Gazette Staff

Spend a day in someone else’s shoes; poverty simulation participants needed on Nov. 15

AMHERST — Together CAP Services, Portage County Business Council’s Leadership Portage County, and the League of Women Voters of the Stevens Point Area will host a public poverty simulation on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 2:00 to 4:30 PM at the Lettie Jensen Center, 487 N. Main St. in Amherst.

The community is invited to participate in the simulation. No past experience or participation is necessary.

“The simulation is a powerful and personal way for people to gain insights into the situations and decisions low-income households face on a day-to-day basis,” said Erin Olson, CAP’s Innovation & Engagement Coordinator.

Simulation participants will be assigned roles in family units and receive background information on their assigned family’s income and expenses. During the simulation, participants will interact with community resource vendors (also a volunteer role) to find or maintain employment, buy groceries, seek social services, and pay bills. CAP Services will lead the experience and facilitate a debriefing period in which participants can share their insights about what they have learned.

The simulation is free and open to the public. Participants are needed either to serve as vendors/service providers or be given a family scenario. Advance registration is required and is open through November 12. To register visit this link: https://goo.gl/forms/mnkIGt37H6T56uNF3, or contact Kayla Rombalski at [email protected] or 715-344-1940.