PovertyLab: A Welfare Simulation

Sunday, April 23, 2017

PovertyLab: A Welfare Simulation will be held Sunday, April 23, noon to 3:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. A light lunch ($8.00) will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to Noon. Sign up for lunch by April 20.

Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless you’ve experienced poverty, it’s difficult to truly understand. The PovertyLab simulation bridges that gap from misconception to understanding. It’s an interactive immersion experience. It sensitizes participants to the realities of poverty and the challenges of everyday life. PovertyLab: A Welfare Simulation is not a game. It is based on real community clients and their very real lives. The program exists to:

  • Promote Poverty Awareness. During the simulation, role-play a month in poverty and experience low-income families’ lives.
  • Increase Understanding and Reflect. After the simulation, you will unpack your learning, reflect on your experience and brainstorm community change
  • Inspire Local Change. Together, we, the First Pres community, can be a voice to end poverty in our community, and among your family and friends.

Learn what it is like to deal with … a landlord, the local food bank, the Quick Cash Store, the gas and power company, the police and the Department of Human Services….while living on welfare. Learn how hard it is to…feed your family, pay your bills, find and keep a job and keep you kids out of trouble. Join Presbyterians, community ministry workers and others from Ann Arbor. This event is presented by the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ).