Meet Sarah Fitterer. A 28-year-old high school graduate turned dental assistant. Sarah, her husband and their two children live in Newark, Ohio. Her husband is on disability and money is tight. The family lives paycheck to paycheck each month. Sarah isn’t sure if they will ever get ahead financially…

Time out.

Sarah Fitterer isn’t 28-years-old. She’s actually an eighth-grade student from Newark. Turns out, her theoretical life is part of a simulation game called, Reality Store. The rules are simple: choose an adult identity, a level of education and an occupation. Monthly earnings and life/family details (i.e., married, single, kids) are predetermined. In Fitterer's case, with a roll of the dice, she aged 15 years, received her high school diploma, and started a family.

The game, and her life, just got interesting. "This experience gave me a real world view of the struggles people go through," said Fitterer. "Sometimes things happen to us that are out of our control. Knowing how to overcome life challenges is really important."

All eighth-graders in Newark city schools take part in Reality Store. Prior to playing, students complete two classroom lessons focused on financial literacy. “We learned education, occupation and earnings are closely connected,” said Fitterer. “I also learned dropping out of high school can have serious consequences.”

The Objective:

This game and its accompanying lessons are part of A Call to College (ACTC). The non-profit organization helps students pursue a path to higher education.

“The more you learn, the more you earn,” said ACTC Associate Programming Director Shannon Chiacchira. “This small phrase has a big meaning. It helps students understand staying in school can lead to a more comfortable, satisfying and financially secure life.”

Let the Game Begin!

Following their classroom lessons, students transform into adults, and the school gym transforms into the Reality Store. With their newly assumed identities, these “adults in action” visit various life stations. They include:

Living Large: You drive a new car, have a topnotch phone plan and shop at high-end stores.

Modest Middle: You drive a used car, talk on an older smartphone, and shop at budget friendly outlets.

Penny Pincher: You take the bus, have a disposable phone, and shop at thrift stores.

Watch out!

If players run out of money before finishing their simulation, they go back to school! A higher education helps them earn more income and greater purchasing power. 

“During the game I bought a house. That was my downfall,” said Fitterer. “I should have rented because I ran out of money toward the end of the experience. So, I went back to school and got my Bachelor’s Degree – that helped!”

Fitterer admits, the Reality Store helped her appreciate the support her parents provide. “I’m one of four children,” she said. “Planning budgets can get really intense!”

The Tassel is Worth the Hassel

Mackenzie Wilkins is an eighth grade teacher in the Newark school district. She agrees with Fitterer - the Reality Store helps students understand the value of saving and investing money.

“After playing the game, they realize their moms and dads pay for a lot,” said Wilkins. “This experience helps them see how much comes out of their parents’ bank accounts – whether that’s childcare, groceries, or insurance. They also understand a college education can really pay off.”

Time to Reflect

At the beginning of the school year, Wilkins asks her students to write a letter, outlining their educational goals.

“Most of the letters I receive have career paths involving college aspirations. I always try to push my students to do their best and work towards those dreams.”

Wilkins knows firsthand the benefit A Call to College can provide. After graduating from her Newark High School, she received a Last Dollar Grant. This coveted scholarship helped pay for her college education.

“Today, I still keep my high school and college graduation pictures on my desk at school,” she smiled. “I also have my graduation caps and diplomas displayed. I believe these visuals help students see they too, can achieve their dreams if they work hard and try their best.”

For Wilkins and Fitterer, a visit to the Reality Store, coupled with a mission to succeed, can help anyone win in the “game of life.”

Lewis, of Little Rock, Arkansas spent 25 years in the U.S. Navy, before deciding to serve his country in a new way:

From the classroom.

“I’m a financial education teacher, and I love sharing that knowledge with others,” said Lewis. “The journey began when I enrolled in the Troops to Teachers program.”

Established in the 90’s, Troops to Teachers connects service members to K-12 educational opportunities. Shortly after enrolling, Lewis received an offer to teach in the Mississippi Delta. Bordered by the Mississippi River, the area is known for its culture and comfort food…as well as its struggle with poverty.

“It’s a common problem,” said Lewis. “But we’re fixing it.”

Making the Grade:

In 2013, Lewis began teaching at Coahoma County Junior High School in Clarksdale, Mississippi. There, he learned about the Mississippi Council on Economic Education (MCEE). The non  profit organization aims to increase financial literacy in Mississippi by providing opportunities for students and teachers to enhance their money smart skills. It even has an economics competition for students.

