Poverty Simulation for Greater Rochester Area Media Organizations

Organized By: ACT Rochester

Poverty Simulation

You are invited to take a walk in the shoes of someone who lives in poverty every day

The complexity of poverty in our community requires all of us to learn more, alter our perceptions of people and situations, and contribute to creating equity and access for those who are underserved and suffering in the places where we work, live, play, and worship.

ACT Rochester is inviting you to participate in a poverty simulation on Saturday, February 16, that will provide an opportunity to explore the complex issues beyond the written word or sound bite; to immerse yourself in an interactive experience to gain a deeper understanding of poverty in our community.

Poverty has been at the forefront of ACT Rochester’s work, having sponsored several poverty simulations, published three poverty reports and one on race and ethnicity, and annually updating regional poverty data on its website. Simulation sponsors Rochester Area Community Foundation and Causewave Community Partners released the 2018 report, Shaping Our Stories, which gave media organizations like yours the chance to share your insights about race and the media.

You are vital sources of information — reporters on the front lines, behind-the-scenes crews, administrators and executives, as well as those in other organizations who have communication  responsibilities.

This highly interactive and powerful exercise involves more than 100 people and is specially designed for Greater Rochester’s media and communications professionals. The simulation is based on what a typical low-income family encounters in its attempt to survive from month to month. Each participant assumes the role of a family member as a way to better understand the day-to-day challenges faced by those living in poverty and how current biases, systems, policies, and practices create barriers. This experience provides additional lenses for sharing stories.

This simulation runs for approximately 3 hours. We ask that you please arrive at 8:45 a.m. — 15 minutes early — to get your assignment and ensure all activities begin promptly at 9 a.m.

The simulation is free. We do ask that you RSVP to reserve your seat. We expect a capacity crowd so register early and please only sign up if you plan to attend for the full session. Full participation is critical to the success of the experience. If you have any questions, please email Yahaira Hayle-Laboy.

Parking is located in the lot located on Oxford Street, which is off of East Avenue. 

Thank you to our event sponsors and partners: Rochester Area Community Foundation, Gannett Foundation, Rochester Media Association, Rochester Association of Black Journalists and Causewave Community Partners.  Special thanks to Coordinated Care Services, Inc. for facilitating this event.