United Way Holds First Poverty Simulation in Winchester City
Through Partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension
- Event is Free and open to the public
- Registration Required at www.UnitedWayNSV.org/PovertySim
- 9:30AM -12:00PM, Friday, November 8th at the YDC
(Youth Development Center, 3 Battaile Dr, Winchester, VA 22601)
Winchester, VA October 15th, 2019 Could you survive a month in poverty? United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley and the Virginia Cooperative Extension invite community members around the region to participate in a Poverty Simulation on Friday, November 8th, from 9:30-12:00PM at the Youth Development Center. This is the first poverty simulation to have ever been held by the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Winchester City.
Poverty is a concerning issue in our region. It can be difficult to understand the situations that families in poverty face every day, including the fear, frustration and stress.
"The poverty simulation dispels the myth that all people living in poverty are unemployed. Many of the scenarios in the poverty simulation - and in real life - have people working multiple jobs to try to make ends meet." Said United Way NSV, CEO, Nadine Pottinga.
The Poverty Simulation is being held in conjunction with United Way NSV’s ALICE® Awareness Week, a statewide movement that raises awareness and funding to support local ALICE programs. ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), describes the population that works, earns a paycheck, but never makes enough to reach stability. The Poverty Simulation event is being held to encourage community action and understanding of the populations that live here locally that are struggling every day.
About the Simulation: In the Poverty Simulation, participants assume the roles of low-income family members living on a limited budget. The experience is divided into four 15-minute sessions, each representing one week in which participants must provide for their family and maintain their home. The experience is followed by debriefing and discussion.
More than two dozen volunteers will staff the event in simulated community roles (e.g., mortgage/rent collectors, social services) and offer regional-specific information about poverty.
The simulation is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Visit UnitedWayNSV.org/PovertySim to register. Groups of 25 or more should call the United Way office at (540) 536-1610.
About United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley: Since 1946 the United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley has worked to impact the community human care needs that matter most to the people of Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah Counties and the City of Winchester. United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley convenes the people and organizations necessary to create solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges and collaborates with effective partners. United Way of Northern Shenandoah Valley seeks to serve as the catalyst for community change by supporting over 45 partner agencies in the area on Income, Health and Education. For more information visit our website www.unitedwaynsv.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @UWNSV