Every year on campus the Department of Social Work and the nonprofit organization TEAMwork for Quality Living work together to provide students with the opportunity to experience a lifestyle much different than their own: poverty.
Of course, poverty is not a lifestyle to which we aspire. With graduation approaching, most of us - myself included - like to imagine ourselves in the next few years living out our dreams. We imagine ourselves driving the cars we've always desired, dining at our favorite restaurants, vacationing to tropical locations - all with our Ball State diplomas proudly displayed in our comfortable corner offices.
Although our education provides us with an extra security net against poverty, many Americans don't have this advantage. According to globalissues.org, half the world lives in poverty. This means that nearly 3 billion people - 1 billion of whom are children - live on less than $2 a day. I know with rent, car payments and the five other bills I pay, that $2 would not do it for me.
However, students can now come close to experiencing the trials these 3 billion people face. The poverty simulations offered by the Social Work department and TEAMwork for Quality Living allow us a glimpse into this life that affects 32 percent of people living right here in Muncie.
Cindy Reinardy, communications and special events program coordinator for TEAMwork, said the simulations are provided as an educational and awareness tool. In addition, the simulations enable students to understand the culture of poverty.
"It's just an eye-opening experience because you get put in the position of the person who needs help," Reinardy said. "It's a chance to truly understand what these people have to overcome just to get by from day to day."
In just two and a half hours, the simulation challenges students to survive a "month" in poverty. Every 15 minutes is experienced as one week in which students learn about the hardships of an impoverished life. Participants are assigned roles as members of families living below the poverty line, which, according to the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, is just $21,200 for a family of four.
Many of the experiences revolve around troubles with children in school, the inability to pay bills on time, battles with drugs and alcohol and unemployment.
The good thing is that we can all take part in this learning experience. Helen Stephenson, office coordinator with the Office of Student Life, said students can sign up for poverty simulations through the Student Voluntary Services Web site. In addition, space is limited to about 60-80 participants and often fills up quickly.
Although it's a safe experience where students are able to learn about poverty and then retreat to the comforts of their own secure homes, it's still a learning environment. It's the type of learning environment where students can experience the struggles of a destitute life while gaining a lasting impression.
Today's students are tomorrow's professionals. Although most of us will never experience a life of poverty, we may be working with clients living in poverty, while others may be able to create opportunities for those living in poverty. By participating in this simulation we can step outside our comfort zones and obtain knowledge of which we may otherwise be oblivious.
With knowledge comes power, and through attending poverty simulations, we gain power. I'm excited to sign up for the next simulation, and with a little luck, after reading this you might be, too.
Casey Gentis is a senior public relations major and writes 'The Case Study' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Casey at casey.gentis@gmail.com
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