The Lincoln County Mental Health Coalition is hosting a Community Poverty Simulation on Feb. 26 from 5:15–8 p.m. at the Merrill High School Commons. The event is free and open to those that work or reside in Lincoln County.
Poverty is often portrayed as a standalone issue, but this simulation allows participants to walk “a month” in the shoes of someone who is facing poverty and realize how complex and interconnected issues of poverty really are. The goal of the Community Poverty Simulation is to help bridge the gap from misconception to empathy and understanding.
During the simulation, participants role-play a “month” in poverty. Each person is given a card explaining their unique circumstances. It is then their task to obtain food, shelter, and other basic necessities by accessing various community resources during the course of the event. In addition, volunteers play the role of resource providers in the community. If you have participated in previous simulations, this would be a great opportunity for you. Prior to the event, all volunteers complete a brief training from 4:30-5 p.m. to ensure they are comfortable in their role.
If you are interested in participating in the Community Poverty Simulation, please register at http://bit.ly/2ktNHQm by Feb. 9. The event is limited to 80 participants. Volunteers are also needed for the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kristin Bath, Public Health Educator, at [email protected] or 715-539-1373. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned food donation for local food pantries to the event. To learn more about a Community Poverty Simulation go to: http://bit.ly/2iWAI97.
A special thank you to UW-Extension, Lincoln County, Ascension Good Samaritan Hospital, and Merrill Area Public Schools for making this event possible.