Our Blog
Volunteer at JA Finance Park
By Amanda Oleson
Community Involvement
Bring your company for a day of volunteering in JA Finance...
Partners for What's Next: Wells Fargo's Impact on Central Iowa Students
By Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
Wells Fargo’s longstanding partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Iowa helps students turn classroom lessons into real-world experiences. Through support of JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, along with 49 employee volunteers during the 2025–2026 school year, Wells Fargo helps students build skills in financial literacy, leadership, teamwork and decision-making. Together, JA and Wells Fargo...
Partners for What's Next: Building Confidence, Careers and Community with RSM
By Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
RSM US LLP is helping students across Central Iowa prepare for what's next by partnering with Junior Achievement of Central Iowa to provide hands-on learning experiences, career exploration, and financial literacy opportunities. Through its investment in programs like 3DE and the JA Stock Market Challenge, as well as the dedication of employee volunteers and board leaders, RSM is equipping...
Partners for Impact: Growing Confidence, Skills and Futures with John Deere Financial
By Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
John Deere Financial's longstanding partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Iowa is helping students connect classroom learning to real-world opportunities. Through support of JA BizTown, JA Finance Park, the JA Stock Market Challenge, and volunteer engagement, John Deere Financial is helping thousands of Iowa students build the confidence, skills, and career awareness they need to prepare...
Partners for What's Next: F&G Helping Students Discover What's Possible
By Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
The future takes shape when students are given the opportunity to solve real challenges, discover their strengths and imagine what's possible. Through its partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Iowa, F&G is helping transform classrooms into places where confidence grows, careers come into focus and future leaders are inspired. Together, they're creating meaningful learning experiences that...
Partners for What's Next: Celebrating our partnership with the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services.
By Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
The Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services continues to invest in Iowa’s future through its partnership with Junior Achievement of Central Iowa. With more than $269,000 in support, the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services has helped bring impactful classroom and experiential learning opportunities to more than 13,800 students across Central Iowa, preparing the next...
The People Behind the Impact
By Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
Junior Achievement of Central Iowa is proud to recognize its 2025-26 Award Winners, honoring outstanding volunteers, partners, educators and student leaders whose dedication is helping prepare young people for what's next. Despite the cancellation of this year's Appreciation Event due to weather, we celebrate the remarkable impact these champions have made across Central...
From Learning to Earning: How Skills Build the Foundation for Economic Growth
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Work Readiness
For today’s students, the journey from learning to earning is more complex than ever before. A rapidly evolving economy shaped by technological innovation, shifting workforce demands, and new career pathways requires more than academic knowledge alone. It requires a strong foundation of skills that can translate into real-world success. We believe that building these skills early is essential not...
A Full Circle Moment: From a JA BizTown Student to a JA Volunteer
By Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
Think back to elementary school and that one field trip you couldn’t stop talking about. For Taylor Hellman, that was JA BizTown, formerly known as Exchange City. What started as a fun day out of the classroom turned into something much...
Turning Vision Into Impact: Marshalltown High School 9.5 Culminating Event with F&G
By Seherzada Devedzic
Community Involvement
At Marshalltown High School’s 9.5 Culminating Event, students showcased the impact of F&G’s investment in 3DE by presenting solutions to a real-world challenge on communicating volunteer benefits. Through collaboration and strategic thinking, they demonstrated confidence, professionalism, and growth, delivering ideas with real impact. F&G’s support has created meaningful opportunities for students...