By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The United Way of Reno County and Resilience Reno County is hosting a poverty simulation Monday at Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System's pavilion.
"Poverty is a reality for many individuals right here in Reno County," said Lisa Gleason with United Way. "Unless you've experienced poverty, it's really difficult to understand. United Way, most of our funded partners and our work that we do through community impact really ties in to working families who are just struggling. We want to raise that awareness."
Thirteen percent of Reno County residents live in poverty each day. Many more have incomes above the poverty line, but their incomes are still low enough that they can’t afford basic needs like food, decent housing, or quality childcare.
"If you have grown up in poverty and you are struggling, you are in survival mode every single day," Gleason said. "You are trying to figure out, how am I going to juggle getting my kids somewhere, because I don't have transportation? How am I going to make sure that we have some kind of food tonight? Which bill am I going to pay and which bill am I going to have to put off?"
You can choose from either of two opportunities, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
"We need to be able to understand their struggle, so that we can perhaps work alongside them, support them and help problem solve to help get them to a stronger, better place," Gleason said.
Participation is free, but registration is required. Since the simulation is based on a variety of family scenarios, you will become a "family member" when you RSVP. For more information, call the United Way at (620) 669-9329 to reserve your spot.