Grants from within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region will support the Community First Career Exploration and Financial Literacy Center, a partnership of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and Fox Valley Technical College

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin has received $733,000 in grants from funds and foundations within the Community Foundation to support the Community First Career Exploration and Financial Literacy Center, a partnership of J.A. and Fox Valley Technical College.  The facility will reach more than 15,000 Northeast Wisconsin students each year. The Center is a hands-on, minds-on experiential learning facility, representing Northeast Wisconsin’s communities and economy.

Supporting funds include: The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund, Frank C. Shattuck Community Fund, The Boldt Company, Bright Idea Fund, William Siekman Junior Achievement Fund, Doug & Carla Salmon Foundation, Professional Plating, Inc. Charitable Fund (within the Brillion Family of Funds), and an anonymous fund.

Interior construction of the Community First Career Exploration and Financial Literacy Center’s JA BizTown and JA Finance Park Storefronts.

Junior Achievement of Wisconsin with FVTC launched a $2,715,250 campaign in May 2018 to support the creation of the new center, located on the FVTC Appleton campus.

The Center’s programming will integrate FVTC’s Career Exploration program with Junior Achievement’s JA BizTown® and JA Finance Park® programs. Through classroom instruction, relevant hands-on activities, and active participation in this simulated economy, students develop a strong understanding of the relationship between what they learn in school and how it can be applied in the real world.

“The generosity of donors in Northeast Wisconsin is extraordinary,” says Michael Frohna, president of Junior Achievement of Wisconsin. “We are truly grateful for the vision and commitment of these donors who choose to charitably benefit our students through the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region.”

“From my perspective, the Center is not a win, not a double win, but an exponential win for this region – a worthy project for Northeast Wisconsin,” says Dr. Susan May, President and CEO of FVTC.

Says Cathie Tierney, President-CEO of Community First Credit Union, the Center’s lead investor: “This is an investment in our children’s future for years to come. An investment that will ensure they will be better equipped to manage their money, experience budgeting in a safe environment, explore career options and see opportunities that entrepreneurship can hold.”

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