Rodney Hoyt of Homeland Security presents
JA’s Economics of Natural Disasters.

JA Afterschool™ Plays Part in Katrina Relief: The need to explore program implementation in alternative, non-traditional after-school venues has been magnified by the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. The storm and floods destroyed schools and daycare sites, impacting tens of thousands of students, their schools, educators, and after-school program providers. During the aftermath, Junior Achievement of Greater Baton Rouge and Acadiana collaborated with many after-school programs and local schools to serve the influx of displaced children.

JA Worldwide® released program-enhancement activities that focus on the various economic elements affected by a natural disaster. As JA worked with schools to provide alternative program delivery, this supplement became an important element in helping young people better understand the impact of the hurricane.

"We are very proud and excited about our collaboration with Junior Achievement. Not only do we get an outstanding program for our members, but it also shows the community and our donors that each of us seeks out and values partnerships,” said Pat Van Burkleo, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Baton Rouge.  "Boys & Girls Club and Junior Achievement are stronger organizations because of the partnership we have created."

In partnership with the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, JA of Greater Baton Rouge worked closely with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Baton Rouge, University United Methodist Church After School Program, Northwest High School JROTC, Masters Learning Center, Big Buddy, Young Leaders Academy, BREC, Home School Co-op, Westdale Heights Academic Magnet School, Mayfair Elementary, and Denham Springs Junior High School. Thanks to funding from the Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, JA was able to meet the needs of these organizations as they sought additional programming to keep kids engaged during after-school hours with fun high- energy activities.