Greenfield Community College (GCC), UMassFive College Federal Credit Union and the MassHire Franklin Hampshire Workforce Board recently joined forces to host a Reality Fair at GCC for over 70 students from Pioneer, Mohawk, and Athol high schools.

The Reality Fair is an engaging, hands-on budgeting experience designed to help high school students envision their financial future at age 25. Participants select a career of interest and are assigned a corresponding salary, which reflects real-world earning potential, including deductions such as taxes. Using this income, students navigate a series of booths where volunteers simulate life expenses—covering housing, insurance, transportation, food, savings, retirement, and more.

Throughout the event, volunteers emulate salespeople and counselors, encouraging students to consider emotional and sometimes costly purchase choices. Students manage their budgets with simulated checking and savings accounts and credit cards, gaining firsthand experience in financial management.

These sessions provided personalized guidance, helping students reflect on their experience and learn valuable financial wellness principles.

As UMassFive Community Outreach Manager Cait Murray describes it, “Many students have no grasp of how complicated making spending decisions can be. Reality Fair is a vehicle to get students thinking about the weight of their choices in life, providing an opportunity to start applying financial wellness concepts at an early age.”

Beyond the financial literacy activities, the event offered students a glimpse into college life through campus tours and workforce development games, fostering awareness of educational and career paths.

Supported by more than 30 volunteers from various organizations, the event exemplifies how community partnerships can inspire and prepare young people for a successful future—equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions.