JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT LAUNCHES ONLINE TOOL TO HELP STUDENTS BUILD FINANCIAL LITERACY KNOWLEDGE

New “Keep your balance” tool now available at jacan.org

TORONTO, November 29, 2012 – Junior Achievement of Canada is pleased to announce the launch of the new “Keep your balance” interactive tool for students.  The tool was developed in partnership with Accenture and allows students to understand how the financial and environmental decisions they make can impact their life.

The “Keep your balance” tool is part of Junior Achievement’s innovative approach to digitally enhancing one of its largest programs delivered across Canada, the Economics for Success program, reaching over 116,000 students. This new interactive tool allows students to interact in and outside the classroom and shows students how the choices they make can positively impact their future dreams, aspirations and outcomes. The new online tool can be found at www.jacan.org.

“There is no doubt that early behaviour and skill development are essential in ensuring lifelong financial success,” said Stephen Ashworth, president and CEO (acting), Junior Achievement of Canada. “Junior Achievement is pleased to be building on its in-class experience by offering students and families access to new digital programs.”

Junior Achievement provides tools and programs that put financial literacy concepts into practice, so that youth can connect basic economics to their daily life events. Junior Achievement provides students with knowledge on personal and business skills, such as money management, the role of business in shaping our lives, building blocks for a successful career, the impact of technology and innovation, running a business and more.

“Supporting Junior Achievement helps bring to life Accenture’s commitment to building skills,” said Michael Wilson, Accenture’s managing director of corporate citizenship in Canada. “We share Junior Achievement’s commitment to making a significant, lasting impact on the long-term economic vitality and resilience of individuals, families and communities around the world.”

Junior Achievement is the largest youth business education organization in Canada and plays an important role in developing Canada's future leaders by providing them with the knowledge and confidence needed to define personal success, gain financial responsibility and enhance their workforce readiness. Last year alone, more than 226,000 young Canadians experienced a Junior Achievement program from over 13,500 committed business mentors. Junior Achievement programs, including Dollars with Sense, Economics for Success and the Company Program are delivered by volunteer mentors to bring the business world experience into the learning environment.

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More about Junior Achievement of Canada
For more than 58 years, Junior Achievement has inspired and prepared more than 4 million youth to succeed. Junior Achievement programs are developed in alignment with three pillars: entrepreneurship; financial literacy; and work readiness. Through partnerships with both large and small organizations, as well as individual business leaders, Junior Achievement of Canada is able to inspire and empower young achievers by providing programs that prepare them for the workforce, educate on the importance of financial literacy and encourage youth's entrepreneurial spirit.

For more information, please contact
Kris Fixter
National director, marketing and communications
Junior Achievement of Canada
P: 416-622-4602, ext. 229
E: kfixter@jacan.org