A Colorado Springs nonprofit marked the end of its summer youth program with a graduation ceremony and community market, capping two months of business training for local children.
Kids in Colorado Springs spent two months learning entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and life skills through WHealthy Kids Club and celebrated their hard work with a graduation ceremony at Acacia Park. The program, run by nonprofit WHealthy Unlimited, teaches students business skills through a hands-on lemonade-making and selling experience.
"They did two hard months from June to August of learning entrepreneur skills, how to make the lemonade. We've built the lemonade stand and so today they're gonna get their certificate of completion," said the organization's site director. At the downtown location, students sell the lemonade they make as part of the program.
The curriculum extends well beyond the basics of running a business. The program goes beyond business basics, with WHealthy Unlimited also focusing on emotional development and wellness. "We're teaching them soft skills, how to emotionally regulate and handle those triggers that may come in school," the site director said.
The organization primarily serves children of formerly incarcerated individuals and works to show young people that their circumstances do not define their future. "We mostly work with the demographics of people who have been incarcerated and we're able to teach those kids some new skills and show them that whatever they did to get in trouble, that doesn't have to be their future — today there's other options for them. Most people who work here are justice impacted and so we're able to show them like that doesn't have to be your trajectory," the site director said.
WHealthy Unlimited also offers physical wellness programming, including grappling and yoga, after noticing kids in the area who needed a safe outlet. When someone buys a smoothie or lemonade from their drink bar, they get free access to the gym in the back of the establishment.
The graduation event also featured a community market that drew young vendors from across the city. The market had 29 kid entrepreneurs and business owners selling things such as crocheted stuffed animals, cotton candy, and bag charms. At the event, there were many booths and games to get the community to interact with one another, with one big draw being the kids market.
Students who completed the program said the experience left a mark. One coach noted that the program teaches students practical skills they can carry with them, including how to sell, do the math, and handle what is needed to run a business. One eight-year-old student said the program opened his eyes to what is possible: "Sooner or later we can like open our own business."
The next kids market in Colorado Springs is scheduled for late September.