ACT Rochester invited people in the community to participate in a poverty simulation facilitated by Coordinated Care Services, Inc. (CCSI) on Saturday, February 16, specially designed for Greater Rochester’s media and communications professionals. This highly interactive and powerful exercise was intended to provide an opportunity to explore the complex issues beyond the written word or sound bite; to immerse themselves in an interactive experience to gain a deeper understanding of poverty in our community.
Karen Fien had the opportunity to participate in the simulation on behalf of Westside News. The experience really made her appreciate her family, her community and the opportunities she has been afforded. “The experience was overwhelming to me,” she said. “I can’t imagine if my family had ever lost their home and had to live in a shelter, in a car or on the streets, with nowhere to turn, no support system.”
What is a Poverty Simulation? The simulation is based on what a typical low-income family encounters in its attempt to survive from month to month. Each participant assumes the role of a family member as a way to better understand the day-to-day challenges faced by those living in poverty and how current biases, systems, policies, and practices create barriers. This experience provides additional lenses for sharing stories.
