Situation simulation

To help, first you have to understand the nature of the problem.

That was the conclusion when a group of civic leaders got together a little more than a year ago in the wake of a report that had Jay County with the highest rate of child poverty in Indiana.

One of the people around the table pointed out that none of them actually had first-hand experience with poverty. Their encounters with it had all been tangential or second-hand.

Now the Cooperative Extension Service, The Portland Foundation and John Jay Center for Learning are going to try to fill that gap.

“Often times, those of us who are not from generational poverty don’t understand what that means,” said extension educator Cheri Brown. “We thought this would be a good introduction to that.”

Purdue Extension will host a Community Action Poverty Simulation fro 1 to 4 p.m. April 27 at John Jay Center for Learning.

Brown said the simulation is intended to give participants a meaningful taste of what it’s like for families that struggle financially to meet the basic necessities of food and shelter.

It’s a “walk a mile in my shoes” type event, she added.

Though she expects participants from social service organizations, churches and schools, she’d also like to get the business community to buy in.

“We really hope we can get business people involved in this,” she said. “Understanding where they’re coming from can make all the difference in the world.”

“Families” in the simulation will interact with those playing the roles of banks, employers, utility companies, payday lenders, mortgage companies and more.

The simulation will conclude with a debriefing period. There’s no charge for the event, but reservations are required and must be made by April 17. To reserve a seat, call (260) 358-4826.

“Our first effort is to raise awareness,” Brown said.

The simulation will be followed May 24 and 25 by a “Bridges Out of Poverty” workshop.

Based on the work of Ruby Cain, the two-day session will be led by three certified “Bridges Out of Poverty” trainers: Karen Hinshaw of Huntington County, Annette Lawler of Harrison County and Nancy Manuel of Adams County.

The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days Portland Fire Department, 1616 N. Franklin St. Attendance at the first day is required for participation in the second. Lunch will be provided.

There’s a $40 fee for day one, which includes the cost of a book, and there’s a $25 fee for day two if participants register by May 10. After May 10, the cost is $50 for day one and $35 for day two.

For more information or to register, contact Karen Hinshaw at (260) 358-4826 or via email at [email protected]. Information is also available at http://www.extension.purdue.edu/huntingon.

Then at 6 p.m. May 30, John Jay Center for Learning, with support from The Portland Foundation, will present a program by Robert. D. Lupton, author of “Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It).”

Lupton, who has worked in urban ministry for four decades, will speak on the unintended consequences of good intentions. Lupton has a doctorate degree from the University of Georgia.

There is no charge for Lupton’s speech, but reservations are required.

To make a reservation or for more information, contact John Jay at (260) 729-5525, extension 221.

Those involved hope that the combination of the three events will serve as a meaningful foundation for further action.

“We hope to move on to some community conversation,” said Brown.