By Curtis D. Tucker, Enid Buzz | Thursday, September 22, 2016
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ENID, Okla. - Could you survive a month in poverty? Many of the stakeholders and service providers who support area poverty programs have no idea what life is like for Oklahomans who are struggling to survive. It is difficult for those of us who have enough to truly understand the situations families living in poverty experience every day—the decisions they have to make, and the fears and frustrations they feel.
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Those who work with or make decisions for those in poverty often have no idea of the real-life challenges faced by those they serve. Wouldn’t it be great if they could walk a mile in the shoes of those facing poverty? On Thursday, September 29th they, as well as local residents, can find out.
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OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educators will be directing a 3.5 hour Community Action Poverty Simulation! The event will be held at the Hoover Building on the south side of the Chisholm Trail Expo fairgrounds.
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The day begins with a brief overview of poverty in Oklahoma and Garfield County, then a brief orientation. Then participants assume roles of real families in poverty. The experience is divided into four 15-minute sessions, each of which represents one week in which you must provide for your family and maintain your home.
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As one participant commented, “This poverty simulation dramatically demonstrates how much time and energy many families have to give just to survive from day to day. It quickly dispels the myth that ‘people would do fine if they would only go out and get a job!”
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The simulation will begin at 9:00am on Thursday, September 29th at the Hoover Building, 312 East Oxford. The simulation has room for just 80 participants. An additional 25 volunteers are needed to be service providers for the simulation participants.
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If you can provide assistance, sponsor refreshments or would like to participate or volunteer, please contact Lesa Rauh at lesa.rauh@okstate.edu or call the Garfield County OSU Extension office at 580-237-1228.
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Could you survive a month in poverty?
