|
|
CAASTLC
Poverty Simulation
Understanding
the day-to-day reality of poverty is important for everyone involved
in fighting poverty - from policymakers to service providers.
MISSOURI'S COMMUNITY ACTION POVERTY SIMULATION (CAPS) is a unique
tool that helps people begin to understand what life is like with
a shortage of money and an abundance of stress.
During a simulation, participants role-play the lives of low-income
families, including single parents, people with disabilities,
and senior citizens on Social Security. The task of each family
is to provide for food, shelter and other basic necessities during
four 15-minute "weeks". Families interact with community resources.
Although it uses "play" money, fictional scenarios and time limits,
CAPS is not a game. It's a simulation that enables participants
to view poverty from different angles and then to discuss the
potential for change within local communities. It's designed to
sensitize those who frequently deal with low-income families and
to create a broader awareness among policymakers and community
leaders.
CAPS is a copyrighted learning tool made available by the Missouri
Association for Community Action ("MACA") after purchasing the
rights from the ROWELL welfare reform organization. CAASTLC has
purchased a CAPS kit from MACA for the purpose of coordinating
a poverty simulation for any interested group in the St. Louis
County community.
A simulation requires between 40 and 86 participants, approximately
20 resource people and space of at least 3,000 square feet and
takes 2 ½ to 3 hours to complete.
Who might participate in your poverty simulation? Local human
service agency personnel; church staff, volunteers and clergy;
school faculty and staff; high school and college students; community
leaders and volunteers; government officials and policymakers,
employers; law enforcement officials; family practice residency
program physicians and many others.
If your organization is interested in having CAASTLC conduct a
poverty simulation, please contact us at (314) 863-0015, ext.
# 429.
Click
here to view our Poverty Simulation Brochure
(Above link require Adobe Acrobat)
|
