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A student employee working in the Fun Services Warehouse prepares a product delivery in Young AmeriTowne.
There’s a big movement to shop local these days, and for good reason. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a national nonprofit focused on research, policy, and partnerships that create healthy communities, “A growing body of research is proving something that many people already know: small-scale, locally owned businesses create communities that are more prosperous, entrepreneurial, connected, and generally better off across a wide range of metrics.”
Young AmeriTowne might be one of the tiniest local communities in Colorado, but it’s still teaching kids about how local business works. And a valuable partner in this work is a long-time partner, Fun Services.
Mayor Oscar of Young AmeriTowne poses with Rich Martinez, President and CEO of Young Americans, and John Kindsfather, Owner of Fun Services.
Fun Services is a local business in Westminister that has been “bringing fun to Colorado since 1980.” The organization has supported Young Americans Center for nearly two decades through the Young AmeriTowne Warehouse shop at both the Denver and Lakewood locations. Fun Services provides, at a free or reduced cost, many of the toys and food items delivered by the Warehouse employees each day. In total, these products number in the tens of thousands every year!
At Young AmeriTowne, student “citizens” act as both consumers and producers. When they work in a Towne shop, they create a marketing strategy, set prices, and sell products. When they are on break, students purchase products from the different shops in Towne.
The magic of Young AmeriTowne is that students aren’t just pretending—they are actually participating in their own local economy. Young Americans Center is grateful for the long-time support of Fun Services, a big contributor to this hands-on learning experience!
