Flint, MI) The Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce will team up with Junior Achievement (JA) of Southeastern Michigan in the classroom during “JA in a Day”. The volunteer activity will take place at Seymour Elementary School in Flushing, on March 22, from 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Media are invited to cover.

JA in a Day is a unique initiative that allows volunteers to teach all of the lessons of Junior Achievement’s six elementary school programs in an intensive and effective one-day effort.

During the course of JA in a Day, students will learn about various aspects of financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. For instance, students in the second grade will learn about our community and have a chance to see how money moves through a community, creating jobs and generating tax proceeds that pay for schools, parks and streets.

According to Karen Kosniewski, President and CEO of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, the Chamber has been a great partner of Junior Achievement.

“It has been great working with the Chamber,” said Kosniewski. “They have helped to identify some of their member businesses to partner with us and possibly join the JA Genesee County Advisory Board. In addition, they have been a big help to us on recruiting volunteers to teach in the classrooms.”

Volunteering in classrooms allows Regional Chamber members to share personal experiences that can motivate and inspire students. Some students don’t have a positive role model at home and volunteers can bring that to them.

“We’ve assembled a team of volunteers and we’re excited to participate,” said Steve Flynn, Director of Member Services at the Flint & Genesee Chamber. “The JA in a Day program is a perfect fit with the Chamber given our focus on youth education, leadership and employment training, and career preparation.

Flynn added: “What better place to start retaining our talent than in Kindergarten and continuing the preparation through high school graduation.”

Junior Achievement is a national program for young people, grades K-12. Founded in 1919 on the east coast, JA reaches 4 million students in the U.S with programs that teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness. JA has a worldwide reach of 10.6 million students in 117 countries.

JA came to Michigan in 1949, and has had a local presence since the 1960s. This year, JA in Flint and Genesee County will serve over 2,500 participants, led by nearly 100 volunteers.

MEDIA CONTACT Elaine D. Redd 910.600.1418