MOUNT VERNON — Forty people, aided by 20 volunteers, put themselves into the roles of the poverty-stricken on Friday morning by participating in a poverty simulation, sponsored by United Way, at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center.
“The purpose of this poverty simulation,” said Jen Odenweller, executive director of United Way, “is to give you a small taste of what life is like on an extremely limited income. For the next hour, you will join the 38.1 million U.S. citizens who live, for one reason or another, on incomes below the poverty line. You will be facing some of the many challenges that real low-income families face.”
Peg Tazewell of the Family and Children First Council offered statistics about poverty in Knox County.
“Our understanding of poverty is defined by television,” she said. “What we see on television is urban poverty. We don’t have that in Knox County; it tends to be hidden. So people say, ‘Oh, we don’t have a lot of poverty in Knox County.’ But those of us who work in social services know that is not true. And we feel that poverty is on the increase.”
Tazewell said the 2000 census showed 10.1 percent of Knox Countians living in poverty; with a population of 58,561, that equated to 5,505 people. In 2004, the estimated poverty level was 19.4 percent, or 11,361 people.
The estimated yearly income needed by a family of three to be self-sufficient, according to the “State of Poverty in Ohio 2008” report, is $31,512; for a family of four it is $38,975. The federal poverty guidelines for a family of four defines poverty income as $21,200.
“Almost 48 percent of Knox County children under 18 live in poverty,” said Tazewell. “That’s almost a majority. And I’m pretty sure that number has gone up now, that the majority of Knox County children are now living in families that are living within 200 percent of the poverty level.”
Participants opened packets to discover their assigned roles in particular families. Some of the women became husbands, sons and fathers who lost their jobs or became ill and unable to work. Some of the men became mothers, daughters and wives carrying dolls to represent children and trying to find food for their families. They received transportation vouchers and bills they were required to pay.
They would also receive “luck of the draw” cards that contained either good or bad news. The families would struggle through four 12-minute weeks in one hour.
With that, Dustin Speakman, director of community services for America’s Second Harvest Food Banks, reminded participants “this is not a game,” and blew a whistle to start the simulation.
Debbie Beck, who works in Mansfield at the Area Agency on Aging, was assigned to be 19-year-old Gayle Garofalo, the mother of 1-year-old Gerald Garofalo. Cindy Truex, who works at the Knox County Board of MRDD, received the role of Gayle’s boyfriend, Glen Guten, 25.
Their assignment: They had no income and had been evicted for non-payment of rent. They were staying at the homeless shelter but have stayed past the two-week time limit and were asked to leave. They must pay $235 in back rent, a gas bill of $120 and an electric bill of $70, buy food for $55 a week, clothing for $25 a month and pay $115 in miscellaneous expenses. And they must find available assistance fast, before night falls and catches them homeless with nowhere to go.
“It’s always interesting,” said Speakman. “Whenever we do these, the first week people are moving slowly, not in too much of a hurry. By the second week, they’re anxious, moving faster. They’re living in what we call ‘the tyranny of the moment’ and have much more urgency about what they’re doing.”
Beck and Truex were quickly caught up in their roles. Beck juggled her doll and numerous vouchers and forms, and Truex raced off to work, using up all their transportation vouchers to get there. They met back at the shelter, only to be told to leave so another family could have their place.
Judy Fields, Knox County Head Start’s Family and Community coordinator, playing a crusty shelter manager, scolded them.
“You’ve been here two weeks. Have you got your child enrolled in Head Start yet? This is serious. You need to get on the ball. What have you been doing with your time these past two weeks?”
“I don’t even know where to go first,” Beck said miserably.
“We need to go to Kno-Ho-Co,” said Truex.
“But how are we supposed to get there without transportation?” said Beck.
Participant Kim Bradley played the role of “a grandmother who can’t take care of myself. I’ve been told to stay in the car while my daughter-in-law stands in line at social services. My son was at the pawn shop, trying to sell things to get cash. You’re at the mercy of other people. It took so long at the pawn shop that he was late for work and got fired. Honestly, this is what happens if you can’t get where you need to.”
Then Speakman handed Bradley a luck of the draw card revealing that the car had a flat tire.
“Oh no,” she cried, looking aghast at her family.
Beck and Truex went to the bank, which refused to cash Truex’s paycheck because she didn’t have an account and wouldn’t open one because she didn’t have an address. They applied for housing assistance, half what they needed. They pawned a ring and camera for a tenth of their worth, tried to pay the back rent at the office that was never open and sold a transportation voucher to raise extra cash. Truex desperately offered someone $5 if they would let her get ahead of them in line at the payday lending office.
“This is discouraging,” said Truex. “After this, I’m actually going to work [at MRDD] with a family that is being evicted. Their electricity is being shut off and they have less than 5 percent in their propane tank. So, as a resource, I’m trying to find them money. This is frustrating because I’m dealing with this in my work situation, too.”
“I feel out of control,” said participant Erin Salva, “and that’s a terrible feeling. As soon as one thing happens, another thing happens.”
And just as things started to come together for Truex and Beck — they had their rent money, Truex still had her job and they received food stamps — a “policeman” walked by and saw Beck juggling the paperwork ... and holding her doll upside down. He arrested her for child neglect and took her to jail. Allowed one phone call, she called Truex to bring the $25 needed to get out of jail.
“We should have taken resting pulses before we began,” quipped Odenweller. “This exercise gets you going. You’re living in the moment.”
Dennis Murray, health commissioner at the Knox County Health Department, said, “This is the most stressful thing I’ve done all week.”
Other participants represented businesses and churches or were there to experience poverty for themselves. Teresa Bemiller, county commissioner-elect, was the lone elected official present.
Odenweller deemed the simulation a success.
“I can see us doing this again for other groups,” she said.
Two other resources not mentioned in Thursday’s article for those living in poverty or who are homeless include Knox Metropolitan Housing Authority, where Jason Booth, director, said the waiting list is 1 1/2 years long, and the new 2-1-1 call system. 2-1-1, available 24/7, is operated by Pathways of Central Ohio and connects callers to operators who have information on local social services. Kristin McCloud, executive director, said callers will help “identify trends in human needs ... we can help identify gaps in services.”
