Yesterday LSA held our first community Poverty Simulation training of 2025!

Thanks to the generosity of the Black Belt Community Foundation, LSA has a licensed copy of the Community Action Poverty Simulation.

The Poverty Simulation is an interactive exercise geared toward better understanding the problems of poverty and the complex issues with which our clients wrestle daily.

The simulation is a role-playing exercise where attendees are tasked with surviving a month with the identity and resources of low-income individuals and families.

The simulation portion of the training lasts an hour where every 15 minutes represents a week in the lives of assigned characters. Participants must navigate obstacles like managing transportation and childcare while getting to work on time; affording utilities, groceries, and medicine on a fixed, limited income; and, avoiding eviction at all costs.

Participants engage with various community institutions, organizations and entities to make ends meet, while avoiding the pitfalls associated with poverty.

WSFA joined us for a story – check out the video below to learn more about the event!