Volunteer with JA
Our volunteers help transform students’ attitudes from “I can’t” to “I CAN!” and help them see what they might achieve in the future. As a JA volunteer, you will …
Show kids what's possible, encouraging them to stay in school and achieve their dreams.
Be on the front line of changing current statistics regarding America’s financial literacy.
Experience those “ah-ha” moments when one of your students grasps a new concept.
Connect with your community, and learn about the challenges and successes local schools face.
Sharpen your presentation and coaching skills.
Represent your company and industry to students.
JA volunteers believe they can make a difference – and teach more than 40,000 students a year that they can make a difference, too. Our volunteers are what sets JA apart.
JA Finance Park Volunteer - Spend a day guiding middle and high school students through a personal budgeting simulation. We need volunteers April 30th – May 9th at our Hillsboro location. For this opportunity, please email vsuhotin@ja-pdx.org.
Personalized Placement
Junior Achievement offers volunteers the opportunity to choose the grade level and location. We connect you with educators who need your help. All you need to do is provide JA with your availability and preferences.
Comprehensive Training
Junior Achievement provides the keys to your success: the training, the curriculum materials, and a classroom ready to meet you. You bring your enthusiasm, your life experience, and a willingness to teach.
Flexible Scheduling
Volunteers make a significant impact with a minimal time commitment. Virtual opportunities start at just one hour. Volunteer for just a single day, or sign up to pre-record a lesson.
Volunteer FAQs
What is Junior Achievement (JA)?
Junior Achievement is the oldest, largest, and fastest-growing non-profit economics education program throughout the world. JA reaches students in grades K-12 in the core areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. All programs are delivered by individual volunteers. JA programs are fun, hands-on programs that teach students the basics of life and equip them with the knowledge and skills to make a better life for themselves. All programs align with national and local curriculum standards. Therefore, educators fully enjoy the opportunity to involve their students.
How much time will it take?
The time commitment varies by program, with K-12 lasting 5-12 lessons. JA BizTown and JA Finance Park volunteers participate in a 90-minute training and 4.5 hour simulation day experience. Virtual volunteer engagements are 1 to 7-hour commitments.
Who can volunteer?
Volunteers are typically business professionals, college students, community members, or parents who want to play an active part in participating in the education of students around them.
What local areas are involved in Junior Achievement programs?
Junior Achievement serves classrooms across Oregon and in four SW Washington counties. We have area operations in Central Oregon, Eugene, the Portland Metro Area and Southern Oregon.
Am I qualified to volunteer?
A volunteer could be a valued employee, a retiree, a parent, or a college student. A desire to be an inspirational role model is a must, along with the ability to communicate, motivate, and create enthusiasm. Volunteers also have to sign a volunteer conduct standards form.
How do I get signed up to volunteer?
Junior Achievement makes it easy for you to volunteer: click here to sign up. You will fill out the simple registration form. Welcome to Junior Achievement!
Not quite ready to sign up yet?
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I want to volunteer, but I can’t commit to teach a class. What else can I do?
There are numerous one-time event volunteer opportunities including the JA Bowl-a-Thon and JA Chair’s Cup. We would love to help you get involved in any way that you can! See how you can Support JA.