UW SLCE and Laramie Interfaith Co-Host Poverty Simulator Workshop Nov. 8

Laramie Interfaith and the University of Wyoming's Service, Leadership and Community Engagement (SLCE) office will co-host a Poverty Simulator workshop from 4-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, at the Laramie Plains Civic Center's Phoenix Ballroom.

Poverty Simulator builds an understanding of poverty, breaks down stereotypes and engages participants in conversations about making change.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately one-quarter of Laramie residents -- 24.8 percent -- and 15.8 percent of children in the local community live in poverty each day. Many more people have incomes above the poverty line, but their incomes are still low enough to qualify for programs, such as SNAP and Medicaid.

During the Poverty Simulator program, participants are assigned a role in one of eight low-income families with different strengths and challenges, including extended family support; being single parents; chronic illnesses; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits; and work/school requirements.

The task of each family is to provide food, shelter and other basic needs during the simulation while interacting with various community resources. The program is divided into four 15-minute sessions, each representing one week in which participants must provide basic needs for their families and maintain their homes.

It can be difficult to understand the decisions, fears and frustrations that come with this experience, Poverty Simulator organizers say.

"This program provides participants with the opportunity to assume the role of a low-income family member living on a limited budget," organizers add. "While props will be used throughout the simulator, it is not a game."

To register for the Poverty Simulator event, go here.

For more information, call the UW SLCE office at (307) 766-3117 or email [email protected].