Will you start out the month with only $10 to meet your family’s basic needs? … Or, will you be one of the unlucky ones? You’ll find out when you join us for a unique opportunity to experience the virtual realities of poverty.
The Upstate Family Resource Center and the United Way of the Piedmont will host a Poverty Simulation on March 31, 2016 at 2pm. This learning tool has been created as a way to help people understand the realities of poverty. During the simulation, participants role-play the lives of low-income families. Some are TANF recipients, some are disabled, and some are senior citizens on Social Security. Participants will have to provide for basic necessities and shelter on a limited budget during the course of four 15-minute “weeks.” They interact with volunteers serving as human service agencies, grocers, pawnbrokers, bill collectors, job interviewers, police officers, and others.
Although play money is used, the simulation is not a game. It is a simulation that enables participants to look at poverty from a variety of angles and then to recognize and discuss the potential for change within their local communities. The simulation was designed to sensitize those who frequently deal with low-income families, as well as to create a broader awareness of the realities of poverty among policymakers, community leaders, and others.
We invite you to participate in the Poverty Simulation and we think you will find it provides an intriguing opportunity to describe a very real challenge to our community.
The simulation is most appropriate for adults. There are often situations and conversations that are not appropriate for children under the age of 18.
The simulation is very dependent on the number of people who participate, so you MUST pre-register here in order to ensure your spot in the simulation.
Location:
New Beginnings United Methodist Church
210 Rainbow Lake Road
Boiling Springs, SC 29316
Event Contact:
Rohitha “RJ” Jayasuriya 864-578-6013 ext. 1619 if you would like additional information or would like to register for the simulation by March 29th.
But be quick as there are a limited number of spots left.
