Needs From: Engage Henry County & Martinsville

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As an Event Greeter, you will sit at the entrance of the event. Please confirm that all volunteers and participants have pre-registered to attend and ensure that they know where to go once they enter the gymnasium. 

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Social Service Office Caseworker, you work with clients who have a variety of needs, from medical, housing, and nutrition to unemployment. You have the ability to help people in certain situations but not in others, or there is a delay in accessing benefits.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Social Service Office Caseworker, you work with clients who have a variety of needs, from medical, housing, and nutrition to unemployment. You have the ability to help people in certain situations but not in others, or there is a delay in accessing benefits.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As an Inter-Faith Services Worker, you operate a homeless shelter and help families get the services they need.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Community Healthcare Doctor, families will come to you for all of their healthcare needs. You will need to check them in and provide their care. You will determine if they need prescriptions, referrals, or another appointment.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As an Employer, your role is to time employee work weeks and distribute paychecks accordingly. You approve or reject leave requests. You may also hire and fire employees. Individuals may come to you on their own looking for work or may be referred from other resource people.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a School Teacher/College Professor, you have many tasks, too many students, and not enough money! For the first 2 "weeks", you attempt to run a quiet, orderly classroom, keep the children busy with homework, and stay in contact with their parents - usually to ask for more money for supplies. During the third week, you will help out at Interfaith Services.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As an "Illegal Activities" Person, you engage in various illegal activities in the community, such as robbery, illegally buying and selling drugs or food stamps, and enticing children into illegal activities. 

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Utility Worker, you sit in your office collecting bills and sending out shut-off notices the first two "weeks". People may use EBT - TANF Cash Benefits to pay their utility bills. Later, you circulate among the families to collect gas, electric, and phone fees.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Childcare Worker, you assist families in completing enrollment forms, instruct families about signing in and out, collect tuition, inform parents about alternative child care options, distribute child care challenge cards to working parents, and terminate child care services when appropriate.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Police Officer, you respond to robberies, street crimes, illegal evictions, or child neglect. Other staffers may ask for help in protecting their property. You also issue gun permits.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Pawnbroker, you will have families come to you to pawn their appliances and furniture and to take out or pay payday loans. You offer them less than half the value of each item and charge them a fee if they wish to redeem the items.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Mortgage/Rent Collector, you collect mortgage payments, taxes, and maintenance fees from homeowners, and collect rent from those who are renting. If families don't pay you anything, you may decide to evict them - illegally. 

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Supermarket Clerk, you accept EBT cards for TANF cash benefits and redeem the food stamp section of EBT. You sell groceries, clothing, and prescriptions and collect miscellaneous payments. You also distribute "warning" slips to families who are not adequately feeding their families.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Community Action Staff Member, you make the appropriate referrals for services. You also distribute food from the Food Pantry.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Quick Cash (Currency Exchange) Worker, you operate the Quick Cash office where people buy transportation passes. They can also cash checks there - for a fee, of course. You are also the place where people come for title loans.

Additional Details:

The poverty simulation experience is designed to help 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. The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.

In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the "breadwinner", some are unhoused, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement, or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the "families" is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute "weeks".

As a Banker/Loan Collector, you can cash checks for customers with bank accounts. You can also keep track of savings account withdrawals. You may circulate among families to collect loans. You also accept EBT cards. 

Additional Details: