‘Financial Reality Fair’ an eye-opening experience for Job Corps students

PALMER — Nearly 60 professionals volunteered their day March 13 at the Alaska Job Corps Center.

Board members and employees from Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, Matanuska Telephone Association, Denali Alaska Federal Credit Union, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Double Eagle Real Estate, Re/Max, Valley Hotel, True North Federal Credit Union, Northern Skies Federal Credit Union, Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, Last Frontier Magazine and Matanuska Valley Financial Services visited the campus to help train students in life lessons.

The annual “Financial Reality Fair,” called “Get REAL,” involves a thoughtful and interactive role-play program that is offered to all Job Corps students. Also, $1,000 dollars in scholarship money was shared with the students.

Students chose a “life,” which dictated their employment status, family status and in-come. Then each student visited different stations in the gymnasium where they chose a car, paid health insurance, purchased a cellphone plan, contributed to charity, took a part-time job, bought a home or paid for rent, paid utilities and much more. Finally, they were able to meet with financial advisers who assisted them with advice on savings and budgeting.

More than one staff member commented on the value of this type of training for everyone, and the reality fair was all students talked about in the cafeteria at lunchtime.

It felt real because it was personalized, but it felt authentic because the volunteers were bona fide community leaders who knew what they were talking

One volunteer was thrilled with meeting and talking with so many students from around the state, saying, “Job Corps is such an example of statewide demographics. It is rich in diversity and culture.”

Al Strawn, CEO of Matanuska Valley FCU, spun the “Wheel of Reality,” which offered up “random life events.” He described Job Corps students as polite and appreciative.

Karina Wentworth, marketing coordinator for Matanuska Valley FCU, said that they have taken this program to a number of schools and it has been very successful. She said that Wasilla High School will hold its first fair later this spring. It involves a big time commitment on the behalf of the volunteers, but all were engaged.