Upcoming Events

The Indiana Rural Health Association is pleased to offer the St. Vincent Poverty Experience presented by Afia Griffith of St. Vincent Health. The Poverty Experience is a simulation designed to help participants understand what it might be like to be a part of a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month.  The participants assume roles of up to 26 different "families" living in poverty.  The task of the families is to provide for basic necessities and shelter for one "month" consisting of four fifteen-minute "weeks."  The simulation is conducted in a room with "families" seated in groups in the center.  Around the perimeter are tables representing community resources and services for families.  These services include a bank, food pantry, health clinic, welfare office, grocery store, employment office, and other services.  The simulation includes introduction and debriefing that will include discussion on poverty.

Register to attend today.  Attendance is limited to 75 participants.

There is no cost to register for this event, but you must complete the RSVP form to register.  A "poverty" lunch will be served at noon.

When you register, you will be asked if you want to be part of a "family" in poverty (as described above) or a community resource volunteer.  Volunteers are required to be at the facility at 11:15 a.m. to receive instructions on their "job" as a banker, health clinic worker, grocer, human resources employee, etc.  Sixteen volunteers are needed.  

NOTE:  As of 7/19/2012, we have all the volunteers we need.  Please register to be part of a "family" in poverty.

Target audience:  Everyone can benefit from the poverty experience.  This is a great learning experience for health professional students.

This program is funded in part by a grant awarded to the Indiana State Department of Health, State Office of Rural Health (SORH) Flex funding Grant Number HR54RH00042.