Designed to help healthcare workers understand the challenges of families in poverty
With more than 100 participants at its inaugural poverty simulation on March 2, Woman’s Hospital will continue offer workshops to employees throughout the year to raise awareness of and compassion for the challenges faced by families living in poverty. The first, half-day educational event, hosted on Woman’s campus, begged the question - What if you only had $10 a day to meet your family's basic needs?
This immersive experience included several 15 minute scenarios in which the participants had to find a way to provide shelter and basic necessities on a limited budget. Scenarios included; a single parent with limited resources and no transportation who must find a way to get to work and get their child to daycare; an elderly person who has to pay for both utilities and medication, and a young adult who must care for siblings while their parent is incarcerated.
According to 2018 statistics by the United States Census Bureau, more than one in six Louisiana households struggle sometimes to pay for enough food to maintain a consistent, healthy life. These events are in partnership with the Baton Rouge Junior League, Capital Area United Way, LSU School of Social Work, Hope Ministries and FranU. The poverty simulation is funded by Woman’s G.R.A.C.E. program, Guiding Recovery and Creating Empowerment, for pregnant women with opioid addiction.
Participant at grocery/clothing station where she was trying to figure out how to buy food with the little money she had left from paying all bills.
Groups simulating a family dynamic, each providing a different situation and bringing a different piece to the puzzle.
Learn more to understand the challenges of families living in poverty.
This class is open to anyone who wants to have a better understanding of what life in poverty is like. Some other examples of groups who could benefit include:
- Healthcare
- Non-Profits
- Educators
- Government employees
- Students
- Community organizations
Register now to attend an upcoming Poverty Simulation class »