Poverty Simulation

A root cause of many of the issues in our community is poverty, and we believe that for many people it is difficult to really understand what it means to be poor.   In an effort to help people ‘walk a mile in another’s shoes’, on March 30, 2019 we held a Poverty Simulation program from Community Action Partnership MN.

Here is an article which describes our event:

Roseville-Review-Do-Good-Roseville-Hosts-Poverty-SimulationDownload

This is a slideshow of the Roseville Poverty Simulation:

The Simulation was held at Roseville Area High School
24 volunteers were needed for roles as an Employer, Food Shelf, Quick Loan Service, Utilities, Employer, Jailer, Teachers and more.
The perimeter of the room contained all the organizations and services people had to interact with during the simulation.
Each attendee was assigned to a role in a family.
Each family received their ‘story’, including their income, expenses, initial transporation passes, etc. All the facts they had for the life they were taking on.
The rules were reviewed, but, as with life, the lack of inforamation created stress and chaos.
Families tried to decide on a plan to pay their bills, etc. Transportation was one of the biggest barriers. No one could get to work to school, to bank or grocery store, without transporation.
All services had hours like the real world, which was another major barrier, especially when services closed while people were waiting in line.
Rent and utilities had to be paid on time, or services were cut off.
Each week lasted 15 minutes, then the families regrouped to determine plan of attack, only to be presented with health issues, car issues, etc. that had to be dealt with.
It was a very intense experience that did not feel like a simulation. People really felt the stress.
At one point some of the families were evicted from their homes.
To find housing or a job?
At the end everyone gathered to share their experiences and their impressions.

Why a Simulation?

Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless you’ve experienced poverty, it’s difficult to truly understand. The Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) bridges that gap from misconception to understanding. CAPS is an interactive immersion experience. It sensitizes community participants to the realities of poverty.
CAPS is not a game. It is based on real Community Action clients and their lives.

CAPS exists to:
>Promote Poverty Awareness.  During the simulation, role-play a month in poverty and experience low-income families’ lives.
>Increase Understanding.  After the simulation, you will unpack your learning and brainstorm community change.
>Inspire Local Change.  Together, you can be a voice to end poverty in your family, friends and community.

Here are is a document of facts on poverty:  Poverty Myths and Stereotypes

Here are some things you can do: Poverty – What You Can Do

For more information about the Poverty Simulation:

http://www.povertysimulation.net/
http://www.povertysimulation.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Poverty_simulation_brochure_2017.pdf
Overview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEsjpMfMEPs&feature=share