Junior Achievement of Northern California's mission is to inspire and prepare youth to succeed in a global economy. Our vision is that all youth are connected to economic opportunity and career pathways. Junior Achievement prioritizes program delivery to low-to-moderate income youth, aged 5-25. JA’s proven lessons in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship propel youth toward thriving wage careers.
Are teens financially ready when they graduate? Over half (54%) teens surveyed express feeling unprepared due to lack of financial literacy education.
Junior Achievement's JA Finance Park addresses:
Creating and using a budget.
What % of income to spend on housing?
How and why to open a savings account.
Choosing a credit card?
Choices affecting your credit score.
The difference a college degree has on income potential
JA Finance Park teaches 1,000 Monterey County youth essential personal finance fundamentals through in-class lessons, followed by an immersive JA Finance Park Pop Up simulation, where students become "adults for a day,” and learn to balance their household budget, visiting 18-20 interactive storefronts representing every category within their household budget, including auto loans, housing, insurance, investments, childcare, groceries, and utilities.
Community volunteers guide students using their professional and lived experience, teaching budgeting fundamentals and the importance of post-secondary education to achieve improved economic mobility.
JA’s JA Finance Park addresses issues of equity by providing real-life financial skills to Monterey County high school age youth, to break the cycle of poverty.
JA’s experiential-learning programs like JA Finance Park provide critical education not available in the current school curriculum and aligned with North Monterey County Unified District LCAP priorities for College and Career Readiness.
JA Finance Park shines a light on things not covered at school. It taught my classmates and I how to manage money so you can live a good life, a stress-free life, instead of worrying about bills, and map out your future depending on your education and career choices. Many in my group were not sure they wanted to go to college, but after talking to JA Volunteers about how college impacted their life, we know a college degree is the smartest investment in ourselves.
Angelo G. North County HS, March 2025
As a first-generation student, I know firsthand how challenging it is to navigate financial literacy without guidance. Many of us are learning essential money management skills on our own, which can feel overwhelming. JA Finance Park provides students with real-world financial knowledge that can set them up for success—something I wish I had access to in high school. Programs like this empower students to make informed financial decisions early on, helping to break cycles of financial uncertainty in our communities. Spreading this knowledge is crucial, and I truly believe every student deserves this opportunity. Angelica Roa, Community Schools Coordinator, No. Monterey County School District, March 2025
- Angelica Roa, Castroville, CA
