On January 23, 2025, Ms. Shirlon Kelly of AJFC Community Action Agency participated in the Reality Fair at Crystal Springs Middle School, an engaging event aimed at teaching 8th grade students about personal financial management.

The Reality Fair is an interactive learning experience that challenges students to make real-life financial decisions. Each student is assigned a career, provided with a starting salary, and asked to establish a monthly budget. They then advance through various “centers” where they select essential life choices, such as housing, transportation, and insurance, while balancing their finances. Throughout the activity, students also manage a checkbook register, simulating the responsibility of adult financial management.

At the Utilities Table, Ms. Kelly provided valuable insights to students, helping them navigate decisions regarding utility bills, one of the key expenses they would face in adulthood. The event gave students a deeper understanding of financial planning, budgeting, and the challenges adults encounter daily when managing household expenses.

Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing that the Reality Fair allowed them to see their parents’ financial struggles in a new light. Several students expressed that they now understood the complexities of managing money and were more appreciative of the efforts their parents make to manage household finances.

Ms. Kelly found the experience equally rewarding, enjoying the opportunity to engage with the students while helping to equip them with important life skills that will last long after they leave middle school.

The Reality Fair proved to be an effective and enjoyable educational tool, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. AJFC is proud to have contributed to the financial literacy of the students at Crystal Springs Middle School and looks forward to participating in similar events in the future.