Poverty simulation ‘a powerful experience’

About 900,000 Alabamians live in poverty, according to the nonprofit group Alabama Possible, which works to remove barriers to equality and prosperity in the state.

The group also hosts interactive poverty simulations that allow participants — including teachers, administrators, business people, community leaders and others — to better understand the hardships faced by disadvantaged people.

Alabama Possible will host its next Community Action Poverty Simulation at Independent Presbyterian Church on March 4, 9:30 a.m. to noon. 

The event is free and open to the public. The group’s executive director, Kristina Scott, will facilitate.

The simulations, developed by a Missouri nonprofit, feature a lot of common family situations, Scott said.

Each participant is assigned a name, family role and income level and must cope with typical challenges faced by the poor — for example, getting a job, caring for children, applying for public assistance or finding transportation. “It gives people the chance to learn what it’s like to live week to week, month to month and paycheck to paycheck,” Scott said.

The simulations also provide participants with a powerful emotional experience, Scott said.

The event is co-sponsored by IPC, Canterbury United Methodist Church and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

To register, go to ipc-usa.org/events.