[St. Louis, MI] – On February 27, 2025, forty-one individuals – including human service professionals, local civic leaders, and representatives from 15 area agencies—participated in a Poverty Simulation at the Church of Christ in St. Louis, Michigan. Hosted by EightCAP, Inc., in collaboration with United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties and Gratiot County Hope House, the simulation provided a powerful, immersive experience into the daily realities of those living in poverty.
The Community Action Poverty Simulation is designed to help participants understand the complexities and emotional toll of poverty.
“This program brings to life the challenges faced by individuals and families struggling to make ends meet,” said Lori Johnson, President of EightCAP, Inc. “With a deeper awareness of the obstacles people in poverty encounter, we can work together to create meaningful solutions for our community.”
Using a structured simulation kit, participants were assigned roles representing low-income families, including single parents, senior citizens on Social Security, and individuals receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Over the course of four 15-minute “weeks,” they navigated essential but stressful tasks – such as securing food, paying rent, attending job interviews, and accessing social services – while interacting with community agencies, grocers, pawnbrokers, bill collectors, and law enforcement.
The simulation kit, funded by a generous grant from the Gratiot County Community Foundation, enabled participants to experience the structural barriers and emotional struggles that many low-income individuals face daily.
According to the 2023 American Community Survey, 14.3% of Gratiot County residents live in poverty, while United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties reports that 47% of local households fall below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold – meaning they struggle to afford basic necessities despite being employed.
“This is the everyday reality for thousands of people in Gratiot County and across Michigan,” Johnson emphasized. “By understanding these struggles, we can work toward meaningful change.”
The simulation aims to broaden awareness of poverty among policymakers, community leaders, and service providers, encouraging collaborative efforts to reduce economic hardship.
Organizations interested in hosting or participating in a future Poverty Simulation are encouraged to contact Lori Johnson, President of EightCAP, Inc., at lorij@8cap.org.
About EightCAP, Inc.
EightCAP, Inc. is a Community Action Agency serving Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, and Montcalm Counties. Our mission is to strengthen communities by delivering programs that address the causes and effects of poverty, empowering individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency.