2023 ANNUAL REPORT
AMPLIFY THE ADVANTAGE™
OUR MISSION:
Empower our nation’s young people with the skills and support to succeed in education, employment, and life
MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP
“We will embark on our 2024 journey by bridging the past achievements of over 1.7 million youth and the dedicated adults that support them. We are ready to amplify the JAG Advantage™ with an exciting, big, and bold strategy: to go all-in on the most impactful elements that provide successful outcomes for our students and stakeholders, and scale them to serve several million more young people.”
Janelle Duray
JAG president and CEO
Dear JAG Family,
It’s exhilarating to reflect on the accomplishments and changes that shaped 2023 with you, the second year of our transformative Youth Opportunities and Outcomes 2024 Strategic Goals, which has helped us identify and respond to the most exciting opportunities for JAG, our Network, and our youth.
First and foremost, 2023 marked great successes for JAG. Another year of incredible outcomes was reported for our graduating Class of 2022, our second annual National Career Development Conference, with over 1,000 in attendance, the election of our second slate of national JAG Career Association Officers, and continued focus to tell the JAG Story by lifting the youth voice at all levels, a true embodiment of living our mission to empower young people.
For the first time in JAG’s history, a leadership transition and growing senior staff challenged to bring new perspectives, energy, and a fresh outlook to the helm of JAG.
From the Desk of the 2023-24 JAG Career Association President: Kira Canada
Being president of the JAG Career Association (CA) last year revealed the incredible impact of JAG. It goes beyond college or career preparation; it empowers us to become well-rounded, confident individuals ready to conquer the world.
JAG has given me so many opportunities to grow. Attending the National Leadership Development Conference and the National Student Development Conference were incredibly empowering, and being part of CA gave me the chance to give back. We organized career fairs, workshops and created a platform for students to connect with employers.
None of this would have been possible without the guidance of JAG career specialists. They helped me identify my strengths, discover my passion for criminal justice/law and develop a roadmap to achieve my career goals.
JAG has given me the confidence, skills, and support to succeed. I’m incredibly grateful for this program and the fantastic people who make it possible.
Thank you, JAG!
KEN SMITH:
HONORING
A LEGACY
On November 29, 2023, JAG hosted a special reception to commemorate the retirement of our esteemed founder, Ken Smith. This momentous event signified our leadership shift and acknowledged a visionary leader’s immeasurable contributions. A driving force in JAG’s creation, Ken collaborated with Governor Pete duPont of Delaware on the design of the first statewide test of the JAG model and was actively involved with JAG since its inception.
Ken Smith’s remarkable tenure has propelled the organization to serve over 1.6 million young individuals during our 43-year history.
With Ken’s transition into retirement, Janelle Duray has taken the helm to propel JAG forward. As JAG’s former executive vice president and chief operating officer, Janelle steps into the role of president and CEO with a wealth of experience, dedication, and passion for JAG’s mission.
Ken’s incredible legacy will illuminate the path forward for future generations. We salute the man whose vision has changed the lives of millions of young men and women and inspires each of us who carry his vision forward!
A CRITICAL NEED
OUR NATION’S YOUNG PEOPLE NEED HELP URGENTLY.
Learning, Student Leadership, National Events
JAG lifts the barriers for youth, ensuring success in school, work, and life.
From trauma to unhoused living and rising suicide rates, today’s youth face severe barriers to graduating and leading a successful life. What sets JAG apart is its ability to help youth overcome adversity. We meld Trauma-informed care with education, job skills, and hands-on work experiences to ensure students thrive.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Today’s high school graduates are three times more likely to live in poverty than their predecessors.
- Between 2008 and 2018, the suicide rate among 13- and 14-year-olds more than doubled.
- A staggering 54% of teenagers express deep anxiety about financing their futures.
- The high school dropout rate is higher today than in the 70s.
From poverty to past trauma,
JAG students face 10+ challenges
“JAG has opened up so many opportunities for me. I’ve improved my speech, found my voice, and confidently communicate and network. JAG has helped me evolve from a shy, withdrawn student to a confident, involved leader. As JAG NCA president-elect, I am proud to help my peers discover their voices and potential.“
– Austin Small-Jones, JAG CA president-elect
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Together, we can ensure students thrive. Donate today! If you’re an employer wanting to get involved, contact our Vice President of Development, Michelle Payne, at michelle.payne@jag.org to learn how.
BY THE NUMBERS
%
OF JAG SENIORS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL,
beating the national average of 86%
1.7 MILLION youth served since our inception
In 2023, JAG served
79,228 students
in 1,528 programs
across 37 states
%
ACHIEVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES
(employed, enrolled in post-secondary or combination)
80-90% OF OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE A JOB OFFER
MORE THAN
EMPLOYERS SUPPORT JAG PROGRAMS
WE SUPPORT
DIVERSE LEARNERS
PORTRAITS OF IMPACT
NCDC Doubles in Second Year – almost 1000 attendees!