“If young people can get financial concepts, then we can change our situation in the Delta,” said Lewis. “We can empower more students to make wise choices when it comes to saving and spending.”

In 2016, Lewis prepped and prepared a team of seventh grade students for the MCEE competition. In the weeks and months leading up to the contest, he helped them understand the purpose of stocks, bonds, saving and investing.

“The lessons really resonated with the students,” Lewis smiled. “In fact, one mother called and asked me what I was teaching her son. She said he came home and wanted to buy stocks. With the help of his grandma, he bought shares for his birthday.”

Return on Investment:

By the time the contest rolled around, Lewis’ team was ready to win…

...and they did.

“It was wonderful, said Lewis. "After all, it’s about applying life lessons. The students succeeded in answering questions about interest rates, national productivity and even current events. This victory has expanded their horizons.”

The student success did not go unnoticed. After returning to the Delta the team received recognition from school leaders, city officials and state legislators. They were also invited to tour the state capital and watch the governor sign the 2017 Proclamation of Financial Literacy Month. On top of it all – each team member was awarded a scholarship for winning the MCEE contest.

“This experience has brought more attention to financial education," said Lewis. “In fact, a baseball player came to me and said he wanted to be like the MCEE competition students. He wanted to take part in the economic contest and, ‘be like those smart kids.’ It’s made teaching a lot easier because they see the value in these lessons.”

The added awareness is now translating into better student grades and new career possibilities. “Teachers like Mr. Lewis are powerful tools against poverty,” said MCEE President Selena Swartzfager. “His commitment to financial literacy and the well-being of his students is making a difference.  Great things are to come because of him.”

So what’s next for this hometown hero turned teacher? Lewis says, he’s right where he belongs.

“I feel strongly the best place to be is an educator in the Delta. We have the greatest students and leaders in the state of Mississippi. The next time you think about the Delta you will not think of poverty and great crops…you will think of its great students.”

This was Melissa Blue Muhammad’s life. She struggled with transportation issues for years. A college grad with a great family and an amazing job at Pearls for Teen Girls, she helps young women build a strong self-image and leadership skills every day.

The one thing Melissa didn't have was a reliable car. It was an older vehicle with a lot of problems. Melissa and her husband started to share the other vehicle in their household. She had difficulty making it to work and often relied on public transit or coworkers to help her get around.

Then, she remembered her mom went through a program to help her get a better car. She reached out to the YWCA of Southeast Wisconsin, which is supported by State Farm, to learn more about the Auto Loan Access program. Melissa was afraid her credit was too low and worried she could not get a car note.

But, she decided to tackle the issue and enrolled in the program. She attended several financial education workshops about saving and budgeting. She also learned about what can impact a person's credit score. She spent time reviewing her own credit score and found ways to improve it.

Lamb is the founding chief executive officer of the World of Money, a leading provider of financial education to youth in the Tri-State Area.

After conducting some research on the subject, Lamb found the answer to her question was a resounding “no”. So, after affirming the detrimental effects of this knowledge gap, she leveraged her network as a media personality and love of empowering children to create World of Money.

Since 2005, Lamb has been empowering youth by providing them an engaged, professional quality financial education. These accomplishments and her continued work inspiring youth is why Lamb was honored on the Together stage as New York’s “Dream Achiever.

“A ‘Dream Achiever’ is a woman who rejected the status quo and refocused her life to reflect her passion,” shared Michelle Hare from State Farm Marketing. “She is a woman who takes chances, follows her heart and believes in empowering others.”

Together is a six-city tour convening women across generations and backgrounds for six nights of storytelling focused on creating community, well-being, purpose and action. State Farm is a primary sponsor of the tour and will honor a Dream Achiever at each stop along the Together tour.

“The Together tour is about bringing women together to celebrate love, build community and take action. Through storytelling, Together aims to help people feel less alone in their lives,” said Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who leads WME’s Literary Division and is producing the tour. “Our work with State Farm to honor Dream Achievers is the ultimate culmination of the Together mission. Sabrina Lamb is inspiring and courageous -- a true example of what it means to live in your purpose and follow your dreams.”

More than 2,000 women gathered at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn for friendship, empowerment, and action. Core speakers included Glennon Doyle Melton, Seane Corn, Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Valarie Kaur, with celebrity guest appearances from Abby Wambach and Geena Rocero.

