CSI Poverty Simulations

How the Poverty Simulation Works

The simulation involves 44 to 80 participants who take on the roles of members of 26 families, all facing a variety of challenging, but typical, circumstances. Some are homeless, others jobless, and some are suddenly faced with the responsibility of raising grandchildren.

In addition, about 20 volunteers- preferably people who have experienced poverty- play the roles of resource providers, such as social worker, loan officer, employer, pawnbroker, grocer, utility collector, police officer and teacher just to name a few.

The program is conducted in a large room. Participants are seated in family clusters, and community resources are located at tables around the perimeter of the room. To start the exercise, each family is given a card explaining it's unique circumstances and a small amount of "money." It is then the families' task to provide food, shelter, and other basic necessities by accessing the various resources during the course of four 15- minute "weeks."

The activity lasts from 2 1/2 to 3 hours. It includes an introduction and briefing by a facilitator, the simulation exercise, and a facilitated debriefing in which participants and volunteers share what they have hearned about living in poverty.

If you would like to help during our next Poverty Simulation, or would like to schedule a poverty simulation, please contact Lori Heisey at Community Services, Inc. 660-582-3113.