Richland, Wash.,
07
July
2021
|
08:00 AM
America/Los_Angeles

Bechtel Sponsors Junior Achievement with a $20,000 Grant

Leadership Speaks at May Lunch With Leaders Program

The Bechtel Group Foundation announced today it has donated $20,000 to the Junior Achievement of Washington, Southeastern Washington Chapter (JA). This most recent gift enables Junior Achievement to deliver their free, virtual programs to educators and students to help sustain learning during the pandemic.

“Bechtel’s generous support has allowed thousands of young people throughout the Tri-Cities area to receive JA’s essential work readiness and financial literacy programs,” said Tamra Meyer, Director of Central Washington & Southeastern Washington. “This vital partnership ensures local students gain the skills and knowledge they need to plan their future and define success on their own terms. This know-how is proving to be of the utmost importance during the pandemic as we need to show students that they can still build a strong future, despite unexpected downturns.”

Bechtel leadership also participated as speakers for JA’s new free program Lunch With Leaders, where business leaders across the state met with students virtually, discussed their career journey, and answered student questions. Deputy Project Director Felice Presti and WTP Controller Manager Cynethia Sims each discussed details about why they chose their career, their typical day, what motivates them, and much more.

“It was a great pleasure to connect with the students,” Presti said. “This opportunity allowed me to share skills and knowledge that the students can use in the future. By providing work readiness programs and resources, Junior Achievement is empowering our local students with the skills to work towards a brighter future.”

Junior Achievement is one of four nonprofits in Bechtel’s global stewardship program, which supports STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and humanitarian engineering efforts with Foundation gifts and company volunteers. Since 2011, Bechtel has donated a total of $235,000 to Junior Achievement of Washington, Southeastern Washington Chapter, and has contributed US$4.5 million to Junior Achievement globally.

Contact: Staci A. West, 509-378-0308 or sawest@bechtel.com

About Bechtel National, Inc.:

Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world's infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place. Bechtel serves the Infrastructure; Nuclear, Security & Environmental; Oil, Gas & Chemicals; and Mining & Metals markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com

About Junior Achievement of Washington:

We don’t let children drive without first getting a license. Yet that’s what we’re doing every day with millions of children who don’t know the first thing about thriving in the working world. For 67 years, Junior Achievement of Washington has been dedicated to creating generations of smart, responsible, and knowledgeable financial drivers who understand the rules of the road. We’re dedicated to empowering young people to own their success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. We do this because we believe that knowledge is fuel for a better society, a stronger economy, and a more level playing field for all children. At Junior Achievement, we help children learn the fundamentals of the working world, money, and business, so they can drive their own future.

Driven by the passionate power of its volunteers, JA programs are taught by educators and community and business mentors – individuals committed to the success and healthy development of over 70,000 young people annually in Washington state and Northern Idaho. JA is transforming the student experience by bringing relevance, authenticity, and hands-on application into everyday learning to energize students and enhance their education. For more information, visit jawashington.org.