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Staff Spotlight: Meet Liv Allen
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
Olivia “Liv” Allen joined JAEI in October 2025 as an Education Coordinator, where she helps connect volunteers, educators, and local businesses to JA programs and supports major experiential learning events like JA Career Inspire®, Career Speaker events, and equipment exploration...
Celebrating 60 Years of Junior Achievement: How It All Began and How It’s Evolved
By Cathy Essick
Financial Literacy
60 Years of Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
For six decades, JAEI has delivered hands-on, real-world learning that equips students with the skills and confidence to succeed. Rooted in JA’s national legacy and continuously evolving to meet the needs of today’s learners, JAEI remains committed to accelerating economic mobility through education. Join us as we celebrate 60 years of impact—and look...
The ROI of Investing in Youth: Why Economic Mobility is a Community Imperative
Blog from JA USA
By Elizabeth Stepanek
Corporate Responsibility
When we talk about “return on investment,” our minds often jump to balance sheets, bottom lines, and quarterly reports. But what if the greatest ROI isn’t financial in the short term but social, economic, and generational in the long...
Nominate an Extraordinary Leader for the 2026 Corridor or Cedar Valley Business Hall of Fame
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Corridor and Cedar Valley Business Hall of Fame events — honoring outstanding business leaders and entrepreneurs who have made a lasting impact on our communities through their vision, integrity, leadership, and...
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa and Cedar Rapids Community School District Celebrate Launch of 3DE at Washington High School
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
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Celebrating Local Entrepreneurs: Empowering Dreams During Entrepreneur Month
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
November is National Entrepreneur Month, and Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa is celebrating the innovators who drive our communities forward! Entrepreneurship is at the heart of JA programming — inspiring students to think creatively, take initiative, and turn ideas into action. All month long, we’re featuring local entrepreneurs who embody the JA spirit of innovation and...
From Selective Silence to Center Stage
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
At Alburnett High School, one student’s courage captured exactly what 3DE™ is all about—building confidence, connection, and a sense of...
Powering Possibility: Wells Fargo and Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Wells Fargo’s partnership with Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa reflects a shared commitment to building financially resilient communities. Through financial support and hands-on volunteer engagement, Wells Fargo empowers students with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions and prepare for future careers. Their investment in innovative programs like JA BizTown® Mobile...
60 Years of Impact: JA Alumni Prove the Power of Real-World Learning
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
As Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa celebrates 60 years of impact, new national research shows the lasting difference JA makes in students’ lives. The 2025 JA Alumni Report reveals that 96% of alumni credit JA with positively influencing their personal and professional success — from stronger work ethic and money management skills to thriving careers and financial stability.
Locally, JA Eastern...
Inspire Students. Change Futures. Volunteer with Junior Achievement.
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
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...