“Together is a movement bringing new ideas, influencers, and organizations together,” shared Hare. “Sabrina is the epitome of a Dream Achiever. She personifies what we hope for all the women attending the Together tour.”

Solo performer and author Sabrina Lamb heard this question at a financial planning seminar. She conducted a little research and learned the answer was a definitive ‘no’. Understanding the problems a lack of financial education causes, Sabrina jumped into action. Leveraging her background, experience, and love of children, she created, World of Money, in 2005.

World of Money (WOM) is a New York City-based non-profit whose mission is to empower youth through the engaged, local delivery of professional quality financial education.

With Sabrina’s leadership and State Farm financial support, WOM has strengthened its commitment to providing children and families day-to-day tools for enhancing their financial capability.

Since 2005, more than 3,000 youth, ages seven to 18, have received the necessary financial foundation to break a generational cycle of poverty. WOM helps to change the way youth view money by equipping them with the tenets for a financially responsible and philanthropic life: learn, earn, invest and donate.

“Our main goal is to enhance the lives of underrepresented children and young adults in the immediate New York City area,” shared Sabrina.

Sabrina took a chance, rejected the status quo and followed her heart. Now her life reflects her passion for helping and empowering youth. She is a Dream Achiever.

In 2005, she co-founded Financial Beginnings and started delivering financial classes to schools. In addtion, Bell revived the Oregon Jump$tart Coalition in 2008 and helped develop new statewide education standards that include financial literacy as a Social Science Core Standard.

These accomplishments and her continued work teaching young adults about the importance of financial planning is why Bell was honored on the Together stage as Portland’s “Dream Achiever.”

“A ‘Dream Achiever’ is a woman who rejected the status quo and refocused her life to reflect her passion,” shared Michelle Hare from State Farm Marketing. “She is a woman who takes chances, follows her heart and believes in empowering others.”

Together is a six-city tour convening women across generations and backgrounds for evenings filled with storytelling focused on creating community, well-being, purpose and action. State Farm is a primary sponsor of the tour and will honor a Dream Achiever in each city.

“The Together tour is about bringing women together to celebrate love, build community and take action. Through storytelling, Together aims to help people feel less alone in their lives,” said Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who leads WME’s Literary Division and is producing the tour. “Our work with State Farm to honor Dream Achievers is the ultimate culmination of the Together mission. Melody Bell is inspiring and courageous -- a true example of what it means to live in your purpose and follow your dreams.”

More than 2,000 women gathered at the Keller Auditorium for friendship, empowerment, and action. Core speakers included Glennon Doyle Melton, Seane Corn, Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Valarie Kaur, with celebrity guest appearances from Abby Wambach and Geena Rocero.

“Together is a movement bringing new ideas, influencers, and organizations together,” shared Hare. “Melody is the epitome of a Dream Achiever. She personifies what we hope for all the women attending the Together tour.”

In her next career role she helped people who had fallen behind on their financial obligations and save for retirement. But deep down, she felt she could do more. She wanted to help people before they fell into economic hardship.

Melody realized sound financial decisions are a result of early education. Unfortunately, the majority of the people she encountered did not have that education and were not equipped to make those important decisions. They not only struggled to make ends meet, but often were forced to put dreams and life goals on hold.

In 2005 Melody took a leap of faith. She left her secure job to start Financial Beginnings (FB).The non-profit provides unbiased, personal financial education to young people.

In 2015, the organization reached more than 34,000 youth and adults in Oregon and Washington. FB shares its financial literacy curriculum with 151 schools and 56 community organizations across both states.

Melody didn’t stop there. She revived the Oregon Jump$tart Coalition and took part in creating statewide financial education standards. Today, financial literacy is a Social Science Core Standard in Oregon.

Melody took a chance, rejected the status quo and followed her heart. Now her life reflects her passion for helping and empowering others. She is a Dream Achiever.

Clinton Taylor was a typical teen until his single mom lost her job. Then, he made choices that put him on a path to self-destruction. Luckily, his mom and other adults stepped up. They helped him make better choices and to take a brighter path.

The oldest of three children, Clinton was raised in a single parent home by his mother. His childhood was spent in some of the poorest, gang-infested neighborhoods in north and northeast Portland, Oregon. This was during the height of the crack epidemic in the early 1980’s.

For years, Clinton managed to avoid joining neighborhood gangs. The one thing he couldn’t avoid, was the heavy influence of street life.

