JA to Develop Sites for BizTown, Finance Park

GIRARD – Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio is in the early stages of developing a site to house a JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, says Michele Merkel, president of JA of Eastern Ohio.

JA BizTown is an interactive mock city program aimed at upper elementary and early middle school students that teaches personal economics, basic finances such as writing checks, applying for a job, working in groups and participating in government.

JA Finance Park is directed toward middle and high school students and deals with real-world issues that face adults on a daily basis, she says. 

Merkel says within the next two years, JA Eastern Ohio plans to expand programming to adults ages 18 to 25 and make connections between young workers, education, and employers.

JA Eastern Ohio partners with school districts and develops K-12 curricula and multimedia programs in K-5, career exploration for middle school students, and more specific skills and career pathway opportunities for high school students.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.