Our second annual National Career Development Conference (NCDC) was a smashing success! Nearly 1,000 JAG students from across the country converged in Orlando, FL, to participate in leadership development and skills competitions and to elect their national JAG Career Association Officers.
Frida Medrano
“As a first-generation daughter and daughter of both immigrant parents, my parents have sacrificed a lot for me. JAG has provided me with a platform to stand on my feet and make them proud.”
– Frida Medrano, JAG CA president
Million-dollar Boeing investment jet fuels vital initiatives.
In 2023, long-time partner Boeing invested $1 million to support JAG’s Youth Opportunities and Outcomes 2024 Strategic Goals, which ensures a successful transition for students entering the workforce. During JAG’s 12-month follow-up phase, JAG Specialists support students transitioning into the workplace , post-secondary, or both with roadmaps and benchmarks.
Ryah Klima
“JAG staff members treat me with respect and dignity that I had never experienced from a group of adults. They showed me that my voice is valuable to everyone, not just students.”
– Ryah Klima , former national JAG CA president
2023 JAG CA Week amplifies the student voice.
Thousands of JAG students from all 37 states participated in the 2023 JAG Career Association Week (JAG CA Week). This pinnacle cultivates young leaders and a sense of belonging for students nationwide. Check out the phenomenal Podcast from the JAG Career Association officers.
ADM partnership delivers a bounty of benefits.
ADM, a global leader in agricultural nutrition, provides JAG with significant funding and a wealth of agribusiness exposure for our students. Shared values and vision make the JAG-ADM partnership even more inspiring.
“We not only support JAG’s vision, we also stand ready to provide thousands of students with agribusiness opportunities through placements in internships, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships.” – Jennifer Cunningham, Vice President, Human Resources
Synchrony and JAG are in sync with the needs of youth.
Synchrony and the Synchrony Foundation have donated more than $1.5 million to JAG and its state affiliates since 2015. They have also hosted the JAG national staff at their annual retreat in Stamford, CT. And if that wasn’t enough, DJ Casto, Synchrony’s chief human resources officer, sits on the JAG board and Executive Committee. Talk about a powerhouse partnership.
“JAG’s mission aligns with ours, and we’re honored to help grow the next generation of leaders,” says Synchrony Foundation President Denise Yap.
JAG IS POWERED BY PARTNERSHIPS
JAG achieves its remarkable outcomes thanks to a “village” of supporters, including governors, nineteen thousand employer partners, donors, legislators, school administrators, and other champions and advocates
From the U.S. Department of Labor to corporations and organizations, our partners make JAG possible.
JAG partners do more than fund our programs and events. They also provide the internships, skills training, and career development experiences that set JAG apart from other organizations.
We are deeply grateful to supporters, large and small. From Fortune 100 firms like Microsoft to committed local businesses, our partners’ commitment to uplifting our nation’s youth inspires us, fuels our passion, and is vital to our ability to serve more youth in need.
Help us amplify the Advantage.
Visit https://jag.org/partners for more information, and contact our Vice President of Development to create your sponsored program. Contact michelle.payne@jag.org
Premier Partners
Partners
INVEST IN OUR NETWORK.
TELL THE JAG STORY.
AMPLIFY THE ADVANTAGE.
The “Youth Opportunity and Outcomes 2024” strategic goals are a commitment to our nation, employers, and, most of all, to underserved and underrepresented young people across our country.
In 2023, we made great strides in achieving the core priorities of our Youth Opportunity and Outcomes 2024 strategic plan:
- invest in our network,
- serve more young people
- tell the JAG story
- improve our outcomes.
We are committed to rigorously augmenting our program quality and telegraphing the JAG Advantage to supporters and young people in need. These investments will pay dividends in expanding youth opportunities for years to come.
We’ll serve more young people while telling the JAG story, emphasizing the youth voice. And we’ll improve outcomes for young people by enhancing our services. This work represents a deeper investment in the holistic success of our young people than ever before.
“We like to call this thinking 10X. We have a bold strategic plan to change the lives of tens of thousands more young people each year. We will go big by being the best, building the infrastructure we need to sustain and increase our excellent outcomes.”
– Janelle Duray, President and CEO
Financials
Assets:
Cash: $843,433
Receivables: 1,480,017
Other Current Assets: 172,779
Investments: 4,291,626
Total Assets: 6,787,855
Liabilities:
Accounts Payable: 449,377
Pass-Thru Funding: 250,000
Accrued Expenses: 352,651
Deferred Revenue: 1,208,202
Total Liabilities: 2,260,230
Net Assets:
Without Donor Restrictions: 4,410,246
With Donor Restrictions: 117,379
Total Net Assets: 4,527,625
Total Liabilities and Net Assets:
%
Program Services
%
Management & General
%
