Teens Experience Adulthood During Reality Store Event

More than 50 BGCBC teens participating in the Customer Service, Financial Literacy and Career Exploration programs, part of BGCBC's Workforce Development Initiative, prepared for real world experiences during the Reality Store event on Tuesday, January 30th at the Leo Goodwin Teen Center.

Reality Store provides an interactive experience in which youth learn how the choices they make regarding career, managing income and expenses, and saving and investing will affect future outcomes. To start, teens draw a salary based on a specific career and manage basic living expenses for themselves and a family. They envision the lifestyle they would like to have in their late 20s, explore a career, receive a checking account "deposit" equal to one month's salary, and spend their salary in the Reality Store on necessities and extras. They also handle some of life's unexpected events and discover whether their occupation provides the financial resources needed in order to sustain the lifestyle they want.

The Reality Store is an event in which Club Members get a “life” including job, spouse, children, etc. The Club Members must visit 10 different stations to purchase a home, groceries, furniture, healthcare, etc. based on their income and family size.

The stations included: Healthcare, Legal, Transportation, Childcare, Finance/Bank, Beauty/Barber, Entertainment, Housing, Furniture and Groceries.

The Club Members found the event helpful, because they were able to understand what it’s like to make real life decisions based on real life circumstances.

BGCBC would like to thank the Bank of America volunteers who led each Life Station. We also want to thank Boys & Girls of America and Charles Schwab for funding the Reality Store event.