Upgraded JA Career Center unveiled at Libbie Mill Library

, and Citizen Staff Reports

August 6, 2025 . 12:13 PM

2 min read

Officials gathered Aug. 5, 2025 at the Junior Achievement of Virginia's Finance Park at Henrico's Libbie Mill Library to celebrate the relaunch of the JA Career Center. (Courtesy StudioBDC)

More than 100 community leaders, educators, volunteers and business partners gathered at JA Finance Park at Libbie Mill Library Aug. 5 to celebrate the grand opening of Junior Achievement of Central Virginia’s upgraded JA Career Center — a hands-on, tech-enhanced learning space where thousands of students each year explore next steps and connect their interests and goals to future careers.

The renovation is designed to help prepare Central Virginia students for success in work and in life, according to JA officials. It was funded by Invest529 and capital contributions from Virginia Credit Union, Estes Foundation, CarMax, Commonwealth Savers, Church & Dwight Philanthropic Foundation, Accenture, The Cabell Foundation, Call Federal Credit Union, and other individual and corporate supporters.

During his remarks at the event, Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas emphasized the strong and lasting partnership between Henrico County and Junior Achievement.

A powerful moment came when Elizabeth Schmoll shared how her JA Finance Park experience led directly to her apprenticeship at Anton Paar in Ashland.

“This is a dream come true for me,” she said. “I work with precision equipment, I’m continuing in a paid apprenticeship program while finishing high school, and I can earn a degree and grow with the company. That confidence I gained at JA Finance Park showed me that there are opportunities if I just go for them.”

Attendees at the Aug. 5, 2025 relaunch ceremony for the JA Career Center at Junior Achievement of Virginia's Finance Park at Henrico's Libbie Mill Library. (Courtesy StudioBDC)

Guests included representatives from sponsor organizations, local school board members and superintendents, JA volunteers, board members, teachers, and Greater Richmond Business Hall of Fame laureates. Attendees explored the newly upgraded space and interacted with the digital and physical career exploration tools developed in partnership with the Charlottesville-based design firm Journey Group.

JA Finance Park serves more than 7,000 students each year, helping them gain hands-on experience with budgeting, careers, and real-life financial decision-making. The new upgrade builds on the experience by helping students explore how their skills and interests connect to future career paths.