Learning experience

They did things they’d never done before.

Some of them turned to crime.

More than 50 local officials, business people and social service workers took part in a poverty simulation workshop Thursday sponsored by Purdue Cooperative Extension Service at John Jay Center for Learning.

For about two and a half hours, participants played the roles they’d been assigned in “family” groupings struggling to make ends meet.

“Your responsibility is to be as realistic about your role as possible,” extension educator Karen Hinshaw from Huntington County told the group. “Try to think as a person in poverty would think.”

Around the room in a set-up reminiscent of the Reality Store used at the middle school level, participants had to deal with others playing the roles of pawnbrokers, bankers, utility companies, employers, police and payday lenders.

One goal was to survive a “month” of four 10-minute “weeks.” But the other goal was to understand what faces those dealing with poverty.

“If I’m not very helpful, it’s because I want you to learn from this,” said Hinshaw,

Within minutes participants found themselves in trouble.

“We’ve got to go pawn some stuff so we can buy some food,” said one.

“Luckily, I didn’t lose my job and we got the bills paid for this week,” said another.

“I almost got fired,” said a third.

By the second “week,” armed robberies had been reported. Burglaries would occur as well.

One participant, noting the details of his situation, said, “I’m 13 years old and my brother and sister have been arrested and the refrigerator’s empty.”

By the time the workshop was over, participants spoke of being “totally stressed,” “tired,” “frustrated,” “angry” and “feeling hopeless.”

“We had no food. There was a sense of desperation,” said one participant. “Where do we go now? What do we do now?”

Another noted that there was no other real goal other than to survive.

“I know this is not realistic,” said Hinshaw. “But hopefully, it’s been very eye-opening.”

Thursday’s session 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: Annette Lawler of Harrison County, Nancy Manuel of Adams County and Hinshaw.

The workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at 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 Hinshaw at [email protected] or (260) 358-4826. Information is also available at http://www.extension.purdue.edu/huntingon.