YouLaunch Brings Canada's largest youth business education organization to the Sault
YouLaunch is eager for the opportunity to facilitate the launc
h of this reputable program benefiting our local youth by teaching unique skills and information that they may not learn otherwise. Operating since 1955, Junior Achievement is the largest youth business education organization in Canada. It provides students with the opportunity to learn financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness skills with engaging curriculum and enthusiastic volunteers. Junior Achievement is made up of in-class learning and after school sessions, with a variety of topics available. YouLaunch needs volunteers to help run these programs, as well as schools that are interested in accessing this unique opportunity.
Three different lessons are offered, including: Dollars with Sense, Economics for Success, and Be Entrepreneurial. These programs are for students ranging from Grades 7 to 12 and offer a dynamic, hands on approach to learning. “For Junior Achievement to be a success, YouLaunch needs the support of the community, through a collection of dedicated volunteers,” said Patti McGonigal, youth outreach coordinator with YouLaunch, a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre.
“Volunteers are made up of individuals and business professionals who share a common goal of educating students and inspiring them to achieve their highest potential. These volunteers are the heart of Junior Achievement; they are the ones in the classrooms teaching students life long skills to help create active members of the community.” YouLaunch is currently seeking volunteers who are dedicated, passionate, talented, and inspiring. If this sounds like you, we would love to have you join our team. In preparation for facilitating the sessions, Junior Achievement volunteers will be:
Trained on how to give the program presentations
Provided with all classroom materials
Given access to the online portal for support and collaboration with other volunteers
A good role model
Able to work during school hours
Committed to delivering at minimum one class, which would be about a total of eight hours from training to preparation and classroom delivery. The eight hours is not necessary all in the same day, it can be spread over time during the work day to fit your availability.
All volunteers must complete a volunteer registration through Junior Achievement – Peterborough, Lakeland, Muskoka, which is the Junior Achievement chapter that Sault Ste. Marie belongs to.
Once registered, volunteers will receive training from a local Junior Achievement representative. A vulnerable person’s background check also must be completed prior to delivering the program in the classroom. John McNutt, president and CEO of Junior Achievement – Peterborough, Lakeland, Muskoka says, “I am excited and more than pleased to bring Junior Achievement programs to the students of Sault Ste. Marie through a partnership with the Innovation Center and their YouLaunch team. Hopefully in the coming months and years many students will get exposed to Financial Literacy programs as well as Entrepreneurship.”
There will be three volunteer training days open to the public, one for each lesson topic, held at the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre on:
Thursday, Nov. 10 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. for Economics for Success
Thursday, Nov. 10 from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. for Dollars with Sense
Friday, Nov. 11 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. for Be Entrepreneurial
To register please visit juniorachievmenttrainingday.eventbrite.ca. A private training session can be arranged if you are not available for the above dates. If you are interested in making an impact on Sault Ste. Marie youth and would like to become a Junior Achievement Volunteer, please contact Patti McGonigal at pmcgonigal@ssmic.com or 705-942-7927 x3174.
