What is the YES! program?

YES! (Your Economic Success) is a morning program held at the middle school level. It consists of a series of activities intended to help students gain an appreciation for the importance that financial and career decisions will play in their lives as young adults. Each volunteer will work with four different groups of students during the day.

What will I be doing?

You will be assigned to help the students in one of four sessions. We provide training materials in advance, as well as training the morning of the event. Each session is 30 minutes in length and you will be presenting the same material to four rotating groups of students. While there is some instruction involved, the majority of each session is facilitating an activity.

Do I need to be an expert in financial literacy or career education to volunteer?  

No! We provide everything you need to be successful throughout the day. We provide training and written materials prior to students arriving at the event.

What is the time commitment for a Junior Achievement volunteer?

YES! is a morning event that typically starts at 7:45 and ends at 11:15.

What if I have never worked with students before?

Don't worry! Many JA volunteers have not worked with students, yet they end their day eager to volunteer with JA again. Volunteers receive training prior to starting the activities with the students, have the support of JA staff members throughout the day, and teachers will always be present.

Will I be on my own during the day?  

You will be presenting the session on your own, however there will always be a teacher in the classroom with you to assist with classroom management. The teachers are not trained on the YES! content, but can help with passing out papers, relating JA content to other school subjects, and classroom management. JA staff members will also be visiting the classroom throughout the day to answer any questions and assist you, if needed.

Do I need clearances to enter the school?

No. Since this is a one-day event, the schools do not require copies of clearances. You may be asked to provide a driver’s license as ID.