Most of us know what it feels like to be concerned about our finances.  But do we really, truly, know what it feels like to live in poverty?  Do we know what it’s like to live without enough money to meet our basic needs?

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To get a small taste of what roughly 9.2% of the world’s population, 10% of the US population, and nearly one-fourth of South Bend’s residents experience, join us for our inaugural poverty simulation on April 23 from 9am – 1 pm. 

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What’s a poverty simulation?  “A Poverty Simulation is a facilitated two-hour immersive experience designed to create awareness among participants of life at the bottom rung of the economic ladder. Participants are assigned to ‘families’ who do their best to survive week-to-week over a simulated one-month period.”

Why should I spend a Saturday morning doing this?  The first time I experienced a simulation such as this, it changed me.  For a few moments, I felt helpless, hopeless, and as if jail might be a better option than trying to “make it on the streets”.    Since then, I have approached people in poverty with more compassion and more grace. Isn’t that who we’re called to be as the Body of Christ, called and sent to love and serve the world?  

Please join us.  Saturday, April 23 from 9am - 1 pm.  Clay/Firehouse gymnasium. Registration is $5 and includes lunch. Register now. >>