WHAT YOU CAN DO

The “Living on the Edge” poverty simulation experience is designed to help participants begin to understand what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month.   The object is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.  

It is a simulation, not a game.

If you are interested in having a Poverty Simulation at your workplace, please consider the following:

• Simulation requires a minimum of 35 and maximum 75 attendees (to be designated as family members)
• As family members, participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. 
• As staff-persons, participants run 14 different agencies, businesses and services offered in society.
• Total event duration is 3.5 hours, including 1 hour for set-up and briefing, 1.5 hours for poverty simulation activity, and 1 hour for de-briefing and clean-up.
• United Way of Calgary and Area will provide a facilitator and all materials necessary to run the simulation.  
• Workplace is responsible to recruit participants, secure a venue with sufficient tables and chairs, and provide refreshments if they are desired.
• The workplace will be requested to provide some effort by way of volunteers to assist with clean-up and re-organizing of materials once the event is complete.
• Note: The poverty simulation has the most impact with large groups.  Therefore, collaborative poverty simulations with other workplaces are recommended but not necessary.  Please advise if your workplace is interested in sharing an event with others.

The poverty simulation kit was purchased and licensed from Missouri Association of Community Action (MACA).

For general inquires or book a Poverty Simulation, please click here.