Could you survive a month in poverty?

In Charlottesville, over 20% of children under seventeen live below the poverty line. Many more youngsters come from families whose incomes are so low, they qualify for Food Stamps and Medicaid. For those of us who have enough, it is difficult to truly understand the stress families living in poverty experience every day - the constraints that become barriers to escape.

That is why we are inviting you to walk a mile in their shoes.

As a participant in The Community Action Poverty Simulation - or CAPS - you will assume the role of a low-income family member living on a limited budget. You may be a mom with two kids, or a dad who's just been laid off. You could be disabled, or a senior citizen on social security. Whatever your circumstances, your goal will be to keep a roof over your head and pay your bills during the course of four 15-minute "weeks". 

While trying to meet your basic needs, you will interact with human service agencies, schools, employers, pawn shops, payday lenders, and the health care system.

Here's what participants have to say:

"This poverty simulation dramatically demonstrates how much time and energy many families have to give just to survive day to day."

"It quickly dispels the myth that 'people would do fine if they would only go out and get a job'."

Although play money is used, CAPS is not a game.

It is a simulation that will enable you to look at poverty from a variety of angles. We hope it will give you a broader awareness of the reality of poverty. It is a challenge for those who must struggle in it, and for our entire community.

We are fully booked!
To get on the waiting list,
email lboris@pcasa.org

Register

You must be at least 18 years old to register.