Dear JABC Community,
Welcome to 2022 – a time for new goals, fresh starts and re-connecting.
While it has not started as many of us had hoped, I continue to be reassured by how our communities support each other and focus on gratitude. Personally, I am thankful to you and every member of this community for working together with us to continue to support B.C.’s youth.
Today, we are faced with a new breed of the COVID-19 virus that has changed our collective approach to the pandemic. I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that JABC is committed to doing its part to keep members of our communities safe and healthy while continuing to deliver important programs to B.C. youth. Just as we have been continuously adapting to the ever-changing environment for the past two years, we will continue to do so.
Effective immediately, in-classroom volunteering is temporarily suspended. However, we still offer our programs in a variety of other formats for students to access them. Volunteers are still needed, and I invite you to get in touch with us to join a class virtually.
Our community engagement activities, such as the JABC Leadership Breakfast, scheduled for later this month, have been postponed until it is deemed safe to gather again in large groups. As of now, we are continuing to plan for an in-person celebration of the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame Laureate inductees on June 7, 2022.
JABC will update and communicate changes to our programs and community engagement activities in accordance with the most current Provincial Health Orders. You can also find these updates on our website here.
The JABC team looks forward to serving B.C. students in 2022 and is committed to a diverse, inclusive, equitable and accessible environment for all. Central to our mission is not only building core skill sets in young people, but ensuring access and availability to all students, in all communities – urban, rural, Indigenous and beyond.
In closing, I would like to express our deep gratitude to B.C. Educators who continue to support our youth during this uncertain and stressful time. I would also like to express our gratitude to the community of mentors and donors who make it possible to deliver financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs to B.C. youth free of charge. Together, we are providing skills that will allow today’s youth to thrive in an unpredictable future.
With Appreciation,
Sheila Biggers
President & CEO, JA British Columbia