JA Canada and Zurich Canada – Collaboration Launch

Zurich Canada and JA Canada are empowering the next generation to succeed. Zurich Canada employees are delivering several JA Canada finance and entrepreneurship programs to ensure youth thrive in a changing world – an initiative funded by the Z Zurich Foundation.

JA Quebec and Zurich Canada are helping students build resilience and take control of their finances and career paths. Through a new five-year collaboration, volunteers from Zurich Canada are inspiring students in grades seven to 12 by delivering JA programs focused on money management, work-readiness and entrepreneurship.

“As the nation’s largest youth business education charity, JA Canada is committed to inspiring students and preparing them to succeed in a global economy,” says Karen Gallant, Vice President, Programs and Charter Services at JA Canada. “We’re excited to work with Zurich Canada’s employees to deliver our programs and share their real-world experiences with students – leaving a lasting impact on youth across the country. We’re grateful to the Z Zurich Foundation for supporting our students and empowering the next generation.”

Zurich Canada CEO Saad Mered called Zurich’s commitment to Junior Achievement
a win-win.

“Organizations like JA rely on charitable donations from companies like Zurich to continue their important work. But more than that, we are supporting the desire of our community-minded employees to help educate youth about the crucially important topic of financial acumen,” he said. “Also, both the Company Program and the job-skills mentoring program will introduce hundreds of young people, and their families, to potentially life-changing opportunities in business, maybe even in insurance.”

The collaboration will include nationwide delivery of JA Canada’s Economics for Success program, focusing on preparing students for the worlds of work and personal finance. As a result of this program, students will gain a better understanding of life after high school, as well as developing strategies that help support independent living.

Zurich employees will volunteer their time and expertise to deliver this program twice a year, online or in the classroom. Volunteers will work with several JA charters to deliver these programs, including JA British Columbia, JA Quebec, JA Southern Alberta, JA Northern Alberta and JA Central Ontario.