Junior Achievement USA

For over 15 years, Toyota has supported Junior Achievement USA (JA USA), a nonprofit organization that provides financial education, entrepreneurship, and career readiness programs to young people. With Toyota’s support, JA aims to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to plan for their future, be economically successful and make smart academic and economic choices.

The collaboration began in five locations: Texas, Iowa, Maryland, Arizona, and California, where  students were provided with in-classroom training and experiential learning opportunities to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, such as running a business, managing a budget, or exploring different careers.

In 2022, Toyota expanded the relationship with JA USA by becoming a national partner, helping to provide financial education to youth in Toyota communities across the country. In 2023, Tellis Bethel, social innovation group vice president and chief diversity officer, joined the national JA USA board of directors.

“JA provides quality financial education to youth across the US, and it’s such an honor to work with the board of directors on the vision for the future,” said Bethel. “JA’s variety of programming, led by volunteers, creates unique learning experiences that help students make the connection between school and what’s needed for success in work and life.”

Volunteers are at the heart of JA’s programs, and Toyota team members have passionately volunteered with JA for years. Although not limited to, Toyota team members notably volunteer with these JA programs:

• JA in a Day, which allows volunteers to become the instructors and mentors for students while delivering JA’s lessons.
• BizTown, which allows students the opportunity to practice their entrepreneurial skills while managing a simulated town.
• Finance Park, which focuses on personal financial planning and career exploration with a realistic on-site or virtual community activity.

The collaboration with JA USA keeps expanding and making a difference. In 2023, with the help of 46 Toyota team members and other volunteers, over 13,300 students in almost 5,000 classrooms took part in JA programs. In 2024, JA USA will join efforts with the Driving Possibilities initiative, operated by the Toyota USA Foundation. There are also upcoming plans to include adult financial education curriculum to enhance JA’s holistic impact and promote thriving communities.