Iowa State University Extension

Children, Youth, and Families At Risk
Iowa State University Extension

Poverty > the Poverty Simulation > next steps: optional follow-up activities

Iowa State University Extension to Families has an important role in addressing the issue of poverty. The "ROWEL Poverty Simulation" can be an effective first step in helping a community, school, or organization begin to look at poverty and ways to address it.

We recommend the following "next step" options:

National Issues Forum: National Issues Forums (NIF) is a nonpartisan, nationwide network of locally sponsored public forums for the consideration of public policy issues. It is rooted in the simple notion that people need to come together to reason and talk — to deliberate about common problems. Indeed, democracy requires an ongoing deliberative public dialogue. Two discussion guide options:
* Making Ends Meet: Is There a Way to Help Working Americans?
* From Welfare to Work: Who Should We Help and How?

Everday Democracy: Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center) is a national organization that helps local communities find ways for all kinds of people to think, talk and work together to solve problems.; Thriving Communities: Working together to move from poverty to prosperity for all
is a five-session discussion guide to help people talk about poverty in their community and take action to create a place where everyone can thrive. (2008)

Sadie
Participant quote:
“It (the poverty simulation) was a wonderful idea and should be required training for all political leaders, educators, and those in powerful positions.”

next steps

The Northwest Area Foundation

The Northwest Area Foundation is committed to helping communities reduce poverty for the long term. They work with rural, urban, American Indian, and rural Latino communities in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.

The Horizons Community Leadership Program to Reduce Poverty helps communities build stronger leaders to address economic issues and find ways to implement change. Horizons is funded by the Northwest Area Foundation and implemented by Iowa State University Extension in partnership with Iowa citizens.
For for information about how to use the National Issues Forums or Study Circles, contact Jeanne Warning, jwarning@iastate.edu or Cindy Needles Fletcher, cynthia@iastate.edu

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Poverty > the Poverty Simulation > next steps: optional follow-up activities