Poverty Simulation Exercise

The Service Provider Council coordinates and produces an annual Poverty Simulation exercise designed to help participants understand the challenges faced by the homeless and very poor in this community. Participants agree to assume the role of someone living in poverty for 0 minutes. Scenarios are provided to participants that include contextual information and current challenges. Participants are asked to find food, shelter and other supportive services necessary to make it through one month as their scenario requires. Representatives from area service providers including food banks and soup kitchens, shelters, city and county social services and schools, clothing banks, mental health and substance abuse services are present to provide the services they offer to participants, based on factual eligibility rules and requirements. At the end of the simulation, participants and providers meet together in small groups to debrief their experience. The results of the experience, and any recommendations made, are provided to elected officials and area decision-makers so that these challenges and potential solutions may be shared. Stay tuned for more information on the Poverty Simulation planned for 2010-2011.