Volunteers recognized at JA breakfast

On Aug. 18, representatives with Junior Achievement of Wisconsin gathered at Shawano Community Middle School to celebrate its volunteers at the JA Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.

Individuals and local businesses were honored for their contributions to the local JA office, which serves Shawano and Menominee counties.

Karen Baker, Pam Moede and Art Ebbinger received awards for the highest number of classes taught. Katie Beres, noted for her outstanding initiative and enthusiasm, was honored as Teacher of the Year. GenEx was recognized as having the highest number of volunteers from a local business. The award for highest number of classes taught went to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. CoVantage Credit Union had the highest combined number of volunteers and classes taught.

Individuals and local organizations are encouraged to become involved with JA, as they are especially in need of more volunteers.

“We are at the beginning of the school year, and if people are interested in volunteering, it’s a really good time,” said Adam Sutter, JA Northeast Wisconsin regional director. “It’s a big recruiting time for us, and we are definitely in need in this community for volunteers. With COVID, we haven’t had a lot of volunteers. Last year, we had 35 volunteers and served over 1,000 students. In a non-COVID year, we have done about 2,500 students.”

Sutter noted that JA wants to be in every classroom, but it’s not possible with the time available. He said that’s why it’s important for outside organizations to get involved.

“We have lots of different opportunities for people to get involved, from one day type things or our most traditional way of volunteering in the classroom teaching a lesson,” Sutter said. “Lessons are preset so you don’t have to come up with the lesson on your own.”

JA is 103 years old. Some of the classes taught include financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship, according to Sutter.

“I don’t feel kids can get enough financial literacy, so we do whatever we can to set them up for success,” he said

Volunteers with JA meet with students either in the classroom or through various community organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club.

They help “them with their entrepreneurial mindset, how to adapt to change and also learn about various careers that they might be able to have,” Sutter said. He added that students also learn “what to do with the money that they do make and to make sure they set themselves up for success.”

“I connect very much with the mission and am just really excited to get that in front of kids because they don’t always get that at home,” Sutter said.

Volunteers are essential to meeting the goals of JA and providing financial education to students from kindergarten through high school.

“We are really volunteer-driven,” said Sarah Sitte, JA education manager. “With COVID, we haven’t had a lot of volunteers.”

Individuals and businesses that are interested in participating and/or making donations can contact Sutter at 920-278-2017 or via email at asutter@jawis.org.