DECEMBER NEWSLETTER - 2023

As a Junior Achievement alumnus, Steve Hightower has established himself as a "Titan of Business" in this community. Hear from Steve about how Junior Achievement gave him the tools necessary to run a successful business and why he's still involved with JA to this day.

This was our last week for this semester at Highview 6th Grade Center. Thank you to all the teachers and volunteers who taught "JA Economics for Success" lessons. We look forward to another great semester next year.

As 2023 ends I wanted to take a minute to reflect on the year. I am so grateful l for my small part-time team of Robin Louden Henry, who oversees the programming opportunities for the schools, and for Nina Stewart, who promotes JA of Middletown Area, Inc. through social media and this newsletter. We’ve expanded our classroom involvement, helping young students better understand how to get a job, start a business, and how money works. Here’s where the JA classroom volunteers bring their experiences and stories to help these students make important connections with the “real world”. I genuinely appreciate their time and energy! Of course, these programs and JA events are made available thanks to a supportive JA Board. Many have been on the JA Board since before I started in 2015. They have proved their commitment to the vision and mission of an organization that’s served this region for over 80 years. But most importantly, JA of Middletown Area could not operate without the funding support of local foundations, area businesses, and private donors. I feel very fortunate to have received generous donations this year and am excited to take that level of trust and support to pivot into more experiential learning pathways for our area students. We are already working hard for summer fun and creating new content for the 2024-2025 school year. I hope you join us! Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season.

- Maria Langendorf, Junior Achievement of Middletown Area President

In honor of his father R.D. Baker- an entrepreneur in the water solutions industry who established business in Middletown, Ohio- Douglas Baker has made a benevolent contribution to JA Middletown. The donation will be used to continue nurturing entrepreneurial minds in our program, just like his father had. We established the JA R.D. Baker fund through the Middletown Community Foundation.

Chris Germain is the founder of Piping Rock Partners- a multifamily housing provider that owns more than 200 units in Middletown, Ohio. Chris loves Middletown and he wanted to make a positive impact on the families living in Piping Rock properties. So, for twelve months, Chris contributed a meaningful portion of each month’s income from all his Middletown housing to Junior Achievement of Middletown. Thank you, Chris Germain, for your generosity, vision, and investment.

THANK YOU JA MIDDLETOWN INVESTORS:

The JA RD Baker Memorial Fund

Barnitz Fund

Junior Achievement of Middletown Area's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed. We are passionate about our mission to educate students in Financial Literacy, Work & Career Readiness, and Entrepreneurship and have been providing this service for local students since 1939.