Dawson County Family Connection’s Poverty Simulation Fosters Empathy and Conversations

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By Rebecca Bliss
Dawson County Family Connection Coordinator

The Poverty Simulation held by Dawson County Family Connection in November offered a powerful and eye-opening experience for its participants. The event allowed attendees to step into the shoes of low-income families and attempt to navigate the daily challenges they face in order to survive.

The simulation provided an opportunity for 51 participants in 26 different family roles to understand the stress and complexity of managing shelter, utilities, food, loan payments, and other responsibilities on a limited income. Participants had to survive for one “month” during which their families must keep their shelter and utilities, feed their family, make loan payments, and other tasks.

According to the latest Georgia KIDS COUNT data, 14% of children have parents who lack secure employment in Dawson County, compared to 7.9% in Georgia. And 11.1% of children are living in poverty, compared to 17.2% in Georgia.

The primary goal was to increase awareness and empathy toward the difficulties faced by individuals living in poverty. The experience emphasized how much more challenging it is than it might initially seem. By the end of the event, all participants expressed a deeper appreciation for the struggles impoverished families endure and gained new insights into the barriers they face daily.

This initiative reflects the importance of fostering empathy and understanding within the community, creating a space for conversations about poverty and its effects on people’s lives.

Contact:
Krystin Dean
GaFCP Communications Specialist
706-897-4711
krystin@gafcp.org

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