After graduating from high school, Clinton found himself falling into a life of drugs and crime. At the urging of his mother, 19-year-old Clinton joined the United States Army. A few years later, he was in Iraq serving on the front lines in Operation Desert Storm.

Honorably discharged from the military, after five years serving his country, Clinton soon found himself back on the same streets in the same neighborhoods.

“I struggled for years to overcome my battles with drugs, alcohol, and crime,” Clinton shared. “The life I chose caught up with me; I was sent to prison for seven years.”

Once released, Clinton decided to turn his life around. He enrolled in college. He now has three degrees: an Associate’s Degree in General Studies, a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, and a Masters of Art Degree in Organizational Leadership.

In 2006, Clinton started his own motivational speaking and training business. Right State of Mind is an organization dedicated to helping others overcome barriers and obstacles in their personal and professional life. Clinton has led training sessions and presentations at all levels of education, drug/alcohol facilities, correctional institutions, and Fortune 500 companies across the country.

Clinton has also written successful training curriculums for life skills programs and workforce development programs. His programs have helped thousands of young people and adults enter education, employment and job programs. These programs, in turn, are putting young adults on the path to economic stability and positive contributions to their communities.

Currently, Clinton is the Program Manager in Tacoma and Seattle, WA, for Financial Beginnings, a nonprofit that empowers Pacific Northwest youth and adults to take control of their financial futures with State Farm support.

Clinton has successfully re-integrated himself into society. He has proven anyone can turn their life’s stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

“I believe the greatest tragedy in life is not the mistakes you make or how many times life knocks you down.” Clinton adds, “I believe the great travesty is to live your entire life and get to the end not knowing why you lived, and never discovering your purpose in life.”

The High School for the Recording Arts (HSRA) aka “Hip Hop High School” in St. Paul, Minnesota lives and breathes this concept. With financial help from State Farm, they know how to motivate students through music. They use music to teach the basics - reading, writing and math - allowing kids to better understand.

It all starts like any other classroom, textbooks and studying. But instead of a test, students take the lessons and write music about it. Students get studio time in the school’s state of the art facility keeping them focused on learning.

HRSA students recently took courses about budgets, credit cards and how to save for the future from the nonprofit, Make a Difference.

The HRSA youth took what they learned and created music to share their knowledge with their peers. The songs not only shared important financial tips, but are a fun, unique way to learn.

Challenging students to channel their passions into something positive can lead to amazing results. Listening to the songs, you wouldn’t guess kids ages 17-21, were the writers, talent and producers. Click here to listen to their tracks.

Make a Difference Wisconsin and Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest plan to weave these songs into their classrooms. These songs will bring new energy to financial literacy classes and events.

“As an organization that teaches kids financial literacy, the songs created by these talented young people bring a freshness and relevancy to this important topic that will help us educate and inspire the next generation,” Ryan Stauff, Vice President of Corporate development from Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest shared.

These students are using their passions to learn important concepts. And their songs are inspiring and engaging other teens with their messages too.

Satchel filled with curriculum materials. Check. A silver dollar. Check. A positive attitude. Check.

These are some of the tools Ian Wickline, Stacie Lehman and Lad Drago use when they teach Junior Achievement (JA) courses.

"I remember an insurance agent teaching JA when I was in the 5th grade," says Ian, IT analyst. "It made an impression on me. This is my chance to give back, represent State Farm^® and leave a lasting impression on the kids I teach."

Ian has been teaching JA courses to third-grade students in the same classroom and for the same teacher for 11 years.

"I explain to the class how a city works, and how and why a city is laid out the way it is," he says. "The students also learn about money, including information about checking and savings accounts, and how to open a business."

Junior Achievement USA provides financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship programs for K-12 students across the country. State Farm has been associated with JA for more than 20 years. JA volunteers teach the courses and share their personal work experiences in the classroom.

Ian, Stacie and Lad volunteer with JA for different reasons

Stacie currently teaches fourth graders how money moves around a community. "I show them different coins. Some of them have never seen a silver dollar or half-dollar coin since they aren't used much," she says. "To teach them about production, we have a factory where we make paper doughnuts and decorate them."

"I've been teaching JA courses to kindergarten, second-, third- and fourth-grade students for eight years," says Stacie, a State Farm P&C secretary. "I love working with kids because they soak in all of the new information and grasp the meaning. It's awesome to go week after week and see how they remember all the new things we talked about the previous week."

