Even in the most powerful city in the world— with an unrivaled concentration of highly educated professionals and influence— we are not immune. A shocking 10,000 low-income youth in the District are out of school and out of work. And in surrounding counties of Prince George’s, Montgomery, and Fairfax, almost 200,000 students qualify for free and reduced meals. Studies show that students living in poverty do not have career aspirations or realize they can work toward a career; they lack the hope that so many educators agree is critical to their future success.
We have a responsibility and a collective interest to transform the preparedness of these youth and their hope for WHAT’S
POSSIBLE from a mission into a sweeping regional movement. And together, WE CAN move their futures forward.
Greater Washington must set an example— and lead the rest of the nation— in creating forward-thinking solutions to ensure our young people have the vision to dream big, and the relevant skills to work hard and find success.
We have the ability to inspire this generation to be better prepared for success than any generation in history. By harnessing the power of nonprofit, business, and education, we can unleash a movement in Greater Washington to transform lives and move the future of our region’s competitiveness and the future of our kids, forward.
Junior Achievement of Greater Washington works tirelessly with our partners and volunteer role models from the community to inspire a generation to be financially capable, tenacious, and equipped with the tools to manage risk effectively, welcome opportunity, and succeed in the modern economy. Through our innovative, hands-on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs we build a ladder from the classroom to the future to put and end to a culture of financial illiteracy and a 21st century skills gap that has prevented too many of our region's students from realizing their full potential.