Junior Achievement launches operation in UP
ISHPEMING — Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes has launched an organization in the Upper Peninsula to set young people up for economic success.
JA is focused on providing students in kindergarten through grade 12 with the knowledge and skills to plan for their futures; make smart academic and economic choices; and ensure their own success. JA offers programs run by corporate and community volunteers to provide relevant, hands-on experiences to help students learn about financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.
A kickoff lunch and lLaunch event took place Sept. 13 to help introduce the new JAUP staff and allow community and school leaders to learn about what JAMGL can offer to schools in the Upper Peninsula.
JAMGL President and CEO Bill Coderre and Senior Vice President of Development Jay Ediger both attended the event to share JA’s mission and goals across the U.P.
“Students in the Upper Peninsula deserve the same resources and opportunities as students downstate,” Coderre said in the meeting. “At JA, we’re committed to making that happen.”
Dennis Smith, retired CEO of the Upper Peninsula Health Plan, started off the event by sharing why he’s passionate about JA and has been actively involved in spearheading initiatives and efforts to bring it to the U.P.
“JA’s programs prepare students to succeed as adults,” Smith said. “It is our responsibility to ensure that our students have these opportunities and I’m excited to work with JA to bring them to our U.P. students.”
The new JAUP staff includes Lindsay Bean, who will be leading the U.P. district as its director, bringing extensive experience in program development, not-for-profit management and marketing to her new position.
Two new program coordinators will also be taking positions to work with educators, administrators and volunteers across the U.P. Anthony Martin-Boyle will be working within the central and western U.P. and Nikki McKechnie will be serving the eastern U.P. from Sault Ste. Marie.
“Our new U.P. staff have hit the ground running,” Ediger said. “We are already seeing partnerships growing and schools signing up to receive JA programs.”
At the beginning of September, JAUP opened a physical location in the Lake Superior Community Partnership West End Economic Hub at 910 U.S. 41 in Ishpeming.
“Having an office locally not only offers a place for staff to meet with area partners, but also demonstrates the commitment to the U.P. operation and to the students across the Upper Peninsula,” Bean said. “We are excited to expand our work and our programming across the region helping students to succeed.”
Those interested in supporting JAUP financially or volunteering can call 906-236-0798.