A Continually Evolving Organization

It’s been more than a century since Junior Achievement was founded in 1919 by Theodore Vail, president of American Telephone & Telegraph, Horace Moses, president of Strathmore Paper Co. and Senator Murray Crane of Massachusetts. Since then, the organization has continued to evolve, both in terms of its curriculum and the type and number of students served.

Currently, the over 100 local JA Areas reach more than 4.4 million students per year, and locally, the number of students annually participating in Junior Achievement of Eastern Ohio (JAEO) is approximately 14,000.

An Expanding Footprint and Curriculum

Having been with JAEO for more than 27 years and in the role of president for the past 17 years, Michele Merkel has had a birds-eye view into its expansion. When it was founded in 1952, it was called Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley. As its service area grew, the name was changed “to better reflect the broader geographic region we serve: Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties,” explains Michele. “Adopting a name that encompassed the full extent of our impact helped clarify our mission to partners, schools and supporters across the region, ensuring that all communities we serve felt included under the JAEO umbrella.”

While JAEO has long provided financial literacy education to students of all grade levels, the passage of Ohio Senate Bill 1 (SB1) led to launch the of JA Financial Literacy for Ohio program to help schools meet the new state mandate.

“While financial literacy has always been a priority,” says Michele, “the program has been expanded and adapted to align with state standards, ensuring students receive the required instruction in a structured and impactful way.”

This included updated lesson plans, new digital tools and increased collaboration with educators, while maintaining JA’s interactive, real-world approach. JAEO also offers a scholarship opportunity through the JA Financial Literacy for Ohio program, rewarding students who demonstrate a strong understanding of financial literacy concepts and a commitment to their financial futures.

“Additionally, we introduced the JA Stock Market Challenge as a hands-on way for students to apply their knowledge of investing and financial markets, enhancing their overall understanding of financial literacy,” Michele adds.

Other programs include JA Design Thinking, Creative Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Ohio—a modular learning experience for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators—and the Drone Pilot Program, the latter in partnership with the Educational Service Center of Trumbull County.

“These offerings are designed to meet the evolving needs of students, emphasizing problem-solving, critical thinking, and real-world application along with entrepreneurship principles,” she explains.

The response from both parents and students has been overwhelmingly positive, while teachers have noted increased engagement as students find the interactive and experiential learning methods both relevant and beneficial.

Another major change involves including traditional and non-traditional adult learners in the JA Biztown/Finance Park. JA Biztown, which has an anticipated opening date of Spring 2026 on the Eastwood Mall’s second floor, will allow young people to engage in real-world financial literacy and career readiness experiences. Through hands-on simulations, students will learn essential skills like budgeting, saving and making informed financial decisions—preparing them for success in the workforce and beyond.

“By providing this opportunity, we’re helping to create a stronger, more financially secure community, empowering adults with the same critical skills we instill in students,” says Michele.

A Trusted Partnership

While JAEO has a trust account to help fund these programs, the money must be managed efficiently and effectively to continue to grow and meet organization needs. This is where Deborah L. Grinstein, Esq., Community Development Officer and Dale Standley, Trust Investment Officer, both with Farmers Trust Company, come into the picture.

“One of the services that we provide is investment management of funds for our nonprofit institutional clients such as churches, cemeteries and hospitals,” says Grinstein. “For JAEO, Dale is the portfolio manager and I’m the administrative manager.”

The JAEO-Farmers relationship goes back to 2020, and since then, says Grinstein, “Michele and I meet regularly to discuss how Farmers Trust Company can help JAEO achieve its goal of raising funds as well as provide any other financial information the organization needs. JAEO has an innovative, intelligent staff who understands the importance of having investment management for their reserve non-operating funds. Farmers Trust is proud to be their partner, not just for preserving their wealth but also growing it for future financial sustainability.”

Beyond her role as administrative officer for the JAEO trust, Grinstein also volunteers for the organization, from teaching financial education to kindergartners and ninth graders to assisting with the JA Titan games. This personal commitment to the organization is something that she shares with Juan Santiago, Farmers National Bank, Vice President, Community Development Officer.

Santiago has been a volunteer at JAEO for about 15 years, in part, he explains, because his parents “were very instrumental in teaching me the basics about finance. So, I feel a responsibility rather than an obligation to pass it on to not only my children, but wherever I can; to take my experiences, my knowledge, and hopefully wisdom and impart that to the next generation so they can be successful and good money managers, and not be encumbered by debt allowing them to better enjoy their lives.”

When asked why Farmers National Bank is so supportive of the organization, Santiago says, “. Partnering with organizations like JAEO is at the heart of what it means to be a community bank. Our mission is to create positive and lasting impacts across our footprint. When we have a part in educating the community and our clients, and they succeed, they’ll continue to look to us as their trusted partners and advisors.”

The Future of JA of Eastern Ohio

“Over the next five years, our primary focus is on expanding our reach and deepening our impact across Eastern Ohio,” says Michele. “As part of our strategic growth, we align with Junior Achievement USA’s initiative to extend financial literacy and career readiness beyond K-12 students to the 18 to 25-year-old market through programs emphasizing Future Ready Youth and Future Ready Ecosystems.”

Her four-point objectives include increasing student engagement, enhancing partnerships, expanding adult learning opportunities and securing sustainable funding.

It’s an ambitious undertaking that includes managing program growth while maintaining quality as well as addressing funding gaps and achieving financial sustainability. Participating in fundraising events and hands-on volunteering are among the ways the community can help support JAEO, says Michele.

“Businesses and organizations can partner with us to sponsor programs, provide resources or offer internships for students. Donations, whether monetary or in-kind, also help us continue our work and expand our reach. By supporting JAEO, individuals and organizations play a crucial role in shaping the future of our youth and helping them build a strong foundation for success,” says Michele, adding, “Our overarching goal is to ensure that every young person in our region is equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in their personal and professional lives.”