By BOB GRYLLS
Whitewater Reporter
WHITEWATER REGION (Westmeath) — Junior Achievement (JA) is an international active non-profit organization that works together with educators, businesses and people in communities to deliver ‘financial literacy’, ‘entrepreneurship’ and ‘workplace readiness’ programs to classes, including those in Renfrew County, ranging from grade 3 to 12. Over two days last month, they delivered programs to classes at Our Lady of Grace School (OLG) in Westmeath.
Kim Ryan, a Sun Life Financial Advisor in Renfrew, has been a JA Ottawa ‘volunteer’ for the past couple of years and values the organization and its programs offered. She did however, wonder why they weren’t offered in Renfrew County. She then probed a bit deeper and eventually had a meeting with John McNutt, President & Chief Executive Officer of JA Peterborough, Lakeland, Muskoka (JA-PLM), which is the charter that Renfrew County operates under. When Mr. McNutt heard of the interest in Renfrew County, he arranged meetings to generate even more interest. This led to the hiring of Margie Griese as the Area Co-ordinator for Renfrew County. Ms. Griese in turn works part time for both Ms. Ryan and for JA itself. JA Renfrew County is now in full operation thanks to a three-year Trillium Grant, awarded to get it started.
Ms. Griese, as area co-ordinator since March, began her journey by introducing JA to local businesses and people within Renfrew County. After months of phone calls, emails and meetings with school boards, principals, and businesses, she commenced to get results.
Ms. Griese, with Ms. Ryan acting as a ‘mentor volunteer.’ and Jennifer Regnier (JA District Manager) for support, delivered their first program to Amanda Cameron’s grade 3 to grade 8 class at St. Joseph’s Separate School in Calabogie. This was a huge first milestone and a great success. The teacher was thrilled with what her students learned that day.
Their second program was delivered Nov 28th at OLG in Westmeath, Joey Sicoli’s grade 3/4 class and the third program Nov 29th, also at OLG, to Kelsey Wowchuk’s grade 5/6/7 class.
‘A Business of Our Own’ or ‘ABOO’ lesson given from volunteers Ms. Griese and Ms. Ryan taught the students about financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship. Topics included how to prepare a budget, workplace communications skills and launching a successful business. Classroom activities and videos trained the students in teamwork. At the end of the session the students presented their business pitch.
For Junior Achievement to find its niche and be even more successful in our area, it needs to attract Mentor Volunteers to deliver programs…. and also, investors to fund the programs. If anyone is interested in helping JA, contact Ms. Griese, 613-281-5598 or email [email protected].
