Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes

Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes Volunteer-led K-12 student programs in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career exploration. https://t.mtrbio.com/jamgl

empowering our young people to own their future financial success.

08/24/2026

See how easy it is to support local students while you shop!

When you check out at a SpartanNash store this week, you’ll see an opportunity to make a donation to Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes right at the pin pad. Your gift, no matter the size, helps JA provide local students with hands-on learning experiences that build financial literacy, career readiness, and confidence for their futures.

Thank you to SpartanNash's Heroes & Hope Foundation and every customer who chooses to support local JA students!

Congratulations to our board member Natalia Kovacik for being an ATHENA Leadership Award honoree! This award celebrates ...
08/20/2026

Congratulations to our board member Natalia Kovacik for being an ATHENA Leadership Award honoree!

This award celebrates leaders who make a difference, not only through professional excellence but through service, mentorship, and their commitment to empowering others. Natalia exemplifies this award through her work at JA, lending her time and talents to invest in students in our community and give them the confidence to own their economic futures.

We are proud to have her on our board!

Junior Achievement's programs extend far beyond the classroom; take it from Tiffany, a store associate at Martin's Super...
08/19/2026

Junior Achievement's programs extend far beyond the classroom; take it from Tiffany, a store associate at Martin's Super Markets in Niles!

JA's campaign with SpartanNash is underway today, and when Laura Lutterbeck, COO of our Michigan Great Lakes office, stopped by to talk to the MARTINS team about the fundraiser, Tiffany excitedly recounted having JA in 3rd grade. She said she remembers how much fun she had with the program, even after graduating and starting her career working for SpartanNash!

Donating at the pin pad at your local SpartanNash store helps JA put these life-changing programs in your local classrooms, where students will gain confidence in their futures for years to come. Stop by today!

Ready to make a real difference right here in our community, starting with the students who will shape its future?Junior...
08/19/2026

Ready to make a real difference right here in our community, starting with the students who will shape its future?

Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes is looking for passionate emerging leaders to join our 2026–2027 Associate Leadership Board!

The ALB is an amazing group of young professionals and community advocates who are dedicated to empowering local students while sharpening their own leadership skills and expanding their networks. It’s also a unique chance to invest in the next generation of business leaders by supporting our hands-on programs in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career readiness.

We’re growing our board right now, and we’d be absolutely thrilled to have you join us! Learn more and apply at https://michigangreatlakes.ja.org/programs/opportunity/ja-associate-leadership-board.

Next time you stop at a SpartanNash store, consider donating to JA! Donations officially begin tomorrow at participating...
08/18/2026

Next time you stop at a SpartanNash store, consider donating to JA! Donations officially begin tomorrow at participating SpartanNash stores across Michigan, and when you check out, you’ll have the opportunity to make a small donation to Junior Achievement of Michigan Great Lakes through the pin pad.

Your support helps provide K-12 students with hands-on experiences that build financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurial skills they need to plan for their futures. 100% of funds raised go directly to our cause, allowing us to reach more students across the region during this next school year and beyond.

Stop by your local Family Fare, D&W Fresh Market, or Forest Hills Foods today!

In honor of National Financial Awareness Day, we asked our team, “What is one piece of money advice you wish someone had...
08/14/2026

In honor of National Financial Awareness Day, we asked our team, “What is one piece of money advice you wish someone had taught you before adulthood?”

Luckily, we have a solution for their answers.

At Junior Achievement, we believe financial literacy shouldn't be something you have to learn the hard way (take it from us!). Every day, our volunteers step into classrooms to teach students about important financial literacy skills. Every week, a new classroom is in our experiential learning centers, and students are free to try and fail in a safe, educational space before they enter the adult world. Our mission is to reach these students where they are and help them build secure economic futures.

What’s the best piece of financial advice you’ve ever received?

Connecting classroom lessons to real-world skills takes time and resources that educators don't always have to spare. Th...
08/11/2026

Connecting classroom lessons to real-world skills takes time and resources that educators don't always have to spare. That's where we come in.

When you partner with Junior Achievement, community volunteers and hands-on programs come directly into your classroom. Together, we help students build essential skills like financial literacy and career readiness, along with transferable skills like critical thinking and collaboration that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

We handle the programming, resources, and volunteer prep so you can focus on what you do best: teaching.

Visit https://michigangreatlakes.ja.org/educator/index or reach out to [email protected] to learn more about bringing JA programs to your school this fall.

Great leadership doesn't just grow a business, it elevates an entire community.This year, we are proud to recognize a pa...
08/06/2026

Great leadership doesn't just grow a business, it elevates an entire community.

This year, we are proud to recognize a pair of local visionaries whose work continues to lift up West Michigan's students and community. Join us in celebrating this year's 2026 West Michigan Business Hall of Fame Inductees, William "Brad" Kessel, President and CEO of Independent Bank, and John D. Loeks, Chairman of Studio C, Celebration Cinema, and ShowSpan Inc.

We invite you to join us on October 19, 2026, at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park for an evening of celebrating these laureates' legacy and our mission to invest in the next generation. Each ticket directly equips students with the confidence and vision to pursue paths that lead to greatness, as exemplified by the leaders we will be honoring.

Be part of the story. Reserve your table, tickets, or sponsorship today: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/2jwmbhofr/?_ga=2.262658444.1458899249.1785759632-1491891438.1775504059

Help bring learning to life by applying to be our next Experiential Learning Program Associate!In this part-time role, y...
08/06/2026

Help bring learning to life by applying to be our next Experiential Learning Program Associate!

In this part-time role, you'll support our JA BizTown and JA Finance Park programs by helping create engaging, hands-on learning experiences where students step into real-world roles, make financial decisions, explore careers, and build the confidence they'll carry into the future. You'll work alongside educators, volunteers, and JA staff to ensure every simulation is a meaningful and memorable experience for our students.

If you enjoy working with young people, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want to make a difference in the community, we'd love to have you on our team. Learn more and apply today at https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4448199975/!

08/05/2026

It's never too early to learn about banking, and in JA BizTown, you can have your very own bank account! When students become BizTown citizens, they open a checking account, deposit checks, use a debit card, and even have the option to open a savings account or use an ATM. These hands-on skills are important for preparing students for their financial futures.

Here's what some of last year's citizens learned about banking!

Address

4090 Lake Drive SE
Grand Rapids, MI
49546

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16165759080

Website

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