Simulation raises awareness of poverty in Eau Claire
Thirteen percent of people live in impoverished conditions around city
David Taintor
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: Campus News
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Chairs were set up in clusters to simulate several family units, including a single father with two children, a former sex offender and a mother who lives in a domestic abuse shelter, among others. Surrounding the tables were different agencies put in place to simulate the daily life and expenses of the families.
The event was put on by several organizations both at UW-Eau Claire and within the community, including The Center for Service-Learning, The Community Table and AmeriCorps*VISTA.
AmeriCorps*VISTA member Alison Smetana helped organize the event. She said before the event that she has been involved in similar simulations, but this is the first one in Eau Claire she has been a part of. She said the poverty that exists in Eau Claire is not always visible.
"There are a lot of people in Eau Claire that are on the edge," she said. "There are a lot of people who are one accident away from losing everything, or are working poor."
Hollie Moe, director of the Community Table, helped host the event. Before the simulation began, she shared a few words with participants. She said the event was to sensitize people to the day-to-day activities of people in poverty.
"You are going to try to walk a mile in the shoes of those who are poor," she said.
As the simulation went on, with each 15-minute interval representing one week, challenges were presented to the participants. Moe notified them that the bus broke down, causing a delay in transportation. A water main also broke at the school, requiring parents to pick up their children immediately.
Junior Laurie Schwartz said the experience was eye opening.
"It really made me want to get out there and do something for homeless people," she said.
Non-traditional sophomore Terri Ertz said she lives in poverty every day. She said her husband has severe kidney problems and that they have declared bankruptcy because of medical bills three times.
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