September 15, 2021- The new school year has just begun, and I’m pleased to share this update on JABC’s impact over the past year and our strategic priorities for the coming months.

Sheila Biggers, President & CEO

This past 2020-21 was very challenging. But, thanks in part to the tremendous support from all of you, it was also one of our most successful years. JABC delivered a record-high number of JA programs to B.C. students. Also, we were able to deliver programs in new ways that allowed more students to access our programs, including those in rural, remote and indigenous communities.

Thank you for making this possible!

JABC’s 2020-21 Program Reach

Because of your commitment to youth education, JABC reached almost 38,000 students during the 2020-21 school year.  Even though in-person visits to schools remained suspended, volunteers inspired students throughout B.C. by sharing their knowledge and expertise through virtual platforms. Notably, JABC TechWorks reached 400% more students in 2020-21 than in the previous year – a direct result of virtual deliveries.

Strategic Plan Refresh

We have been working on updating our Strategic Plan Bright Futures for All B.C.’s Youth.

Why now? We were halfway through our 2019-2023 Strategic Plan and realized that, as a result of the pandemic, the way we were doing business had changed. We look forward to sharing the finished document with you very soon but in the meantime, here are our Four Strategic Priorities that will take us to 2025:

  1. Ensure JA programs are relevant and accessible by focusing on bringing programs to B.C. First Nations communities and enhancing the experience for our volunteers so that students, educators and volunteers achieve the best results through a JA program.
  2. Engage and steward our donors by ensuring everyone has an opportunity to experience the impact of their gift.
  3. Measure and share our impact as presented in JABC’s Theory of Change and engage young JABC alumni to share their stories as they begin their career journeys.
  4. Attract, develop and retain top employees who have proven time and again that they are the keys to our success.
If you have any questions on our priorities, I invite you to reach out to me at Sheila.Biggers@jabc.org.

Volunteers: We need you!

As classrooms begin to open up around the province, we are counting on the expertise and generosity of our volunteers province-wide. Many of you paused your work with us due to the pandemic, but 299 of you pivoted to volunteer on virtual platforms- and we are very grateful.

We are following Provincial Health Orders and will be posting updates on how we are delivering programs during the 2021-2022 school year here. We are welcoming volunteers to deliver programs in both a virtual learning environment and in-person when invited to do so. There are many ways to volunteer- we’re flexible.

If you or anyone you know is looking for a unique and rewarding way to give back to your community and mentor the next generation of youth in a virtual learning environment, please get in touch with us!

Learn More here or Contact a member of our Program Team.

Thank you for helping to make the future brighter for all B.C.’s youth.

Sheila