Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida (JA) announced that they have received a $75,000 pledge from the Gulf Winds Cares Foundation. This grant will support full programming at Lincoln Park Elementary School over the next five years. The schoolwide initiative will support Junior Achievement learning experiences within every classroom at the Elementary School, enabling hundreds of young people to participate in JA’s nationally recognized financial literacy and work readiness learning programs.

“The Gulf Winds Cares Foundation is proud to support Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida,” said Kurt Stenerson, the President of the Gulf Winds Cares Foundation. “Gulf Winds believes in the value of financial education. We are excited for the opportunity to bring this proven curriculum to the students at Lincoln Park Elementary School.”

The $75,000 will be spread throughout the next 5 years to adopt Lincoln Park Elementary School with Junior Achievement programming. Dr. Moody, Assistant Principal at Lincoln Park Elementary exclaimed, "A huge appreciation to Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida and Gulf Winds Cares Foundation for their financial support, dedication, and partnership at Lincoln Park Elementary School. It is through their committed involvement and leadership that enables us to grow lifelong learners and future entrepreneurs within our community." 

Ashlee Simpson, of Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida stated, “We are beyond grateful for the support of the Gulf Winds Cares Foundation. The financial adoption of such a deserving school will allow the students of Lincoln Park Elementary to gain tools to change their futures. With Gulf Winds Cares Foundation’s generous donation, we will be able to reach well over 200 students with essential financial literacy, work readiness, and free enterprise education.”

About Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida, Inc.

With the help of trained volunteer role models from the community, Junior Achievement shows young people how money, careers, and business ownership work. Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida serves the school districts of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties. In the 62 years since its formation, Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida has supplied educational services to more than 170,000 students through the dedication of its volunteers and the financial support of the business community. 

About Gulf Winds Cares Foundation

The Gulf Winds Cares Foundation was established in 2020 with the mission to, “create a sustainable funding source for community organizations that provide services for youth, seniors, basic needs and financial education.” The Foundation provides annual donations that can be depended on year-after-year, to help funded partners create sustainable programmatic results. Funding for the foundation comes from Gulf Winds Credit Union, who offers products and services that empowers members to live their best financial life. Learn more at GoGulfWinds.com/Foundation.