The Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers Poverty Simulation is an interactive learning experience designed to increase awareness and understanding of the realities faced by individuals and families living in poverty.

Participants assume the role of a family member experiencing poverty and work together to navigate the challenges of meeting basic needs such as housing, transportation, employment, healthcare, childcare, and food over the course of a simulated month. The experience concludes with a guided debrief to encourage reflection, discussion, and action.

The simulation is designed to shift perspectives by helping participants recognize that poverty is often the result of systemic barriers rather than personal failure.

Purpose

The Poverty Simulation helps participants:

• Increase awareness of the realities of poverty

• Build empathy for individuals and families experiencing financial hardship

• Understand the complex systems and barriers people navigate every day

• Encourage meaningful conversations about poverty within our community

• Inspire action through collaboration and community engagement

Who Should Participate?

The simulation is ideal for:

• Businesses and Employers

• Nonprofit Organizations

• Government Agencies

• Schools and Universities

• Faith-Based Organizations

• Healthcare Professionals

• Law Enforcement

• Community Leaders

• Civic Organizations

• Volunteers

• Boards of Directors

What to Expect

Participants will:

• Be assigned the role of a family experiencing poverty

• Navigate four "weeks" that represent one month

• Make difficult decisions while managing limited resources

• Interact with community resource agencies

• Experience unexpected life events

• Participate in a facilitated group discussion following the simulation

The entire experience typically lasts 2–4 hours, including the debrief.

Why Participate?

Organizations use Poverty Simulations to:

• Strengthen employee empathy

• Improve customer service

• Enhance community partnerships

• Support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

• Increase understanding of barriers faced by clients and customers

• Encourage solutions-oriented thinking

Host a Poverty Simulation

Interested organizations can request a customized Poverty Simulation for their staff, leadership team, volunteers, or community partners.

Information requested:

• Organization Name

• Contact Person

• Email

• Phone Number

• Preferred Date

• Estimated Number of Participants

• Location

• Additional Information