Poverty simulation shows just how Central Albertans scrape by
A firsthand lesson in poverty was taught this week by the United Way and Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance (CAPRA).
More than 70 people took park in a poverty simulation which aimed to show just how many things people and families struggle with and how difficult it can be to survive on a month to month or even daily basis.
Dianna Souveny with The City of Red Deer’s Social Planning department also helps facilitate with CAPRA. She says if you’ve never lived in poverty, it’s hard to identify with what others are going through.
“It’s very impactful for participants and volunteers to be on both sides of the table. They see the daily struggle that people living on low income in our community would deal with,” she says. “Those include everything from not having enough money to getting transportation tickets, to having to line up, to places being closed when they get there — dealing with all those things and trying to keep food on the table and shelter over their heads.”