Raritan NJ
4-02-2023 5:04pm

Norwescap hosted a "Poverty Simulation" in partnership with the Sussex County Hunger Coalition, at the United Methodist Church in Sparta.

At times, the systems that are supposed to help people facing financial difficulties can feel impossible to navigate. To help foster understanding, empathy and action, Norwescap hosted a "Poverty Simulation" on March 17, in partnership with the Sussex County Hunger Coalition, at the United Methodist Church in Sparta. Guided by our Pathways 2 Prosperity Director Dianna Morrison, nearly 40 community members spent the morning walking in the shoes of individuals facing poverty. 

Participants worked as family units to try to make it through a "month" (each week being 15 minutes long) with limited cash and resources, juggling work, school, childcare, errands, and mandatory visits to social services offices (which are often only open during work hours) to fill out endless piles of paperwork - while staying on top of budgeted as well as unexpected expenses. 

At the end, participants discussed the challenges they experienced, and their feelings of frustration, anger, helplessness - and then worked together to turn that experience into action by outlining solutions that can improve the experiences of people in poverty or living paycheck to paycheck.These Poverty Simulation workshops are open to the public and can be planned for private groups as well, as a hands-on learning, empathy-building, and action-based experience. 

To learn more, contact Dianna Morrison at morrisond@norwescap.org. 

"Thanks to the Sussex County Hunger Coalition for partnering with us on this important event, and to everyone who came to participate with an open mind and open heart".#norwescap #onenorwescap #helpingothers #ourcommunity #combatingpoverty

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