Survive a "Month" in Poverty - Simulation Workshop

Poverty Simulation Workshop
Friday, October 5, 2012
9:00 am to 12 noon light refreshments served
NMC Hagerty Conference Center
715 E Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
 

Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative’s Survive a “Month” in Poverty simulation workshop invites community members, business leaders, private, nonprofit and public service providers to gain a renewed understanding about the daily challenges of living in poverty as together we seek to reach out to more than 13,200 individuals and families with limited or no income across our Northwest Michigan five county region.

Valued insights, assets and responses…

Workshop participants role-play persons in poverty in a variety of circumstances and situations: Some are newly unemployed, some have just experienced desertion of the breadwinner, others receive temporary assistance for needy families and children, and others are older residents challenged by illness and isolation.

During the workshop, you and your “family” will be part of a community that includes a bank, police station, school, grocery store, an employment office, food pantry, human services office, and pawnshop. Your main task is to provide both shelter and basic necessities for your family for a whole “month” – divided into four 15-minute “weeks.” Your fate may change overnight with a luck of the draw card which could bring you unexpected income or an unplanned expense. At the conclusion of the simulation, you will be invited to share your experiences, reactions and insights about poverty in Northwest Michigan as part of a facilitated discussion.

Begun in 2004, the Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative is a grassroots effort to prevent and reduce poverty for our neighbors, friends, and families throughout Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties.

PRI Simulation Workshop co-sponsors: Northwestern Michigan College and Michigan State University

Simply make your workshop reservation today by email in care of Tom Emling: emlingt@msu.edu

 

Related Info:  Traverse Bay PRI