Telus raises $250,000 for Junior Achievement of Canada to support young Torontonians
Telus and Junior Achievement of Canada today announced $250,000 has been raised to help support young Torontonians succeed.
For more than 55 years Junior Achievement programs have helped more than 3.7 million young Canadians discover their business potential. In May, through an initiative designed to further realize the unlimited potential of youth, Telus earmarked $50 to JA Canada for every smartphone activation by a Toronto-based business. These funds will be used by JA Canada to promote and expand its program delivery in the Greater Toronto Area.
"With an estimated annual return of $45 for every $1 invested in helping youth stay in school, encouraging new business development and providing the skills needed to participate and succeed in today's global economy, JA programs make a substantial and positive annual impact on the Canadian economy, and they fill a notable gap in Canada's education system with respect to financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship," said Stephen Ashworth, senior vice-president, Operations and Education at JA Canada. "We're excited about our ongoing relationship with TELUS and their commitment to Canadian youth which, through this initiative, will potentially result in a future return on investment of more than $11.2 million."
"I am extremely pleased we achieved our goal of raising $250,000. TELUS' gift will help build the next generation of entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in Toronto through Junior Achievement—an organization renowned for developing future entrepreneurs," said Jim Senko, vice-president of Small and Medium Business Marketing at TELUS. "TELUS supports small-and-medium-sized businesses in all their wireless needs and, in turn, these businesses are helping to provide Toronto youth with the education and funding they require to become our future business leaders."
Telus was recognized by the Association of Fundraising Professionals as the 2010 Most Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation globally, the first time a Canadian company has ever received this international honour.
