Imagine for a moment that you’ve just lost your job. Your savings are running out, bills are piling up, and the stress of making ends meet is becoming unbearable. Now, imagine trying to navigate this reality while also ensuring your children have food, shelter, and access to education.

This is the experience participants in the Inspire Atlanta program face during our annual Community Action Poverty Simulation.

While it’s not real, the impact is. This immersive experience, led by Susan Culpepper and hosted at our grantee partner Agape Youth & Family Center, provides a powerful look into the struggles of low-income families—many of whom live right here in Metro Atlanta.

What Is the Poverty Simulation?

The poverty simulation is designed to increase awareness and empathy for the financial and emotional pressures faced by individuals in poverty. Participants are assigned roles as members of families who must navigate real-life challenges: job loss, unexpected expenses, housing instability, and access to essential services. They must make difficult choices—choosing between rent and groceries, securing childcare while holding down a job, or relying on short-term solutions like payday loans.

Over the course of the three-hour simulation, participants interact with stations representing real-world resources—a bank, a school, a grocery store, a pawnshop, and social services—while working to provide for their families basic needs. The experience culminates in a powerful debriefing session where participants share their insights, often expressing a newfound understanding of the barriers individuals in poverty face daily.

A Life-Changing Perspective

For many, the simulation is eye-opening. Over 85% of participants report a significant increase in their understanding of financial hardships and the systemic challenges families experience. As Inspire Atlanta participant Courtney Sowerby reflected:

“The simulation evoked genuine feelings of anxiety and helplessness, mirroring the struggles faced by many children living in poverty. It underscored how circumstances can swiftly spiral out of control, leaving families vulnerable and in despair. This could easily be the reality for a neighbor, a former colleague, or even my own family.”

Why We Bring This Experience to Inspire Atlanta

The poverty simulation is a critical component of the Inspire Atlanta program because it deepens participants’ understanding of the barriers faced by women and girls experiencing poverty. As part of their personal, professional, and philanthropic journey, it’s essential that these leaders not only raise funds for AWF but also understand the real-life struggles their contributions help address.

As a funder, educator, and connector, AWF integrates all three roles through this experience:

• Educator: The simulation provides a firsthand look at the everyday realities of low-income women and families, ensuring participants grasp the urgency of AWF’s mission.
• Connector: The shared experience unites a diverse group of women, empowering them to advocate for change and support each other in their philanthropic efforts.
• Funder: Participants witness how AWF’s investments in nonprofit organizations translate into real, life-changing resources for women and girls in need.

By stepping into the shoes of those they seek to help, Inspire Atlanta participants leave with a stronger commitment to driving meaningful change—not just as donors but as advocates and leaders in their communities.

Why This Matters

In Metro Atlanta, 80,000 girls are affected by poverty, and 17% of working-age women live below the poverty line. Yet, less than 2% of philanthropic giving is directed toward programs supporting women and girls exclusively. This is where The Atlanta Women’s Foundation (AWF) makes an impact.

Through grants and partnerships, AWF provides essential resources, from mental health support and financial literacy training to education and workforce development. The poverty simulation allows participants to witness firsthand how AWF’s funding and programs empower women and families to break the cycle of poverty.

Get Involved

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to engage with your community, deepen your understanding of poverty, and be part of the solution, consider getting involved with AWF. Whether through philanthropy, volunteerism, or corporate partnerships, your support makes a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls in Atlanta.