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JASWNE Chosen as Finalist for Big Ideas Bright Cities Challenge

JASWNE 1 of only 15 Finalists for Big Ideas Bright Cities Challenge!

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Image caption: JASWNE 2023 Finalist for Bright Ideas Bright Cities Challenge

We are proud to announce that Junior Achievement of Southwest New England was selected as a finalist for the Global Business Coalition for Education Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge.

The Big Ideas, Bright Cities Challenge honors teams of nonprofits, education organizations, and cities working with the business community to create innovative programs that help prepare young people for meaningful careers. This year, the challenge drew hundreds of applicants from 24 states. Junior Achievement of Southwest New England (JASWNE) was chosen as one of only 15 finalists for the grant. Finalists had to demonstrate collaboration among nonprofits, city leaders, young people, and businesses, as well as a commitment to the 10 Standards for Creating Skills-Friendly Cities. Over the next year, all 15 organizations will be part of an incubator program aimed at sharing leading practices and connecting with business and city leaders invested in youth skills development.

JASWNE was chosen as a finalist based on our dedication to ensuring that every student in Connecticut is inspired and empowered to take responsibility for their personal finances, explore their career hopes and dreams, and experience the power of entrepreneurship, thus becoming key contributors to the State’s, Nation’s, and Global economic growth and vitality. Our proposal focused on preparing the next generation of the workforce for rewarding careers through programs including our Career Connections for Young Women, Entrepreneurial Academy, our JA Be Entrepreneurial Innovation Challenges, the JA Stock Market Challenge, and more.

Image caption: Image: Hall of Fame Entrepreneurial Academy with Stanley Black & Decker Student Company, True Solar selling their products.

“With this Challenge, we’re spotlighting groundbreaking work across the country to nurture skills in young people and help set them up for success,” said Justin van Fleet, executive director of the Global Business Coalition for Education. “This is our way of encouraging youth-serving nonprofits, companies and cities to work together, building skills for the next generation.”

We are thrilled to celebrate this recognition of our collaborative efforts with schools, businesses, governments, and community organizations to equip young people with skills for a boundless future and to tackle some of Greater Hartford’s biggest challenges. JASWNE extends a sincere congratulations to the first-place winner, SoCal CAN. We look forward to joining the 15 finalists in the “Skills Friendly Cities Network” where we will continue to share our strategies and practices for preparing young people for meaningful careers.

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