From BGSU CENTER FOR COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
On Monday, March 4, 2019, the Center for Community and Civic Engagement will be hosting our first Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in 101 Olscamp Hall at Bowling Green State University.
CAPS provides participants with an opportunity to walk a mile in the shoes of those facing poverty. CAPS bridges the gap of misconception and understanding by providing participants the opportunity to assume the role of a low-income family member, including single parents, people with disabilities, and senior citizens receiving Social Security. The simulation is divided into four 15 minute sessions, each of which represents one week in which participants must provide for their family. Participants work together with the other participants in their family to navigate the simulation by interacting with other families and community resources.
In the simulation, up to 88 participants assume the role of up to 26 different families facing poverty. The simulation is conducted in a large room with the “families” seated in groups in the center, and around the perimeter are tables representing community resources and services for the families. These services include a bank, super center, Community Action Agency, employer, utility company, pawn broker, grocery, social service agency, faith-based agency, payday and title loan facility, mortgage company, school, and child care center. Volunteers are needed to staff the community resources and services tables and assume the duties of each specific role. The role of a volunteer is to facilitate the simulation by playing a specific role.
With your experience in your field, we invite you to volunteer in the simulation by assuming the role of a community resource or service. This is a three and a half hour commitment, starting with a training orientation at 3 p.m. and the actual simulation from 4 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. The orientation will provide you with the necessary training to carry out this simulation effectively.
We are also interested in having several individuals who have experienced poverty in these roles as well. The poverty simulation allows for the opportunity for individuals to share their experience during the group discussion after the simulation. If you have a client who would like to participate, please let us know.
We encourage your organization to take advantage of this opportunity to experience the poverty simulation first hand. This can be used as tool to further educate your organization and foster commitment to the cause.
If you are interested in volunteering in the simulation, please sign up for the event by Friday, March 1, 2019 by visiting: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4DA8A822A2F58-poverty
Any questions or comments can be addressed by emailing jrosser@bgsu.edu or stauffs@bgsu.edu or by calling 419-372-9865.
We look forward to your participation!
