Poverty Simulation - Redmond, OR

1475 Southwest 35th Street,Redmond OR 97756

20 May, 2022

Description

Could you survive living in poverty? On May 20th, you are invited to spend a few hours finding out. RETHINK POVERTYNearly 50 million Americans live in poverty today. Many more have incomes above the poverty line but low enough to qualify for programs such as Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid. In short, more than 100,000,000 Americans live every day in need of support for even the most basic of human needs. Over 12% of the Redmond population is determined to live in poverty status. While poverty is often equated with homelessness, many families and individuals who are not homeless also struggle financially. It may be difficult for those of us who have more than they need to truly understand the challenges that families living in poverty experience each day - the decisions they have to make, the fears and frustrations they feel. That is why we are inviting you to gain a greater sense of what life can be like when you live in poverty. The poverty simulation provides participants with the opportunity to assume the roles of low-income family members living on a limited budget. The experience is divided into 15-minute sessions, each of which represents one week in which you must provide for your family and maintain your home. As one participant commented, "This simulation dramatically demonstrates how much time and energy many families have to give to survive from day to day. It quickly dispels the myth that people would do fine if they would only go out and get a job!" Our approximate Friday Poverty Simulation Schedule: 8:30-9 AM - Volunteer Check-in & Briefing 9-9:30 AM - Participant Check-in 9:30-10 AM - Simulation Introductory Briefing 10-11:15 AM - Poverty Simulation 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM - Group Debrief (debriefing the experience and answering the question "what can we do to improve the lives of local residents living in poverty?") 12:45-1:30 PM - Lunch - graciously provided by Family Kitchen (Bend)! There is no charge to participate.