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VOLUNTEERING
Volunteer to Be a Part of the Impact
Volunteers help bring our immersive learning programs to life. When students are able to connect with local professionals and hear real-life experiences, they are learning about new opportunities and pathways they have never envisioned before!
Questions? Contact: Rachel.schweitzer@ja.org
WHY VOLUNTEER?
Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore programming is primarily volunteer based! Our volunteers work closely with students for our internal programming and our student events offering an enriching experience for both student and volunteer. As a Junior Achievement volunteer, you will inspire kids to achieve a more fulfilling career and life by contributing your professional insights and personal experiences to the programs you teach. With Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore, you can be a part of the Impact!
Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore provides volunteers with training that is simple and relatable; programs that are engaging and fun; and a center of eager kids ready to learn from you!
EASY STEP BY STEP PROCESS
Sign Up
How you volunteer is important! Select the type of volunteering that is most suitable to get more information and complete a form that our Volunteer Coordinator will use to contact you.
Pick Your Date
You will have the opportunity to discuss with your Program Manager your preference of how or where you would like to Volunteer and coordinate your schedule.
Attend Training
Our Volunteer Coordinator will provide you with a short but effective training session in which you will be able to ask questions. We will make sure you are ready to volunteer!
Impact Lives
Sharing your professional and personal experiences through the JA program you have selected helps students see how they can achieve their dreams!
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER
JA BIZTOWN
SEPTEMBER - MAY
Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center
JA BizTown provides educators with lessons and resources to effectively integrate financial literacy and work and career readiness into the elementary school classroom. The learning experience supports critical thinking skills and student engagement, and helps students connect the dots between what they learn in school and the real world.
JA FINANCE PARK
SEPTEMBER - MAY
Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center
JA Finance Park Entry Level helps students build a foundation upon which they can make intelligent lifelong financial decisions, including those decisions related to income, expenses, savings, and credit.
JA Finance Park is Junior Achievements capstone curriculum for personal financial planning and career exploration. This teacher-led classroom curriculum culminates with a visit to JA Finance Park, a realistic on-site or mobile facility, or virtually in the classroom, where participants engage with volunteers and put into practice what they've learned by developing a personal budget. A new advanced curriculum and simulation gives teens and young adults a more personal focus. Participants select their career and define their future lifestyle and financial goals. The advanced simulation allows participants to see the long-term impact of their education, savings, and credit decisions.
JA INSPIRE
March 11 & 12, 2026
Wicomico Civic Center
Join us in bringing together local businesses with aspiring students in hopes of igniting the early spark for their future careers. At this event, students dive into immersive, hands-on activities, gaining practical experience with industry tools and equipment, all while engaging directly with influential business leaders from the Eastern Shore community.
JA EMPOWER
April 14 & 15, 2026
Talbot County Community Center
JA Empower is a hands-on career fair experience that connects high school students with the people, programs and pathways that shape life after graduation. Students engage directly with employers, colleges, and training programs too gain a better understanding of their options and what it takes to advance their career.
Designed to turn curiosity into action, JA Empower emphasizes real-world connection and actionable insight. Students leave with a clearer sense of direction while community partners have the opportunity to engage early, inspire students, and help shape the region's future workforce.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
JA BIZTOWN
6th grade students become business leaders, consumers, and employees for a day. After completing 12 in-school lessons of JA curriculum, students work in 1 of 18 storefronts such as banking, insurance, healthcare, etc., learning what it takes to run a successful business, manage personnel and business finances, and work as a team.
JA FINANCE PARK
7th grade students learn about personal finance and career exploration. After completing 12 in-school lessons of JA curriculum, students participate in the simulation where they receive a “life scenario” including a family, job, and income. Students then budget for 18 line items such as healthcare, childcare, insurance, and more. Students will identify personal interests, skills, work preferences and values that will help them identify future, real life career interests.
JA FINANCE PARK ADVANCED
High school students learn about personal finance and career exploration. After completing 8 in-school lessons of JA curriculum, students participate in the simulation where they select a “life scenario” including a family, job, and income. Students then budget for 18 line items such as healthcare, childcare, insurance, and more. Students will identify personal interests, skills, work preferences and values that will help them identify future, real life career interests.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What will I be doing?
- BizTown- you will be assigned to a specific storefront guiding students throughout the day. Think of yourself as a friendly mentor, helping students navigate their assigned jobs, manage their storefronts, and complete their "job" tasks for the day. You'll answer questions, keep them on track, and watch as they connect the dots between their classroom learning and real-life experiences.
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Finance Park- you will be assigned to a specific storefront guiding students through a budgeting simulation. Students participate in the simulation where they receive a “life scenario” including a family, job, and income. Students then budget for 18 line items such as healthcare, childcare, insurance, and more. Students will identify personal interests, skills, work preferences, and values that will help them identify future, real-life career interests.
What should I bring with me the day of volunteering?
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A valid driver's license or state-issued ID, a bagged lunch, and an open mind!
Do I need to do any training beforehand?
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No! All training will be done on the day of your scheduled volunteer date. No need to study or bring any industry-specific knowledge.
What is the time commitment?
- A typical volunteer day is from 9:00 am-1:30 pm. Please make sure to check your confirmation email from VolunteerHub, as the times may vary depending on the school that is visiting.
- Please arrive at the time your VolunteerHub confirmation email states.
Why volunteer with JA of the Eastern Shore?
- Because YOU have the power to shape the future! You are helping inspire young minds to dream big and plan for a successful future! You'll help students navigate financial decisions, spark their entrepreneurial spirit, and develop job skills that prepare them for life's big adventure. Sign up today! Click here!