Realville Round Two Empowers Students with Real-World Financial Skills

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, students stepped into the real world—at least for a day—during round two of Welcome to Realville, a powerful financial literacy simulation hosted by Cadence Bank and volunteers from the Jackson, Mississippi Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Held at Underwood Auditorium in Flowood, the event provided a hands-on learning experience designed to help Goodwill of Mississippi employees understand the importance of budgeting, financial decision-making, and long-term planning.

As participants navigated through Welcome to Realville, they were given jobs, monthly incomes, and a variety of financial obligations—from housing and transportation to groceries, childcare, insurance, and surprise life events. Their goal: to manage their money wisely while balancing needs, wants, and unexpected expenses.

“At Goodwill of Mississippi, our mission is to help individuals transform their lives through lifelong learning and meaningful work,” said Brad Steffani, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi. “Welcome to Realville is an extension of that mission, offering our employees a chance to make real-world financial decisions in a safe, engaging environment. We’re proud to partner with Cadence Bank to help prepare these individuals for success.”

This second installment of the Welcome to Realville simulation brought together community volunteers, banking professionals, and Goodwill employees to guide participants through each decision point. Many Goodwill employees walked away with a deeper appreciation for how quickly expenses can add up and how critical it is to plan, save, and think ahead.

Programs like Welcome to Realville reflect Goodwill’s broader commitment to equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive—not just in the workplace, but in life.