By Anii Nwizu

Students are gaining valuable life skills through a creative and interactive approach to financial literacy.

In our School Age after-school program at Chief Joseph Elementary, each child is assigned a “job” such as helping with classroom duties or assisting peers. As with all jobs, they earn “paychecks” for completing their tasks, Through this process, they learn how to keep a checkbook, manage their money, and make thoughtful decisions about saving or spending.

By integrating these lessons into their daily routine, the program makes essential skills engaging and accessible, laying a strong foundation for future financial responsibility.

Once a month, excitement builds as “Shopping Day” arrives. The students cash their paychecks at the mock bank and go shopping at the mock store for items like toys, candy, or even temporary tattoos. Older students have the option of stepping into leadership roles by running the store, taking on responsibilities like stocking shelves and working as cashiers. 

“I help people check out what they want in the store,” a 5th grade student said. “I enjoy being able to help people, learning about money and keeping track of everything. I think it would be fun to be a real cashier when I’m older. I have a lot of fun during payday.”

These real-world experiences teach collaboration, customer service, and math skills in a fun and supportive environment.

Whether they’re shopping or running the store, every child is learning while having a great time, making the program a true highlight of their week.

I started using the Free Food Market. I learned about more programs that could help us. But the biggest change wasn’t the services themselves.

It was how I was treated. 

For the first time in my entire life, I was met with dignity. 

I wasn’t talked down to. I wasn’t made to feel ashamed for needing help. I wasn’t forced to “prove” I deserved to survive. At Neighborhood House, people spoke to me with genuine respect, something I have so often not been given, simply due to my circumstances. That changed everything. Even now, it still brings tears to my eyes. 

When you’re disabled, when you’re parenting alone, when you’re just trying to get through the day without falling apart…asking for help is hard. Being treated with kindness backed by action? It’s life-changing. 

That kindness empowered me. 
I joined the Head Start Policy Council. 
I became involved in statewide advocacy work. 
And eventually, when someone asked if I would consider joining the Neighborhood House Board, I said yes. 

Being on the board fills a need I’ve carried my whole life: the deep need to give back. There is so little any one person can do alone. But when we connect, when we come together as a community, everything becomes possible. 

People sometimes ask me why services like Neighborhood House still matter. 

My answer is simple: 

Because income inequality is growing. 
Because our systems do not prioritize people in poverty. 
Because without places like Neighborhood House, people really would go hungry. Children would go without resources necessary to thrive. Housing insecure families would be turned out into the streets. 
And that is simply not acceptable.

Until we change the systems that create these conditions in the first place, we need community-based organizations that keep people alive, keep families housed, and treat every neighbor with dignity.

And there’s one more thing I want you to know:

No one chooses this. 

Everyone is doing the best they can. 
Sometimes people just need a little boost.

When you donate or volunteer at Neighborhood House, it is truly life changing. You may never meet every person you help—but please know there are so many of us who feel overwhelmed with gratitude because these services exist.

I am one of them.

So today, as we close out the year, I’m asking you to help more neighbors like me.

Here’s how you can help right now: 

  • Make a gift today — your support goes directly to families who need it most.
  • Start a food dr​ive — our Food Security Program is a lifeline and always needs support. 
  • Share my letter with a friend who believes in a more just and caring community.

Thank you for believing in this work.

Thank you for believing in people like me. 

With gratitude,

Love 
Board Member & Program Participant 
Neighborhood House 

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