Junior Achievement of Western MA

09/01/2026

This month, for every set of four tires purchased and installed, we will make a donation to Junior Achievement of Western MA! Our “Tires to Inspire” initiative will help support positive youth development in our community.

Learn more here: https://www.baliseauto.com/tires-to-inspire.html

09/01/2026

Thank you to Balise Honda and all of the Balise family for their dedication to our mission to empower young people to build successful economic futures and thriving communities!

This month, for every set of four tires purchased and installed, we will make a donation to Junior Achievement of Western MA! Our “Tires to Inspire” initiative will help support positive youth development in our community.

Learn more here: https://www.baliseauto.com/tires-to-inspire.html

09/01/2026

What’s next starts with giving students opportunities to learn by doing. Your sponsorship of the 21st Annual JA Stock Market Challenge helps make that possible.

During this high-energy, real-time Wall Street simulation, students put financial literacy, teamwork, investing, and decision-making skills into action. By supporting the Challenge, your business helps provide meaningful real-world learning experiences that build students’ confidence and equip them to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Become a sponsor: https://ow.ly/Ptu550ZHjei.

08/14/2026

Here is an easy way to support JA while back to school shopping!

Staples is running a Back-to-School Round-Up Campaign in stores from July 26 to August 22, 2026. Customers can round up their purchases at checkout in Staples stores, with donations benefiting Junior Achievement and its mission to help young people become confident, capable, and connected to what the world has to offer.

Since 2022, Staples has supported Junior Achievement through local programming, volunteer efforts, and national events, expanding opportunities for students across the country. Learn more about the partnership:
https://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/noheader/about_us/corporate-responsibility/junior-achievement/

08/12/2026

Summer doesn't mean a break from learning, but we always make sure it's a lot of fun!

We are so proud of the partnership we're building with the Hampden County Sheriff's Office! We appreciate the enthusiasm and solidarity in providing unique opportunities for young people in our community.

Thank you to our JA volunteers from Dead River Company and Elms College for bringing JA Company Program Pop Up lessons to the Counselors in Training (CIT's) at the HCSO Youth Leadership Academy this summer.

Over several weeks, young leaders gained insight into the entrepreneurial skills and mindset that will prepare them for success in life. We are so impressed with the solutions and business ideas they created!

08/08/2026

07/29/2026

Last week, our president, Amie Miarecki, and Education Pathways Director, Nicole Baltazar, spent time with the inspiring teams at Junior Achievement and JA Worldwide at the National Leadership Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.

An important theme came from the keynote speaker, Amanda Bickerstaff. With her guidance, we deepened our understanding of AI, including it's influence on the future of work and how to support young people and our organizations as we incorporate it further into our lives.

The conference also reminded us that we have an entire network behind our mission. Our work to give young people in Western Massachusetts opportunities is connected to a larger purpose that is changing the education landscape in our state, nationally and internationally.

JA is answering the question "What's Next?" in education! JA addresses the gaps in economic mobility for young people by creating links between what they learn in school with the real-world. Whether it's in our local community or across the country, we know that young people need to be future-ready and empowered - and we’re all in!

07/22/2026

We're grateful to have had the opportunity to join our friends at WWLP-22News to talk about the work happening every day at Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts.

Our President, Amie Miarecki, sat down with InFocus host Patrick Barry to discuss how JA helps prepare young people with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their dreams through financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship.

Thank you to Patrick and the InFocus team for helping shine a light on the importance of investing in the next generation.

Watch the interview here: https://ow.ly/WG9G50ZqV0V

InFocus featuring Amie Miarecki (Junior Achievement)

07/15/2026

The president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts has been recognized as one of five finalists for a national leadership award honoring first-time Junior Achievement presidents.