The Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) recently gathered approximately 90 people to facilitate a poverty simulation to bring awareness of what living in poverty can be like.  

The role-playing simulation put participants in realistic situations that provided a snapshot of the difficulties faced when living in poverty.  The simulation exercise focused on the barriers encountered when accessing services and the challenge of navigating through the various systems of assistance.

Participants in the simulation represented organizations that provide services in Chester County such as:

• Transitional Housing;
• Emergency Shelter;
• Social Services, and;
• County Human Services

The Daily Local News published an article about the May 21, 2009 event. 

Although Chester County ranks highest in the state for median household income and median family income, roughly 29,000 people live in poverty.

This simulation served to inspire attendees, who work in the social services and human services arena, to provide DCD with their candid feedback, ideas and suggestions as to how coordination efforts directed at supporting those who are less fortunate in Chester County can best be achieved. 

• "Very thought-provoking, eye-opening and informative."

• "This simulation helped me to visualize the difficulties experienced by those living at or below the poverty level."

• "The simulation really showed the need for a one-stop service that could point folks in need of help to available resources."