Youth are not aware of the high cost of living and with recent increases, it is more important than ever to have an understanding or the importance of a good job and therefore a good education.

A post event survey was conducted with the participants. The principal still has the results as they are having the youth to write a reflection piece on the experience.

The audience was Ballard County Middle School 7th and 8th graders. They researched a career they were interested in and found the salary and educational requirements. Their "monthly income" was based off of this research.  They receive a "check" with taxes removed and they had to "pay their bills" for the month. Bills included child care (if any), student loans (if any), transportation, lodging, groceries, health care, personal care, furniture, access to communications, and much more. If they needed help at any time, they went to the SOS booth where they could get some assistance if they were eligible, a part time job, or guidance to go back and get a less expensive home and/or vehicle.

This was a collaboration with Ballard County Schools, Youth Focus and several businesses in the county.

I'm waiting to get the surveys back from the principal but initial discussions indicate that youth were very surprised at the cost of living, especially groceries and child care. They also realized that in general, the better their education, the better their income, with some vocational exceptions.