Forward Friday #18
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Friday, October 23
What happens when you get a paycheck, and suddenly you have to pay for housing, groceries, transportation, insurance, and everything else that comes with life on your own?
A group of residents recently got the chance to find out when they traveled to Columbia to attend the Independent Living Workshop, hosted by SC DSS and Smart Edge, powered by Clemson University. Designed for young adults ages 17-21, the workshop gave participants a hands-on look at some of the choices and responsibilities they’ll face as they move toward adulthood.
One of the day’s most engaging activities was the “Game of Life” simulation. Each participant was assigned a career and salary, then faced a month’s worth of expenses, including housing, food, transportation, insurance, and more. It didn’t take long to see how quickly a paycheck can disappear!
Our teens had to make choices, adjust their budgets, and figure out whether they could cover their expenses and still have money left to save. Afterward, they compared strategies and talked about what worked, what didn’t, and what they might do differently next time.
That’s what learning independence can look like: practicing real-world decisions now, while caring adults are still there to guide, encourage, and help along the way. And it’s exactly the kind of preparation we look forward to expanding through our two new Independent Living homes.
We're so thankful to everyone helping make what comes next possible. If you want to be part of bringing this new program to life and creating more opportunities for more youth and young adults, click here.
Looking for other ways in your everyday to help?
- Get dinner on Nov 1 at Firehouse Subs on Dave Lyle from 4-8pm and support the Independent Living program, launching soon!
- Your next car wash at EDGE Carwash or bag of coffee can help more youth find their way forward! Click the links to learn more.
