Survivor: Poverty... A Team Poverty Simulation Experience
Thursday, March 11, 2010, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Georgia State University Student Center—House & Senate Salons
Presented by Sharon Gibson
University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences
How does the simulation work?
Sharon Gibson has conducted the poverty simulation in Georgia since 1998. In the simulation, groups of 35 to 75 people assume roles in 26 typical families living in poverty. These 26 families must survive for one month – or four 15-minute “weeks.” Some families are newly unemployed. Others have recently lost their homes. During the month, families must:
- Keep shelter secure;
- Feed family each week;
- Keep utilities on; Make loan payments;
- Pay for daily living expenses, like transportation;
- Handle unexpected emergencies;
- Keep their children in school.
- Community resources & services are represented in the room to assist the ‘families.’
- A debriefing concludes the program to share outcomes of the experience.
Why Participate?
This experience will help participants to better understand the daily challenges encountered by the poor, including many heir property owners, and the potential impact pro bono legal and other volunteers can have in helping them rise above poverty through economic security and asset protection.
By the numbers...
- In 2004, 7.9 million American families - 10.2 percent of all families - were in poverty, up from 7.6 million (10 percent) in 2003. (U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2004)
- The U.S. Census Bureau defines poor families as those with cash incomes of less than $15,067 a year for a family of three – or $19,307 for a family of four. More than two-thirds of all poor families with children included one or more individuals who worked in 2003. What’s more, family members in working-poor families with children typically worked combined totals of 46 weeks per year.
- Georgia ranks 34th nationally for the child poverty rate. Child poverty is associated with poor health, poor educational achievement, early child bearing, and increased risk of delinquency. 19% (2003) of Georgia children under the age of 18 live in poverty.
- A single parent of two young children working full-time in a minimum wage job for a year would make $10,712 before taxes - a wage $4,355 below the poverty threshold set by the federal government. (U.S. Department of Labor; U.S. Census Bureau) Studies suggest that a significant portion of families often fail to take advantage of programs for which they are eligible, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, which can significantly enhance economic well-being.
For additional information, contact Sheri Labovitz or call 404-685-6750.