Lad, a State Farm agent in Spanish Fort, Alabama, recently taught his first class. "It was Economics for Success," says Lad. "I teach sixth graders about budgeting, taxes and the difference between gross and net income."

"I tell them what they save can equate to the type of car they drive or the home they live in," Lad continued. "One student exclaimed it wasn't fair how much taxes were taken out of a paycheck. I explained what that money was used for. He still thought it was unfair, but he understood it better."

"It's also not too early to talk to them about careers," he says.

"I have one girl who makes bracelets and sells them," says Ian. "I told her to take the principles she learns in the JA class and apply them to her small business. These classes allow kids to dream."

"I love it when kids recognize me in the store, and I get cards from them at the end of the session," says Stacie. "They are always happy and energetic. Oh, to be seven again!"

"I look forward to teaching the class. The kids make my day," says Lad. "I enjoy their energy and their worldly outlook. They give me high fives when I leave the classroom. That's the best."

JA recently presented State Farm the Bronze U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award. The Award recognizes individuals' and organizations' significant time contribution to volunteer service.

State Farm associates volunteered more than 6,400 hours of financial education programs to students throughout the U.S. to earn the 2014 – 2015 award. State Farm has been involved in JA for more than 20 years.

"Junior Achievement helps empower young people to own their economic success. And they do it through volunteers from organizations like State Farm," said Ed Quijano, a State Farm assistant vice president who accepted the award.

"There's something about the process of inspiring kids to dream big and reach their potential that also helps to enrich the lives of the volunteers themselves. Everyone benefits from getting involved with JA."

Click here to find opportunities to serve with your local Junior Achievement.

Everybody has dreams they wish to see come true. Soon it becomes clear it’s more than wishing, it takes a lot of work and discipline. Then life happens and dreams are diverted. However, with key information, training, hard work, and people who care about giving back, circumstances can change and dreams can become a reality.

Most people don’t grow up dreaming to be homeless at age 20; never renting an apartment their entire adult life and living on the streets. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) it is a stark reality many people face every day.

“Everyone expected me to be dead by now,” says Marcos Torres, a 46-year-old professional landscaper. A doctor predicted Marcos would be dead by 30 because he had been drinking since he was 14 years old and was a full-blown alcoholic by 20.

After being convicted of a felony at 14, drugs and alcohol consumed his life. “I started drinking at parties and it just spiraled out of control. I didn’t know how to stop,” Marcos says.

The drug and alcohol abuse began taking its toll on Marcos’ life. Marcos had a dream to join the military, but convicted felons aren’t accepted. His alcohol and drug abuse, felony conviction, and joblessness eventually led to him being homeless.

He started experiencing health issues and found himself $20,000 in medical debt. The odds of survival were stacking against him. He was deep in a hole, one in which too many people find themselves.

Being homeless is still more common than we think.

There are many causes for youth being homeless. NAEH points to family conflict, divorce, neglect, and abuse as the primary reasons. A large majority of young people experience short-term homelessness then return to family or friends. This wasn’t the case with Marcos. He didn’t know where to turn for help.

The turning point

“Then I was introduce to Pastor Manuel and he is the person who helped me,” says Marcos. “I knew of God, but didn’t know God,”

Pastor Manuel talked with Marcos about getting financially stable and shared Trellis’ financial literacy and first homebuyer’s education program information with him.

“God uses people to help you, and Pastor Manuel is that person for me,” says Marcos. Pastor Manuel helped Marcos find a job with a landscaping company, set goals to stabilize his life and make plans for his future.

With Pastor Manuel’s support, Marcos started confronting his alcoholism and drug abuse head on and started preparing himself to enter Trellis’ programs. Trellis helps those who don’t know where to start, get their financial lives back on track. They provide education and planning workshops covering first-time homeownership, foreclosure intervention and prevention counseling, and financial coaching.

Marcos worked hard to change his life. Before he knew it, he was enjoying his first paid vacation and attending out-of-state conferences. “Marcos was very disciplined from the start,” says Brenda Lopez, Trellis Coordinator of Financial Initiatives. “By the time Marcos entered Trellis’ program, he had cleaned up his act and was sober.”

Getting ahead

Another vital step Marcos needed to keep him off the streets was understanding how to manage his finances. He was introduced to a board game Trellis uses to identify what a person’s dominant behavior is around money.

