Local organizations come together to create a free poverty simulation

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – On Tuesday, the Moline Foundation, the Moline Public Library, the University of Illinois, St. Paul Lutheran Church, EveryChild and the River Bend Food Bank joined together for the next round of poverty simulations and workshops on socioeconomic differences.

This simulation is designed to show a growing concern in the Quad Cities, one of which is poverty. According to the River Bend Food Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a need for 50,000 people in QC.

Organizers say about a hundred people have signed up to experience the simulation, which is both a psychological and interactive activity.

According to the press release for the event, “if you work with clients from other backgrounds or just want to understand the choices of others, these sessions will help you.”

Susan Zelnio with the Moline Foundation says she experienced the simulation as a participant and organizer. He says those who participate for the first time will have the opportunity to:

• Learn about the challenges faced by people in poverty trying to make ends meet.
• Learn more about different perspectives by understanding the reality of others and their own.
• Make decisions about the difficult decisions that people in poverty face every day.

Zelnio continues that it is a free opportunity to walk in other people’s shoes and understand the different perspectives of those in the QCA community.

Organizers encourage those who missed Tuesday’s simulation to look for future events next year. You can find more information about virtual poverty simulation options by heading to the Moline Foundation website.

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