YOUNGSTOWN - Wanting high school students to see what the ''real world'' is like, a workshop simulation hosted by Upward Bound provided that opportunity.
Renee White, workshop facilitator with Upward Bound, said the "Real World" simulation held on the Youngstown State University Campus showed high school students from the Youngstown area situations in which they learned about money management and costs involved for housing, clothing, insurance, food, entertainment and an transportation.
''We provided them with a chance to work together and see how when you hold a job, where your money will go,'' White said.
Sherri Woods, program director, said students from grades ninth to 12th at Youngstown East and Youngstown Chaney high schools were placed in different groups where they were told what the costs are in various categories.
Upward Bound is a federally funded pre-college program that prepares high school students for secondary education. White said one of the ways that Upward Bound services its students is through a summer residential program.
White said the Real World workshop is a career exploration, decision-making and money management program.
''The program is an active, hands-on activity that gives young people the opportunity to explore careers and make lifestyle and spending choices similar to those adults face,'' she said.
The program provides opportunities for students to succeed in their pre-college performance and ultimately in their higher education pursuits. Upward Bound serves students from low-income families and high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree.
The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in, and graduate from, institutions of post-secondary education.