Keeping It Real at Helena High School

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce “Keeping It Real” program, co-sponsored by Legacy Community Federal Credit Union and The UPS Store – has been traveling across all of Shelby County  to encourage ninth grade students to think about financial responsibilities and the importance of an education.  This program is a part of the Chamber’s ShelbyOne initiative to help better Shelby County’s workforce development. Through this collaborative effort the Chamber is bringing business and education partners together.

The “Keeping It Real” Program will provide approximately 2,400 Shelby County students with a “real life” scenario, including employment income, education level and family situation. Each student then uses their randomly selected monthly salary and visits 12 booths consisting of transportation, housing, insurance, utilities, child care, groceries, education, etc. At each booth the student has to make the best choice for their situation as to what they can afford in those areas.

After watching and hearing all of the students say “I can’t afford child care!” or “Insurance is expensive!” The Chamber hopes this program will encourage students to finish high school and also consider some level of post-secondary learning – whether it be two-year or four-year school.  One student commented, “This program taught me how to be able to balance what I need with what I want.” While another student stated, “My future education is an important factor in how much money I will be making.”

Rene’ Day, with the Shelby County Board of Education and the volunteer chair of the Chamber’s Education Work Group, stated “We’re excited about the opportunity to share with these students the challenges they face beyond high school.  Our young people need to hear it from a variety of people, and when business people share this type of information face-to-face, it gives them a whole different perspective.”
“We’re trying to help the students understand their priorities, and that if they finish high school and continue their education through a two-year or four-year college they will have more resources to do what they need -- and want -- to do further on down the road.  Ultimately, this information will also help create a stronger workforce for Shelby County businesses,” Chamber President & CEO Kirk Mancer commented.

• Additional Story from The Shelby County Reporter