This learning tool, developed by the Missouri Community Action Network, has been created as a way to help communities understand the realities of poverty. During this simulation, participants are assigned a role in one of 26 possible family units living in poverty who have the stressful task of providing for basic necessities and shelter on a limited budget during the course of four 15-minute “weeks.” Each family has different strengths and challenges including extended family support, chronic illnesses, SNAP benefits, and job/school requirements. These participants interact with human service agencies, grocers, pawnbrokers, bill collectors, job interviewers, police officers, and others. Although props will be used to represent real resources throughout The Poverty Simulation, it is not a game.
Volunteers will serve as different human service agencies. An overview and training will occur at 8am the day of the event. Volunteers will be at the event from 8am-Noon. If you are interested in this event, but would rather participate than volunteer, please click here.
If you would like to volunteer, you can sign up using this link.
