Reality Fair Overview – Fall 2022

REALITY FAIR – OVERVIEW

BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) has partnered with Leland & Gray High School to host our first-ever Reality Fair on Thursday, October 20, 2022. This thoroughly interactive, hands-on experience covers financial literacy and practical life skills all Windham County students need to confidently take their first steps into the adult world. See details below:

• Juniors and seniors from Windham County schools will participate.
• Visits by each school will be staggered throughout the school day. Transport provided by BDCC.
• Each school’s cohort will be given approximately 2 hours to complete all assigned challenges.
• 50+ volunteers will staff the event – school faculty & staff, community members, businesses, and professionals from area financial institutions.
• Snacks, giveaways, and prizes will be available for all students.
• Prior to the event, students will participate in an orientation to learn about expectations for the day, why these skills are important, and how they can successfully complete their assignments.

The Financial Literacy Experience:

• Students will be assigned a job that matches their career interests.
• They will be given a “paycheck” with one month’s net earnings.
• Students will visit several booths operated by local businesses such as car dealerships, real estate agencies, cell phone companies, and grocery stores to purchase their necessities.
• They will explore how to balance things they want like vacations, dinners out, and pets with the things they need.
• Students must visit the “Reality Wheel” twice where something good or bad could happen (like a flat tire or winning a scratch ticket).
• They must pay students loans (if higher ed. Is needed for their job), establish a savings, give charitably, and have money left over at the end.
• Financial coaches (volunteers and teachers) will work with students who run out of money, need a part-time job, or need assistance making better budget choices.

The Practical Life Skills Experience:

• Students will learn key skills to smooth their transition into adulthood.
• The Windham Regional Career Center and area businesses will be on-hand to workshop skills such as:
  • Basic home repairs
  • Cooking
  • Car maintenance
  • Registering to vote
  • Filing income taxes
  • Creating a professional wardrobe on a budget
  • And more!

Each cohort’s experience will close with time for student questions, reflections, and a raffle.

For questions or additional details, reach out to Christy Betit, P3 Manager at cbetit@brattleborodevelopment.com.

BDCC’s Pipelines and Pathways Program (P3) provides employment oriented career-planning for the region’s high school students. It brings training in 21st Century skills, work-based learning, and personal learning plan (PLP) engagement opportunities to all four public high schools in Windham County. The program assists in developing workforce-oriented curricula, expanding classroom relationships, and growing work-based learning through opportunities with local employers. It also supports teachers working face to face with students to implement personal learning plans and seize the myriad opportunities presented by Vermont’s Flexible Pathways Initiative under Act 77. Pipelines & Pathways is a BDCC Workforce Center of Excellence program based on SeVEDS strategies to increase the size and quality of the workforce. For more information please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/workforce/ 

Funding for P3 is provided by the McClure Foundation, Vermont Training Program, Vermont Community Foundation, the Windham County Economic Development Program, The Thomas Thompson Trust, the George W. Mergens Foundation, People’s United Bank, Tom Smith – Omega Optical, Chroma Technology in Bellows Falls, and The West River Education District in Townshend.