LEFSA team members Georgia and Jimmie attended Poverty Simulation at St. Ignatius Loyola Church on September 19th.
The event was co-sponsored by Bread for the World, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Xavier Peace and Justice Committee, and Ignatian Social Justice.
From the website of the event:
“A poverty simulation is intended to sensitize participants to the plight of people living in poverty in the United States. We do this by simulating a month of living at the poverty level or below. We divide an hour into 15 minute ‘weeks.’
“It’s not a passive event, but rather a hands-on one, in which the participant will be expected to complete the day to day activities of someone in poverty. This includes paying the rent, grocery shopping, perhaps going to work, or the doctor. Children will be in school.
“There will be unforeseen events happening, both good and bad.
“At the end of each ‘week,’ everyone returns to their ‘home.’ During the month, some will lose their jobs, some will be evicted, others may be arrested, and so on. By the end of the event, everyone will have a better understanding of what people live through.”
