Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union recently donated $5,000 to Junior Achievement (JA) of Western PA in support of JA’s mission to inspire and prepare young people to succeed. With the help of this donation, JA programming can continue to provide valuable lessons to hundreds of students in Mercer County area schools that promote financial capability, work and career readiness, and business ownership.

Mercer County Community FCU also received the Community Collaborative Award in recognition of the partnership with JA. In collaboration with JA, credit union staff members serve as volunteers to teach financial literacy lessons in local schools, attend career fairs, and take part in JA BIZTown – a fully interactive simulated town where students learn about the business world and everyday life. “We’re proud to know that we’re making a positive impact on so many young people’s lives through JA,” stated Sandi Carangi, CEO of Mercer County Community FCU. For more information about Junior Achievement, visit westernpa.ja.org.

Recently, Mercer County Community Federal Credit Union staff had the privilege of volunteering at Junior Achievement of Western PA’s JA BizTown®. Sandi Carangi and Elaine Patton were joined by fellow members of the JA of Western PA board of directors, Brad Mantzell and Rob Studor.

JA BizTown, located in South Fayette Township, PA, is a fully interactive mock town that simulates the day-to-day functions of a thriving community and helps students connect what they learn in school with the realities of the business world and everyday life. Designed for elementary-age students, this program begins with in-class curriculum encompassing financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship.

The students then spend a full day at this hands-on simulated community where they assume various roles within their business, learning about careers, budgeting, marketing and personal spending. Volunteers assist the students as they learn various things such as how to apply for a job, write checks, service customers and manage their business.

Mercer County Community FCU in partnership with JA of Western PA recently received a $10,000 grant from the CrossState Credit Union Foundation. Funds from the grant were presented to Ionta Elementary School in Hermitage, PA for JA lessons and a day at JA BizTown. A total of 167 fifth-grade students from Ionta Elementary traveled to JA Biztown on May 10^th and 11^th to take part in the hands-on simulated community.

In addition to the $10,000 presented to Ionta Elementary School, Mercer County Community FCU and JA will be presenting matching funds for another $10,000 to Farrell Elementary School. These additional funds will be used to assist six classes of students from Farrell Elementary to visit JA BizTown in the fall of 2023.

For more information about JA BizTown, visit www.juniorachievement.org.