March 19th, 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Ballroom B in the Shepherd Union Building
How would you survive living in poverty? Sign up now with the Community Involvement Center by calling 801-626-7737 or by emailing cic@weber.edu. The event is free, on campus, and you can receive service hours by attending – super convenient!
What role will you experience? A recently unemployed father, a single mom, a homeless senior citizen, or a grandparent raising grandchildren? An at-risk teenager or neglected child? You will receive an individual and family profile when you come to the event detailing your family’s situation. Then, you have four 15-minute “weeks” to feed your family, keep a roof over your head, pay your bills, and handle any unexpected events. Are you up for the challenge?
The Poverty Simulation is an eye-opening experience into the lives of those living in poverty in the U.S. You’re not just learning about poverty, you’re in a small way experiencing it. Step into their shoes and see what it’s like on the other side. You will come to understand why low-income parents may not have time for their kids, why people in poverty often feel helpless to change their situation, and why some young people choose work over education. And you will be empowered to do something about it.
Did you know? Almost two thirds (65%) of families living in poverty had one or more members working in 2011.Click on these links to watch videos of the Poverty Simulation done in other places:
Video 1Video 2
Do you want to make a difference? It starts with understanding. Sign up now to attend the Poverty Simulation on March 19th to know how poverty affects our neighbors, and what you can do to help alleviate it.
There are so many causes of poverty, and the situations of those in poverty are as diverse as the participants who will take on these roles. The difference is, after two hours the simulation will be over and you can go home. For many others in the U.S., it never ends.