Foundation Grant Promises Junior Achievement to 600

The Corydon Democrat

Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana is used to receiving grants that help the nonprofit bring economic education to local schools, but Harrison County Community Foundation’s $17,742 grant “will allow JA to bring our programs to every school that wants them,” said Hannelore Goldberg, JA marketing manager.

Since 1997, HCCF has contributed more than $52,000 in economic education to local schools through grants to JA. This year's grant will educate approximately 600 students in Lanesville, North Harrison and South Harrison school districts.

“Our programming staff at the regional office will take the curriculum and line them up with the state standards. We are helping (children) meet their state standards,” Goldberg said.

Harrison County Community Foundation Executive Director Steve Gilliland accepts thanks from Corydon Elementary School third graders on behalf of the Foundation. (Photo by Charles S. Ewry)
Students and teachers at Corydon Elementary honored HCCF on April 30 at a special assembly for all third grade students. The students shared their JA experiences with HCCF Executive Director Steve Gilliland.

“It’s just one of the many things we’re funding,” Gilliland said.

“This is one of the fun ones. It’s potentially life changing,” he said.

Third graders at CES recently completed a JA program called “Our City” during which volunteers helped students build a city. Students can construct paper buildings, map out a city, write newspaper articles, plan their own restaurants and examine why banks are important, all as part of the program.

“When JA comes into a classroom, we bring, not only volunteers, but all the materials necessary to conduct that class,” said Don Gossman, JA southern Indiana chairman and an HCCF board member.

The volunteers, of course, don’t get paid. “They come here to see your smiling faces and because they want to teach you how things work,” Goldberg told the third graders.

The volunteers also come “so we can learn things and get smarter every day,” said 9-year-old Samantha Crecelius.

And “If we grow up and want to construct a building, we need to learn how to do it,” said Brendon Docarmo, 8-1/2 years old.

JA recruits volunteers from area businesses. For more information on becoming a volunteer contact JA at 1-502-425-8833.