A Step Towards Compassion: Poverty Simulation Event Sparks Understanding
Seguin, TX – Community Council of South Central Texas, in collaboration with TLU Department of Nursing, hosted a thought-provoking poverty simulation event on May 18, 2023. The event aimed to raise awareness about the harsh realities of poverty and foster empathy and understanding within our community.
During the poverty simulation, participants were immersed in a simulated environment that replicated the daily struggles faced by individuals and families living in poverty. Attendees assumed different roles, each representing a unique persona affected by financial insecurity, such as a single parent, an unemployed individual, a child, or an elderly person on a fixed income. Through engaging activities and scenarios, participants experienced firsthand the difficult decisions, limited resources, and systemic challenges that impoverished individuals confront on a daily basis.
The poverty simulation event successfully created a profound impact on the attendees, as it unveiled the complexities of poverty and the interplay of various social factors that perpetuate it. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by marginalized communities, including limited access to education, healthcare, and adequate housing.
“Being an educator, you have to understand where our kids come from,” said Megan Medrano, a teacher with Seguin ISD. “…the poverty simulation was very eye opening for me to understand the experiences some of our students go through with their families and how I may better support them.”
The event concluded with a debriefing session, where participants shared their reflections and discussed potential actions to make a difference in the lives of those affected by poverty. Attendees left with a renewed commitment to raise awareness, support local initiatives, and work towards creating lasting change.
CCSCT and TLU Nursing express their gratitude to all participants and volunteers for their invaluable contributions to this eye-opening poverty simulation event. Together, we can strive for a more equitable and compassionate society.
CCSCT’s next endeavor includes a Community Listening event titled, “Bridge Builders,” where members of the Guadalupe, Comal, and Kendall counties may attend to share insights and ideas on how to improve their communities. The event will be held on May 30th, 2023 from 11am-1pm (lunch included) at the McKenna Center Ballroom in New Braunfels, TX, located at 801 San Antonio St. If you would like more information on this event, contact Daniela Flores at dflores@ccsct.org. You may register to attend “Bridge Builders” at the following link: https://ccsctbridgebuilders.rsvpify.com
Community Council of South Central Texas is a member of the National Community Action Partnership and the Community Action Network, which was born out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. CCSCT is a non-profit community action agency that empowers vulnerable families and individuals in the greater South Central Texas area to achieve self-sufficiency by eliminating barriers through innovative programs and strong community partnerships. Counties serviced include Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Brewster, Comal, Crane, Culberson, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, LaSalle, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Wilson, and Zavala. For more information, visit www.ccsct.org or follow us on the socials at https://linktr.ee/ccsct_cares.
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