Eastern Shore, MD – Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore (JAES) will officially open its new facility to over 10,000 students annually on Oct. 26 with the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center.
The 25,000 sq. ft. facility is located in the Oak Ridge Commons in Salisbury at the site of the former Kmart. The $7.5 million center will house students from eight counties, including Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset and Accomack (VA).
“The Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center will change education throughout the eastern shore,” said Jayme Hayes, President of JAES. “We are so thankful to our donors, community partners, board members, educators, students and more for helping us make this dream a reality.
The Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center will be the first of its kind on Maryland’s eastern shore, offering JA capstone programs such as JA BizTown and JA Finance Park. Both will allow students to interact with local businesses to discover how these organizations benefit them as consumers but also show the opportunities that await in their own backyard.
Partnering businesses include TidalHealth, Pohanka of Salisbury, Green Street Housing, Chick-fil-A, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Delmarva Power, Choptank Electric, Delaware Elevator, Coastal Association of Realtors and several more.
The center will house students from the public, private and home-school sector, primarily hosting Grades 5-7, while providing several opportunities for students in other grade levels to attend. Junior Achievement will continue with its in-classroom programming and annual events like JA Inspire and the JA Stock Market Challenge to ensure every student in JA’s impact area continues to receive programming.
Primary objectives of the Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center include increasing graduation rates, providing a better understanding of money management, provide economic growth, showcase local career opportunities and increase students’ soft skills.
“Every student in the region will come through this facility,” said Hayes. “We’re revolutionizing how our students learn the skills needed to succeed outside the classroom. The Perdue Henson JA Center will create an impact our local economy will feel for years to come.”
To learn more about the Perdue Henson JA Center, please visit inspiredbyexperiencejaes.org.
The Perdue Henson Junior Achievement Center ribbon cutting will take place on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. Members of the public are invited to attend, and tours of the center will be provided after a brief opening ceremony.
About Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore
Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating youth, grades K-12 both public and private, on financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Our hands-on, age-appropriate programs inspire youth to live within their means, prepare for the world of work and understand the free enterprise system. We are an enhancement to what kids learn in school and a direct link to real-life applications, making school relevant and increasing students’ engagement in the classroom.