“The game asks clients questions to determine if they are spenders, givers or savers,” says Patricia Garcia Duarte, Trellis President and CEO. “This helps us and our clients better understand why they spend money the way they do.”

Without ever having a job, Marcos didn’t have a clue what type of behavior he had with money other than spending it on drugs and alcohol. He went from being a spender to being a saver, putting $200-$300 a month in Trellis’ matching saving account program or an Individual Development Account (IDA). IDAs help clients save $5,000 to reach their financial goals.

One of Marcos’ goals is to be a homeowner. He is on track to have $5,000 saved by year’s end for a down payment on a home. Trellis’ credit education courses have helped Torres’ establish credit and see his score go from zero to more than 650, putting him on track to fulfil his homeownership dreams.

Marcos has now experienced his first paid vacation, attended an out-of-state professional landscaping convention, and is looking forward to purchasing his first home for himself and his family. He has taken the necessary steps to make all of his dreams come true and proving it’s never too late to turn your life around.

Visit NeighborWorks America for more information about financial education and homebuyers programs.

When Jill and her 9^th grade students began playing the Stock Market Challenge (SMC) in 1984, they used punch cards and weekly submissions to record their transactions on Commodore 64 Computers. Students wrote their own BASIC programs to track their stocks and generate portfolios. They couldn’t have imagined 30 years later students would still be playing the game – but this time on mobile phones and computers!

As the world moved from snail mail to the internet, so has the competition, and students have embraced the technology and applied it well. “When students are granted the privilege of taking their phones out in class, they truly stay on task - checking investments and calling on experts in the field” says Jill Bloom, 2014 Stock Market Challenge Advisor of the Year and Upper School Mathematics Lab Teacher at Scheck Hillel Community School in Miami.

Some of her former students still recall fondly their time in the competition. One of these students is Dr. Avi Jacobs, a cardiologist at Hillcrest Hospital in Cleveland where he is Director of the echocardiography lab. Dr. Jacobs played the games as a 7^th grader during the stock market crash of 1987.

“The games were my first introduction to investing in the stock market” says Dr. Jacobs. “It established a good basic foundation that has allowed me over the years to know what to look for when investing in stocks and the risks involved with those investments”.

Jill’s son, Jeremy Weber, who played the game as a 7th grader in 2000, is now playing the Florida Stock Market Game with his math students at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, Fl.

“I remember how much fun I had playing the games while I was a student while at the same time learning how the financial markets work” says Jeremy Weber. “The games opened my eyes as to the importance of bringing real life financial education into the classroom that you cannot find in a textbook”. “I want my students to now have the same positive experience”.

Jill has utilized the SMC at all age levels. She has played the game with her students at the elementary, middle school and high school level.

The SMC is marketed as usable in many subject areas, not just finance or economics. Jill has also facilitated the game via social studies, computer programming and math courses.

“The games have given me better insight on how the stock market works and how you can easily make or lose money in the markets” says Justin Florin, one of Jill’s 12^th grade students.

Many of Jill’s high school students are proud to include their years of participation in the games on their college applications. Having seen how the SMC games motivate and excites her students, Jill expanded the program last year to include not just her classes, but also the newly formed Investment Club.

“Evolving as global citizens, students become aware how the international news, business trends and personal wealth impact decision making - not only on a fiscal level, but also in every aspect of their lives,” said Jill, “The kids see that gathering, sharing and acting on this financial information will lead to taking control of the paths that their lives with take.”

Established more than 30 years ago, the Florida Stock Market Challenge gives K-12 students the opportunity to participate in an online investment simulation and manage a hypothetical $100,000 investment portfolio. Students throughout the state compete for the best portfolio performance and are awarded prizes at the end of both the fall and spring semesters.

This program is easily integrated into a variety of subject areas, including social studies, mathematics, and language art classes and is offered free of charge to all Florida teachers. Each May, the Florida Council on Economic Education (FCEE) recognizes an outstanding Stock Market Challenge Advisor in its annual Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching Economics (GAP).

“We are thrilled about the commitment State Farm has made to financial literacy education and the Florida Council,” said Suzanne Costanza, Director of Programs for the FCEE. “State Farm’s sponsorship means that literally thousands of students will have an opportunity to learn about our country’s financial markets and economic system through participation in this exciting simulation.”

“It takes too much time to apply.”

“The process is too difficult to understand.”

“My parents make too much money for me to qualify.”

