Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Celebrates 60 Years of Inspiring Youth

This year, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is celebrating an impressive milestone: 60 years of helping students in Eastern Iowa dream big, plan wisely, and prepare for the future. Since 1965, Junior Achievement has reached nearly one million Iowa students, offering hands-on programs that teach real-world skills in money management, career exploration, and entrepreneurship. Things kids really should learn that will help them succeed later in life.

According to a press release from the organization, programs like JA BizTown Mobile, JA Finance Park Mobile, and JA Career Inspire give students a chance to step out of the classroom and experience what it’s like to run a business, manage finances, or explore a career path. These lessons go beyond textbooks. They give students confidence, curiosity, and practical tools to tackle the challenges ahead.

“This milestone marks more than the passage of time – it celebrates six decades of transformative impact. For 60 years, we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder with educators, volunteers, and business leaders, opening doors of possibility for young people across Eastern Iowa. Every lesson taught, every hour volunteered, and every student empowered has helped build a more vibrant community and a brighter future. Together, we’re not just shaping lives, we’re shaping legacies.”

-Christine Landa, President of Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa.

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Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa isn’t just looking back at past successes, they’re innovating for the future, too. Programs like 3DE, which brings real-world problem-solving into classrooms, and the JA Dream Accelerator, which helps students connect their passions to potential careers, are preparing the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators.

As part of the 60th anniversary celebration, Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is shining a spotlight on the people who have shaped its journey, while inviting the community to get involved; whether through volunteering, donating, or partnering to help more students thrive. For more information or to get involved visit Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa online.