Junior Achievement receives challenge grant

The Delores Barr Weaver Fund has awarded a $35,000 1:1 challenge grant to Junior Achievement of North Florida (JA) to celebrate the nonprofit’s 56 years of service and going forward. JA of North Florida must raise $35,000 and the Delores Barr Weaver Fund will then meet the challenge for a total of $70,000 to help fund the programs which help young people learn financial literacy, workplace readiness and entrepreneurship.

“We are so grateful for Mrs. Weaver’s support for our organization and what we do to get our youth ready for the future,” said Steve St. Amand, president of JA of North Florida. “The students we educate tell us they are learning a lot from our programs and what we are teaching them has made staying in school very important. Now we are asking the community, local businesses and our corporate friends to help us meet this challenge so we can continue helping our young people learn and grow.”

The funds raised through this challenge grant will help support the JA Financial Literacy Center in New Town. The center is where third-grade students from throughout Duval County participate in the JA’s Our Community program and the JA Eating Healthy on a Budget program which includes a shopping trip to the Jacksonville Farmer’s Market.

Those who would like to donate to help reach the Delores Barr Weaver Fund Challenge Grant goal can visit janfl.org, click on “Get involved” and then donate. Donors can direct their donation to the Weaver Match. Donations can also be received by mail at 4049 Woodcock Drive, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32207.

The Delores Barr Weaver Fund has been a big supporter of JA of North Florida. In addition to this challenge grant, the fund has also given a $90,000 grant to help fund a program manager position. The Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund also awards a grant of $10,000 a year into perpetuity to JA of North Florida.