NH Chamber Hosts Student 'Reality Store'

From NH Chamber: North Hennepin Area Chamber of Commerce and its Business/Education Partnership Committee extend deep thanks to Diane Ahlberg and Darren Nelson of Park Center High School and Osseo Area Schools District 279. We were blessed with great students who were treated to the Chamber’s “Reality Store,” an entertaining and eye-opening one-hour experience helping them prepare for the challenge of budgeting after graduation.

How The Reality Store Works:

• Prior to the event, students are given an Advance Registration Form and told to imagine they are 25, in an occupation of their choice. Additionally, they were asked to decide if they are married or single (and if they have children).
• They’re given a payroll envelope that shows those familiar, nasty deductions as well as a supply of “Reality StoreBux” currency.
• In groups of approximately 30, they’re taken to a “Reality Room” in the school - approximately 50’ x 50’- surrounded by “life stations,” with a “Wheel of Fortune” in the center. They must visit all tables and take a spin on the Wheel. Tables include necessities: Transportation, Housing, Child Care, Insurance, Utilities, Groceries, Clothing & Personal Care and Banking, as well as Leisure and Charities.
• Chamber volunteers act as the “proprietors” of the businesses.
• Students turn in their checklist of visits and expenses at the conclusion.

Thank you to our sponsor Hennepin/Carver County Workforce Development and to our marvelous Chamber Member volunteers, including:

• Barry Sorensen & Imran Qureshi
• CorTrust Bank
• Paul Yahnke
• 12 Stones Homes
• Natalie Algaard
• Paramount Insurance
• Priscilla Roberts
• Marty Adams
• Hennepin/Carver County Workforce Development
• Karen Moorehttp://www.nhachamber.com/even...
• Acendas Travel
• Nick Lemke
• TopLine Federal Credit Union
• Roberta Root
• Primrose Schools of Maple Grove & Champlin Park
• Michael Reeves
• Next Steps 2 Success
• Craig Freeman
• Avenues for Homeless Youth
• Jessa Dahmes
• North Hennepin Community College

This is an NHACC exclusive - there's nothing else like this around here for our high school students and we know it REALLY opened their eyes! More schools coming up! http://www.nhachamber.com/events/details/the-reality- store-5292

Images Courtesy of NH Chamber