Children, Youth, and Families At Risk
Iowa State University Extension
Poverty > the Poverty Simulation > testimonials
Jeanette Mott Oxford, former executive director of ROWEL: Helping in the simulation helps people in poverty realize what they already know and it raises their self-esteem. They can say, ‘This group of bankers or teachers went through here today and they couldn’t figure out how to live on the $300 a month that my family and I have been doing, so I must know more than I thought.’ It also gives them a chance to work on a project with other people across lines of race and class that too often divide us.”
Read how Steve Rose, Ed.D. incorporated the poverty simulation into curriculum for future educators in his article, "False Poverty Breeds Real Sensitivity". Allen College Poverty Simulation Poverty Simulation Raises Awareness of Leadership Groups |
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Poverty Simulation Adds Depth to Youth Retreat
Barb Wollan
2007
Poverty Simulation Success Story
Cheryl Clark
2005
High School Students 'Experience' Poverty...And Don't Like It
by Patricia Steiner
April 2000
Poverty Simulations Impact Large and Diverse Audiences
by Donna Andrusyk, Pat Gorman, and Jill Weber
April 1999
Families Pod 5 Experience with the Poverty Simulation
by Barb Wollan
January 1999
Understanding Poverty
by Nancy Clark
January 1999
Conducting the Exploring the State of Poverty Welfare Simulation with Young Audiences
by Jennifer Best
Bettendorf Middle School
February 4-5, 1999
Poverty simulation participants talk about their experience and what they learned:
- I felt lost, unsure of where to go for what services.
- I really felt that I was poor.
- This was a tremendous eye opener for me. I would love to see this incorporated into life skills training in the schools.
- I feel I learned how stressful life can be for our families by being in their shoes.
- That I shouldn’t be judgmental of people receiving services, education is a key factor in getting out of the cycle of poverty but difficult to accomplish.
- Do not assume you know someone’s situation; there is a long way to go to improve the poverty situation in America.
- Experience made it less theoretical, more real. It’s no fun being poor.
- Many times, those in poverty are not aware of the help that is available. Much time and energy is spent just trying to have enough to cover basic needs.
- I learned how stressful and hopeless those in poverty must seem. I now have a better understanding of the difficult choices those families must make each day.
- How hopeless and desperate you can feel. How the cycle seems as though it will not end. How fear, anxiety, and depression can take over your life.
- Schools must be supportive and keen in their perceptiveness w/needier students. Make sure each student is awarded same opportunities as their peers – build their self worth so that they feel they can lead a happy, fulfilling life in the future.