Poverty simulation experience to develop empathy for others in the community
These are but a few of the difficult questions facing our neighbors and friends, and maybe even ourselves. Staff members of HARCATUS Family Support Center in New Philadelphia deal with these kinds of situations every day with those who come to them for help, and they have taken on a task of helping others to ‘walk a mile in someone else’s shoes’ to learn about what it means to struggle with poverty.
“We are hosting a poverty simulation experience, along with a Community Action Awareness Day,” explained Ginger Conrad, an AmeriCorps Vista worker with the HARCATUS office who is organizing the event. “We are asking for local groups, individuals, and families to participate in various ways, to bring home the reality of what poverty does to people, as well as to look at ways our community can pull together to help.”
Conrad is looking for representatives from nonprofit entities, social service agencies, religious organizations, elected officials, educators and administrators, business owners, law enforcement officials, etc. to participate from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., with lunch provided, to experience what it might be like for a lower income level individual or family to struggle to survive. Although done in a simulation role-play experience that can also be fun, the reality of poverty is never fun for those affected by it every day of their lives.
“Our participant volunteers will receive cards indicating the role they are taking on, including income, bills and expenses, individual circumstances, and job, transportation, medical, and food needs,” noted Conrad.
After receiving instructions and briefing from 10-11 a.m. by the facilitator, they will spend one hour (with each 15 minutes representing one week), going from station to station to deal with simulations such as social service worker encounters, mortgage companies, utility providers, quick cash and pawn shop businesses, legal services or law enforcement centers, hospitals, child care agencies, churches, and homeless shelter facilities to discover what it is like to be on the receiving end. The experience promises to be frustrating at times, but will also be tremendously eye-opening for many.
“Participants can take this opportunity to discover much about what those they are in contact with in their roles as community workers experience, including the tough issues. We hope that being a part of this will help our judges, social service personnel, law enforcement officials, and other valuable sectors of our community develop a new level of empathy for those who are hurting in our county,” stated Conrad.
At the same time as the poverty simulation is occurring, a Community Action Awareness Day fair will be available, at no charge, to community members. Local community service organizations are encouraged to set up booths to let area residents know about what they have to offer, and many of the booths will also provide free games for children and refreshment items. Donations are also being accepted for the event.
The Poverty Simulation Day and Community Action Awareness Day fair will be held on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., with simulation activities concluding at 2:30 p.m. There will be food vendors, kids’ games, raffles, and even an organ grinder providing entertainment for the fair. All activities will take place inside and in the parking lot area of the New Hope Ministries, 233 Front Street SW, New Philadelphia. Those individuals willing to participate in the poverty simulation or organizations wishing to have a booth at the Community Action Awareness Day fair are asked to contact Conrad at HARCATUS by calling 330-343-8770, ext. 215, or at ginger_roth@live.com.