Grade 8 students in West Kent will benefit from a grant from National Bank to the local Junior Achievement organization.
The bank’s One for Youth program is donating $2,750 towards JA of South Western Ontario’s Economics for Success Program. Part of the funding will go towards the program in Merlin and Tilbury Area Public schools, according to Barb Smith, president of the local JA.
“These are two half-day programs. It teaches youth how to budget to live on their own, how to live within the means of a paycheque and the dos and don’ts and how to behave during an interview,” she said. “We talk about role models and mentors, and how to set goals for yourself, some really key points that really wakes them up a bit.”
Smith said the program reaches kids at the right time.
“Grade 8 is not too early. At Grade 7, we’re talking about investments,” she said. “They’re going into high school and they will be getting jobs. This gives them that sense of responsibility. They have a job, they’ll want to put some money away.”
Smith said she found the National Bank contest via social media and applied.
The One for Youth program focuses on the social, athletic and educational development of youth across the country.
JA’s Economics for Success is one of 175 programs across the country selected by National Bank for support. One for Youth assistance will aid 27,000 youths in the various programs, according to a media release.
