Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada has received a $100,000 grant from John Jelavich, Founder and Retired CEO of River Valley Community Bank, and his wife Karin (Bryant) Jelavich, retired Sutter County, Calif. educator and administrator. Karin was raised in Hawthorne and both Jelavich’s graduated from UNR. This one-time transformational gift will provide the seed money to be used for developing a sustaining JA program in Mineral County along with Lyon County and to enhance existing JA programs in Northern Nevada.

The funding will be used to get JA programs up and running across the area as well as establish the necessary partnerships, program delivery methods and framework to ensure ongoing programs for years to come.

“We both agree that financial education has been lacking in our schools and the need is great. We believe our youth need more than what they’re getting if they’re going to be prepared and have good opportunities once they complete their education,” says John. “JA is a vehicle that can help achieve this over time. We have been very pleased by the initial enthusiasm and support from the school district and area leaders,” Karin stated.

Started in 1956, Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada is a local chapter of an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower young people to own their future economic success. JA’s programs are delivered at a local level to schools in partnership with the business community who provide the funding and volunteers necessary to deliver the innovative financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship programs.

Junior Achievement volunteers commit to:

  • Five (Elementary), Six (Middle School) and Seven (High School) 30-45 minute lessons taught in an area classroom during regular school time
  • JA Volunteer contacts their cooperating teacher and arranges a time that meets both party’s needs
  • New JA Volunteers attend one 30 minute introductory training session

Junior Achievement will:

  • Contact area schools and secure classrooms for volunteers
  • Provide volunteers with necessary training for the classroom
  • Provide program and teaching support to volunteers or teachers
  • Provide volunteers with a grade specific program

Volunteers can expect:

  • Teachers who want JA programs and who will remain in the classroom with you
  • Lessons that are interactive and entertaining to the students
  • To discover the thrill of opening a child’s eyes to a new concept or idea and seeing that idea flourish

Please contact JANN at 775-323-8084