The Harlan County 4-H Agent, Program Assistants, Agriculture Agent, and Program Assistants, in collaboration with the Challenge Academy, Harlan County and Harlan Independent School Family Resource Centers conducted the 23rd Annual 3 day 4-H Reality Store was held in November at the Extension Depot to provide youth skills education and a hands-on approach to career choices and financial management. Approximately 450 9th grade students attended from Harlan County High School, the Challenge Academy and Harlan High School. Approximately seventy volunteers from businesses, resource centers, governmental agencies, retired teachers and other organizations made the event successful. Participants were given careers based on their GPA with a salary to match. Students drew for family size of 0-4 children. Students were challenged to budget their finances to make ends meet. Community business, resource leaders and extension staff manned 21 booths representing banks, tax agencies, grocery stores, clothing stores, insurance agencies, entertainment services, housing, transportation, health and beauty needs, charities, childcare agencies, medical services, utility companies, supplementary income sources, furniture stores, evaluation booth, orientation and check-writing stations and chance. Evaluations were collected from booth volunteers, students, teachers and school administrators. Eighty-seven  percent of the students stated that they were determined to finish high school. Ninety-two  percent said that they would wait till they had a good job to have children. All participants and volunteers gave the Reality Store positive reviews.