This article first appeared in the Junior Achievement Newsletter

FirstBank helps young people own their future economic success through a partnership with Junior Achievement (JA).  This partnership has helped countless Colorado students enhance their imaginations, along with their problem solving, critical thinking, and technical skills, in turn contributing to FirstBank’s commitment to developing Colorado communities.

Since 2000, FirstBank and its employees have contributed more than $1.7 million to support JA’s program implementation in low-income schools. FirstBank is also the sponsor of JA Capitalism with a Conscience, a powerful program that gives students a unique glimpse into ethics from the perspective of our local business leaders and the chance to think critically about their values and approach to ethical dilemmas.

In addition to providing financial support, 2,100 FirstBank employees have volunteered through JA over the past fifteen years. These volunteers have shared their knowledge, energy and enthusiasm with more than 40,000 students. FirstBank volunteers find teaching our future generation of business leaders to be rewarding. “I really enjoy this experience, because I was lucky enough to have the Junior Achievement experience as a kid,” said Teller Supervisor Theron Guerra.  “It makes me feel good that I can give back even in a little way such as volunteering.”

FirstBank’s support of JA is a good investment. At every grade level in middle and high school, JA students show improvements in their attitude toward school. Further, students who participate in JA in high school reveal differences in their optimism about achieving future success. They now understand how to control their finances, are better prepared for the workforce and feel they are personally in control of their destiny, which contributes towards overall optimism and hope.

With FirstBank’s help, JA will reach more than 120,000 students at no cost to schools during the 2014/15 school year.  “We are extremely grateful for FirstBank’s longstanding support. Their volunteers serve as valuable role models by helping students understand the important part that education plays in their future success,” said Robin Wise, president and CEO of Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc. “Junior Achievement is able to make a significant impact on the lives of Colorado’s young people thanks to FirstBank’s dedication.”