Inspire Students. Change Futures. Volunteer with Junior Achievement.

Author: Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Published: Tuesday, 14 Oct 2025

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Image caption: A JA volunteer helps students connect classroom learning to real-world skills — inspiring confidence, curiosity, and a vision for their future.

Every day, students across Eastern Iowa are dreaming about their futures — imagining what they might become, the careers they’ll pursue, and the lives they’ll build. At Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa, we believe those dreams deserve guidance, encouragement, and real-world perspective. That’s where you come in.

When you volunteer with Junior Achievement, you help students connect what they’re learning in the classroom to the world outside it. You show them that success isn’t just a word — it’s something they can see, plan for, and achieve.

"My JA volunteer shared her past experiences with finance and life experience that helped me understand more about life outside of school." - JA Finance Park student

Image caption: At JA BizTown® Mobile, students run their own businesses, manage a city, and experience the excitement of the working world — all with the support of community volunteers.

Volunteer Opportunities Happening Now Across Eastern Iowa

There are so many ways to make an impact this school year — no teaching experience required!

JA Career Inspire® (Corridor – October 28th & 29th)
Step into a world of possibility as thousands of 8th-grade students explore local industries, discover new career paths, and meet professionals like you. Volunteers guide students through the event, answer questions, and share what makes their own work meaningful. Just a few hours of your time can help a student discover their future.
- 👉 Get started here: Volunteer for JA Career Inspire®
JA BizTown® Mobile (Fall & Winter)
Help 5th and 6th graders experience the excitement of running a simulated city! Volunteers mentor small groups of students as they manage businesses, make financial decisions, and learn how the real world works — all in one unforgettable day.
- 👉 Get started here: Volunteer for JA BizTown® Mobile
JA Finance Park® Mobile (Winter)
Empower high school students to take charge of their financial futures. Volunteers coach students through budgeting simulations where they make real-life financial choices about housing, transportation, childcare, and more.
- 👉 Get started here: Volunteer for JA Finance Park® Mobile
Classroom Volunteers (Ongoing)
Bring JA lessons to life in classrooms across Eastern Iowa. Whether you lead a single session or a short series of visits, you’ll help students learn about financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship — the essential skills for lifelong success.
- 👉 Get started here: Volunteer for Classroom Programs

Image caption: High school students explore real-world budgeting and decision-making at JA Finance Park® Mobile, guided by volunteers who bring financial literacy to life.

Why Volunteers Matter

Our volunteers are the heart of Junior Achievement. You don’t have to be a teacher, a financial expert, or a CEO — you just need a passion for helping students succeed. Each JA experience gives young people the chance to imagine themselves in new roles, ask big questions, and build confidence in their own abilities.

84% of Junior Achievement students say that volunteer stories enhance the overall value of their program experience.

When you share your story, students begin to see what’s possible for theirs.

Join Us

You can inspire students. You can change futures.
Sign up to volunteer with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa today — opportunities are available throughout the Corridor, Cedar Valley, Iowa City, and surrounding communities.

Because when students believe they can, everything changes.