On May 16, over 100 students and faculty members were assigned roles, either as a low-income family member or community resource provider. In this exercise they experienced the realities that low-income families face as they struggle to keep their heads above water.
Participants were immersed into Realville, a fictional town, and asked to go to work, send their children to school, purchase food for their families, and pay their bills within four, 18-minute segments, each representing a week in the life of the poor.
“The Poverty Simulation does a great job of helping participants better understand and appreciate the challenges and stresses that individuals and families who are poor face on a daily basis,” said Catholic Charities’ Coordinator Tonna Lee. “It is exciting to hear how, as a result of this experience, past participants have implemented more appropriate services for low-income families in their workplaces and proposed systemic changes that help, rather than hurt the poor.”
Said Catholic Charities CEO Ken F. Sawa, “Poverty simulations are needed because the line is becoming blurred between low-income families and middle class families who are struggling just to get by. The time is ripe for less stereotyping and judgment of families with limited resources and more understanding of their struggles.”
Catholic Charities has provided numerous poverty simulations throughout the two-county area since 2011. Past partners include Community Action Partnership in Riverside County, First 5 San Bernardino, Temple Beth El in the City of Riverside, Chaffey Joint Union High School District, Boys & Girls Club of San Bernardino, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, and others.
There are other poverty simulations occurring nationwide which are also tied in with the Catholic Charities USA “Campaign to Reduce Poverty.” The number of families without enough income has dramatically increased over the past few years.
“It’s time to re-evaluate how our community deals with families without enough income to get by,” stated Sawa. “My hope is that poverty simulations will begin that conversation in multiple arenas throughout the two-county area and in the Catholic community as well.”
The next Poverty Simulation is planned for the Temecula/Murietta area in September. If you would like more information or to register, please contact Tonna Lee at Catholic Charities at (909) 388-1239.