Junior Achievement and BofA drive financial literacy for South Carolina high schoolers

Multi-stop JA Finance Park Mobile tour provided students an immersive financial experience

Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater South Carolina and Bank of America partnered to deliver financial literacy education to thousands of students across South Carolina, including those in Berkeley, Georgetown, Greenville, Charleston, and Richland counties. Through the innovative JA Finance Park Mobile® program, students engage with volunteers in a realistic, pop-up city simulation, putting financial concepts into practice. From goal setting to saving, investing, budgeting, shopping and bill paying, students walk through decades of simulated life stages and catch a glimpse of what is possible if they take control of their financial futures.

Students participate in JA Finance Park Mobile® program (credit: JA of Greater South Carolina)

“JA’s goal is to unleash the limitless potential within our state’s future generations,” stated Casey Pash, JAGSC President and CEO. “By bridging classroom education with practical, real-world application, we strive to illuminate the path towards a secure financial future. We are grateful for our partnership with Bank of America, who truly believes in giving students the skillset of financial literacy and investing in our future.”

JA Finance Park® is Junior Achievement’s Capstone Curriculum for personal financial planning and career exploration. This teacher-led classroom curriculum culminates with a visit to JA Finance Park Mobile. The robust curriculum and engaging simulation are tailored for middle and high school students. Students select their career and define their future lifestyle and financial goals. The advanced simulation allows students to visualize the long-term impact of their education, savings and credit decisions from high school graduation through retirement.

“Bank of America’s partnership with Junior Achievement is a testament to our ongoing commitment to helping students and young adults on their journey to financial independence,” said Vaughn Reynolds, president, Bank of America Columbia. “The JA Finance Park Mobile simulation provides South Carolina students the opportunity to gain practical experience and helps support their understanding of successful money management.”

Bank of America’s commitment to Junior Achievement occurs at every level of the organization, from local volunteers and board members to national partnerships through the I-GEN Employee Network and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Through ongoing support, Bank of America helps connect students with the tools, resources and education necessary to take control of their finances. Bank of America volunteers help prepare young people for the real world by empowering them to own their economic success.

About Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina

For 54 years, Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater SC has been preparing students for the future workforce in 43 counties across South Carolina with JA learning experiences. This school year JA expects to reach over 36,000 students. JA envisions a world where young people have the skillset and mindset to build thriving communities through learning experiences focused on three critical life skills, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and workforce readiness. JA’s strategy is to recruit corporate and community volunteers who serve as mentors and role models to deliver the statistically proven JA curriculum to students in their classrooms or virtually during the school day.