Canvas Credit Union hosted a financial education simulation Friday morning for teens participating in the Greeley Recreation Center’s Summer Teen Employment Program.
The program provides 14- to 15-year-olds — often stepping into their first job — with valuable work experience in seasonal positions for 20 hours per week for 10 weeks. The Greeley Recreation Center turned to Canvas Credit Union to share expertise and advice for these young teens embarking on their employment journeys, according to Nancy Patton, a community involvement specialist at Canvas Credit Union.
More than a quarter of the Gen Z generation report they are not confident in their financial knowledge, according to a 2025 Generational Finances Survey.
That’s why Canvas Credit Union delivers financial knowledge through “My Future Money Life,” which presents real-life money scenarios to students for a fun, fast-paced lesson on navigating monthly expenses, emergency costs and savings.
“My Future Money Life” reaches colleges, school districts, Boys and Girls Clubs and nonprofits that serve youth across northern Colorado, Patton said.
In Weld County, Canvas Credit Union has partnered with high schools through the Advancement Via Individual Determination program and the High Plains Library District and Employment Services of Weld County.
In 2024, Canvas Credit Union presented “My Future Money Life” 97 times, reaching more than 2,300 young people from middle school to college, according to Patton. She said 2025 will likely duplicate those numbers.
Simulation participants receive a document that assigns them a life in adulthood, like a career, a partner, children and an income. Some had to manage life without a partner, others had a family of four to consider.
No matter the pretend job, from bank manager to physical therapist, the document also enclosed monthly financial obligations, like credit, student loans and health insurance.
“This is what your life might look like a couple of years after you finish your education,” Patton said Friday.
The Canvas Credit Union team then tasked the eager students to take their financial situation and step into the world of budgeting with everyday spending in topics like transportation, clothing, entertainment, housing, groceries, technology, child care and donations.
Students aimed not to spend more than they make in the scenario they received, but Patton encouraged the young teens to consider the actual lifestyle they want in the future and where they want their money to go.
However, it wouldn’t be a lesson on adulthood without a few obstacles getting in the way of monthly budgeting. As teen employees circled the Greeley Recreation room Friday, trying to create a lifestyle they envision having in the future while evaluating their income, a Canvas Credit Union team member gave out “surprise” cards.
These cards added to the decision-making process, preparing the participants for life’s curveballs, like a car breaking down, medical emergencies and more.
Canvas Credit Union team members assist Greeley's Summer Teen Employment Program participants during a financial education simulation on Friday, July 27, 2025, at the Greeley Recreation Center. (Staff Reporter/Morgan McKenzie)Canvas Credit Union also incorporated a lesson on saving expectations, encouraging students to save 10% of their total income. The team urged teens to start saving now because how they manage their money will have a lifelong impact.
The simulation ended with students submitting feedback cards on what they learned. A previous “My Future Money Life” participant from the Boys and Girls Club in Loveland shared a sentiment many can relate to when it’s time to pay the bills.
“Being an adult is expensive,” the participant wrote.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Canvas Credit Union teaches financial education to Greeley teen employees )
Also on site :