Financial Reality Check is a hands-on budgeting simulation designed to enhance high school students’ financial literacy and practical money management skills by building upon what they learn at school.
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Volunteer to help us challenge perceptions, enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills, change perspectives about the future, and strengthen youth financial literacy!
As a Financial Reality Check volunteer, you will play a key role in helping students:
Choose from two volunteer roles at the simulation.
Review students’ budgets, check their calculations, and offer guidance on financial planning, savings, credit, and debt management. (Experience in the financial sector is an asset.)
Run a booth and “sell” products and services to students as they manage their budgets and make purchasing decisions. No financial experience required — just enthusiasm and engagement!
Share your time and knowledge at an upcoming Financial Reality Check simulation and guide youth through real-life spending decisions. Volunteers are welcome to sign up for both a morning and an afternoon shift if they wish. Lunch will be provided for volunteers who are staying for the full day.
8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (Various shifts available)
Holy Trinity Catholic High School, 7007 28 Avenue NW, Edmonton
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8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (Various shifts available)
Harry Ainlay High School, 4350 111 St NW, Edmonton
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8:00 A.M. - 4 P.M. (Various shifts available)
Salisbury Composite High School, 20 Festival Way, Sherwood Park
Sign UpHow Might a Teachers’ Strike Impact Financial Reality Check?
Delivery of Financial Reality Check (FRC) simulations to high school students would not be possible without the partnership, commitment, and engagement of local educators.
United Way has a longstanding partnership with the labour community and respects the collective voice of workers, including teachers. We will not cross a picket line during any strike action or lockout.
Therefore, if Alberta teachers strike as planned on October 6, 2025, the FRC simulation at Holy Trinity Catholic High School on October 28 will be affected as follows:
• If the labour dispute resolves on or before October 21, we will move ahead with the simulation as planned.
• If it continues beyond October 21, that simulation will be rescheduled to a later date.
We are closely monitoring ongoing labour negotiations with K–12 educators and will continue to provide updates to volunteers on events scheduled in November as the situation unfolds. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
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