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AMHERST, N.Y. – ������Ƶ College students had the opportunity to develop a better understanding of the challenges people face when living in poverty in a series of simulation exercises recently held on campus.

More than 60 students from various ������Ƶ academic courses participated in the college’s poverty simulation event that took place on Nov. 18. Using four real-life scenarios, students played the roles of individuals living in poverty, such as a single parent or a hungry child. Each of the 15-minute segments equaled a week of poverty experiences, including the loss of a job, eviction and feeding a family, while struggling to pay bills, find employment, pay for groceries, and other daily challenges.

The poverty simulation was presented by the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County; Dr. Sharon Benz, community coordinator of the ������Ƶ Center for Sustainable Communities and Civic Engagement; Dr. Sharlene Buszka, associate professor of business administration; and Dr. Mary  Fox, associate professor of early childhood education.

“This realistic simulation helped students to become more aware of the stress and impact living in poverty has on low-income households,” said Benz. “By incorporating various scenarios, the simulation activities demonstrated the many difficulties and hardships people endure when they face a life of poverty.”