FOCUS ON PHILANTHROPY: Junior Achievement receives career readiness grant

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Junior Achievement of Greater South Carolina, a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy, has been awarded a $75,000 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan Corp., according to a news release.

The funds will be used to sustain the growth of JA’s Inspire Virtual program for a second year, offering a career development program to 1,140 South Carolina middle and high school students in spring 2024, the release stated. JA Inspire Virtual is more than a career fair: It brings together the business community and local schools and is designed to help launch students into their future — high school, college, and careers beyond.

Students will be introduced to companies throughout the state and the career options that exist at each company, the release stated. This career development experience provides next generation of SC workers access to high-growth careers and employers, post-secondary education opportunities, and interactive career activities. It will be available for 90 days for students to access.

“Because of SC Student Loan Corporation and its philanthropy, Power:Ed, students from across South Carolina will be better equipped with the tools they need to enter the workforce,” Junior Achievement of Greater SC President Casey Pash said in the release. We are so grateful for investors like Power:Ed who believe in investing in South Carolina students to help prepare them for a brighter future.”

Additionally, this grant will support the launch of JAGSC’s newest program, JA Finance Park Mobile, according to the release. JA Finance Park is an innovation in education designed to prepare South Carolina’s youth for life and work in the adult world. This unique experience combines in-class learning with a visit to an immersive mobile facility. From goal setting to saving, budgeting, shopping, and bill paying, students will step into the future and catch a glimpse of what’s possible if they take control of their financial capacity.

“SC Student Loan Corporation is proud to support these important programs helping SC students build their financial planning and budgeting skills and explore in-demand career pathways,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons. “We hope it inspires SC youth to continue their education and training in the state and fulfill their career potential with SC companies, while remaining as debt free as possible.”

In FY2023-24 Power:Ed will award $1 million in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofit organizations. In this second quarter, Power:Ed has awarded eight grants (including this grant to JAGSC), totaling $287,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is April 1, 2024.