Also earns 4 Star status from Junior Achievement USA®

The Board of Directors of Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina is pleased to announce that the organization has been named by Junior Achievement USA® as one of 17 Area offices nationwide that have earned a 2014-2015 Peak Performance Team Award for superior performance. In addition, it has also won a 4 Star Award for meeting JA USA’s operational standards for compliance, student impact, operational efficiency, financial stability and sustainability.

JAENC is a nonprofit organization that works in 18 Eastern North Carolina counties to facilitate partnerships between schools, sponsors and volunteers to inspire and prepare students in grades K-12 to succeed in a global economy by teaching them financial literacy, workforce development and entrepreneurship.

The JA USA Peak Performance Team Award recognizes superior annual performance by a JA Area staff in achieving growth in students reached or contact hours delivered, while still sustaining financial and operational soundness. During the 2014-2015 school year, JAENC and its corporate and community volunteers provided curriculum in 390 classrooms and impacted over 9,927 students, delivering relevant, hands-on experiences that gave students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. JAENC worked with 585 volunteers last year.

The JA USA Star Award recognizes staff and boards in JA Areas that meet JA USA’s operational standards for compliance, student impact, operational efficiency, financial stability and sustainability. Honorees receiving a 4 Star Award must grow in student count or contact hours over the previous year; end the year with a surplus; and meet at least two of the three financial measures.

JA USA announced the winners in January, and the awards will be presented at the JA National Volunteer Summit, to be held March 8-9 in New York City. JAENC joins Junior Achievement of Central North Carolina (based in Greensboro) as honorees at this event.

“In just a few short years, we’ve achieved tremendous success and re-energized the organization,” said Bebee Bason Lee, president of JAENC. “I would like to thank our staff, board, volunteers and donors for all their hard work. These two awards definitely reflect their dedication to the mission of Junior Achievement and the implementation of our programs throughout Eastern North Carolina.”

“We are truly honored to be recognized among the best JA Area offices in the United States,” said Clayton Dorn, western division manager, UPS, and board chair of JAENC. “To receive the Peak Performance Team Award and earn the 4 Star rating is a testament to our dedicated board and staff.”

For more information about Junior Achievement of Eastern North Carolina, visit www.jaoenc.org or call 919-821-2100