Posted 12:54 am Sunday, February 12, 2012
PATH Invites City Leaders To A Poverty Simulation
Christina Fulsom, the executive director of PATH, has a question. Could you survive a month in poverty?
Be ready to make some difficult decisions.
Which meals are you going to skip in order to pay for prescription drugs you need?
What are you going to do without so you can buy a used winter coat for your kids?
How long are going to be able to hold out and not turn on the heat these cold nights because you know you can’t afford the bill?
Be ready to make some difficult decisions.
Which meals are you going to skip in order to pay for prescription drugs you need?
What are you going to do without so you can buy a used winter coat for your kids?
How long are going to be able to hold out and not turn on the heat these cold nights because you know you can’t afford the bill?
“It is difficult for those of us who have enough to truly understand the situations that families living in poverty experience every day — the decisions they have to make, and the fears and frustrations they feel,” says Mrs. Fulsom, in recent email.
She is inviting community leaders to “walk a mile in the shoes of those facing poverty” by participating in the Community Action Poverty Simulation.
The simulation is set for Feb. 24 at First Christian Church, 4202 S. Broadway Ave.
Those who take part will assume the role of a low-income person trying to get by on a very limited budget. During each of the four 15-minute sessions, you will be asked make decisions as you try to provide for your family and maintain your home, said Mrs. Fulsom’s email.
She is inviting community leaders to “walk a mile in the shoes of those facing poverty” by participating in the Community Action Poverty Simulation.
The simulation is set for Feb. 24 at First Christian Church, 4202 S. Broadway Ave.
Those who take part will assume the role of a low-income person trying to get by on a very limited budget. During each of the four 15-minute sessions, you will be asked make decisions as you try to provide for your family and maintain your home, said Mrs. Fulsom’s email.
One previous participant commented: “This welfare simulation dramatically demonstrates how much time and energy many families have to give just to survive from day to day. It quickly dispels the myth that people would do fine if they would only go out and get a job,” says one person who has taken part.
“This simulation was designed to sensitize those who frequently deal with low-income families, as well as to create a broader awareness of the realities of poverty among policymakers, community leaders and others,” says Mrs. Fulsom.
For many, living in poverty is not a game.
According to information from PATH, 32.9 million Americans. In Smith County about 33,000 live in poverty and many more are just above the poverty line and qualify for government programs.
“The recent economic downturn has seen unemployment rates rise and the use of PATH services, like food, medicine, utilities, and rent assistance increase,” says PATH.
Last year PATH served more than 20,000.
So could you survive a month in poverty?
Contact Danny Mogle at 903-596-6256 of dmogle@tylerpaper.com.
“This simulation was designed to sensitize those who frequently deal with low-income families, as well as to create a broader awareness of the realities of poverty among policymakers, community leaders and others,” says Mrs. Fulsom.
For many, living in poverty is not a game.
According to information from PATH, 32.9 million Americans. In Smith County about 33,000 live in poverty and many more are just above the poverty line and qualify for government programs.
“The recent economic downturn has seen unemployment rates rise and the use of PATH services, like food, medicine, utilities, and rent assistance increase,” says PATH.
Last year PATH served more than 20,000.
So could you survive a month in poverty?
Contact Danny Mogle at 903-596-6256 of dmogle@tylerpaper.com.
