(Bridgeport, CT) – Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County received a $50,000 grant from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Inc. in December 2019 to support the implementation of its financial literacy, career preparedness and entrepreneurial programs for youth throughout Fairfield County.
The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Inc.’s generous contribution positively impacted hundreds of students in greater Fairfield County, through the implementation of JA’s in-class programing and beyond-the-classroom experiences. The grant supported programs like JA’s High School Heroes program at Harding High School and Hallen Elementary School in Bridgeport. Through this program, offered in partnership with buildOn, a youth service-learning organization, high school students were trained as JA classroom volunteers. They had the opportunity to become positive role models and give back to their community, while developing their presentation and leadership skills. About his experience, one high school hero said, “I feel like I really helped and contributed towards something important.”
Support from The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Inc. also helped Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County during a critical time: the organizational pivot from in-class learning to virtual learning and digital resources during the coronavirus crisis. “Especially at this time of economic uncertainty, it is important that JA continue playing a vital role in preparing students for their own economic success, and we are grateful for the support of our partners like The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Inc. as we develop creative and unique delivery systems to reach our students,” said Bernadine Venditto, President of Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County.