A group of Clarifi staff participated in the Community Action Poverty Simulation, designed by Missouri Community Action Network (MCAN) on Oct. 23.
The purpose of the simulation is to “break down stereotypes by allowing participating to step into the real life situations of others,” per MCAN. Our staff became “family members” who had to navigate the realities of extreme wealth inequality.
Here’s what three Clarifiers took away from the event:
Luigui, Bilingual Credit/Housing Counselor: Attending this simulation helped assign humanity behind some of the counseling metrics we use. It helped me understand that the time I spend with my clients is precious because they could be doing anything else with that hour. And even though counseling may be a priority for them, clients have so many competing priorities and barriers. Sometimes those factors do not always allow them to show up for our counseling.
Being a partner to our clients is an honor, and having an open heart and open mind to their journey is imperative to our success as counselors. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to attend one of these simulations. I think that it could help promote client/counselor engagement and build lasting trust. I walked away with more questions but also more hope that my time with my clients can serve as a vehicle for financial health.
Anthony, Home Repair Advocate II: My takeaway was that, despite repeated emphasis by the organizers that it was not a game and the situations are not to be made light of, it did seem more like a game than anything. I’m also worried that because it felt like a game, it would be easy for participants to shrug off the challenges as contrived or exaggerated for the purposes of the simulation. I also think the simulation didn’t take into account that the internet exists; it assumed all bills had to be paid and all checks cashed in person which is not the case and hasn’t been for decades. Many people in poverty also have access to the internet and get direct deposit.
Any simulation we do should be careful to be realistic and up to date, and should accurately portray situations of real people. It would be
easy to slip into stereotypes of people in poverty and end up creating a game of poverty monopoly. With care, it’s possible to create a simulation that is faithful to real experience and emphasizes the humanity and rationality of people in poverty.
This simulation did remind me of how difficult it is to have children when both parents work. It’s a big logistical and financial challenge even after they go to school.
Brianna, Community Engagement Lead: This experience affirmed the increased need for collaboration between local organizations. I played the role of a young girl in a family of four; having a grandfather with mobility issues, a younger brother with ADHD and a grandmother who was the only full-time working individual. Our “family” found it hard to find time for bills to be paid between her at work, the kids at school and our grandfather engaged in limited movement.
However, what also came up was not having a deep sense of the resources available for support. Even when a family member was able to visit a resource center, it wasn’t guaranteed that we could access references for other resources. In some cases, the community network wasn’t as strong but, in all cases, it would’ve saved us from experiencing specific financial emergencies such as unpaid medical expenses and being on the brink of foreclosure. As Community Engagement Lead, this reminded me why community-based partnerships will always remain a top priority for us. Not only for us an organization but for the families we serve.
This session was hosted by Keystone First Wellness and Opportunity Center in Chester, PA, with many of the participants in connection with Amerihealth Caritas. The simulation is copyrighted, but other organizations can purchase a kit to re-enact it.