About Volunteering

JA BizTown is a one-day volunteer opportunity to help upper-elementary students, typically 5th graders, participate in an experiential business simulation. Prior to attending, students participate in classroom lessons to prepare them for their day. On simulation day, students become citizens in an 8,500 square-foot replica of a city at either our Portland or Hillsboro facility. This colorful and bustling city has almost 20 businesses which includes retail stores, financial institutions, media, restaurant and city hall, to name a few. Students will all arrive hired to a job and with a completed business plan. Onsite, they will work in their jobs, earn income, open bank accounts, shop, vote and so much more!

Volunteers participate as coaches and lead a small group of 3-8 students in one JA BizTown business through a 4 to 4.5 hour simulation. You’ll guide students as they make decisions about running their business, spending their hard-earned paychecks and generating a profit for their businesses. Volunteers will lead 3 scripted staff meetings and be a resource to the students in their business. No matter your profession, your life experiences qualify you to be a successful volunteer. Prior to the simulation day, volunteers will complete an online training, (see below) and will arrive 60 minutes before the students for an onsite orientation. The volunteers will be provided with all the tools they will need to be successful. All volunteers are also required to fill out a Volunteer Registration Form and sign the Volunteer Conduct and Digital Media Forms.