Poverty Simulation

Overview

A poverty simulation is an interactive experience designed to help participants understand the real-life challenges faced by individuals and families living in poverty. Rather than a lecture or documentary, it immerses people in scenarios that reflect the difficult decisions, trade-offs, and systemic barriers that people in poverty face every day.

Purpose

To build empathy, awareness, and understanding about poverty by simulating the stress, complexity, and frustration of trying to survive on limited resources.

Participants gain insight into:

The emotional toll of living in poverty
The barriers to escaping poverty (e.g., transportation, bureaucracy, stigma)
How systems and policies impact those in need
The importance of compassionate, informed service delivery

Who Should Attend?

Educators
Any school employee
Superintendent
Board Members
Healthcare providers
Business leaders
Law enforcement
Policy makers
Community members

Ways to Particpate

Participant: Participate: actively engage in role-playing the lives of individuals or families living on low incomes. The simulation typically represents one month in poverty, broken into four short "weeks," each lasting about 10–15 minutes.
Volunteer: Must have attended a Simulation before as a participant. volunteers play a critical role in creating a realistic and immersive experience. They staff community stations that represent the essential services and institutions low-income individuals interact with. Their job is to simulate the barriers, rules, and frustrations often encountered in real life.