Dallas Social Venture Partners invites you to join in an unusual experience here at Central Dallas Ministries on Monday, June 2, 2008 from 5:00 until 7:30 p.m. The two-hour "Poverty Simulation" will afford participants the opportunity to assume the role of a "family" facing the unique challenges associated with poverty.
The task of the "families" (you'll be assigned a group in which to live for the experience) is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of the 15-minute "weeks" of the experience.
The Simulation has been successful around the country in helping participants begin to understand what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month. It is a simulation, not a game. By taking part, you will gain a greater understanding of the difficulties facing families trapped in poverty.
Reservations are required.
Visit www.dsvp.org, call 214.855.5520 or email rsvp@dsvp.org to reserve your place!
Should be stimulating!
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Any chance Urban Connection could bring this to Austin?
ReplyDeleteLarry,
ReplyDeleteWe did the Poverty Simulation with our staff at Region 10 a year or so ago. It was a profoundly enlightening experience; even though the role playing lasted for only a couple of hours, the range of experiences and emotions, the difficulties and frustration in navigating systems, the recognition that simple things like groceries and transportation simply cost more when you are poor, the fear of the unexpected job loss or medical emergency when there is no backup plan or safety net, the ultimate sense of hopelessness when the recognition sets in that no matter how hard you work you are not going to be able to provide for your family, the amount of energy and perseverence required simply to survive - a powerful few hours. A part of our purpose was helping our staff understand that what they often perceived as a lack of interest on the part of parents of impoverished students had to be viewed within the context that the parents were occupied with fundamental needs of food, housing - survival. They weren't disinterested - they simply were not in a position to be involved in their children's education, even when they wanted to. And the cycle continues...
I recommend the experience.