Ray Davis is a senior quality consultant with MetLife Auto & Home in Warwick and a member of the Junior Achievement Rhode Island board of directors. So it makes sense that Davis spearheads MetLife’s extensive partnership with Junior Achievement, a nonprofit that teaches children about the business world.
Davis answered a few questions about the partnership and its ties to MetLife’s business strategies.
PBN: How long has MetLife partnered with Junior Achievement and why does it support the organization?
DAVIS: MetLife’s partnership with Junior Achievement spans almost four decades, starting with a small contribution in 1972. It has grown to include leadership contributions from the MetLife Foundation, the charitable arm of MetLife, and involvement of hundreds of MetLife volunteers from across the United States and in Mexico. Locally, we have supported the Rhode Island chapter of Junior Achievement since 1975.
MetLife is committed to encouraging and helping the next generation succeed. Junior Achievement makes a perfect nonprofit partner because its mission closely aligns with MetLife’s core values – people count, integrity, innovation, financial strength and personal responsibility. As a result, when I’m volunteering in a classroom, I always find it easy to draw from my experiences at work to give real-life examples supporting Junior Achievement’s values and mission in the classroom.
Similar to MetLife’s partnership with Junior Achievement, the MetLife Foundation has a shared commitment with Junior Achievement to prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.
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PBN: What type of Junior Achievement programs does MetLife participate in and why?
DAVIS: At MetLife, we participate in the full spectrum of Junior Achievement programs. Since January, we have participated in 10 high school Junior Achievement programs in Coventry, Providence, Smithfield and Warwick, reaching 126 students. Each of these programs include a series of up to seven 50-minute sessions, which teach students work-readiness skills, ethics, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
Also, four MetLife volunteers spoke to three middle school classes about budget planning, work force readiness and global economics in Cumberland and Providence.
Additionally, we’ve joined six elementary curriculum programs in Cranston and Warwick, which weave in messages about education, work force readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy into an age-appropriate social studies curriculum.
Lastly, MetLife volunteers participated in a “Junior Achievement in a Day” program, which is an intensive all-day program, at the Randall Holden School in Warwick, starring Snoopy.
PBN: Why does MetLife encourage employee volunteerism with Junior Achievement?
DAVIS: MetLife is committed to civic and charitable endeavors, and it encourages and supports its employees who want to volunteer. During my past six years with MetLife Auto & Home, I’ve always been encouraged to pursue my volunteer goals.
Specifically with Junior Achievement, MetLife Auto & Home Leadership has embraced and encouraged me to promote the cause, rally volunteers and give all that I wish. I know the personal satisfaction of teaching a class and believe the company shares those feelings, knowing the broader-ranging impact that this partnership brings.
The funding that MetLife Foundation provides is invaluable and so critical to the continued successes and strategic plans of Junior Achievement. But, as equal if not more valuable and significant are the faces of our associates in the classrooms, demonstrating that commitment to the success of our community and future of our work force is paramount.
PBN: How, why, and when did you get your start with Junior Achievement ?
DAVIS: In 1990, I reached out to Junior Achievement and offered to volunteer in an “at risk” school in Central Falls because I knew that’s where I could have a significant impact. I was looking to make a difference, give back to the community and to develop stronger public speaking skills. I thought if I could engage, challenge and motivate a classroom of driven, inquisitive students for 50 minutes a week, than a room full of executives would be a breeze.
This experience has now spanned 20 years, and I’m just as excited and motivated today as I was during that very first class. The feeling I get walking through the schools on my way to and from classes is incredible. Being recognized by former students and teachers forces an embarrassingly large smile on my face every time. When I ask myself why I do this, and to be honest I wonder sometimes, then I walk into a classroom and the answers, all 20-plus of them, are looking back at me.
After joining MetLife Auto & Home, I wanted to keep my commitment to Junior Achievement, but I thought I could do more. I was pleased that MetLife Auto & Home Leadership supported my bid for a position on Junior Achievement’s board of directors. I have served on the board of directors for more than four years, and I am a member of the executive committee and chairman of the awareness committee.
PBN: Can you describe the most meaningful experience you’ve have had participating in Junior Achievement?
DAVIS: This is a difficult question. Every classroom experience is different and rewarding.
I personally like teaching the high school level programs; I am not as comfortable with the younger grades. Last month when MetLife went to Randell Holden Elementary school, I was prepared to help by taking pictures and providing administrative support. I received a call from the Junior Achievement staff telling me that a MetLife volunteer had to cancel, so one class of third graders would not be able to participate. I reluctantly agreed to run the five-hour class. Then the day before the event, another third grade volunteer got sick, Fortunately, the principal was able to combine the classes, so I spent my Friday with 45 third-graders. And, I had the time of my life! I was exhausted, but I would not trade that experience for anything in this world.
