Steve Serchuk helps kids learn the necessary skills to succeed in their future careers by working with Junior Achievement of Northwest Ohio, an organization that fosters entrepreneurship and financial literacy with in-school programs. As a JA instructor, the Toledo native has been involved in this work for more than 20 years now, teaching 10 and 11-year-olds practical ways to work toward their goals.
Junior Achievement brings together local businesses and area schools to teach the economics of life through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career readiness education programs to 25,000 Northwestern Ohio students annually.
Lessons from experience
“There are over 1,000 volunteers like me in Northwest Ohio,” Serchuk said. “We are given a specific curriculum to cover, but we are expected to enhance that with our real-business experience.”
Serchuk works at Signature Associates real estate firm as a long-time commercial realtor and volunteers for many nonprofits. Through his work as a Junior Achievement instructor, he uses his experience to teach young people how to do well in their future life endeavors.
Serchuk has taught in conjunction with JA in the Toledo, Maumee, Sylvania and Washington local school systems. The program for fifth grade involves one hour per week of instruction for a five-week session, and he volunteers for up to three schools every year. Steve says, “It is very gratifying to know I am helping to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs who will grow Toledo and make our community prosperous.”
Those interested in volunteering to be an instructor should contact Junior Achievement Northwest Ohio President Jim Pollick: 419-865-5511; jim.pollick@ja.org
