Porter County Business League Awards Grant to Hilltop Neighborhood House “Biz Kids” Program

Hilltop-Biz-Kids-Business-LeaguePorter County Business League, a local networking group that meets Thursday mornings in Valparaiso, believes in supporting the community our members live and work in. We believe it is important that young people learn about our nation’s economy, personal thrift and the fundamentals of business. Because we are not affiliated with any national networking forum, our membership dues stay right here in Porter County. Each year we award two grants to non-profit organizations that promote business education and entrepreneurship for either adults or youth.

This year we are proud to announce that Hilltop Neighborhood House was awarded a $1000 grant for their program, "Biz Kids," within Hilltop Too: Walt's Place. Walt’s Place is an afterschool program at Hilltop that serves Valparaiso’s neediest children. There, the kids operate a Kids Café every day and as an added bonus to feeding their hungry peers, lucky members get to prepare and serve their own meals. This means shopping and budgeting as well as keeping track of how much they need for the week.

In addition, children must earn points (paychecks) from their other jobs (homework and clean up) to buy special treats and prizes. This "local shop" can stock merchandise ranging from pencils to tasty snacks, and sell its wares to students, and even the occasional visitor. The Biz Kids store, however, is more than a "convenience store;" its shelves also are stocked with the materials for building academic and lifelong learning skills.

This program offers Hilltop kids more than just a place to shop for snacks or school supplies, however; it also boosts students' academic and life skills through real entrepreneurial experience. Students have become savvy merchandisers and apply a mix of promotional techniques to sell their baked goods.

Hilltop Biz Kids relies on student involvement in all enterprise operations, from merchandising to maintaining the books. Students make key decisions about store operations and decide what the earned income will be spent on.

Hilltop is excited to feature this student-run store, because it not only brings together students and teachers, but it also has the ability to collectively blend the different aspects of the curriculum for a positive afterschool program in an applicable manner. And Porter County Business League is proud to be a sponsor of this program that educates future business leaders and community members in Porter County.