Could you survive a month in poverty?
37.9 million Americans and 10.7 million children under the age of 18 live in poverty every day. Many more people have incomes above the poverty line, but their incomes are still low enough to qualify for programs like SNAP and Medicaid. The recent economic downturn has seen unemployment rates rise and the use of emergency food pantries increase.
It is difficult for those of us who are able to provide basic necessities to our families without private and/or governmental assistance to truly understand the situations that families living in poverty experience every day—the decisions they have to make, and the fears and frustrations they feel. That is why we are inviting you to participate in the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS).
The CAPS provides participants with the opportunity to assume the role of a low-income family member living on a limited budget. The experience is divided into four 15-minute sessions, each of which represents one week in which you must provide for your family and maintain your home. As one participant commented, “This poverty simulation dramatically demonstrates how much time and energy many families have to give just to survive from day to day. It quickly dispels the myth that people who would do fine if they would only go out and get a job!”
The simulation will be held from 1 PM – 4 PM on Saturday, February 17th at Lealman Exchange Community Center (5175 45TH ST N, Lealman, FL 33714). Please plan to arrive at 12:30 PM. RSVP by January 31st by registering HERE.
The Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center and University of Florida/IFAS Extension are partnering to provide this simulation and we look forward to your participation.
4
