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Grant Helps Junior Achievement Teach Bridgeport Kids About Finance

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut and Southwest Connecticut received a $25,000 joint grant from Fairfield County's Community Foundation to support its programs that deliver financial literacy, career and work readiness, and entrepreneurship information to local students.

Curiale School sixth-graders participate in Junior Achievement programs funded by a grant from Fairfield County's Community Foundation.

Curiale School sixth-graders participate in Junior Achievement programs funded by a grant from Fairfield County's Community Foundation.

Photo Credit: Junior Achievement of Western Connecticut

The grant helps JA provide programs to over 600 middle school students, grades 6-8, in Bridgeport, Norwalk and Stamford schools, including Curiale and Wilbur Cross Schools in Bridgeport.

This spring, JA delivered its JA Economics for Success, JA Global Marketplace and JA It's My Future programs to students -- which included interactive activities focused on economic empowerment skills, the global workforce and careers.

"This grant helped us expand our programs for middle school students, which is a time when the gap between highest- and lowest-performing students widens considerably," said JA President Bernadine Venditto.

"Access to our programs, made possible in part by the Fairfield County's Community Foundation, is vital to helping students in Bridgeport build a foundation of college/career skills to be competitive in the classroom, connect their education to future success and 'Thrive by 25.'"

The grant was given in conjunction with the foundation's "Thrive by 25" initiative, whose goal is to give all Fairfield County youth the opportunity to thrive by age 25 -- no matter their family income, school district or zip code. This includes reaching self-sufficiency, securing a meaningful job, earning an income, finding housing and being solely responsible for daily tasks of living.

For more information about JAWCT, visit its website or call 203-382-0180.

Fairfield County's Community Foundation promotes philanthropy as a means to create change in Fairfield County, focusing on innovative and collaborative solutions to critical issues impacting the community. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds or contribute to existing funds. It has awarded $180 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more info, visit its website.

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