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The word poverty is a touchy topic for many, and with the poverty rates increasing in Warren County, the Forest/Warren Equal Opportunity Council (EOC) decided to bring a program that simulates a month in the life of someone in poverty for service providers, businesses, and community members to experience poverty hypothetically.
According to the most recent data, the poverty rate in Warren County is 11.6%, with 20.2% of children under 18 and 9% of seniors 65 and older living in poverty.
The word poverty feels arbitrary, and percentages are easy to overlook. What is the income of a person living in poverty?
According to the 2024 Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG), the cap for poverty is a yearly income of $15,060 for a single person, $20,440 for a two-person household, $25,820 for a household of three, and $31,200 for a household of four people.
That means that in Warren County, upwards of 4,300 people are living in poverty.
The Poverty Simulation that the EOC is hosting is an experience for all.
It can open eyes, hearts, and minds to daily struggles happening in our area, putting oneself in a learning experience that enables you to become an agent of change or volunteer to help others navigate challenging times.
This event can bring communities closer and be socially and empathetically uplifting for those in need.
The simulated “community” takes place in a large room, with chairs in the center representing “neighbors.” Services people need, such as banks, schools, and grocery stores, are tables that line the room’s perimeter.
Participants in the simulation are given a scenario of their situation as a person living in poverty. Within the limits of their fictitious situation, individuals must figure out basic needs such as food, housing, transportation, medical care, and all the necessities one needs to survive a month.
Throughout the “month,” participants will face the daily stresses and challenges that those in poverty face.
It is a simulation, not a game.
The scenarios are based on the stories of real-life Community Action clients.
The EOC housing team took part in the poverty simulation recently as participants and felt it hit home.
Many realized that a substantial amount of those not currently living in poverty are mere steps away from poverty being a reality.
“The experience was enlightening. The pressure I felt as an adult in a simulation was incredible, and the person I represented in the scenario was a 10-year-old boy,” said Christopher Korbar, EOC Mental Health Housing Coordinator.
Leslie Oswalt, EOC Housing Specialist said of her experience, “It seemed like there was never enough time and definitely never enough money. When I finished the submersion into the life of a family in need- I felt such empathy, compassion, and sympathy for their day-to-day life. It truly was heart-wrenching in that I felt that I was never going to get out of the poverty cycle to get ahead.”
This simulation is part of the agency’s efforts to recognize subpopulations such as those living in poverty in our area and attempt to meet their needs.
EOC Executive Director, Tressa Sweeny, said, “I am excited the agency is able to host this informative event for the community.”
Along with the poverty simulation, the agency is bringing similar needs-based simulations to the community in the near future. A Re-Entry Simulation is already scheduled for March 7, 2025, and plans are to schedule a Recovery and Racial Wealth Gap Simulation.
The Poverty Simulation will take place on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 9am to 2pm, at Warren Salvation Army, 311 Beech Street.
The cost is $10 per person, including a light breakfast and lunch.
For more information on the Poverty Simulation or to sign up for the event, please get in touch with Mark Schaffer, EOC Housing Specialist, at 814-779-2673 – mshaffer@wfeoc.org
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