The DSU Poverty Simulation

The purpose of this event is to engage DSU faculty and staff in any discipline and people in the community (anyone over age 16) in an empathetic-action simulative learning experience about surviving in poverty so they can understand what it is like in order to improve their services at DSU and provide better assistance to students and others in the area who are struggling to live on very low incomes. Research indicates that the simulation significantly improves participants’ understanding about poverty, shatters stereotypes, and increases their empathy toward people living in poverty. The event is free. It lasts approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Participants will need to dress comfortably and stay the whole time. Any faculty, staff or student who has already participated in the Poverty Simulation is welcome to assist the DSU BSW Program faculty in implementing the service tables during the simulation if they come at noon on the day of the simulation to get set up.