Volunteers Make October Unforgettable for JA Students
This October, classrooms across Southeast Louisiana came alive with Junior Achievement programs powered by the dedication of our incredible volunteers. From elementary school adventures at JA BizTown to high school career experiences through Future Connect, community members showed up to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.
At JA BizTown, students from Cherbonnier-Rillieux Elementary School and St. Philip Neri Catholic School stepped into the roles of CEOs, CFOs, and marketing and sales managers to experience how the economy works. Volunteers from First Horizon Bank, Capital One Bank, and State Farm guided students through their day of hands-on learning, helping them make real-world connections between classroom lessons and financial literacy. Special education students from Einstein Charter Schools visited JA BizTown in an adapted experience that gave them the opportunity to explore and learn more about the role of businesses in a community.
We were also thrilled to welcome new volunteers from Fifth District Savings Bank, who brought incredible energy to Emmett Gilbert School of Excellence. Their enthusiasm lit up the room as students discovered what it means to run a business, make financial decisions, and work as a team. We can’t wait to have them back!
Meanwhile, JA Future Connect hosted an incredible 25 events in October, offering career-connected learning experiences that help youth strengthen essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and interview preparation.
Highlights included:
Resume Workshops: With the Joseph A. Cuillier Sr. Career Center, volunteers Josh Hughes, Greater New Orleans Federal Credit Union, and Gia Rushing from EPIC Calm NOLA worked one-on-one with students to build resumes and practice presenting their professional strengths.
Group Mock Interviews: More than 270 juniors and seniors from KIPP New Orleans Schools practiced interviewing with community volunteers who offered feedback and coaching to help them shine in real-world settings.
Career Panels: A Digital Media and IT panel on October 15 brought together industry experts to speak with students from KIPP and Rooted Schools inside JA BizTown, followed by a Health Sciences panel on October 30 that connected students with professionals across the healthcare field.
We Work the Waterways: The month’s largest Future Connect event took place at the Port of New Orleans, bringing together students from eight Orleans Parish high schools to explore the wide range of maritime and logistics careers that power our region’s economy.
To close out an inspiring month, Gulf Coast Bank and Trust, led by JA Board Member Lori Sander, hosted JA in a Day at Benjamin Franklin Elementary, delivering impactful financial literacy lessons to eager students.
A special thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time, energy, and heart this October. Your commitment transforms classrooms into places of discovery and possibility. Together, we’re helping young people see what’s possible when education meets opportunity.