A Central Ontario is looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to support students through JA's signature learning experience, Company Program.

JA Company Program Advisors inspire a new generation to dream big and reach their goals. This unique learning experience that empowers young people in grades 9-12 with the skills, connections and confidence to build something incredible - a business, a community and a bright future.

Company Program is a hands-on entrepreneurial experience for high school students. As a team, students are guided through innovation processes and design thinking. Together with peers and mentors, they produce a prototype, product or service, organize the production and marketing, interact with customers, handle money, and meet deadlines. Company Program combines in-person after-school meetings, online learning and exciting events.

How it works
Working alongside a team of business professionals, advisors act as mentors, role models and facilitators to a group of 10-20 high school students during an 18-week entrepreneurial journey to create, run and liquidate a business.

Over 18 weeks, Advisors support teams of students as they create a company, choose a product or service and run their very own business. You will meet with your team once a week for 2-3 hours, after school, at a specified location.

Program Summary:
In-Person: The program will be running in-person across Central Ontario.
Number of advisors: Each advising team will consist of 1 to 2 lead advisors and 3 or more advisors.
Number of students: With your advising team, you will be supporting a team of 10 to 20 high school students. You will be mentoring the same group of students for the entirety of the program.
One business: The group of students you work with will come up with one business to create and run over 18 weeks.
Curriculum: Resources, training and support for all volunteers are provided by the JA Central Ontario Company Program team.

About JA Central Ontario
Here at JA Central Ontario, we prepare youth for life, for meaningful work and for an opportunity to do good in the world. We help young people go from saying ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ through our immersive, digitally-enabled learning experiences. Students learn practical skills like budgeting, saving and starting a business - but they also learn adaptability, creativity, problem-solving and a host of interpersonal tools too. They also meet industry experts and mentors - adult allies who can help them envision their future. We’re all about skill building – minus sleeping through the boring parts. Because with JA, there are no boring parts.

JA Central Ontario is looking for enthusiastic, dedicated in-school volunteers to empower the next generation through financial literacy, entrepreneurship and work readiness.

Volunteers join a classroom of eager students to facilitate an exciting JA learning experience. Working with students in grades 3-12 (the age range depends on the experience you're teaching), volunteers bring the program content to life and use their real-world experience to help students learn all about these important life skills.

Through our highly interactive learning experiences you will support students in developing the business and life skills they need to build an exciting future. Acting as a resource, facilitator, motivator and role model you will teach a JA learning experience in the classroom. You can volunteer on your own, you and a colleague/friend can sign up together, or we can match you with a partner. We have multiple programs to choose from, depending on your interests and skills.

JA will also provide all necessary training and support to help you you empower the next generation as an in-class volunteer.

The program lasts 6 hours per session, and volunteers can take part multiple times. 

Looking to get involved in your community and make an impact on students? 
Join our Humane Education Volunteer Team! 

If you are passionate about animals, enjoy working with children and want to make a difference in your community, consider joining our Humane Education Team to continue your journey of being an animal advocate!  

Time Commitment 

We ask for a minimum commitment of four presentations each month, which is between eight to twelve hours monthly. Volunteers must have daytime availability and provide four morning or afternoon slots to present during school hours.  

Role Requirements 

• Must provide a clear Criminal and Judicial Matters Check.
• A vehicle in good working order will be required for this role. 
• Access to a personal tech device on a secure Wi-Fi network.
• Be available to commit to four presentations each month.
• Comfortable presenting in front of children.

The Impact 

• Directly impact your local and global community by empowering participants to  discover their empathy for animals and their environment, while inspiring a deep connection to animals. 
• Taking a student-centred approach, have meaningful conversations about animals through discussions, videos, and activities with curriculum connections. 
• Make a direct impact on the lives of animals and children. 

THE BENEFITS TO YOU 

• Gain valuable skills and learn more about animal well-being and our Humane Education programs.
• Gain leadership and public speaking skills in classroom settings
• Engage in heartwarming and impactful experiences as you empower young minds to be animal advocates. 

POSITION REQUIREMENTS  

• Previous teaching, presenting or experience working in a school setting would be an asset.
• Have good working knowledge of PowerPoint, Google Classroom, and other presentation software. 
• Ability to clearly communicate instructions to students.  
• Must provide a clear Criminal and Judicial Matters Check.
• A vehicle in good working order will be required for this role.  
• Must reside within our Animal Centre communities (York, Durham, Barrie, Lennox & Addington, Leeds & Grenville, Midland, Muskoka, Orangeville, Orillia, Renfrew County, Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry, & Sudbury. 
• Must be able to provide daytime availability (during school hours).
• Must be available to deliver 4 presentations a month. 
• Access to a personal tech device on a secure Wi-Fi network. 

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER TEAM TODAY! 

 *Mileage reimbursement is NOT available for this role; therefore, we do our absolute best to schedule presentations within a 25km (about 15.53 mi) radius of your community.