The YWCA is currently partnered with Alliance, Marlington, Sebring, and St. Thomas Aquinas school districts to bring financial literacy curriculum to life for high school students. Our staff members conduct four lessons to classes on topics like taxes, insurance, rent, and many other financial realities that come with being an adult. After the students absorb this information in the typical class setting, they then have the opportunity to participate in a “real life” simulation. During the simulation day, booths with every financial category they learned about—from credit cards to food to child care—are set up all around the gym. Students visit each one, making financial decisions based on the average income of the career they’re most interested in, with the goal of not spending more than they earn. 

The simulation day really brings together everything the students have learned. You can see the learning happening in real time as students think for the first time how to balance the cost of things like child care and student loans. While some have a harder time than others staying out of debt during the simulation, they all come away realizing that it’s possible even though it may mean making some sacrifices.

Financial literacy programming like this equips our youth to make informed decisions and offers them the tools they need to break the cycles of generational poverty that so many of today’s students face. We are passionate about providing this essential education to as many students as we can because financial decisions are required of every single adult, yet financial literacy is not a school curriculum standard. If you are interested in getting involved with our financial literacy youth program, please feel free to inquire about becoming a volunteer by calling us at 330-823-1840. 

—Elise Greynolds