Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida recently received a $5,000 grant from The Community Foundation (formerly the Cape Coral Community Foundation) to provide workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy programming in Cape Coral schools.

Middle and high school students in Cape Coral will be better prepared for their transition into adulthood and the working world with a higher rate of success as the result of JA programs supported by the Community Foundation grant. JA work readiness programs include JA Inspire, JA Career Connect, JA Career Exploration Fairs, JA It’s My Future, JA Career Success, JA Job Shadows, JA Career Speaker Series, and JA Economics for Success. Alumni of these programs have a track record of earning a college degree, having confidence in managing money, and achieving career success. Many have started their own business.

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit community organization created through financial gifts by various generous civic-minded companies and individuals. The organization was formed to help donors positively impact their community and beyond. It works to grow philanthropy and strengthen society by encouraging endowments, addressing the public’s needs, and providing community leadership. For more information, call 239-542-5594 or visit CapeCoralCF.org.

Founded in 1994, JA SWFL has been impacting the region’s future workforce for over 28 years. Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with classroom business volunteers during the 2021-2022 school year to provide nearly 135,000 hours of instruction to nearly 14,800 students in 589 classes throughout Collier, Lee, and Charlotte counties. For more information or to help support Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, please visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590, or email info@jaswfl.org.