Trevecca students join poverty simulation to better understand low-income challenges

Alana Mclaughlin

Senior Reporter

Trevecca students participated in a Poverty Simulation on Monday, Nov. 17, in the Boone Convocation Center to raise awareness about what it’s like to live in a typical low-income family.

Around 88 participants assumed the roles of 26 different families facing poverty. The task of the “families” was to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute “weeks.” Jamie Casler, director of the Center for Social Justice, served as coordinator for this event. 

“Part of my responsibility and role as director is to provide experiences for students to experience poverty, so they can empathize with the people that we’re serving in our community,” said Casler. 

This event, based on the MACA (Missouri Association for Community Action, Inc.) Poverty Simulation hosted 100 preregistered students. Some students played the role of families who are newly unemployed, some were recently deserted by the “breadwinner,” some were homeless, and others were recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), either with or without additional earned income. 

“If we have a simulation or an experience of what it might be like to be a person in poverty, I think then students have a deeper understanding and appreciation for how difficult it is to break the cycle of poverty,” said Casler.

Casler believes that serving neighbors is part of Trevecca’s mission.

“We, as the body of Christ, need to serve our neighbors and to share the resources God has given us,” said Casler.

Student leaders and Trevecca faculty served as volunteer staffers, filling roles like police officer, utility broker, pawnbroker, grocer, Quik Cash manager, and social service caseworkers. 

Freshman Tasyana Tuggle signed up for the simulation out of curiosity.

“When I went into the simulation, I was a bit nervous. I didn’t know what to expect,” said Tuggle.

Tuggle said all students could benefit from participation in something like the poverty simulation.

“I really liked the fact that everyone, even the people who had a pretty good life or middle class life, could say they saw things from different perspectives,” said Tuggle.

Casler encourages students to serve within the Center for Social Justice.

“The hope is that our students’ eyes will be opened and they will be moved to serve,” said Casler.

Students can keep up with service opportunities through the TNU sharepoint and the iAttended app.

“We have a variety of opportunities for you to serve, whether that’s in your dorm, on your floor, in your club or organization, or just as an individual,” said Casler.

Students can contact Casler for future service opportunities.

“I can assess what the student’s desire is for service and help match their desire and passion with a service opportunity. An individual that’s passionate about serving our unhoused neighbors can be connected to Room in the Inn, or if a group wants to do a service project, we could look into the Urban Farm,” said Casler.