The Poverty Simulation

The Poverty Simulation Experience helps participants understand how poverty affects community members' daily lives while they balance school, work, family and other responsibilities. 

Despite the complexity of poverty, it is often portrayed as a stand-alone issue. This simulation helps individuals rethink poverty by walking a month in the shoes of someone facing hardship to learn about the complexity and interconnectedness of poverty-related difficulties, particularly in accessing resources and education. 

During the simulation, participants will fill roles in up to 26 families, each facing typical challenges. The families receive cards detailing their unique situations. They must secure food, shelter and necessities by accessing various community resources over four 15-minute "weeks."  

Around 20 volunteers — preferably those who have experienced poverty — will act as resource providers, adding valuable perspectives. The Poverty Simulation Experience occurs in a large room with family groups seated in the center and resources around the perimeter.  

A facilitator leads the orientation, explains the rules and answers questions. The entire activity lasts about three hours, including an introduction, the simulation and a guided debriefing for participants and volunteers to share insights. 

Volunteering is important because it strengthens communities, offers significant personal benefits, improves the experience, fosters social connections and provides valuable career development through skill-building and networking opportunities. 

The following are the volunteer assignments:

• Helping with setup and teardown 
• Assisting with registration 
• Serving as a vendor or agency representative 
• Greeting and helping participants in their simulation journey 

Lunch is provided for volunteers.