Become A Virtual Volunteer With Junior Achievement Bahamas

Non-Profit Youth Organization Seeks To Reach Students Throughout The Bahamas During The JA Year

November 10^th, 2020 … Junior Achievement Bahamas recently launched its Virtual Volunteer Recruitment Drive with the goal of signing 50 plus Club Programme facilitators during the course of the 2020-2021 year.     Aligning with the 20/21 theme, ‘Innovative Dreams, Virtual Realities’, volunteers host online JA Club Programmes for students in the 7^th – 12^th grades.      Thus far JA Bahamas Volunteers have led over 330 students nationwide teaching practical but interactive courses in economics, business development, entrepreneurship, career planning, and personal finance.

“The beauty of JA Club Programmes is that you don’t have to be an educator to participate.   They are short term courses that run no longer than 8 weeks depending on the programme.   We (JA Bahamas) provide all of the materials needed to host the course.   Volunteers have their choice of topics and can choose the age group they are most comfortable hosting.   Virtual Volunteers also have the flexibility of selecting the meeting times and dates that suit their schedules,” explained Jasmine Joseph, Programmes Coordinator, Junior Achievement – New Providence.    

While some educators have signed up, the volunteer pool is currently made up of JA Alum, business owners, entrepreneurs and economists with no prior teaching experience who are trained by the organization.   Revealed Ms. Joseph, “We are extremely excited that through our Volunteers we were able to partner with the Simpson Penn School for Boys and the Willie-Mae Pratt Center to offer Virtual Programmes to those students.”

 “We have allocated a portion of our annual Programmes budget to defray the cost of hosting these free sessions.   JA Bahamas is committed to purchasing the Club Programme kits, covering the cost of Zoom licensing fees as well the manpower to train our volunteers.    This may not seem like a huge dent in our budget, but those familiar with non-profits understand, especially this year how tight funding is.   If you are unable to donate the time to volunteer, a donation to assist us in our efforts is much appreciated,” said Tammy Lecky, Executive Director of Junior Achievement Bahamas.

JA Programmes are also available for K5 – Grade 6 students.   These sessions are hosted by teachers who can sign up through their school.   Schools interested in learning more about JA Elementary, which act as fun, interactive aides to the curriculum can email programmes@jabahamas.org.  

Virtual Club Programmes Volunteers can signup online at:   www.jabahamas.org/volunteers, while those wishing to donate can find out how here:  www.jabahamas.org/donate.