Conversations with teens, parents and educators express concern that with the advent of smart phones and social media, people are becoming less and less comfortable interacting face to face – an important skill for the job market.
And the unemployment statistics for teens have been very high – nearly 20% this past summer.
A local non-profit for financial literacy, BeMoneySmartUSA, has come up with a way for teens to “unplug” and learn how to confront these statistics with confidence, creativity and determination with good old-fashioned relationship management.
Every Sunday, BeMoneySmartUSA holds a Farmer’s Market, run by teenagers who have graduated from the BeMoneySmartUSA courses.
Marie Hall founded BeMoneySmartUSA as a non-profit that offers financial literacy classes, at the Phoenix University in Roseville, to help youth respond to the “too big to fail crisis” with hope and a good game plan.
“We are trying to show the teenagers that it is possible to create your own job, no matter how bad the job market appears,” said Hall, “The teens in this program manage all aspects of this market from vendor relations to communications and marketing.”
Autumn Hall, Marie’s daughter, works for the Farmer’s Market.
“Kid’s don’t believe it’s possible to get a job, so they don’t try,” said Autumn, “They fear rejection – something that is less likely to happen on Facebook or texting. In this program we get practical training for real life situations and teaches us to be independent.”
The experience these teens gain by running a BeMoneySmartUSA business earns income, enhances their resume, builds confidence and improves prospects for future employment.
Check out the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market Sundays through November 7:
9AM to 1PM
San Juan Plaza, 9045 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Carmichael, CA
Contact Managers: Don and Marie Hall 916-484-7000
Parent Resources
Banana Moments
Smart Money for Smart Schools
BeMoneySmartUSA
(Ref:350-e)
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