The Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (GCAAR), the local REALTOR® association serving Montgomery County, Md. and Washington, D.C., and Junior Achievement of Greater Washington have launched a three-year strategic partnership designed to support financial literacy education to approximately 12,000 Montgomery County seventh graders.

Through this partnership, GCAAR will support Junior Achievement’s Finance Park® program, an innovation in experiential education designed to prepare middle school students for life and work in the real world. From goal setting to saving, budgeting, shopping and bill paying, students experience what it takes to successfully navigate today’s complex economy. In addition to financial support, some of GCAAR’s REALTOR® members will also be trained to serve as volunteer youth mentors.

Founded nationally in 1919 and locally in 1965, Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship, reaching more than 12 million students across the globe.

“We are excited and grateful to be a strategic charitable partner of GCAAR,” said Ed Grenier, CEO of JA of Greater Washington. “Their investment in JA will advance our shared vision to create a Greater Washington where every young person has the skillset and the mindset to build thriving communities. We look forward to working hand in hand with GCAAR across the next three years to inspire and prepare students across our region to succeed in our rapidly changing global economy.”

“The ability to set financial goals and understanding how to manage money and credit are skills everyone needs,” said 2024 GCAAR President Christopher Suranna. “Junior Achievement’s Finance Park® prepares students for success by teaching them these skills early in life. GCAAR is proud to partner with Junior Achievement so they can continue delivering this important program to Montgomery County students.”