Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina has received a grant of $15,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation. The grant funds will allow Junior Achievement to bring financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce readiness programs to more than 500 students in eastern North Carolina. Trained corporate and community volunteers will bring the lessons to life by sharing their personal and professional experiences in 20 classrooms. Each class will receive five to seven classroom lessons.

In addition to classroom programs, the Duke Energy grant will provide job shadow opportunities for high school students in the area. This site-based program prepares students to be entrepreneurial thinkers and encourages them to develop personal strategies to pursue lifelong learning and career opportunities.

“An investment in our children is an investment in the future of our state,” said Mike Hughes, Duke Energy’s vice president of community relations for North Carolina. “Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina provides real-world learning to many students throughout the region. Duke Energy is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the region we serve, and we’re proud to partner with Junior Achievement to build a stronger workforce of tomorrow.”

“We are thrilled to have the continued support of Duke Energy Foundation as we strive to provide financial literacy programs to more students throughout eastern North Carolina” said Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina President Bebee Bason Lee.