TUCSON, AZ / AGILITYPR.NEWS / July 15, 2025 / For the second consecutive year, Junior Achievement of Arizona (JA), Pima County JTED, and Tucson Federal Credit Union (TFCU) have teamed up to deliver hands-on career and financial literacy education to local teens through JTED’s Summer Internship Program.

Held throughout June and early July at JTED @ The Bridges campus, this dynamic program offers 11th and 12th grade students on-site internships arranged by JTED and in-classroom instruction led by community volunteers. The result is a robust “learn-and-do” experience that prepares students for life beyond high school and fills an often slow summer season with real opportunity.

This year, an astounding 100 high school students, most from under-resourced neighborhoods, participated in the program, underscoring its reach and growing impact.

Among the volunteers was TFCU’s Robyn Austin, named JA’s 2025 Volunteer of the Year out of more than 800 volunteers. Robyn returned for her fourth year of service to lend her expertise in two impactful JA programs:

* It’s My Job (Soft Skills): Focused on professionalism, communication, team-building, and workplace technology etiquette.

* Personal Finance: Spanned five weekly sessions (2–3 lessons per week), covering budgeting, credit, debt, and real-world financial decision-making.

Robyn's service is self-initiated, unpaid, and deeply impactful. She teaches across elementary, middle, and high school levels and recruited new volunteers, including fellow TFCU team member Katie McKeever.

“Financial literacy is foundational to building strong communities, and Robyn’s work in this area has been transformational for so many young people in Pima County,” said Matthew Gaspari, CEO of Tucson Federal Credit Union. “She is empowering them with the knowledge and confidence necessary to make sound financial decisions and we are so proud of Robyn and her impact on this community.”

“We’re so proud of Robyn and her unwavering enthusiasm for teaching financial literacy to Tucson’s youth,” added Paloma Santiago, JA Southern Arizona District Director.

“At JTED, we believe that every student deserves access to real-world experiences that prepare them for both career and life,” said Kathy Prather, CEO/Superintendent of Pima JTED. “This partnership reflects the best of what happens when educators, industry leaders, and nonprofits come together to empower young people with purpose, skills, and confidence. Our students are not just learning—they’re becoming future-ready.”

A Holistic Collaboration

JTED provides a structured internship framework and connects students with industry mentors.

Junior Achievement brings proven programs in soft skills, finance, and entrepreneurship.

TFCU supplies passionate, self-motivated volunteers who mentor and inspire.

This model reflects Pima JTED’s ongoing commitment to partnering with local businesses and educational organizations to enrich student experiences. Opportunities include guest speaking, classroom instruction, internships, and job shadowing, ensuring that what students learn aligns with the evolving needs of the workforce.

JA’s K–12 programming prepares students across Arizona for success by focusing on three essential areas: financial literacy, workplace readiness, and entrepreneurial thinking.

TFCU has outbound and inbound experts who help members and members in the community learn about and manage their finances through personal finance advisors, programming, and apps like their Zogo app.

About Pima JTED

Pima JTED is a public Career and Technical Education District which works with business and industry and 14 member public school districts to provide premier CTE programs to approximately 22,000 sophomore, junior, and senior level high school students each year. Their award‑winning programs are proven to increase student success, significantly contribute to our local economy, and afford students the chance to jump‑start their careers and do what they love in high school.

About Junior Achievement of Arizona

Junior Achievement of Arizona (JA) is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that equips Arizona students to succeed in work and life by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to manage their money, plan for their future, and make smart academic, career and economic choices. Since 1957, JA has taught kids, kindergarten through high school, about financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. The organization’s hands-on, age-appropriate programs are delivered by more than 7,500 corporate and community volunteers. Despite

educational obstacles during the pandemic, JA reached approximately 190,000 students in the 2023-2024 school year. Follow @JAArizona on social media or visit jaaz.org/resources for more free online educational tools.