The auto service company’s exhibit will host area students who will learn
about financial literacy.
ROCHESTER, NY – Monro, Inc., one of the largest independent
automotive service and tire dealers in the United States, announces its
participation as a major storefront sponsor of the Paychex Junior Achievement Discovery Center, operated by Junior Achievement of Central
Upstate New York. The high- impact education center is located at the Kodak
Center in Rochester, New York.
In December 2023, Monro’s senior leadership team and members of the August
Family Foundation toured the Monro storefront exhibit at the Paychex
Junior Achievement Discovery Center.
The 18,000 square foot Discovery Center, which opened in early January,
will host classes of middle and high school students from districts in the
greater Rochester region. Greeted by a replica of the historic “Welcome to
Rochester” sign, the students will be immersed in the mock economy of a
mini-Rochester commercial district, featuring 18 storefronts of area
businesses, healthcare companies, construction and manufacturing firms,
non-profits, and universities.
The students will explore various career options, and, using a digital
avatar, they will take on a “job” for the day at one of the storefronts.
They will learn how to create a budget to responsibly spend their wages,
including opening a bank account, paying their mortgage and insurance,
purchasing and maintaining a vehicle, and buying necessities.
Monro and the August Family Foundation, a nonprofit created by the family of
the company’s founder, Chuck August, joined the initiative as a major sponsor
and secured a storefront. The team created a 20’ x 23’ interactive exhibit
modeled after a Monro store with a front reception area and a service bay. The
exhibit features information about the automotive service industry’s in-demand
careers with specific job tracks for positions such as store manager, automotive technician, guest care
specialist, and other store support roles.
“The Discovery Center gives students a firsthand look into the important
positions that run our company every day,” said Mike Broderick, president and
chief executive officer. “Pairing this opportunity with the initiative’s
educational mission increases the financial literacy of future generations,
fuels the future of local economic prosperity, and gives back to the Rochester
community. We are very proud to be part of Junior Achievement’s work.”
The center will host approximately 4,000 students from urban and suburban
districts, including the Rochester City School District, Gates Chili, Greece,
and Spencerport for the spring semester. The center will continue to operate
for subsequent semesters.
“The Paychex Junior Achievement Discovery Center is based on a proven JA model
that currently operates in over 40 U.S. cities, impacting more than 500,000
students annually,” said Patricia J. Leva, president and CEO of Junior
Achievement of Central Upstate New York (JACUNY). “The Discovery Center offers
a powerful experience that gives students an authentic and memorable way to
practice being an adult in our economy. Our programs also provide youth at a
formative age with the opportunity to explore the careers and jobs available
in our region and to learn about the skills needed to create their success right here at home. We are grateful to Monro for their generous
support, which will help to create opportunity and prosperity for our young
people and communities.”
About Monro, Inc.
Monro, Inc. is one of the United States’ leading automotive service and tire
providers, delivering best-in- class auto care to communities across the
country. With a growing market share and a focus on sustainable growth, the company generated approximately $1.3 billion in sales
in fiscal year 2023. It continues to expand its national presence through
strategic acquisitions and by opening newly constructed stores. Across more
than 1,300 stores and 9,000 service bays nationwide, Monro offers customers
the professionalism and high-quality service they expect from a national
retailer, with the convenience and trust of a neighborhood garage. Monro’s
highly trained teammates and certified technicians bring together hands-on experience and state-of-the-art technology
to diagnose and address customers’ automotive needs to get them safely back on
the road. For more information, visit www.corporate.monro.com.
About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement (JA) is the world's largest organization dedicated to
giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic
success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices.
JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide
relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through
high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and
entrepreneurship. Junior Achievement of Central Upstate New York (JACUNY)
delivers programming to students in a 25-county region throughout Central and
Upstate New York. The Paychex Junior Achievement Discovery Center in
Rochester, NY, is the first in New York State. To learn more, visit the Junior Achievement of
Central Upstate New York website
www.cuny.ja.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Ashley Masala, Communications Specialist
ashley.masala@monro.com
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