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MARCH/APRIL 2023 NEWSLETTER
This Month's Highlights:
- Don't Miss the 33rd JA Business Hall of Fame
- JA Hires for Passion
- Addressing Youth Unemployment and the Skills Gap -- TOGETHER
- Keep Moving Forward and Remember -- Girls Rule!
- Think It! Build It! Pitch It!
- BUY! SELL! TRADE! Stock Market Challenge
- Back by Popular Demand -- Books, Bucks & Backpacks
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In March, we celebrated the courage and strength of women. While much has been done to create opportunities for women, the next generation will ask how we changed the world for them. While we are committed to serving ALL young people, we are proud to empower girls to find their voice, confidence, passion and path.
This commitment led to JA’s Girls Rule: Ignite Your Superpower. This program event for high school girls, offers mentorship around career building, finding your passion, setting boundaries, personal branding and self-care. (see Girls Rule feature)
In April, we're thrilled to continue to celebrate by recognizing outstanding leaders of vision and integrity. JA will induct the 2023 Laureates into the JA Business Hall of Fame. These innovative, passionate leaders will join the 116 members whose names adorn the walls of JA World. (More info below)
In all of these celebrations, I am reminded of the importance of mentors and role models. Most of us had them and now it's our turn to help show today’s youth the way to a better future. I hope you'll join us to celebrate outstanding role models on April 21st.
My best,
Laurie Sallarulo
CEO
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Don't Miss the 33rd JA Business Hall of Fame! | |
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In the words of the late, great Wayne Huizenga, "Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen."
Vision, commitment to excellence, courageous leadership and community responsibility are the traits of JA’s Business Hall of Fame honorees. This year, JA will induct three Laureates who not only dreamed of success, but achieved it through hard work, ingenuity and integrity.
Join us on April 21st at 6:30 at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, for a spectacular evening honoring Carolyn Aronson, the savvy business entrepreneur behind It’s a 10 Haircare; Gary Press, former Chairman of Lifestyle Media Group, the largest and fastest growing magazine in South Florida; and Gregory Haile, a former lawyer and current President of Broward College, which brought his vision to serving more than 55,000 students.
This year, JA will induct its first Youth Laureates into the Hall of Fame, Hadley and Delaney Robertson, two remarkable twin teenage girls who launched BraceTrack, an app that helps people like them, living with scoliosis.
In addition, two outstanding couples will be recognized with special awards. Allison and Andrew Cagnetta will be presented with the Melissa Aiello Character Award, and Mike and Alice Jackson will receive the Huizenga Lifetime Legacy Award.
"I am a proud JA Laureate and I'm honored to present outstanding leaders who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments and shared their success with our community with these prestigious awards and to support the work of JA, " said co-chair Steve Hudson.
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JA Hires For Passion
While qualifications, skills and experience are important, we believe passion, enthusiasm, attitude, commitment to growth and excellence matter more.
JA is thrilled to announce the addition of Sharon Alexander to the team. Sharon, JA’s new Director of Philanthropy, brings her passion for preparing young people for success. Sharon joins JA with over 16 years of experience as CEO of The Unicorn Children’s Foundation, serving people with disabilities with cradle to career services. Sharon is a seasoned development professional who believes building incredible relationships is key to success.
Please help us welcome Sharon!
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Addressing Youth Unemployment and the Skills Gap -- TOGETHER | |
Do you remember your first job as a teenager? Most of us do and we possibly remember the person who gave us our first chance. When young people don’t have opportunities to be introduced to work, learn to manage money, or gain confidence, skills and knowledge of career pathways, they often lose their way.
JA’s Youth Employment Program continues to help fill the workforce gap. Students receive 8 months of work skills training, on-site industry job shadow experiences and solve real business challenges, build real companies and develop networking, resume building and interview skills.
Organizations like JA can only take the youth employment process so far. A successful work-based program relies on relationships with employers, who will give youth a chance like someone did for them.
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Working together through the process and experience leads to success for students and employers. Employers reap benefits like bringing new ideas and perspectives to their company, adding capacity to projects and connecting with future employees.
But don’t take our word for it, ask some of our partner employers who hired JA interns.
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Working together through the process and experience leads to success for students and employers. Employers reap benefits like bringing new ideas and perspectives to their company, adding capacity to projects and connecting with future employees.
But don’t take our word for it, ask some of our partner employers who hired JA interns.
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Keeping Moving Forward and Remember -- Girls Rule! | |
“Every day when you wake up, put your cape on, be bold. Don't let anybody tell you what you can’t do. Keep moving forward and remember Girls Rule!” ~ Keynote speaker Rachel McKenzie
Last month, JA hosted its annual Girls Rule:Ignite Your Superpower event, welcoming 200 local high school girls to participate in a day of inspiring workshops and motivational speakers, including keynote speaker Rachel McKenzie, a bold entrepreneur and wife of former Super Bowl champion Michael Terrance McKenzie, and Dr. Yvette Maureen, a 5-time author, TEDx speaker and entrepreneur.
This year's the event included its first “Dress for Success” runway fashion show where 15 students modeled business fashions. Student models were sponsored by members of the Circle of Wise Women, and kept the outfits to begin building their professional wardrobes.
Thank you to everyone who supported this event! If you are inspired to share your superpowers to help young girls find their path, passion and purpose, get involved now and help plan for next year!
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Think It! Build It! Pitch It!
Over the past 8 months, 500 high school students participated in the JA Fellows Entrepreneurship program. Working in teams, students develop their idea, pitch it to "sharks", secure investments, source/produce, market and sell their product. Teams are mentored by business leaders throughout the program.
As students come to the end of the business cycle, it's time to name the "JA Company of the Year". On April 15th, at JA World from 9:00-12:30, JA company teams will compete for the "Best Video Commercial", "Best Stage Presentation" and other awards. Attendees at the event will also choose the Peoples Choice Award.
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This year's JA Fellows Spark Tank Finale will feature Chris Gannon, CEO and cofounder of Bolay who wanted to do more than simply create a restaurant. He wanted to create a lifestyle brand. Join us to hear how Chris developed the ideas necessary to bring about the boldest, freshest brand in the fast-casual dining market. | | | |
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BUY! SELL! TRADE!
Stock Market Challenge
If you attended JA’s recent Stock Market Challenge, you saw firsthand that the first and last hours of the trading day are the most hectic. Well, imagine the excitement of 60 days of trading in 60 minutes!
Through our partnership with Broward County Public Schools, 800 high school students competed in a stock market simulation at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion. Using their team’s fake $500,000, students invested in stocks from over 25 fictitious companies to grow their portfolios.
Thank you to our, teachers, volunteers and sponsors -- Broward Sheriff's Office and Citibank.
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Watch the highlight video, as students, teachers and volunteers shared their Stock Market Challenge experiences. | | | | |
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Back By Popular Demand!
JA is joining forces once again with education partners like Broward County Public Schools and Early Learning Coalition, local businesses and healthcare providers to provide financial literacy materials, books, supplies and safety information to help children avoid the summer math and reading slide and keep them safe during summer.
Last year over 1,200 students and family members attended this fun community event, with food trucks, outdoor and indoor activities, backpack giveaways and distribution of supplies and materials.
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This year's event will take place on Saturday, May 20 from 10 am to 1 pm at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion. To sponsor and participate in this community gathering and send our young students off into summer break, contact Robyn Harper at Robyn@JASouthFlorida.org or by phone at (954) 979-7124. | |
Get Connected. Get Involved. | |
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