The Stephen F. Austin State University Office of Multicultural Affairs will host a Poverty Simulation Friday, Feb. 1, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.
Two poverty simulations will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. OMA’s goal for this event is to help participants begin to understand what living in poverty looks and feels like.
“Poverty simulation is important because it allows for individuals that come from a background where finances were not a big concern to experience financial hardships,” Veronica Beavers, director of OMA, said. “The simulation should not only enlighten students, but also encourage them to become advocates for economic and social justice.”
The poverty simulation is sponsored by the East Texas Human Needs Network and exposes participants to a family’s daily challenges of living in poverty during the course of a month.
Jalon Berry, assistant director of OMA, said, “In some areas a majority of us have witnessed some form of privilege. The poverty simulation allows for those in attendance to actively engage and learn how there are many people in our country living paycheck to paycheck to survive; attendees are placed into these real-life scenarios.”
Participation is limited, and pre-registering is encouraged by visiting www.sfasu.edu/oma. If openings are still available on the day of the event, they will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information, contact Veronica Beavers at vbeavers@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-1073.
By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist for Stephen F. Austin State University.
