Partnership with Junior Achievement Encourages Financial Responsibility in Youth
NEW YORK, April 13, 2016 – Money does not grow on trees, but educating children about the value of a dollar can help them blossom. Assurant is helping young people grow their budding knowledge of money management and recently won a Communitas Award for Community Partnership for its relationship with Junior Achievement (JA) of Georgia and role in improving financial literacy among children in the state.
Through its philanthropic organization, Assurant Foundation, Assurant partners with Junior Achievement of Georgia and is the lead sponsor of JA Finance Park® at the JA Discovery Center at Gwinnett County. With Assurant’s corporate and employee support, the center opened in August 2015 and each year will help more than 25,000 Gwinnett County middle school students learn how to make important financial decisions.
“Partnering with Junior Achievement created a great opportunity for Assurant and our employees to provide children with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for managing personal finances,” said Assurant President and CEO Alan B. Colberg. “We believe encouraging healthy financial habits in children will better prepare them for success as adults.”
After completing classroom lessons, students put their financial know-how to the test using a real-life simulation at JA Finance Park presented by Assurant. Through Assurant’s “insurance store” in the center, children learn from Assurant employee volunteers about the concepts of risk management and how to budget for the unexpected.
"We are focused on preparing today's students for the demands of tomorrow. This requires providing learning opportunities that are relevant, authentic and experiential in order to engage students in academics," said Jack Harris, president and Chief Executive Officer of Junior Achievement of Georgia. "We are grateful for Assurant's partnership in providing this innovation solution, which gives all students an opportunity to develop valuable skills that are necessary for successful futures."
The Communitas Awards recognizes the extraordinary work of businesses, organizations and individuals that give of their time and resources to affect positive change in their communities. Evaluated based on the extent and effectiveness of their programs, Communitas Award winners are selected for programs involving volunteerism, philanthropy or ethical, sustainable practices.
The Gwinnett facility is the second JA Discovery Center in Georgia that Assurant has sponsored. In 2013, the company was a founding sponsor, with a multi-year commitment, to the first interactive Junior Achievement Discovery Center in downtown Atlanta.
About Communitas Awards
Communitas Awards is an outgrowth of the pro bono recognition program of the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (www.amcpros.com), a several thousand member group that honors creative achievement and fosters partnerships with charities and community organizations. As part of its mission, AMCP gives grants to community organizations and underwrites a large portion of Communitas expenses.
About Assurant
Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a global provider of risk management solutions, protecting where consumers live and the goods they buy. A Fortune 500 company, Assurant focuses on the housing and lifestyle markets, and is among the market leaders in mobile device protection; vehicle protection; pre-funded funeral insurance; renters insurance; lender-placed homeowners insurance; and mortgage valuation and field services. With approximately $30 billion in assets and $8 billion in annual revenue, Assurant is located in 15 countries, while its Assurant Foundation works to support and improve communities. Learn more at assurant.com or on Twitter @AssurantNews.
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