Our Blog
2024–2025 Annual Report: A Year of Impact and Momentum
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
We are proud to share Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa’s 2024–2025 Annual Report—a snapshot of the incredible impact our volunteers, educators, partners, and supporters made possible this...
Volunteer Spotlight: Sarah Zelinskas
By Cathy Essick
Community Involvement
Since 2014, longtime JA volunteer Sarah Zelinskas has brought her 20+ years of banking experience—and a genuine love for teaching—into classrooms across Eastern Iowa. From JA BizTown® to elementary programs, Sarah is known for sparking “light bulb” moments as students connect lessons to real life.
“Students light up when she walks through the door,” says Dani Carter, JAEI Director of Content and...
Volunteer Spotlight: Deb Vogt
By Cathy Essick
Corporate Responsibility
Retired Transamerica trainer Deb Vogt brings her passion for helping others learn and grow into the classroom as a dedicated Junior Achievement volunteer. Whether she’s guiding kindergarteners through their first JA lessons or leading second graders in hands-on activities like the popular “pizza production” exercise, Deb makes financial literacy fun and relatable. Her energy and enthusiasm have...
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...
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa and Cedar Rapids Community School District Celebrate Launch of 3DE at Washington High School
By Cathy Essick
Work Readiness
$!{con.blogSummary.substring(0, $con.blogSummary.lastIndexOf(" ", 400))}...
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...
