OneMain Financial's $100,000 Grant Launches STEM Exploration and Technology Initiative between Junior Achievement and Baltimore County Public Schools

OWINGS MILLS, Md.– Thanks to a new partnership between Junior Achievement of Central Maryland (JA), Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) and OneMain Financial, thousands of students can start to understand the skills and education needed for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and also hone the personal finance skills to be responsible adults.

“Financial literacy is an important part of making sure that Baltimore County’s students are well prepared for a global and competitive marketplace,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Dallas Dance. “Thanks to Junior Achievement and OneMain Financial, more of our students will benefit from additional elementary programs and middle and high school enrichment. These Team BCPS partners recognize and are willing to help support the vital role that schools play in ensuring a talented, capable, and creative future work force for Baltimore County.”

OneMain Financial has given a $100,000 to integrate JA’s work readiness skills and career exploration programs at the upper elementary and middle school levels. This infusion will show students how STEM-related skills relate to a variety of job fields and specific careers. Additionally, the grant supports two hands-on personal finance simulations that provide an opportunity to engage the community and parents in student success and learning.

TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT
The grant also includes a $25,000 direct donation to BCPS to support its Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.) initiative, which aims to ensure that every school has an equitable, effective digital learning environment. Through S.T.A.T., BCPS will expand digital curriculum and access to technology to all students. OneMain’s contribution is among the largest gifts to date toward this effort.

“Junior Achievement provides students with tools to enhance their career readiness and to guide wise money management decisions, now and in the future,” said Mary McDowell, president and CEO of OneMain Financial. “With this grant, OneMain Financial is proud to help Junior Achievement reach thousands of additional students attending Baltimore County Public Schools and support the district technology plan initiated by Superintendent Dance. All of this work is important to our customers and our communities, and we are excited to be part of it.”

“OneMain Financial has been a tremendous partner to JA. The organization is represented on our board, and also provides funding and volunteer support,” said Jennifer Bodensiek, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Central Maryland. “This leadership level gift will allow significant expansion of our programs in Baltimore County. The career exploration, STEM awareness and personal finance focus of the curriculum will prepare the next generation of students for future success and, in turn, help enhance the competitiveness of Maryland’s economy.”

ELEMENTARY PROGRAMMING
Through the grant, JA Our Nation™ will expand to 24 BCPS elementary schools this school year. Through hands-on activities, 2,400 fifth graders will receive practical information about business’ need for workers who can meet the demands of the job market, including STEM related fields. While exploring these opportunities, they also will evaluate salary and education levels required for respective careers.

Community volunteers, parents, and educators will deliver the lessons. Additionally, each student will receive an interactive disk to use in the classroom or as an interactive, take-home tool. The activities included on the disk reinforce scientific, technological engineering and mathematical concepts and careers, and how they relate to various fields.

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL ENRICHMENT
OneMain Financial also will be the presenting sponsor for the JA Personal Finance Experience free family events taking place two Saturdays this school year for BCPS middle/high school student and their parents.

Through hands-on activities, students will be exposed to STEM career options and salaries, learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using credit, evaluate the risks and benefits of saving and investing, understand taxes, determine net monthly income and manage a budget. This experience helps students build a foundation for making intelligent, lifelong, personal financial decisions.

The first JA Personal Finance Experience will take place Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the CCBC Essex Campus College Community Center - Upper Lobby (7201 Rossville Blvd., Baltimore, Md. 21237). For more information, visit www.jamaryland.org or contact Chris Bugher at cbugher@jamaryland.org or 410-753-3295.

ABOUT ONEMAIN FINANCIAL
OneMain Financial is based in Baltimore and provides personal loans and one-on-one, local service from more than 1,100 branches nationwide. Since 1912, OneMain Financial has worked with customers to find the loan solutions that best fit their needs and budget. The company and its employees are proud to support the communities where they live and work. Additional information may be found at OneMainFinancial.com.

ABOUT BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Baltimore County Public Schools, home to 2014 National Teacher of the Year Sean McComb, serves 110,000 students as the nation’s 25th largest school system. Dedicated to producing globally competitive graduates, BCPS is expanding world languages instruction to elementary grades and integrating technology into curriculum and instruction through S.T.A.T. – Students and Teachers Accessing Tomorrow. For more information, visit www.bcps.org.

ABOUT JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT
Junior Achievement of Central Maryland is dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JACMD provides in-school and after-school programs for 42,000 K-12 students which focus on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. For more information, visit www.jamaryland.org.