JA Workforce with State Farm

Author: Elizabeth Stepanek
Work Readiness
Published: Monday, 14 Jul 2025

Sharing

Image caption: Student in JA Workforce Coaching Program

Starting a career can be daunting, especially when faced with crucial decisions and additional challenges such as growing up in foster care, single parenting, or other significant life hurdles. In these situations, support becomes even more critical.

Recognizing this need, Junior Achievement, with the generous support of State Farm® and dedicated volunteers, has created the JA Workforce Coaching program for Opportunity Youth. This initiative provides essential assistance to young people across the country, helping them overcome barriers and find fulfilling careers.

“Our volunteer coaches undergo a self-paced curriculum that guides them on how to support participants in the coaching program, ensuring that everyone can be a coach.” Dr. Mitzy Velazco, Director of Coaching for Junior Achievement USA.

The program includes comprehensive self-paced volunteer coaching training and a uniquely designed 12-week interaction between young adults and volunteers. Participants engage in research-based activities, both in-person and virtual, to define their goals and navigate their pathways. They make confident decisions about their next steps, whether pursuing further education, entering the workforce, or exploring military service. The JA Workforce Coaching program empowers Opportunity Youth to build essential career-related skills, helping them navigate their future while reflecting on what truly matters to them.

The JA Workforce Coaching program offers an excellent opportunity for students to partner with volunteers from the local community, often working for JA's corporate partners. These volunteers guide participants through exploring their fit and interests, providing a deeper understanding of career choices and their financial aspects. Participants develop an online presence and enhance their career readiness skills, supporting their professional transitions. Throughout the program, young adults cultivate transferable skills, create job-hunting portfolios, outline personal career goals, and develop actionable plans. They also work on developing a SmartResume and earn credentials that showcase their acquired skills and knowledge.

The program’s credentials and badges serve as tangible evidence of achievements, enhancing appeal to future employers and educational institutions. They provide much-needed recognition for those who don’t often receive it. Additionally, the program offers various career-connected experiences, including informational interviews, job shadowing, diverse work experiences (full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary positions, gig work, and paid internships), pre-apprenticeships, and registered apprenticeships. These structured training pathways foster growth and empower young individuals as they navigate their career journeys.

Junior Achievement of Western New York, under the leadership of President John Crawford, demonstrates the power of community commitment. The Workforce Coaching program has provided invaluable insights into local needs and infrastructure gaps. Through collaboration with other youth-serving local organizations, John and his team foster an ecosystem that promotes flexible approaches and partnerships, uplifting local opportunity youth and connecting them with employers. Together, they make a profound impact on the lives of Opportunity Youth, transforming individual futures and the entire community.

As Junior Achievement wraps up the pilot, we are thankful for State Farm’s support as it has allowed for refining and expanding the program, created the potential for more opportunities for collaboration with local partners and communities, and ensured JA areas can work with even more partners that support Opportunity Youth.