Poverty Simulation

What would you do if…

• You had to decide between paying your mortgage or feeding your children?
• You lost your job and had no savings to pay your bills?
• You needed assistance to pay your rent?
• You lost your car and had no transportation to get to your employer?
• What would you do?

The Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) is pleased to have the opportunity to work with community organizations through this innovative project; enabling participants to experience what it might be like to live on a limited income.

Statistics from 2005 show that over 37 million Americans (13 million of whom are children under 18) live in poverty each day. Many others have incomes above the poverty line, but are still low enough to qualify for programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid.

OACAC’s Poverty Simulation provides participants with the opportunity to assume the role of a low-income family member living on a limited budget. Participants will have four 15-minute sessions, each representing a week, in which they will simulate real-life situations encountered by those living in poverty. As one participant commented, “(This) simulation dramatically demonstrates how much time and energy many families have to give, just 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!’”

If we can provide further information about the Simulation or if you would like to schedule one for your organization; please contact us at 417.865.7690, or e-mail mvisser@oacac-caa.org We look forward to working with you in the near future!