WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF…
- You had to decide between paying your mortgage and feeding your children?
- You lost your job and had no savings to pay your bills?
- You needed assistance to pay your rent?
- You lost your car and had no transportation to get to your employer?
Did you know that 18.51% of our neighbors live in poverty right here in OACAC’s 10-county service area in Southwest Missouri?
That’s well above the poverty rates for Missouri (15.48%) and the United States as a whole (15.5%), according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2014).
The impacts of poverty are serious for those affected:
Poor health
Unstable housing
Malnutrition
Missed educational opportunities
Stress on families
What Is the Poverty Simulation?
OACAC’s Poverty Simulation consists of four 15-minute sessions, each representing a week, in which participants grapple with real-life situations faced by individuals living in poverty.
The Simulation forces participants to assume the role of a low-income family and confront the realities of living on a severely restricted income.
The purpose of the Poverty Simulation is three-fold:
- Promote poverty awareness
- Increase understanding of the challenges faced by individuals living in poverty
- Inspire local change to overcome the effects of poverty
VOLUNTEER
How to Volunteer for a Poverty Simulation
Are you interested in making a difference? Do you enjoy interacting with people? If so, OACAC has a volunteer opportunity for you!
We need volunteers to assist with upcoming Poverty Simulations. This opportunity is fun, enjoyable, and makes a positive impact on our community.
Training is provided and a stipend is available for income-eligible volunteers.
SCHEDULE
Schedule a Poverty Simulation
Would you like to schedule a Poverty Simulation for your organization or business? Do you have questions about volunteering or need more information?
Please contact Meghan Visser at (417) 873-3372, or email [email protected].
DATES
Upcoming Poverty Simulations
| Date | Time | Location | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 18 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Drury University Ballroom, 900 N. Benton, Springfield | Free and open to the public. RSVP by April 9 to https://summitpovertysimulation.app.rsvpify.com/. |
| April 23 | 1:00pm - 3:00pm | College of the Ozarks | Education program |
| April 28 | 9:00am - 11:30am | Southwest Center for Independent Living | League of Women Voters |
| May 22 | 1:00pm - 3:15pm | Cox Health | Multicultural and Inclusion Day participants |
VOLUNTEER TODAY
Help us build awareness and understanding of how poverty impacts our neighbors!