Tag Archives: LIFE Fair

First Financial Hosts 1st LIFE Fairs at MCVSD and Neptune High Schools

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Press Release

(Pictured above: Neptune High School Business Department members along with First Financial staff and Jackson Academy of Business advisory board members work together to introduce the LIFE Fair Program to the Neptune School District).

Freehold, N.J. – On May 29th and June 5th, First Financial Federal Credit Union held two high schools’ first LIFE™ (Learning Independent Financial Education) financial reality fair events at the Monmouth County Vocational School in Freehold Borough and another at Neptune High School.

While the credit union has hosted financial reality fairs in the past, these were the first to be held at both schools. At Neptune High School, a group of financial literacy and entrepreneurship students successfully helped to facilitate the fair to the participating students from business classes. At MCVSD – career ready cosmetology, HVAC, and plumbing/pipefitting high school seniors all participated in the fair in two different sessions. Approximately 200 students between both schools shared in this hands-on version of the “game of life,” during which they were required to make several on-the-spot financial decisions.

The LIFE™ Fair consists of a full day hands-on experience where students, after identifying their career choice and starting salaries, are provided a budget sheet requiring them to live within their monthly salary while paying for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, and food. Once the students visit all the fair booths, they balance their budget and sit down with a financial counselor to review their expenses and get a “financial reality check.” First Financial staff members work at the financial review tables with each of the participating students to provide insight into their budget and point out lifestyle choices they may need to change.

(Pictured above: Neptune High School students experiencing their first LIFE Fair).

In regard to the school’s experience with their first ever LIFE™ Fair, Tara Stephenson, Neptune School District’s Business Department Chair stated, “The Neptune Township School District was beyond fortunate to partner with First Financial Credit Union to host the LIFE Fair on June 5th at Neptune High School.  This event was an invaluable experience for our students and opened their eyes to the real financial world that awaits them after high school.  Students were provided supportive guidance and assistance on many levels from the First Financial staff.  We are thrilled to begin planning another event for the upcoming school year and to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing team from First Financial!”

Niurka Coy-Bush, MCVSD CTE-Math teacher stated, “The LIFE Fair was immensely educational and very realistic. It was a huge success! The students were completely engaged in the process as they visited the different stations. The entire simulation was very well thought out and planned, and at an appropriate level for our students.”

(Pictured above: The wheel of LIFE and a few stations at the MCVSD plumbing and pipefitting classroom).

While the LIFE™ Fair was certainly full of temptations, the students had to spend their money wisely in addition to being able to save and budget themselves for the future – while also enjoying everything life has to offer.  First Financial President and CEO, Issa Stephan, concluded, “Our mission for our LIFE™ Fair events is to help students understand the value of money and how to manage their money, so as they grow as an adult they’ll become more financially responsible. These fairs are able to show our local high school students in a hands-on way, about the financial realities of the real world. Our credit union puts a high priority on financial education, after all – that’s how First Financial began 83 years ago, with a group of schoolteachers in Asbury Park.”

Additional photos from the events can be seen on First Financial’s Facebook page. To inquire about or set-up a LIFE™ Fair for a Monmouth or Ocean County, NJ school or business – please contact First Financial’s Business Development Department at  business@firstffcu.com.

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First Financial Hosts Student Run LIFE Fair at Jackson High Schools

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(Pictured above: First Financial staff members and students from the Jackson Academy of Business teach fellow students about the financial realities of life at Jackson Memorial High School).

Freehold, N.J. – First Financial Federal Credit Union held their first student run LIFE™ (Learning Independent Financial Education) financial reality fair events at both Jackson Liberty and Memorial High Schools with the Jackson Academy of Business (JAB) students. While the credit union has hosted financial reality fairs in the past, this fair was actually staffed by high school students, who sat behind each of the financial tables and worked with other students to help plan their financial future. Approximately 160 students at each school participated in this hands-on version of the “game of life,” during which they were required to make on-the-spot financial decisions.

The LIFE™ Fair consists of a full day hands-on experience where students, after identifying their career choice and starting salaries, are provided a budget sheet requiring them to live within their monthly salary while paying for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, and food. Once the students visit all the booths, they balance their budget and sit down with a financial counselor to review their expenses and get a “financial reality check.” At the student run fairs, First Financial staff members worked at the financial review tables with each of the participating students to provide insight.

