After a successful three years of delivering impactful programs to nearly 10,000 youth in schools and community organizations along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans is thrilled to announce the expansion of its service area to now include 29 counties across South Mississippi.

Over the past few years, JA has brought a variety of enriching programs to the region. The JA Speakers Series has been particularly successful. This series allows students to engage directly with professionals from the business community, providing them with real-world insights and inspiration.

Over 600 high school students have participated in JA’s Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge, completing the JA Catalyst program and then competing to pitch their innovative entrepreneurial ideas for a chance to win scholarship money.

Additionally, Junior Achievement has implemented JA in-class programming to over thousands of students in Mississippi. These programs offer comprehensive lesson plans and resources that empower students to develop vital skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and financial literacy.

The positive feedback from schools and educators in Mississippi has been truly inspiring. Pass Road Elementary expressed their delight with the JA Speakers Series, stating, "We were extremely impressed with the Speaker Series! We loved having a volunteer talk directly with the kids." Gulfport Central Middle echoed their sentiments, emphasizing the value of Junior Achievement materials and expressing their desire to continue with the programming.

Pass Christian High School had a highly successful experience with the Personal Finance 2.0 program. They shared their satisfaction, saying, "Personal Finance 2.0 went very well! We enjoyed the volunteers coming to work with the students!" These testimonials affirm the impact and value of Junior Achievement programs in fostering essential skills and knowledge among students.

JA would like to thank MGM Resorts and Hancock Whitney for their support of JA’s work in Mississippi. To further support and strengthen our presence in Mississippi, Junior Achievement staff will be seeking more school, business, and community partners. We look forward to building partnerships and expanding our network of volunteers to maximize the impact we can make together.

If you are interested in supporting Junior Achievement's program delivery in Mississippi, please contact Kelly Wilson at kelly@jagno.org. Your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of young people in these communities.

To bring JA programming to your school or to volunteer in JA programs in your areas, contact Eric Walter, eric@jagno.org.

Together, we can empower the next generation to achieve their dreams and build prosperous communities.