Enactus will continue its annual Enterprise City project at Abilene Christian School on March 1.
Enactus, a philanthropic and entrepreneurial organization within the Griggs Center, has endorsed Enterprise City for over a decade.
Erika Teilman, senior management major from Sugar Land and president of Enactus, said that their mission is to instill a sense of confidence and expertise that will help the students make wise spending and saving decisions in the future.
“Every year, Enactus brings a team of around thirty-five volunteers to Abilene Christian Schools, teaching the fourth and fifth-grade students the basics of money, banking, saving and spending through a simulated marketplace experience,” said Teilman. “Students rotate through a variety of booths, either spending their money or working to pay back their imaginary loan.”
Each year, Enactus brings in a representative from First Financial to help aid the financial education process during Enterprise City.
The representative helps facilitate the lesson each year. After the event, Enactus provides pre- and post-assessments to ensure students retain the information.
Paul Steinhaus, sophomore accounting major from Libertyville, Illinois and an executive in Enactus, is responsible for the Child and Youth Programming sector of the organization.
Steinhaus is responsible for planning and organizing projects such as Enterprise City and the Children’s Business Fair, which deals with child outreach in the Abilene community.
Paul said he hopes that the event will provide the kids at the ACS schools with a better understanding of business, banking, and saving through actual experience.
“We believe a hands-on and interactive event will help the kids comprehend these basics at a greater level,” said Steinhaus. “The primary purpose is to provide these ACS students with an event that will educate them on the basics of business at a young age through a fun and engaging event.”
The booths at the event offer a variety of themes such as a snack shop, arcade and a bank.
Teilman said that every year ACU has participated in Enterprise City, they have received positive feedback from both students and parents.
“I think that the involvement of ACU student volunteers makes the kids more excited about learning financial basics,” said Teilman. “It is also a great way for ACU students to give back to the community.”
The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. inside the gym at ACS on March 1 and is only open to students and faculty at ACS.
