Role playing ‘poverty simulation’ shows issues facing poor

An interactive “poverty simulation” program that allows participants to play a role in a working poor family will be held at a Peachtree City church later this month.

The program, called “Welcome to the State of Poverty,” places participants into different roles and challenges them to survive with an income level below poverty level for one month. During the simulation, the month is broken down into four 15-minute “weeks.”

The “families” must keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, utilities on, make loan payments, and pay for daily living expenses such as transportation. A group discussion follows the exercise.

The goal is to provide awareness, sensitivity, compassion, and discussion of the challenges faced by the community’s working poor. It may also serve as an inspiration for future community programming.

“Welcome to the State of Poverty” will be conducted on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 101 Walt Banks Road, Peachtree City.
The program is free and open to all church members and any interested community members. However a $5 donation is suggested to defray the cost of the program.

For more information, or to register, contact Barbara Frey at 404-545-7457 or [email protected], Win Rorabaugh at [email protected], or Maryann Cox at [email protected]. Participants may also register at Holy Trinity’s Faith Formation Office at 770-487-0175.