If you believe as we do that children are our future, then supporting programs and activities that help them grow into contributing and engaged adults makes perfect sense. Avista’s support in the area of youth development focuses on those organizations that are providing opportunities for children to develop the values and skills that are essential building blocks in life. Daring to dream, having the confidence to reach for goals and experiencing the support of caring adults will help our children navigate our increasingly complex world.

The Business of Learning

Might the next Warren Buffet come from Medford, Oregon? Maybe. The youngsters in the ACCESS program in this mid-size city in southwest Oregon are learning about free enterprise, business and economics through the Junior Achievement program, sponsored in part by Avista and its Medford-area employees. This year in a combined 3rd/4th grade class, Avista employee Debbie Williams is partnering with a teacher that she’s been working with for over 10 years through JA. 

“The students get very excited when I spend time in the classroom and are not shy when it comes to participating,” Williams noted. “The course I’m presenting this year is called “Our Region” where students learn about resources (natural, human and capital) in their local area and other areas of the United States, plus how businesses are interdependent and part of the regional economy.  They get to pick a business that they would like to own, in which state they would locate the business and what resources they would need to operate their business.  They will also be studying transportation issues when getting resources from other regions and how to track income and expenses of a business. They truly amaze me with their ability to grasp business concepts so quickly and their understanding of how important it is to use resources wisely.”