Dunkin Donuts franchise owners, employees and over 100 children gathered at Exchange City in Portsmouth to celebrate the opening of a new Dunkin Donuts in “the city.” A city built for and run by students, that is.

Exchange City is a highly effective educational program located in an 8,000 square foot life size replica of a city in Portsmouth. The building has realistic architectural design customized to reflect New Hampshire’s business and institutions. It is here that children ages 9-14 take on the roles of employees, business owners and consumers, as they run fifteen businesses and government offices. Director of Development, Sandra Acox says, “Exchange City’s goal is to teach kids practical life skills and prepare them to be successful when entering the workforce. Dunkin Donuts is a perfect fit for us, the students fill out an actual Dunkin Donuts application, interview for the job, and wear Dunkin Donuts uniforms while running the business, they even went as far as to supply us with munchkins when schools are visiting. I can’t say enough about the franchise owners and employees, they all came together to make this happen. We are very grateful.”

The day culminated in a ribbon cutting ceremony where Natalie (a 6th grade student), the City Mayor did the honor of cutting the ribbon. Seacoast Operations Manager John Carroll, says “the Dunkin Donuts community is overwhelmed by what Exchange City represents, we fully endorse this program.”

Returning for a second year, Melrose Middle School is a strong supporter of the program, teacher Jenn Myette explains, Exchange City is giving children an opportunity to see the teamwork that is involved in running a business, something every child should know about, they will never forget this experience.” A first time parent volunteer, Neil Sullivan enthusiastically states, “this fast paced, exciting day was so much fun, it created an amazing learning experience and help kids to really understand how to run a business and more importantly, how to handle money! I had no idea such a program existed.”

Exchange City is to help develop confident, knowledgeable, and ethical youth, while enhancing the future workforce and preparing them for successful and fulfilling lives. Our program educates and inspires public, private and home schooled students to be better workforce prepared by teaching financial literacy, economics, entrepreneurship, and civics, in a creative and stimulating hands-on environment  Please call us about our summer “Biz Camp” programs and “New Hampshire Future Women in Business” program at 433-2210 or sacox@exchangecity.org also visit us on the web at www.lx.org.