every class. In my career, I speak in front of many people. stepping into the chairperson role. Fundraising during a pandemic Presenting to students with JA has been the most fun. I learned how to brought new challenges. We made strides that will strengthen us for be a better speaker because of the student feedback. Anyone interested the future. Our efforts are focused on monthly giving to establish in sharing JA’s message, learning more about yourself, and just having recurring revenue with light overhead. A secondary focus is to develop fun, should certainly look into JA. materials to help our board and JA advocates activate their networks to gain support for our life-changing student programs. – Chris Casey, Board Chair Junior Achievement of the Portage & Wood County Area – Bret Wagner Board Chair Junior Achievement of the Dane County Area 2 Junior Achievement of Wisconsin Navigating a Year of Challenges Celebrating Yesterday The 2019-20 fiscal year began with Junior Achievement (JA) celebrating its 100th anniversary. In the first 100 years of our organization, JA volunteers inspired and prepared more than 112 million young people for success in the workplace by teaching them age- appropriate, interactive, and engaging lessons about financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness. Celebrations during the fall of 2019 included creating time capsules to be opened at the end of the next 100 years and the airing of “Made Possible: The Business of Junior Achievement” which appeared on Wisconsin Public Television in September, 2019. Enhancing Today The relevance of Junior Achievement programs was more impactful than ever with the promise of new blended-learning, augmented reality and project-based programs to be launched in the 2019-20 school year. The goal of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin was to reach 151,000 students across the state with a focus on work readiness programming for middle and high school students. The JA mantra was “Be Bold” and was reflected in the January 2020 opening of the Community First Career Exploration and Financial Literacy Center in Appleton, WI. Embracing Tomorrow The resilience of Junior Achievement was tested in early 2020 when the COVID pandemic hit the United States, closing Wisconsin schools and shifting education from the classroom to the computer. Within a matter of days, over 3,200 JA classroom programs were cancelled, impacting nearly 40,000 students. The staff at Junior Achievement accepted the challenge and developed nearly 100 pre-recorded videos that students of all ages could view while learning online. Next came the redevelopment of 50 face-to-face programs so JA volunteers could connect with students in a new way. This allowed JA to remain a solution provider for educators across the state. Whether JA volunteers delivered lessons live over the internet, or in pre-recorded videos, they helped students learn important lessons about work readiness and financial literacy. Our Purpose To inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy Wisconsin Impact 656,661 81,732 4,830 4,199 2,094 697 Instructional Students Volunteers Classes Teachers Schools Contact Hours Junior Achievement of Wisconsin 3 Regional Overview North and West Central Region Northcentral Wisconsin 300 3rd Street, Suite L04 Wausau, WI 54403 Students: 5,101 Volunteers: 179 Schools: 46 Northcentral Wisconsin Northwest Wisconsin Wolf River Area Portage & Wood Greater Coulee Area Counties Green Bay Area 2715 Losey Blvd Winnebago Area La Crosse, WI 54601 Coulee Sheboygan Students: 1,497 County Volunteers: 53 North and West Central Region NWC Schools: 20 Northeast Region NE South Central Region SC Dane County Area Metro Milwaukee Southeast Region SE Northwest Wisconsin Rock County Area Racine/Kenosha Area These areas are operated by offices 2004 Highland Ave, Suite 2C other than JA of Wisconsin Eau Claire, WI 54701 Students: 12,083 Volunteers: 390 Northeast Region Southeast Region Schools: 72 Greater Green Bay Area Sheboygan County Portage/Wood County Area 320 Main Ave, Suite 101 1441 N Taylor Dr 300 3rd Street, Suite L04 De Pere, WI 54115 Sheboygan, WI 53081 Wausau, WI 54403 Students: 7,711 Students: 2,308 Students: 1,209 Volunteers: 172 Volunteers: 60 Volunteers: 58 Schools: 68 Schools: 29 Schools: 26 Winnebago Area Metro Milwaukee South Central Region Community First Career Exploration JA Kohl’s Education Center and Financial Literacy Center 11111 W Liberty Dr Dane County Area 11 Tri-Park Way Milwaukee, WI 53224 2800 Royal Ave, Suite 207 Appleton, WI 54914 Students: 37,760 Monona, WI 53713 Students: 5,593 Volunteers: 3,077 Students: 2,432 Volunteers: 233 Schools: 247 Volunteers: 145 Schools: 77 Schools: 47 Racine/Kenosha Area Wolf River Area 1328 Racine St Rock County Area 122 N Sawyer St Racine, WI 53403 One Parker Place, Suite 304 Shawano, WI 54166-0573 Students: 1,984 Janesville, WI 53545 Students: 864 Volunteers: 152 Students: 3,190 Volunteers: 51 Schools: 25 Volunteers: 173 Schools: 10 Schools: 30 4 Junior Achievement of Wisconsin A New Day for Education in Northeast Wisconsin The Grand Opening of the Community First Career Exploration and “They say it takes a village to raise a child and we couldn’t be prouder Financial Literacy Center on January 22, 2020 marked a new day for to be part of the village that’s been created here at the Community students in Northeast Wisconsin.