ONTARIO, Calif.–The Richard Myles Johnson (RMJ) Foundation—the state foundation for credit unions in California and Nevada—has launched Bite of Reality Remote, a version of its interactive youth financial education program to continue to give young people a taste of real-world financial realities at a time when schools and communities are practicing social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Foundation noted that in a typical Bite of Reality event, teens are given a fictional occupation, salary, spouse, and kids. The teens then walk around to various table-top stations to “purchase” housing, transportation, food, day care, and other needs. As part of the exercise there is also a “credit union” to help when the teens encounter financial difficulties.
The Foundations said under the new remote version, credit unions don’t need a kit, a venue, or even volunteers.
“All they need is the BOR2 App Remote version and Bite of Reality PowerPoint as well as one to two credit union team members with knowledge of the program,” the Foundation said. “This modified version of the app and the PowerPoint have been created to help the facilitator deliver the program remotely.”
Students can download the BOR2 app on their phones while following along on a webinar with the facilitator.
How It Works
“The idea is that credit unions would set up a video call that students would log into on from their computer or laptop, and download the app onto their phones,” said RMJ Foundation Executive Director Tena Lozano. “The students would then watch the PowerPoint, which shows the merchant sheets, screen shots of what they should be seeing on their phones, etc., as they play along on their phones. Everyone will be at the same station at the same time.”
Credit unions will follow the normal procedure for requesting a code from RMJ Foundation Program Coordinator Jenn Lucas, the organization said, with each remote fair will have its own unique event code. Having smaller groups of students of about 20 to 30 to allow for plenty of interaction with the facilitator is recommended, according to the Foundation.
The RMJ-branded version of the program is available for free to credit unions across the country, Lozano said.
“We want to do our part in helping credit unions everywhere continue to provide vital financial education during this difficult time,” she added.
For info: info@rmjfoundation.org