Celebrating Volunteer Month: The Heart of JASWNE

Image caption: Inspiring tomorrow’s leaders starts with JA Volunteers at the heart of our mission.

At Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, our volunteers are at the core of everything we do!

Thanks to the support of 1,872 volunteers from 314 companies and organizations, JASWNE reached 34,946 K-12 students across 61 towns and cities in Connecticut during the 2023-24 school year.  These efforts led to 116,886 total contact hours of direct student mentorship, making a meaningful impact on countless lives across the state.

During Volunteer Month, we’re excited to spotlight some of the incredible individuals bring JA’s mission to life by empowering young people to strive for success, plan for their futures, and make smart financial and career choices.

Image caption: JA Volunteers from M&T Bank, including Sele Berbic, step up at the 2024 JA Stock Market Challenge

Sele Berbic – M&T Bank

Years Volunteering: 2+

Favorite Program: Stock Market Challenge

Sele has been volunteering with JA for over two years, building lasting memories for students through events such as the JA Stock Market Challenge.

"I love the impact we have on the students,” he shares. “You can see the joy in their eyes when they apply their learnings to the JA Stock Market Challenge because it seems so real."

Image caption: Volunteers like those from Pratt & Whitney and Karlyn Lempa help inspire young minds, in and out of the classroom.

AJ Frere – Pratt & Whitney

Years Volunteering: 9

Favorite Program: JA Entrepreneurial Academy

AJ has a front-row seat to both seeing and leading student transformation through JA’s business-building programs.

His favorite part of volunteer work is “seeing the kids transform from complete novices to professionals taking the lead to run a business” in the Entrepreneurial Academies. “Every year, it’s amazing to see!”

Karlyn Lempa – Eversource

Years Volunteering: 10+

Favorite Programs: Kindergarten classroom teaching, Bowl-A-Thon, and Golf Tournament

Karlyn is an all-around JA champion, contributing her time for more than a decade and supporting students and fundraising efforts alike.

“Students just love having visitors to their classrooms,” she shares, a simple reminder of just how meaningful volunteer participation can be for students in their day-to-day lessons and lives.

Image caption: Nic Miller and Joanne Milord opening doors with career wisdom.

Nic Miller – The Hartford

Years Volunteering: 15+

Favorite Program: JA in a Day

Nic shares that his “why” and reason for volunteering stems from the joy in teaching and mentoring in the classroom.

In his own words: “In my career and personal life, I’m often in a position of teacher or mentor, but with JA I also have the privilege of being a student.” Nic always enjoys learning from those he is volunteering for, alongside “the incredible team that runs programs.”

Joanne Milord – Hartford HealthCare

Years Volunteering: 2

Favorite Program: JA Career Connections for Young Women

Joanne is an advocate for mentorship and is passionate about equipping students with the confidence and tools needed to navigate their future careers, whether they pursue college or immediately enter the workforce.

“The skills and insights I provide serve as a foundation that supports not only their initial career decisions, but throughout their professional growth and development.” One of her most rewarding moments with JA was witnessing a young participant transition from uncertainty about her future to confidently articulating her career aspirations.

Image caption: Gina Morris and Michael Rota bringing JA lessons to life!

Gina Morris – Lockheed Martin

Years Volunteering: 5+

Favorite Program: JA in a Day

Gina brings energy and curiosity into every classroom she enters, even learning from her youngest students.

“My favorite part about volunteering has to be the kids and seeing the lightbulbs go off in their minds. Teaching a Kindergarten class about decision-making, and just hearing the thinking and rationale behind choosing one scoop of ice cream or two has taught me new ways of thinking!”

Michael Rota – Retired

Years Volunteering: 6

Favorite Program: JA Entrepreneurial Academy

Michael's experience and sheer volunteer impact with JA spans two states, and even more classrooms!

“My most memorable moments are when a student comes up to me after a session and takes the time to thank me personally and tell me how meaningful that topic was to them. That’s not easy for students to do, so when it happens, I know that I have made a difference that day!”

Diana Sanchez – Travelers

Years Volunteering: 7

Favorite Program: JA in a Day

Diana began her JA journey in 2018 and has since continued to be a dedicated volunteer, leading programs and curriculums across various schools. She’s especially passionate about JA in a Day and its effectiveness in teaching complex topics in an engaging way.

 “The impact this program had not only on the student but also the volunteers speaks volumes of how organized, well-planned, and developed the program is. I would say as the years go by, I also see how much things continue to improve with the curriculums and types of activities that can teach kids complex topics like business management and financial literacy. I think this is crucial to continue opening and extend opportunities for our communities.”

Kathleen Yorio – Stanley Black & Decker

Years Volunteering: 3

Favorite Program: JA Entrepreneurial Academy

Kathleen’s passion for both business and education shines through in every JA session she leads.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with kids, so I love that I can combine that with my passion for business and teach students new skills and lessons.”

Inside and out of the classroom, each volunteer brings their own unique experience, voice, and passion to Junior Achievement. Whether it be through mentoring budding entrepreneurs, teaching decision-making skills, or supporting fundraising efforts, JA volunteers are on the front lines of inspiring young people and shaping the leaders of tomorrow. This month, we’re especially thankful for their support in building futures far and wide across Connecticut!

Want to be a part the impact? Learn more about our K-12 programs and become a JA volunteer today! You too can be a part of a dedicated community empowering the next generation, during volunteer month and beyond.