Salina Area United Way successfully hosted Reality U at Salina South and Salina Central High Schools, providing 350 sophomores with a hands-on financial literacy experience. Over the course of two days, students engaged in a real-world simulation that challenged them to budget and make financial decisions based on their assigned life scenarios at age 26.
Reality U is a program created by The Pando Initiative and brought to local schools through the efforts of Salina Area United Way.
The success of Reality U would not have been possible without the incredible support of our 80 volunteers who generously gave their time to guide students through this impactful experience. Thank you for your dedication to helping our youth build a strong financial future!
A special thank you to the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce for their support as a Life Leader Sponsor. Their commitment to financial literacy and workforce readiness helps prepare students for life beyond high school.
"I think Reality U is a great real-world activity for students. It gives them a realistic view of how expensive things are and how difficult it sometimes is to live within a budget. We’re very grateful to the United Way and all of the volunteers for providing this experience for our students," said Melanie Hammond, Career and Technical Education Coordinator with USD 305.
"Reality U is a powerful experience that helps students connect the dots between education, career choices, and financial responsibility. Watching them realize the real-world impact of their decisions is incredible. We are grateful to our volunteers, sponsors, and school partners for making this program possible and helping us prepare the next generation for success," said Christina Small, Executive Director of Salina Area United Way.
Salina Area United Way is proud to partner with local schools, businesses, and volunteers to equip students with essential financial skills. Together, we are strengthening our community by preparing the next generation for success!
For more information about Reality U or to get involved, visit www.unitedwaysalina.org or call 785-827-1312.
