Make a Difference: Volunteer for JA BizTown® Mobile & JA Finance Park® Mobile!

Author: Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
Published: Wednesday, 26 Feb 2025

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image of a woman sitting at a table with students

Image caption: Learning in Action! A dedicated JA volunteer guides a student through real-world financial decisions at JA Finance Park® Mobile, helping them build critical budgeting and money management skills. Thank you to our amazing volunteers for empowering the next generation with financial literacy!

At Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa (JAEI), we believe in the power of experiential learning to inspire and prepare young people for success. Our JA BizTown^® Mobile and JA Finance Park^® Mobile programs provide students with real-world financial literacy and business experience—but we can’t do it without volunteers like you!

By volunteering at these events, you will help students connect classroom learning to real-world scenarios, empowering them to take charge of their futures. Whether you're guiding students through managing their businesses in JA BizTown^® Mobile or helping them create a personal budget in JA Finance Park^® Mobile, your time and expertise make a lasting impact.

Why Volunteer?

✔ Inspire Future Leaders – Help students develop critical life skills like budgeting, decision-making, teamwork, and leadership.
✔ No Experience Necessary – We provide all the training and materials you need. Just bring your enthusiasm!
✔ Engaging & Fun – These hands-on simulations bring learning to life and are as rewarding for volunteers as they are for students.
✔ Flexible Commitment – Volunteer for just one event or as many as you’d like!

Volunteer Opportunities & Event Schedule

Image caption: A JA BizTown® Mobile student steps into the role of a young professional, making business decisions, managing finances, and experiencing what it’s like to run a successful company. This hands-on learning opportunity helps students build confidence and real-world skills for their future.

📍 JA BizTown^® Mobile

At JA BizTown^® Mobile, 5^th and 6^th grade students step into the roles of business owners, employees, and consumers, running a simulated city. Volunteers assist students as they operate businesses, manage finances, and make decisions that shape their economy.

📅 Upcoming JA BizTown^® Mobile Events:

March 12-13 – Cedar Rapids Community Schools
March 28^th – Springville Elementary
April 1^st-4^th – Prairie Creek, College Community
April 22^nd – 23^rd – Iowa City Community Schools
April 29^th - May 1^st – Boulder Peak Intermediate, Linn-Mar
May 6^th – 8^th – Hazel Point Intermediate, Linn-Mar
May 13^th – Shellsburg Elementary, Vinton-Shellsburg
May 20^th – Aplington Elementary, Aplington-Parkersburg Elementary
May 27^th – 30^th – Iowa City Community Schools

“As a key partner, Junior Achievement’s JA BizTown® Mobile will help students throughout the area understand the importance of being fiscally responsible and how that impacts their future.” — Kathryn Kunert, Vice President of Economic Connections and Integration, MidAmerican Energy

Image caption: A JA volunteer works one-on-one with a student at JA Finance Park® Mobile, helping them navigate real-world financial decisions. Through hands-on learning, students gain essential budgeting and money management skills to prepare for their futures. Thank you to our incredible volunteers for making this experience possible.

📍 JA Finance Park^® Mobile

JA Finance Park^® Mobile challenges middle and high school students to manage a personal budget, exploring real-world financial responsibilities like housing, transportation, savings, and more. Volunteers help students make informed financial decisions throughout the simulation.

📅 Upcoming JA Finance Park^® Mobile Events:

March 25^th – 27^th – Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy, Cedar Rapids
April 9^th – Alburnett Middle School
April 15^th – 16^th – McKinley STEAM Academy, Cedar Rapids
May 7^th – Benton Middle School

“My favorite part of Finance Park was meeting the volunteers, learning about their jobs and getting advice from them." -Cali, Springville CSD student

How to Sign Up

Volunteering is easy, and we’ll provide everything you need to be successful! If you’re interested in helping students develop financial literacy and career skills, sign up today.

🔗 Register to Volunteer at JA BizTown / Register to Volunteer at JA Finance Park

Have questions? Contact Katie Langrehr at klangrehr@jaeasterniowa.org or call 3198621100 for more details.

Thank you for investing in the future of our students! Your time and support make a difference in their lives and in our community.