REVIEW: Poverty Simulation Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Arkansas Northeastern College) — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:57:00 +0000

Living on the Edge Poverty Simulation Workshop

On September 9, 2015, more than 130 participants from agencies and organizations throughout Mississippi County and dozens of people from all backgrounds — teachers, human services professionals, politicians, and students gathered at Arkansas Northeastern College in the Governors Ballroom to take part in a poverty simulation conducted by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and the Delta Bridge Project, Mississippi County Community Plan.

The simulation is used to educate anyone, from the wealthiest to those deeply impacted by poverty. Workshop participants role play and take on the personas of different family members who are living in poverty. The families are given extremely limited resources and are expected to live for a designated period of time within those means. Surrounding the families’ homes are booths set up as social service offices, a pawnshop, food bank, community health clinic, schools, police station, etc. When the simulation concludes, families debrief and then share stories of their experiences, which is a powerful and empowering tool that helps participants better understand the hardships of under-resourced citizens.

During the simulation, group members were busy shuffling around the room, struggling to get children off to school and existing on a tight budget, vising agencies for supplemental assistance, and seeking transportation passes while wondering how lingering medical bills and other pressing bills were going to get paid. Some had their personal belongings robbed from their “homes.” Others had to pull their children out of school just to help make ends meet.

At the beginning of the simulation, participants were told, “This is not a game.” Some still laughed when it began, but most were straight-faced and somber when it was over. Most gained a new found understanding of just how difficult it can be to live at or below the poverty line, even if it was just a simulation. For an hour, the 10 or so “families” lived a life teetering on the edge of the national poverty threshold.

After the simulation debriefing, a community panel titled, “Where Do We Go From Here?” was convened to discuss barriers that prevent under-resourced citizens in Mississippi County from moving from poverty to prosperity. The workshop concluded with people having the opportunity to sign up and volunteer to serve on four committees designed to improve the quality of life for all Mississippi County citizens. Those committees include: Leadership (Quality of Life and Wellness), Education, Housing, and Economic Development. For more information on how you can become involved with this initiative call (870) 8383.2920.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015: Living on the Edge: Taking a Look at Poverty - Poverty Simulation

noreply@blogger.com (Arkansas Northeastern College) — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:20:00 +0000

The Living on the Edge: Taking a Look at Poverty FREE Poverty Simulation will be held

Wednesday, September 9th, 2015 from 8:00am-3:00pm in the ANC Governors Ballroom.

Learn how to help those living in poverty by truly understanding their difficulties. For details, call 870-838-2920.

This event is hosted in partnership with Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas Department of Higher Education, Mississippi County Arkansas E.O.C., and Great River Economic Development Foundation and a host of community sponsors.

Register Online for this Event: HERE

ANC Community Relations

REVIEW: Poverty Simulation Workshop

SEPTEMBER 9, 2015: Living on the Edge: Taking a Look at Poverty - Poverty Simulation