A sunny Wednesday afternoon in Fort Wayne brought more than just warm weather—it brought smiles, speeches, and a sense of history in the making for one of the region’s most trusted youth organizations.

Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana officially marked a pivotal moment with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at their brand-new Legacy Park.

A celebration years in the making

From 4 to 6 p.m., community leaders, longtime donors, and dozens of students gathered to celebrate what JA calls its “Next Campaign”—a $10 million push to strengthen financial literacy education across the region.

Balloon arches flanked the entry. A jazz trio played softly near the park entrance. The event had all the charm of a community fair, with none of the fluff.

“We are so proud of what we’ve built,” said Lena Yarian, President of Junior Achievement of Northern Indiana. “Not just a space—but a message for the future.”

The air buzzed with pride. And it wasn’t just the adults soaking it in.

A park with purpose, not just pretty views

JA Legacy Park isn’t just a patch of greenery or a place to sit and chat. It’s got something deeper running through it.

It’s filled with sculptures designed by local artisans. Each piece carries a personal message—etched, carved, or cast—from donors who helped bring the JA Next Campaign to life.

Some sculptures speak of persistence. Others share lessons about money, business, or community. Every one of them ties back to JA’s core mission: empowering students with the tools they need to thrive financially.

One teenager walking through the park with her classmates stopped in front of a sculpture shaped like an open book. On its base were the words: “Invest in yourself.”

She stared at it for a while and said quietly, “I want that on my desk one day.”

What is the JA Next Campaign, really?

It’s easy to hear “$10 million campaign” and get lost in the numbers. But here’s the heart of it:

The JA Next Campaign is about creating new pathways for young people—especially those in underserved communities—to access financial literacy programming that works.

Here’s what it’s funding:

• Modern curriculum updates in budgeting, credit, entrepreneurship, and saving

• More student participation in “JA BizTown” and “JA Finance Park” experiences

• New mentorship programs connecting kids with real business leaders

• Long-term investments in physical and digital learning spaces

And yes, part of that funding helped bring Legacy Park to life.

Community buy-in, big time

What’s striking isn’t just the size of the campaign—it’s how many hands helped lift it.

Business leaders, school partners, faith organizations, even students chipped in. Some donated money. Others offered time. A few gave art.

One donor, a retired CPA, contributed a sculpture of an abacus with the inscription: “The numbers tell your story—know how to read them.”

A local contractor volunteered his entire crew to help pour the concrete foundations for the park’s walking paths. “It’s about more than giving back,” he said. “It’s about building forward.”

This campaign has been years in motion. And it’s still rolling.

Numbers that matter to the future

To understand why this campaign matters so much, look at the data. The kind that can’t be ignored:

JA of Northern Indiana says their programming directly addresses these gaps—through hands-on simulations, mentorships, and experiences that feel more real than a textbook.

“It’s not just about teaching money,” said Yarian. “It’s about teaching confidence.”

Not just a ribbon-cutting. A signal.

As the ribbon was sliced with giant ceremonial scissors, applause broke out. A group of middle schoolers cheered. One kid yelled, “Let’s go!”

No one hushed him. That energy is exactly what this was all about.

The event didn’t feel corporate or stiff. It felt personal. Like everyone there, from the mayor to the 12-year-olds, knew they were standing in something meaningful.

The Legacy Park’s signage sums it up best: “Where legacy begins, and futures are shaped.”