MOLINE, ILLINOIS (September 9, 2022) — The Moline Foundation, Moline Public Library, University of Illinois Extension, St Paul Lutheran Church, EveryChild, and River Bend Food Bank are joining forces to offer an in-person simulation about living in poverty and workshop on SocioEconomic Differences on October 18, 2022, 8AM-12:30PM, at St Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport.
COVID-19 pushed more people towards poverty, although when describing themselves, most say they are middle class. Unfortunately, numbers tell a different story. The River Bend Food Bank showed an increase need of 50,000 people in the QCA, and now, with the recession, need has only increased. If you work with clients that come from a different background or just want to understand the choices others make, these sessions will help you.
People who live in poverty make decisions based on their culture — what they value and what rules they live by. During the workshop learn to better understand their reality versus yours. If you didn’t grow up in poverty, you don’t understand it. No matter how well-intended you might be, the values and hidden rules that people in poverty live can be baffling to the other groups.
The simulation illustrates the difficulties of trying to pay for everything each month when enough money isn’t coming in but is still must be going out to pay the bills. You have the chance to make the difficult decisions that face people in poverty every day. If you have participated in the virtual one in the past, it is recommended you also attend the in-person as they are different experiences.
Registration is free but space is limited. To sign up:
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=22032
As this is a free event, volunteers are needed to help set tables and chairs up, and to staff the booths for the simulation. You can learn a lot when you are on the other side of the desk from the people who need help. Contact Susan at szelnio@molinefoundation.org to volunteer or to ask questions.
About The Moline Foundation
The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts, and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts for all citizens in a seven-county region including Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough Counties in Illinois, and Scott County in Iowa.
