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Fountain Hills Community Foundation brings Junior Achievement to Fountain Hills

FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz (September 27, 2006) — The Fountain Hills Community Foundation is proud to be the Founding Sponsor of Junior Achievement in Fountain Hills public schools.  Starting in October 2006, over the next three years, the Foundation has pledged a total of $75,000 to establish Junior Achievement in the Fountain Hills public schools.

 “This forward-looking move on behalf of the Fountain Hills Community Foundation has the potential to change lives and make an impact on the financial well-being of the whole community,” said DeAnne Preston of Junior Achievement. “At a time when too many Americans have increasing debt, disappointing credit scores and dwindling savings, FHCF is investing in financial literacy education so that the children of Fountain Hills can grow up with smart money management habits and a solid foundation for success in life.”

 “We are so pleased to sponsor Junior Achievement programs in the public schools here in Fountain Hills,” said Mike Petrone, President, Fountain Hills Community Foundation.  “Junior Achievement has a powerful ‘stay in school’ message, showing our youth that the lessons their teachers provide in school have a direct impact on their job skills, salaries and career satisfaction as working adults.”  An important part of Junior Achievement’s strategy is to give students fun, hands-on activities that demonstrate the world of work and business.  The ‘one-two’ punch in Junior Achievement’s programs is having them delivered by real business people who are role models for young students.

Beginning in October, more then 700 Fountain Hills students in kindergarten through eighth grade at Fountain Hills Unified Schools will participate in Junior Achievement, at no cost to the parents, thanks to the Fountain Hills Community Foundation.  JA programs never charge the parents, but do require sponsorship in order for JA to give them to the schools, and the Fountain Hills Community Foundation has provided that sponsorship.

Local area business people will be trained as volunteers to deliver age-specific JA programs directly in classrooms at McDowell Mountain Elementary, Four Peaks Elementary and Fountain Hills Middle School. Teachers will always be present in the classroom, but the volunteers will bring their own unique professional experience to enhance the business and economics lessons being taught.

FHUSD School Board member Paul Kadavy was quick to support Superintendent Dr. Hermes decision to partner with Junior Achievement. Kadavy is a former JA Board Member who has taught many JA programs over the years and is a veteran of the banking industry.  “Most kids know little about what’s necessary to truly succeed with their personal finances and to succeed in business,” says Kadavy.  “Schools for the most part don’t teach it as part of their curriculum, and most students don’t realize the importance of it or have access to the people who do know it. Many parents know much less than they should about teaching personal finances. Part of the magic of Junior Achievement is that the kids are learning from successful business men and women who operate daily in the real business world.  The youth who will be leading us in the future, are being trained by those who know how to do it today.”

Warren Buffet, known in investment circles as ‘the Oracle of Omaha’, once said, “One day of running a business is worth a lifetime of talking about it.” On November 30 and December 1, 2006, all fifth graders at Four Peaks Elementary School will participate in JA’s Exchange City.  At Exchange City, children are going to prove Buffet’s point when they spend the day running their own kid-sized businesses, thanks to the Fountain Hills Community Foundation.

The Fountain Hills Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the educational, cultural and humanitarian activities in the Fountain Hills area.  To learn more about the Fountain Hills Community Foundation, call 480.837.1287.  The Foundations new web site is expected to be up and running by mid- October at fountainhillscommunityfoundation.org.