Diamond Employees Participate in Financial Reality Fairs at Berks and Montgomery County Schools

Diamond Credit Union volunteers have participated in financial reality fairs along with other local credit unions for over ten years. At these fairs, volunteers visit high schools and go over financial topics with students to give them an idea of what bills they may need to pay after graduation.

Students are given theoretical incomes based off the field of work they intend to go into after high school. They then go to different stations for topics including housing, insurance, food costs, cell phone bills, loans, food, clothing, pets and more. At the end, financial counselors at the fair will go over their total expenses compared to their income, and inform students if they need to reevaluate their spending.

“I am fortunate enough to be able to take part in the planning for these invaluable events for our local schools on behalf of Diamond,” Diamond Credit Union Royersford Branch Manager/Diamond’s Montgomery County Reality Fair Representative, Kelly Smithson said. “These fairs bring students a taste of reality and provide our financially educated volunteers the opportunity to prepare them to be working members of our communities. Most students are always pleasantly surprised at just how expensive life is.”

Throughout the 2024-2025 school year, members of the Diamond team attended financial reality fairs at Coventry Christian Schools, Muhlenberg High School, Schuylkill Valley High School, Hamburg High School, Owen J. Roberts High School, Pottstown High School, Reading High School and Conrad Weiser High School.

“I am lucky to have the privilege of being a part of something so rewarding in our community with the students preparing them for the reality of Financial Literacy,” Diamond Credit Union Cumru Branch Manager/Diamond’s Berks County Reality Fair Representative, Cori Coleman said. “Many students are surprised to learn about the topics at the fair, and I’m glad that we have a chance to teach them about these real world situations.”

About Financial Reality Fairs

Financial Reality Fairs  are an interactive financial literacy tool for young adults in high school, technical school, Job Corp or college.  The Financial Reality Fair concept is a unique, hands-on opportunity for students to experience some of the financial challenges they will face when they start life on their own (crossstate.org).