Media Release
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT EXPERIENCES GROWTH IN DEMAND FOR
BUSINESS AND LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMS
Junior Achievement of Halton is both celebrating and embracing new opportunities and challenges in dealing with a
phenomenal increase in demand for its business and life skills programs.
According to Sue Suess, president of JA Halton, parents, educators and students are recognizing the value of developing
business and entrepreneurial skills through a continuum of programs, such as those offered by the non-profit organization
which reaches students from Grade 5 through to 12. "The opportunities are obvious in terms of the potential to reach so
many more young people and turn them on to the excitement of achieving success through business skills. The challenges
come in increasing the funding and volunteer base we need to accommodate the demand and that involves a lot of
outreach into the business and general community.” To that end, Junior Achievement is invited both the business and
general community to participate in its fundraiser, the 2003 Hulabowl Bowlathon, sponsored by UNILOCK, which took place
on February 22 at Burlington Bowl, and saw 100 participants, junior achievers and staff raise over $5000 for JA programs.
“Our fundraising comes from both sponsorships and contributions from businesses directly to programs and select events
such as the bowlathon, which we see as both a fundraiser, because teams get pledges which are then put into
programming, and it is also a community builder as people from all over join in for a fun afternoon of hulabowling, loud
shirts and prizes. Families, friends and colleagues are all welcome – it’s a great way to beat the February blahs and
celebrate JA Month, which is also in February. We always have such fun!”
What does the Hulabowl and other fundraising do for students in Halton? It gives more of them the JA experience. Take,
for example, the 2003 Company Program:

in Georgetown, nineteen Georgetown Highschool students have formed Leaders of Tomorrow to produce glass
tumblers filled with candles and candies. Their company is sponsored by Neilson Dairy. In Acton, 11 achievers from
Acton Highschool are producing cup of soup in a mug, with soup, spoon, crackers and an additional soup package
under the company name of Ingenious Ideas. This company is sponsored by Cell-A-Net.

in Burlington, 55 high school students have formed 4 companies to produce a variety of items for sale. Front & Centre,
sponsored by CIBC, makes and sells centrepieces; Buzz Inc, sponsored by ATOTECH, markets candles;
Illuminessence, sponsored by Pioneer Petroleum, sells gel candles; and Winestein, sponsored by Bell Mobility, makes
and markets wineglass indicators.

in Milton, 25 high school students have formed 2 companies to produce a variety of items for sale. B.O.P.P.,
sponsored by J.P. Brown and Associates, makes and sells first aid kits and also marketed Christmas coffee mugs
containing treats; and Euphoria Designs, sponsored by the Milton Jaycees, is producing and selling buttons.

in Oakville, 92 high school students have formed 4 companies to produce a variety of items for sale. Carbon,
sponsored by Procor, produces t-shirts; Schindig Creations makes advent calendars and gift baskets; Growing
Inspirations, sponsored by MacLachlan College, markets precious pots, and Cell FX produces cell phone covers.
The Company Program is unique - a hands-on introduction to what it’s like to run a business, as students set up a
company, develop and market a product, produce an annual report and dissolve the company over the course of 22 weeks.
This year, 8 companies are operating across Halton region. It’s a true team and skill building experience.
In-school programs are provided during the school day. Students get early exposure to business, personal finance and
career building concepts through three programs offered at each grade level. Many students who experience these
programs comment that they make them think about things they haven’t considered before.
Junior Achievement of Halton
560 Guelph Line, Burlington, ON L7R 3M4
Tel: 905-7200 Fax: 905-627-5823
ssuess@jahalton.org
In addition to sponsors for the programs, which are offered free of charge to schools and students, volunteers are a muchvalued component of Junior Achievement. All programs are facilitated by volunteers who receive training from Junior
Achievement.
“Once again, it offers wonderful learning opportunities for both the student and the adult volunteer…our challenge is finding
the volunteers. Although it may sound intimidating, once volunteers experience the programs, they come back year after
year. It’s a unique opportunity to develop some new skills and the potential to make an impact on a student’s way of
thinking about their future,” says Sue. “Halton students are ready for this type of education, the educators want them to
have it…we need sponsors and volunteers to step up and help us to deliver."
CONTACT: LESLEY PEPPIN, MARKETING MANAGER, (905)637-7200, or e-mail marketing@jahalton.org
Junior Achievement of Halton
560 Guelph Line, Burlington, ON L7R 3M4
Tel: 905-7200 Fax: 905-627-5823
ssuess@jahalton.org