I had a great time last week at an event I would like to tell you about. The WV State Treasurer’s office staff was in town last week providing a wonderful program called “Get a Life”. This is a financial literacy game used as a hands-on training to encourage the students to pursue their education. The treasurer’s office staff gives the young adults a “life” card and they are assigned a high school diploma and a blue collar job on the first tour around the booths. They must pick a house, car and make a budget within the guidelines of that income. It is soon apparent that it is very hard to make ends meet in their family budget! The second time they are able to gain a college education and therefore a higher paying position. Under these new circumstances the 7th graders realized it was a little easier to not only have enough money for their budget, but also possibly upgrade their living arrangements. Pat Ramsburg, NetWorth Project Regional Coordinator, sponsored by the Treasurer’s Office was very complementary to the staff at the school about the positive behavior that she had witnessed at the program. Aaron Hendrickson School Counselor at RMS and Bruce Kibby School Counselor at CBMS organized the respective events. Bev Evert and her staff from the ERFRN were also impressed by the students’ good manners and orderly conduct. Well done Hampshire County 7th grade!
The Eastern Regional Family Resource Network with funding provided from the Healthy Families Healthy Children Coalition by the WVU Extension helped with refreshments for the many volunteers at both events and also gift bags for the students who participated. The bags had a warning message regarding the dangers of sharing prescription drugs and included not only prevention literature, but a student calculator and other study related gifts. The Healthy Family Healthy Children Coalition in Hampshire works with many organizations to aid in parenting, relationship and financial literacy trainings for various populations. Please contact the ERFRN for more information at 304-822-5787 or email erfrn@atlanticbbn.net
Awesome article. Helping kids with guidance & money smarts is so important. Most parents don’t want to “deal” with it. I wish I had semiars such as Get A Life when I was younger. Unfortunately, I’m struggling now because I learned too late how to manage money, etc. The next generation will be so much more informed due to these types of events.
By: Gayle Smith on February 28, 2011
at 8:54 pm