Poverty Simulation Overview

United Way’s Poverty Simulation is an interactive experience that helps participants better understand the realities faced by individuals and families living with limited resources. Participants step into the role of a household navigating one month of real life decisions including work, housing, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and unexpected challenges.

Through guided activities and a facilitated debrief, the simulation builds empathy, challenges assumptions, and sparks meaningful conversations about financial stability in our community. This experience is designed for workplaces, educators, students, service providers, and community leaders who want a deeper understanding of how poverty impacts daily decision making and access to opportunity.

The Poverty Simulation creates space for learning, reflection, and action by connecting lived experience to the programs, partnerships, and solutions that strengthen our community.