All posts tagged: income

JA Welcomes Universal Insurance Holdings to Finance Park

New storefront in JA Finance Park teaches students about insurance careers and financial literacy

For Immediate Release

For More Information Contact:

Christopher Miller, Marketing Manager
Junior Achievement of South Florida
(954) 979-7110
[email protected]

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT WELCOMES UNIVERSAL INSURANCE HOLDINGS TO PATTEN FAMILY FOUNDATION JA FINANCE PARK

Junior Achievement of South Florida is proud to announce a partnership with Universal Insurance Holdings (UVE), which has a new University Property & Casualty Insurance storefront at the Patten Family Foundation JA Finance Park.

“Universal recognizes that Junior Achievement is at the forefront of guiding the next generation with their financial literacy, particularly in disadvantaged communities that benefit from the programs. As a financial services institution, we value partnering with key community organizations that align with our company mission and provide financial literacy curriculum to our youth,” said Stephen J. Donaghy, Chief Executive Officer.

Each year, more than 20,000 eighth grade students from Broward and south Palm Beach counties participate in JA Finance Park, where they learn how career pathways and financial decisions impact their lives.  Students explore various educational pathways that can lead to rewarding careers and practice managing personal finances such as expenses related to family health care, real estate and home improvements, automobiles, insurance, entertainment, education, and purchasing items such as clothing, furniture, and groceries.

The program consists of both career exploration and financial literacy curriculum that teaches them about finances, careers, income, expenses, savings, and credit, while helping students recognize that their education decisions affect their career options and have an impact on their potential income and quality of life. With the guidance of experienced volunteers, paired interactive in-school curriculum and live simulation experience at JA World, students connect the dots between what they learn in school, and the real world.

“Our hope is that the Universal storefront will provide immersive learning that gives students exposure and a deeper understanding of the insurance industry. From owning home insurance to pursuing great career opportunities within the industry and everything in between,” Mr. Donaghy said.

“One of JA’s core values is to ‘Deliver the WOW’. We can’t wait to see what fun, informative and interactive features will be available in Universal’s storefront for students, teachers, and volunteers. Thank you UVE for supporting our mission of empowering our youth with the knowledge, ability and confidence to navigate their futures, drive our economy and lead our community,” said Laurie Sallarulo, President & CEO.

UVE joins 15 other storefronts sponsors in JA Finance Park that help equip youth with knowledge to budget, save and invest. Learn more about the JA Finance Park program at www.jasouthflorida.org/ja-finance-park.

A special ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, home of JA BizTown and JA Finance Park, on Wednesday, October 20. More details will be available soon.

About Junior Achievement of South Florida

Junior Achievement of South Florida (JA) inspires and prepares youth to succeed in a global economy. JA provides real-world training in financial literacy including budgeting, spending, investing and the use of credit; offers cutting-edge skill-building opportunities that enable young people to explore meaningful, productive careers; teaches students how to start businesses; and introduces entrepreneurial values that strengthen workplaces. Last year, with the help of over 7,100 trained corporate and community volunteers, JA delivered over 20 various programs to almost 50,000 students in classrooms throughout Broward and south Palm Beach counties and at JA World Huizenga Center at the Lillian S. Wells Pavilion, a first-class facility housing JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. For more information about Junior Achievement of South Florida, visit www.JASouthFlorida.org. Follow JA on social media @jasouthflorida.

About Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Universal Insurance Holdings (UVE) is a holding company offering property and casualty insurance and value-added insurance services. We develop, market, and write insurance products for consumers predominantly in the personal residential homeowners lines of business and perform substantially all other insurance-related services for our primary insurance entities, including risk management, claims management and distribution. We sell insurance products through both our appointed independent agents and through our direct online distribution channels in the United States across 19 states (primarily Florida). Learn more at UniversalInsuranceHoldings.com.

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JA Welcomes Universal Insurance Holdings to Finance Park
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Why JA? And Why Now?

Why JA? And Why Now?
A Response to the Uncertainty and Inequity Facing Gen Z

By Junior Achievement USA

Growing Up in a Time of Uncertainty

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis has impacted everyone. But it has been particularly challenging for women, African-Americans and Hispanics, those lacking education beyond high school, and, most notably, the young. Generation Z, including the class of 2020, has been dubbed the” Pandemic Generation,” and the “Lockdown Generation.” This is due to the sudden and dramatic decline of economic opportunity for those graduating high school and college amidst a historic pandemic. There are already concerns that if something isn’t done to bolster its prospects soon, Generation Z is at risk of becoming a “lost generation,” illprepared to achieve its potential in a world that is already challenging to navigate for the young.

Confronting Inequity

At the same time, economic inequity has been a reality in the U.S. throughout its history, but it continues to this day. For instance, research by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows the U.S. has the highest income inequality among G7 nations. Despite a narrowing of income and wealth gaps in recent decades, there continue to be vast disparities, especially between white and black households. For example, in 1970, there was a 78 percent gap in income between white and black households. And even though that gap marginally improved over time, it was still 64 percent as of 2018. A 2020 study by the Brookings Institution also shows that the median net worth of white families in America is ten times greater than that of black families. Other research shows that the overall wealth gap more than doubled between America’s richest and poorest families between 1989 and 2016.

At this moment, this generation’s perceptions of our country and what it stands for are being shaped in ways that will define their entire lives. The question is, will those perceptions be of hope, opportunity, and unlimited possibilities? Or will they be something else entirely. To ensure the former, this means addressing the uncertainty and inequity in our country. Undoubtedly, there are substantial systemic changes that need to happen that are beyond the mission of an organization like Junior Achievement. These changes need to occur on the legislative, legal, and policymaking fronts, and they appear to be taking place. The hope is these changes will once and for all eliminate structural barriers to progress for everyone aspiring to reach their potential in this country.

Why JA? And Why Now?
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