Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Poverty Experience is a professionally facilitated, hands-on simulation in which participants navigate realistic scenarios related to housing, employment, transportation, healthcare, and other essential needs. Working within limited resources and time constraints, participants must make decisions that reflect the difficult trade-offs many individuals and families face daily. The experience concludes with guided reflection and discussion to process insights and connect learning to real-world application

  • The simulation is designed for employers and teams, educators, leadership groups, community organizations, civic groups, and students. It is particularly valuable for organizations seeking to better understand the challenges faced by individuals with limited resources and to strengthen empathy, awareness, and informed decision-making within their teams or communities.

  • Participants leave with increased awareness, deeper perspective, and a stronger understanding of how financial stress influences priorities and long-term outcomes. The experience highlights how systems such as housing, transportation, healthcare, and employment intersect to shape opportunity and access. Through guided reflection, participants connect these insights to their professional roles and community engagement efforts.

  • The Poverty Experience is highly interactive. Rather than a traditional lecture, participants actively engage in decision-making scenarios that mirror real-life challenges. The facilitated debrief and structured discussion are central components, ensuring that learning is processed thoughtfully and meaningfully.

  • Sessions are available in multiple formats, ranging from 90 minutes to extended half-day or customized experiences. Each session includes a fully facilitated simulation, participant materials, and guided discussion. Extended options allow for deeper reflection, additional learning components, and action-focused conversation tailored to organizational goals.

  • The Poverty Experience provides practical insight that can inform leadership decisions, outreach strategies, program development, and community engagement efforts. By strengthening awareness and perspective, organizations are better equipped to respond thoughtfully, design more effective programs, and foster stronger connections within the communities they serve.