100 Kids. 100 Volunteers. 1 Epic Day to Get Future Ready!

What’s more impressive than getting over 100 middle and high schoolers excited about financial literacy and career planning? Rallying nearly 100 volunteers to make it all happen! 

On June 30, Boys & Girls Clubs serving Wake & Johnston Counties hosted its second annual Stacks & Tracks event. The goal? Help youth prepare for the “real world” in the most engaging way possible—by diving into financial literacy (“Stacks”) and exploring career paths (“Tracks”) with hands-on fun. With support from incredible partners like First Horizon Bank, Comerica, Wake Technical Community College, and Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Stacks & Tracks empowered youth from all ten of our Clubs to start thinking critically—and confidently—about their futures. 

 

Stacks: A Reality Check through the Reality Store 

Youth participated in the Reality Store, where they were assigned a career, salary, relationship status, and surprise—kids! Before they could fully process their new adult lives, they were swept into the store, where real bankers from First Horizon Bank welcomed them to the grown-up world of budgets and bills. 

From housing to transportation, daycare to dining out, our members faced some serious decision-making. Should they buy a house or rent an apartment? Could they afford a dog and a Netflix subscription? Was there even room in the budget to donate to charity or grab coffee from anywhere besides their own kitchen? 

Spoiler alert: the financial counseling station was packed. And the unanimous takeaway? A newfound appreciation for their parents—and maybe a little fear of adulthood. 

More importantly, they walked away understanding the importance of saving money, budgeting wisely, and pursuing a career that can support the life they want. 

 

Tracks: Mapping out a Future Path 

Members also had a chance to learn about potential careers and how to pursue them through a hands-on career fair. Businesses and volunteers came out to not just talk about careers, but to show them what those careers looked like. Youth created restaurant menus, explored robotics, and saw what real jobs look like in action. 

One of the biggest hits? Our first-ever Influencer Panel. We brought in local content creators to share what it’s really like to be a professional influencer. Spoiler #2: it takes a lot more work than just recording funny TikToks. But our members learned that with creativity, consistency, and some serious hustle, it can be a legitimate career path. 

 

Apple – Workforce Readiness in Action 

Behind the scenes, we had our very own media crew. Through Apple’s Code and Create initiative, one of our youth members, Dom, became our official event emcee and content creator! Using Apple tech, Dom interviewed volunteers, captured moments, and narrated highlights as one of the first projects of the newly formed Great Futures Productions. Move over, Spielberg! 

Click here to see the video! Clipchamp 

Power of Partnership 

Stacks & Tracks wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our community partners who showed up in full force to make this event truly extraordinary. From banks and businesses to local creators, parents, and professionals, nearly 100 volunteers came together with one shared mission: to invest in the futures of our youth. Their dedication, enthusiasm, and generosity transformed what could have been just another summer afternoon into a vibrant, hands-on learning experience that our members will carry with them for years to come. 

As our President/CEO, Matt Taliaferro, put it: 

“This was one of the most impactful events I’ve been a part of. Stacks & Tracks made a difference in a lot of our youths’ lives today.” 

This event served as a powerful reminder that when a community comes together with purpose and heart, the possibilities for young people are limitless. We are deeply grateful to everyone who played a role in making Stacks & Tracks a success—and we can’t wait to see what we’ll build together next.  

Future Ready 

Stacks & Tracks was designed with one mission in mind: to help prepare Wake & Johnston County youth to be Future Ready—with the knowledge, tools, and inspiration they need to chase their dreams and crush their goals. Judging by the smiles, lightbulb moments, and slightly panicked budgeting faces… we’re well on our way. Because at the end of the day, America Needs Club Kids—young people who are curious, capable, and confident about building their futures.