Jan8

CEO Co-Lab

GoWest's CEO Co-Lab is quickly becoming a "can't-miss" event among the region's most forward-thinking and innovative CEOs – you won't want to miss it.
Jan16

Wyoming CU Day at the Capitol

Our collective advocacy priority will be to showcase the impact Wyoming credit unions are making across the state, while increasing our connection and relationship with our elected leaders at the Wyoming Capitol.
Jan22

Idaho CU Day at the Capitol

Our collective advocacy priority will be to showcase the impact Idaho credit unions are making across the state, while increasing our connection and relationship with our elected leaders at the Idaho Capitol.
Jan28

Arizona CU Day at the Capitol

Our collective advocacy priority will be to showcase the impact Arizona credit unions are making across the state, while increasing our connection and relationship with our elected leaders at the Arizona Capitol.

Brittanie Bonanzino

AVP, Communications

Washington

Alyse Headshot

Alyse Knudsen

Manager, Communications

Oregon

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More Than 4,000 Students Take a Bite of Reality for #CUYouthMonth

Posted by on April 10, 2024

Helping younger generations understand how to budget, build credit, and create a positive relationship with money can change their future.  

As we celebrate #CUYouthMonth and Financial Literacy Month this April, credit unions are stepping up to showcase their commitment to financial education by hosting 36 (and counting!) Bite of Reality Fairs that will impact more than 4,000 high school students.   

The GoWest Foundation supports this collaborative effort by providing Bite of Reality—an app-based platform for high school students that addresses the most practical financial challenges they will experience in adulthood—to all participants. Students spend 90 minutes simulating the housing, transportation, food, and day-to-day costs of an assigned character while managing pushy car dealers and unexpected expenses, just as in real life. If students have questions or need guidance, credit union staff are there to help.   

“Since the Bite of Reality program’s inception in 2021, GoWest’s member credit unions have facilitated nearly 200 financial literacy events for over 18,000 students,” shared GoWest Foundation Program Manager Caroline Barragan. “Starting conversations about finances with students who may have never thought about concepts like budgeting or credit scores before is invaluable to their future, and we are proud of the credit union volunteers who have presented at schools in their community.”  

Take a look at this video created by students at Shelton High School in Shelton, Washington, for a firsthand look at a financial reality fair:  

Is your credit union ready to join in the fun? Request a Bite of Reality Toolkit here! Each kit contains everything necessary to put on an event, including 10 Kindle devices, as well as participant, facilitator, and outreach materials.  

For more information, contact the GoWest Foundation team at [email protected]. 

Posted in Financial Education, GoWest Foundation, Top Headlines.