$10,000 Grant Supports Student Budgeting Program
$10,000 Workforce Readiness grant supports JA Finance Park budgeting and financial-literacy education for students in Iowa and Illinois.
American Water Charitable Foundation and Iowa American Water have awarded Junior Achievement of the Heartland a $10,000 Workforce Readiness grant for its JA Finance Park program. The funding will support financial-literacy and workforce-readiness education for students in Iowa and Illinois. Participants make real-world budgeting decisions, including for water, sewer and trash services. Junior Achievement of the Heartland serves more than 2,500 students aged 13 to 15 each year across 24 counties.
Budgeting For Household Services
JA Finance Park is an experiential learning program where students manage income and essential household expenses while connecting financial decisions with education and career opportunities.
Lysa Hegland, President and CEO at Junior Achievement of the Heartland, said:
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Iowa American Water and grateful to the American Water Charitable Foundation for its $10,000 investment in Junior Achievement of the Heartland and the future of our students. This support helps bring financial literacy to life while strengthening the workforce readiness skills young people need to make informed decisions, pursue career opportunities, and build a strong financial future,”
Workforce Readiness Support
The award is part of the foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, which supports career readiness, financial and business literacy, positive youth development and life skills training.
Brad Nielsen, President at Iowa American Water, said:
“At Iowa American Water, we believe preparing young people for the future begins with practical learning experiences that connect classroom lessons to everyday life. The Foundation's support of JA Finance Park will help students understand how essential household services such as water fit into a budget, while building the financial literacy, decision-making and career-readiness skills they need to thrive.”
Foundation Grant Program
The American Water Charitable Foundation focuses its giving on water, people and communities. Since 2012, it has invested more than $25 million through grants and matching gifts for eligible organizations in communities served by American Water.
Carrie Williams, President at American Water Charitable Foundation, said:
“The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to support initiatives that provide access to high-quality learning students need to be successful. We take pride in supporting American Water's continued efforts to be a responsible neighbor and reliable partner in the community.”
