Poverty is not something many people want to talk about, let alone experience, according to coordinators of a project intended to help the community understand the frustration and desperation of those in need.

About 50 volunteers will participate in a “poverty simulation” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Madrigrano Auditorium at Gateway Technical College, 3520 30th Ave.

The simulation is a project of the University of Wisconsin-Extension and partners Urban Outreach Center and Strengthening Humanity Network.

“We’re hoping it will bring a better understanding — for people who’ve never been there — of where a person in poverty is coming from on a daily basis,” said Angela Cunningham, executive director of the Urban Outreach Center at Grace Lutheran Church, 2006 60th St. “If you’re not coming from (poverty), it’s easy for someone who isn’t to pass judgment on someone who is.”

Role playing

During the simulation, participants will be given roles to play with specific profiles of those who are experiencing poverty, Cunningham said. The profiles will include the person’s household income, family needs and other background.

Stations will be set up throughout the auditorium to represent various places where the person would go to cash checks, pay their rent and receive various services, from child care to food. Stations also will include the Department of Family Services, the bank, grocery stores, pawn shops and jail, among others.

Trying circumstances

Participants, for example, will learn the difficulties people in poverty experience when trying to help themselves.

“Every time they go to a station, they have to show a transportation voucher, otherwise they don’t get the service,” Cunningham said, explaining that in reality many can’t receive services because, they, in fact, have little or no access to reliable transportation.

“Wild cards,” such as the loss of a job or a primary provider becoming disabled, also are intended to show how such a change in circumstance can leave families struggling to pay their rent or buy food and clothing. Some who may have just been making ends meet could end up homeless, she said.

“We are trying to make it as real as possible in the time we are putting this on,” she said. “We want people to feel the frustration of having limited resources and how they’re making, or not making, ends meet.”

First-time event

She said while the simulation is intended for social workers, health-care professionals, educators, elected officials and volunteers, some members of the public also have inquired about participating. Those inquiring have been placed on a waiting list for participation, she said.

“This is the first time we’re doing it. But we’re thinking that if there is great interest from the public, there may be the opportunity to hold (other simulations) at a later date,” she said.

For information, call 857-1945.