MONROE - School staff and community and regional volunteers helped with a poverty simulation Jan. 25 as part of a School District of Monroe in-service day. The district collaborated with the Green County UW Extension office for the effort.
The district is observing an increase of families living in poverty. The poverty simulation benefited and enlightened staff members who interact with families in poverty. The activity built an awareness of the realities faced by those in the county who struggle with poverty and helped educators and school district staff to experience what it is like to "walk in the shoes" of a limited-income family.
In the simulation, participants were divided into different families, all facing poverty. Some families were newly unemployed; some were recently deserted by the "breadwinner." Some received some form of income or assistance and may have been unemployed or underemployed for some time. Still others were disabled or were senior citizens receiving social security. Everything participants needed to know about their new families was provided. Any money, identification cards, transportation passes, list of bills to be paid and resources were included.
The challenge for families was to provide basic necessities and shelter during the course of one month, divided into four 15-minute "weeks." They needed to feed their families, pay their bills, maintain their housing and keep their kids in school.
While some participants met their basic needs, others found it difficult to keep their children in school, pay the bills or steer clear of crime. Some found themselves homeless and helpless at the end of the month.
The district appreciates the support from Bridget Mouchon from the UW Extension office and the multiple volunteers who helped run the event.
The district is observing an increase of families living in poverty. The poverty simulation benefited and enlightened staff members who interact with families in poverty. The activity built an awareness of the realities faced by those in the county who struggle with poverty and helped educators and school district staff to experience what it is like to "walk in the shoes" of a limited-income family.
In the simulation, participants were divided into different families, all facing poverty. Some families were newly unemployed; some were recently deserted by the "breadwinner." Some received some form of income or assistance and may have been unemployed or underemployed for some time. Still others were disabled or were senior citizens receiving social security. Everything participants needed to know about their new families was provided. Any money, identification cards, transportation passes, list of bills to be paid and resources were included.
The challenge for families was to provide basic necessities and shelter during the course of one month, divided into four 15-minute "weeks." They needed to feed their families, pay their bills, maintain their housing and keep their kids in school.
While some participants met their basic needs, others found it difficult to keep their children in school, pay the bills or steer clear of crime. Some found themselves homeless and helpless at the end of the month.
The district appreciates the support from Bridget Mouchon from the UW Extension office and the multiple volunteers who helped run the event.
