Poverty Reduction Initiative - Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative

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May 16, 2012.

Poverty Simulation Workshops

Live a month in poverty...in a few hours. One of our most powerful educational tools is the Poverty Simulation Workshop - a role-playing experience that offers the opportunity to learn more about the realities of living in conditions of poverty.
Suitable for churches, schools, agencies, and community organizations.

Learn more about poverty simulation workshops and facilitator training.

While poverty may not be prevalent in your own neighborhood, there are "poverty pockets" throughout our region, especially in the City of Kalamazoo.

According to the US Census 2010 American Community Survey, almost 50,000 people in Kalamazoo County live below the poverty level, around 20% of the population. 15,000 are children under age 18. In the City of Kalamazoo it's 26,000 people, including 8,000 children — almost 40% of the city, a greater percentage than Detroit. See the ACS fact sheet.

Together we can change that. We can help our ourselves and our neighbors transition from poverty to prosperity. It starts with understanding the challenges, through a poverty simulation workshop, for example. Then by giving a hand up, expanding access to income supports, community programs, education, training, asset building, and financial literacy - through events like Project Connect and community collaboratives like BankOn Kalamazoo.

Join us in our work to make our community stronger. Become a member today!