A Poverty Simulation is an exercise that exposes participants to the realities of poverty in our community, and first-hand insights into the complex world of government services and commercial enterprises that affect the poverty-stricken. Participants assume roles of “families” facing poverty. Each “family”–during the course of four 15-minute “weeks” navigates the “city” in attempt to provide basic necessities and shelter with the help of community services (bank, church food pantry, general employer, pawnbroker, grocery store, welfare office, police station, utilities and rent payment centers). The simulation however, is not a game. Scenarios are based on real-time poverty statistics, cost of living, average rent, etc., and represent those actually living ABOVE the official poverty line.