Volunteers are needed to help facilitate a Poverty Simulation hosted in the Beggs Ballroom. The participants of this simulation will be members of a class at WSU.
This learning tool is used nation-wide and was created as a way to help people understand the realities of poverty. During the simulation, participants role-play the lives of low-income families. They have the stressful task of providing for basic necessities and shelter on a limited budget during the course of four 15-minute “weeks.” Some roles are TANF recipients, some have disabilities, and some are senior citizens receiving Social Security. They interact with human service agencies, grocers, pawnbrokers, bill collectors, job interviewers, police officers, and others.
Although play money is used, CAPS is not a game. It is a simulation that enables participants to look at poverty from a variety of angles and then to recognize and discuss the potential for change within their local communities.
We invite you to participate in CAPS as a volunteer staffer which will allow you to play the role of a community resource like check cashing, the utility company, Community Healthcare, a case-worker, roles mentioned above, or any other agency.
Important information to keep in mind if you do decide to participate as a volunteer is that there will be a required volunteer orientation prior to the start of the Simulation.
Volunteers will need to report to the Beggs Ballroom at 12:30pm where they will then be provided with an orientation and time to review the materials for the simulation. The Simulation will begin at 2:00pm. Lunch will be provided for volunteers during the orientation.
