POVERTY
Tyler Independent School District, The Center for Elimination of Disproportionality and Disparities, and the East Texas Human Needs Network are partnering to offer this amazing opportunity!
A Poverty Simulation is a unique tool used to educate everyone, from policy makers to local community leaders, about the day to day realities of life with a shortage of money and an abundance of stress - but poverty is much more than a lack of money. Please join us for an experience you will not forget.
Could you survive one month living in poverty?
Audience: Social services providers, volunteers, board members, philanthropists, foundations, schools, government, civic groups, congregations - everyone is welcome.
To register, click on the scheduled time that best meets your needs:
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Monday, July 28
Tuesday, July 29 Wednesday, July 30 Thursday, July 31 |
Print & share this poster!
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How does a poverty simulation work?
In the simulation, participants assume the roles of family members of different families facing a variety of challenging, but typical circumstances. Some are homeless, others have recently become unemployed, and some are suddenly faced with the responsibility of raising grandchildren. In addition, volunteers play the roles of resource providers, such as social workers, loan officers, employers, pawnbrokers, grocers, utility collectors, police officers, and teachers.
Participants are seated in family clusters, and community resources are located at tables around the perimeter of the room. To start the simulation, each family is given a card explaining its unique situation, as well as a small amount of “money.” Then, the families must secure food, shelter, and other basic necessities by accessing the various resources during the course of four, 15-minute “weeks.”
The activity lasts approximately four hours and includes an introduction and briefing by a facilitator, the simulation exercise itself, and a debriefing in which participants and volunteers share what they have learned about living in poverty. In addition, there will be a brief introduction to Bridges Out of Poverty, which provides concrete tools and strategies for a community to prevent, reduce, and alleviate poverty. Smith County poverty data collected through the East Texas Human Needs Network's Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment will also be shared.
The simulation leaves a lasting impression on participants and communities.
Participants are seated in family clusters, and community resources are located at tables around the perimeter of the room. To start the simulation, each family is given a card explaining its unique situation, as well as a small amount of “money.” Then, the families must secure food, shelter, and other basic necessities by accessing the various resources during the course of four, 15-minute “weeks.”
The activity lasts approximately four hours and includes an introduction and briefing by a facilitator, the simulation exercise itself, and a debriefing in which participants and volunteers share what they have learned about living in poverty. In addition, there will be a brief introduction to Bridges Out of Poverty, which provides concrete tools and strategies for a community to prevent, reduce, and alleviate poverty. Smith County poverty data collected through the East Texas Human Needs Network's Comprehensive Community Needs Assessment will also be shared.
The simulation leaves a lasting impression on participants and communities.