Why Volunteer With JA?
Volunteers bring our programs to life, sparking students’ imaginations and helping them envision exciting new career paths. By sharing your professional insights and personal stories, you’ll play a vital role in shaping their futures and empowering the next generation.
We offer volunteers easy-to-follow training, fun and engaging programs, and classrooms full of eager students ready to learn from you. Discover the impact you can make and join us today!
Explore Experiential Learning Center Opportunities
JA BizTown®
Location: 90 Emerson Ln., Bridgeville, PA 15017
Time Commitment: Five and a half hours, including a one-hour training session before the simulation.
Support elementary and middle school students as they take on real-world roles such as CEOs, bank tellers, city leaders, and more in this hands-on, immersive simulation. Your guidance helps students connect classroom lessons to life skills, teamwork, and leadership.
JA Finance Park
Location: 90 Emerson Ln., Bridgeville, PA 15017
Time Commitment: Max five hours, including a one-hour training session before the simulation.
Help middle and high school students navigate the world of budgeting, saving, and smart spending. As a volunteer, you’ll mentor teens as they make real-life financial decisions, from managing a household budget to planning for the future. Your guidance helps them build financial literacy and prepares them to take control of their economic futures.
Additional Volunteer Oppurtnities
JA In The Classroom
Location: Varies
Time Commitment: One day or weekly commitment
Inspire the next generation with your real-world experiences. JA classroom volunteers lead interactive lessons on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness, using their own career journeys and personal insights to make learning meaningful.
JA Events
Location: Varies
Time Commitment: Varies
Help bring JA’s signature events to life! As an event volunteer, you’ll play a key role in creating unforgettable learning moments at experiences like JA’s Empower Her Summit, Stock Market Challenge, and other dynamic programs. Whether you’re guiding students through hands-on activities or helping the event run smoothly behind the scenes, your support helps turn big ideas into real-world impact.
Ready to Make a Difference?
From our
Community
Here’s what volunteers have to say about volunteering with JAWPA
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I love helping students understand a fraction of the responsibilities that adults and businesses have to manage. Very cool!
My favorite part of my JA BizTown® experience was meeting the students and learning along with them to help them through their tasks. I also highly loved walking into the simulation space. I did not know what this facility would be like. It is a very cool place and a great opportunity for students.
JA BizTown® is a great program. Our CEO at Mascaro Construction said it was the best field trip he had ever been on. Our kids were so excited to know they were working for the company that built the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's always a great feeling watching them succeed and sell. I'm looking forward to my next session
This is such an awesome example of teamwork! I loved it. We all made a real difference and I’m very proud to have been a part of this.
JA BizTown® was the best, most fun field trip ever! For one day, I felt like I was an adult.
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FAQs
What is provided to me as a volunteer? >
JA provides you with all the materials necessary for your volunteer experience. To further prepare, please visit the JA Resource Center for Volunteers.
Are there additional types of volunteer opportunities available? >
We have a variety of individual and group volunteer opportunities to choose from, allowing volunteers to find an opportunity that fits their areas of interest and schedule. JA volunteers can lend a hand in any of these ways!
Educational Experiences: Volunteers help facilitate one of JA’s annual educational experiences such as our JA’s Em power Her Summit, JA’s Stock Market Challenge and more.
Office administration: Volunteers can help in our offices for short- or long-term projects.
Invite others to volunteer with you: Network a takeover day of 21 volunteers through your community groups and organizations.
Donations: Volunteer your time creating a Fundraiser. Learn more about donations and fundraising opportunities here.
Who can be a JA volunteer? >
We welcome individuals, groups, organizations, schools, as well as high school and college student volunteers.
What requirements must I meet as a JA volunteer? >
JA In the Classroom volunteer:
- All JA In the Classroom volunteers must have a valid ID prior to arriving at the facility.
JA BizTown® volunteer:
- All JA BizTown® volunteers must have a valid ID prior to arriving at the facility.
- All JA BizTown® volunteers must sign a code of conduct and media release form.
Do you require any qualifications? >
We require no qualifications or background in education and encourage our volunteers to pull from their careers and life experiences when teaching our programs.
What volunteer opportunities are available in my area? >
JAWPA has three offices that serve 56 counties in western PA and northern WV.
To find an opportunity near you contact info@jawesternpa.org
How can I receive additional information? >
Contact info@jawesternpa.org
What happens if I cannot make my scheduled volunteer commitment? >
JA volunteers are asked to notify info@jawesternpa.org