Special to the Sydenham Current
Junior Achievement South Western Ontario is thrilled to announce its 60th Anniversary ‘The Next 60 Starts Here’ Celebration, marking six decades of empowering youth and fostering the future leaders of the region.
JA officials say to commemorate this significant milestone, they have launched a fundraising campaign with a goal of $3.2-million to support vital initiatives and they are building an Alumni Yearbook highlighting JA stories from the past 60 years.
For the past six decades, JA South Western Ontario has been dedicated to preparing young people to succeed in the ever-changing global economy.
JA programs have equipped generations of students with essential skills in financial health, entrepreneurship, and work readiness, laying the foundation for their future success.
They continue to provide relevant hands-on learning supporting youth in gaining essential skills—and working proactively to combat the cycle of poverty.
The anniversary campaign aims to secure $3.2-million in funding to enhance and expand JA South Western Ontario’s reach and impact.
These funds will be allocated toward critical areas, including advancing sustainability efforts, enriching learning experiences, improving IT infrastructure, and expanding facilities.
Andy Spriet and his wife, Helen, have made a substantial commitment to the campaign by donating 10% of the fundraising goal.
Andy, a former board member of JA South Western Ontario and an inductee into the London and District Business Hall of Fame in 2002, emphasized the importance of supporting the organization, saying, “JA is supporting the future of business by teaching future entrepreneurs the skills they need. As a life-time entrepreneur myself, it’s important to support these efforts. Helen and I hope our gift will inspire everyone across South Western Ontario to help in whatever way they can.”
As part of the celebration, JA South Western Ontario is gathering as many Alumni stories as possible – and at least one from each of the past 60 years. The organization invites alumni who have participated in JA programs to share their stories of how JA helped them achieve their goals and where they are today. This initiative showcases the enduring impact of JA’s work in the community.
Karen Gallant, President and CEO of JA South Western Ontario, expressed enthusiasm for the 60th Anniversary Celebration. “We are incredibly proud of our six decades of empowering youth in South Western Ontario. This celebration is a testament to the lasting impact we’ve had in the region, and we look forward to connecting with our Alumni and the community to build an even brighter future for the next generation.”
To learn more about JA South Western Ontario’s 60th Anniversary Celebration and how you can get involved, please visit jaswo.org/60startshere or call 519-439-4201.
