See poverty through someone else's eyes at Jan. 31 event

Imagine having to choose between paying your water bill, feeding your family or getting to work. For more than 100,000 Calgarians, it is something they don’t have to imagine — it is a complex reality lived each day. At an upcoming Diversity Days 2018 event, you can learn about the real-life challenges individuals face and ways you can address the impact of poverty in our community.

“Community members from across campus and the wider Calgary community will be exposed to the realities of living as a person in poverty,” says Patricia Danyluk, teaching scholar and field experience director in the Werklund School of Education. “This type of learning is some of the most impactful we can take part in, providing multiple insights into the challenges of poverty.”

The Community Action Poverty Simulation is a two-hour experiential learning activity, in which a facilitator will lead participants through a month in poverty where each week is a 15-minute interval. Grouped in families, participants have to provide food, shelter, and other necessities by accessing community resources. Afterward, participants will debrief and share observations and insights. Two Werklund School of Education scholars are hosting the event: Yvonne Poitras Pratt, assistant professor and teaching scholar and Danyluk. Solange Lalonde, a program designer in Werklund School of Education, will facilitate it.

“The simulation is an activity where participants can build awareness and understanding of the complex and interconnected issues related to poverty,” says Lalonde. “It’s as much about learning about poverty as it is about learning about yourself and your role in the community.”

• Photo above: Project members Jennifer Markides, Yvonne Poitras Pratt, Patricia Danyluk, Solange Lalonde, and Jennifer MacDonald are hosting a poverty simulation as a part of Diversity Days 2018. 

The event is part of their campus-wide initiative, Building Stronger Connections Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Communities Through Praxis-Based Learning Opportunities. Participants are invited to take part in a brief research study as part of this learning event.

“By exposing our campus community to the challenges that people in the lower socio-economic spectrum of our society face, we hope that participants will start to understand how a vicious cycle of poverty is perpetuated and reduces life choices,” say Danyluk and Poitras Pratt. “We also hope that participants will gain a greater level of respect and understanding for those who live in poverty, including the First Peoples of Canada.”

“As scholars who study reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples, we are often asked how an individual person can make a difference,” say Danyluk and Poitras Pratt. “Whether it’s how to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, or thinking about the recent launch of the Indigenous Strategy, we encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and challenge themselves to see the world through another person’s eyes.”

The Community Action Poverty Simulation takes place on Jan. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning. Register here. 

Diversity Days celebrates diversity and inclusivity across University of Calgary campuses through a variety of events, open to all community members. Check out the full schedule from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.

The Diversity Days keynote is on Jan. 30 — the first 200 people will receive free lunch. Register today.