Smart Giving
Fall 2016
a publication of the central new york community foundation
Poverty Simulation Sparks Conversation in this issue
TLC Helps Nonprofit Reenergize page 3
Anne Pays it Forward After Receiving Support page 5
Poverty simulation participants stand in line to get transportation passes.
More than one-third of Syracuse city residents live below the poverty threshold for a family of four, making it one of the poorest cities in the United States. But what is it like to live this way? In May, Central New York Community Foundation staff, board members and community members participated in a poverty simulation called Walk in My Shoes to help them answer these questions. The program was developed by Visions for Change as a way for participants to better understand the many challenges facing those living in poverty. “The goal of the simulation is to educate those who are not surrounded by [poverty] or have never really been in the midst of it,” said Rhonda O’Connor, director of community engagement at Visions for Change. The general task for participants is to simulate a month surviving with limited funds, resources and time. The mock-community is equipped with various facilities such as a bank, a grocery store, a school and more. “I experienced a full range of emotions, from stress to exhilaration to despair,” said Richard Hole, Community Foundation board chair and simulation participant.
Youth Envision a Future for Syracuse page 9
In addition to feelings of stress and frustration, participants expressed irritation over the fact that they were required to wait in long lines and fill out paperwork at almost every community resource center before receiving any assistance. “We make sure participants really grasp and understand how much time individuals who live in poverty spend every day just trying to survive,” said O’Connor. Participants also faced unexpected events such as losing their jobs or not being able to pick up their children from daycare or school. “My family was evicted and I ended up having to sign into a homeless shelter, and as a result I was late to work and fired,” said Hole about his simulation experience.
Performance Management Community Announced page 11
The consensus among participants was that the simulation was extremely eyeopening. It allowed them to experience first-hand the struggles and emotions that those living in poverty face and feel every day, such as hopelessness, helplessness and despair. To try a virtual poverty simulation from home, visit playspent.org.