These statements are just some of the reasons many students and parents do not complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

College can be a fulfilling, memorable academic experience; most importantly, college is a life-long investment. According to the College Board, the cost of attending college can range anywhere from $23,410 per year for a four-year, public, in-state school to $46,272 for a private, non-profit, four-year school.

On average, college graduates have lower unemployment rates and drastically higher salaries. According to a 2014 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, before retirement, college graduates will earn an average of $800,000 more than high school graduates.

Nationally, the percentage of students that enroll in college immediately after high school is 68 percent. In Central Texas, this percentage is less than the national average.

A lack of understanding about FAFSA application process was identified as a main reasons for the gap. So t, he Austin Chamber of Commerce decided to do something about it.

In 2006 the Austin Chamber of Commerce Quality of Life Foundation established the Financial Aid Saturdays (FAS) program. The program is supported by State Farm. The FAS provides free FAFSA application assistance to prospective and current college students, and their parents/guardians.

“Completing the FAFSA without help can be confusing,” said Mary Smith, an Austin area mother who has participated in the FAS program. “Several years ago, I missed out on possible financial aid for my older daughter by completing the application incorrectly.”

Mary continued, “The FAS staff members patiently walk parents through each step of the process, giving individual help as needed, while parents complete the form online.” She added, “They answer all of your questions so you will feel confident the form has been completed and submitted correctly.”

Since FAS established the program, which serves 15 school districts, annual FAFSA applications more than doubled, from nearly 5,600 in 2005 to more than 11,500507 filings in 2014.

With the help of FAS, students in the Austin-area have received a total of $116 million in federal and state student aid. This aid gives students the opportunity to realize their dreams of going to college and pursuing a career.

For more information on federal student aid, visit www.StudentAid.gov or the financial aid office of the college you are considering attending. Your high school and other local organizations may also have programs and workshops available to help you through the FAFSA process.

Since 2006, Simon Nakhale and his family played the lottery, the Green Card Lottery. The United States gives 50,000 permanent resident visas to citizens of countries with low immigration rates. In December of 2013, their prayers were answered.

In Nairobi, Kenya, Simon and his wife, Gladys, had respectable jobs. Simon was a trombone player in the military and a skilled carpenter. Gladys taught math, social studies and religion. While their dream of starting a new life in the U.S. was within reach, they had just a few months to pack up everything and everyone.

Along with their four children, aged nine to nineteen, Simon’s family move to the United States, a strange country where they knew just one person, luckily from Seattle.

Upon arrival in Washington, the family struggled to find a place to live. They stayed wherever they could, moving in and out of homeless shelters and friend’s houses. This constant movement made it hard for the couple to find work. After about a month in the U.S., a friend told the Nakhale family about Neighborhood House.

The Good House

Neighborhood House focuses its work on self-sufficiency, financial independence, health and community building. The program, supported by State Farm, program seeks to eliminate or at least reduce poverty in the community, especially in Seattle and King County. Since 1906, they have helped refuges, immigrants, and the poor reach their educational and economic goals.

Empowered Despite the Odds

Neighborhood House helped the Nakhale family find an apartment and assisted with application and deposit costs.

“Having been in the military for so long, our family was not used to living civilian life, so we found ourselves totally overwhelmed with so many choices and places to go in Seattle,” Simon recalled.

Neighborhood House’s Employment Case Manager helped the couple update their resumes and draft cover letters. Gladys desired to continue teaching. Her Employment Case Manager encouraged her to seek volunteer positions to gain experience in American classrooms.

Soon after the 43-year-old began volunteering at a child day care facility, Gladys was offered a paid position. Not too long after that, Simon was able to secure a job as a security guard.

The program also provided the family a financial counselor. They learned about U.S. financial management and websites they could visit to get additional resources. They learned how to call and set up appointments to look at apartments, how to fill out online job applications, and the importance of paying rent on time.

“Most importantly,” said Gladys, “Neighborhood House has stepped in and stood for us while we were trying to establish credit and vouched for us and helped pay our rent.”

Within seven months, both Simon and Gladys had found employment and a place to call home. Today, their focus is on planning for the future. Working with their Employment Case Manager, they are identifying opportunities and trainings to advance in their careers so they can better provide for their children.

Simon calls Neighborhood House his “rescue soldiers,” because the staff know just the right people to contact and they are “efficient at making sure we’re right at home.” -even if that home is 9,000 miles from Nairobi.