In regard to the school’s experience with their first ever student run LIFE™ Fair, Laurie Shupin, Jackson Liberty teacher and the high school’s JAB coordinator stated, “The students felt it was an excellent learning experience and became more knowledgeable of the subject matter as the day progressed.  They are looking forward to more presentations and would love to extend it to the fall and spring semesters.” Laura Fecak, Jackson Memorial teacher and JAB coordinator stated, “The LIFE Fair was a great opportunity for all of our students involved.  It was an eye opening experience for the Financial Literacy students that came through to get a dose of reality, connecting classroom concepts to real life situations.  As well as, for the Jackson Academy of Business students that got to act as the sales representatives in a variety of situations (housing, transportation, technology, furniture, etc.).”

While the LIFE™ Fair was certainly full of temptations, the students had to spend their money wisely while being able to save and budget themselves for the future – while also enjoying everything life has to offer. First Financial President and CEO, Issa Stephan, concluded, “Our mission for our first student run LIFE™ Fair was to help the students understand the value of money and how to manage their money, so as they grow as an adult they’ll become more financially responsible. The student run fair was able to show the high school students even more about the financial realities of the real world. Our credit union puts a high priority on financial education, after all – that’s how First Financial began in 1936, with a group of schoolteachers in Asbury Park.”

(Pictured above: Jackson Liberty LIFE Fair).

Additional photos from the event can be seen on First Financial’s Facebook page. To inquire about or set-up a LIFE™ Fair for a Monmouth or Ocean County, NJ school or business – please contact the Business Development Department at  business@firstffcu.com.

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First Financial Hosts its First LIFE™ Financial Reality Fair for Students at Lakewood HS

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LIFE Fair Housing Table and Wheel

Pictured above: Students from Lakewood HS spin the LIFE™ wheel and choose housing options.

On May 20, 2015, First Financial Federal Credit Union held the first LIFE™ (Learning Independent Financial Education) financial reality fair event for the students at Lakewood High School. While the credit union has hosted financial reality fairs in the past, this fair has been revamped and is specifically sponsored and developed by First Financial. Approximately 160 sophomore, junior, and senior students participated in this hands-on version of the “game of life,” during which they were required to make on-the-spot financial decisions.

Dress for Success

Above: Dress for success table with career wardrobe options.

The LIFE™ Fair consists of a full day hands-on experience where students, after identifying their career choice and starting salaries, are provided a budget sheet requiring them to live within their monthly salary while paying for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, and food. Once the students visit all the booths, they balance their budget and sit down with a financial counselor to review their expenses and get a “financial reality check.”

Getting ready for the real world - ties

Above photo: Students learn how to tie a tie, along with gaining resume writing and interviewing advice.

In regard to the school’s experience with their first ever LIFE™ Fair, the school’s Assistant Principal stated, “What an amazing experience for our students! The LIFE™ Fair afforded our students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they learned through our financial literacy curriculum and apply that knowledge in a fun and engaging way. We are extremely grateful to First Financial for providing financial counselors and other volunteers who helped our students better understand the real world financial concepts that they will utilize for the rest of their lives.”

LIFE Wheel

Above: The LIFE™ wheel.

While the LIFE™ Fair was certainly full of temptations, the students had to spend their money wisely while being able to save and budget themselves for the future – while also enjoying everything life has to offer. First Financial President and CEO, Issa Stephan, concluded, “Our mission for our first LIFE™ Fair was to help the students understand the value of money and how to manage their money, so as they grow as an adult they’ll become more financially responsible. Our credit union puts a high priority on financial education, after all – that’s how First Financial began in 1936, with a group of schoolteachers in Asbury Park.”

Additional photos from the event can be seen on First Financial’s Facebook page. To inquire about or set-up a LIFE™ Fair for a Monmouth or Ocean County, NJ school or business – please contact the Business Development Department at business@firstffcu.com.

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About First Financial Federal Credit Union:

First Financial Federal Credit Union (formerly Mon-Oc Federal Credit Union) is a not-for-profit financial cooperative whose goal is to provide the highest level of quality products and personalized services while maintaining financial integrity and stability.  Our vision is to be a long-term financial partner with our Members. While First Financial has a highly trained, professional staff using the latest technology, we also pride ourselves on our personal touch. Unlike huge banking conglomerates, policy setting and overall strategic direction of First Financial are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of credit union members. The credit union is federally insured by the NCUA. For more information on First Financial, visit www.firstffcu.com.