Columbus-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Mar. 6.
The Education Committee of the Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Columbus Municipal School District to host a Poverty Simulation event on March 17th from 8:30 am-12:00 pm in the Columbus Middle School Gym. The Poverty Simulation is facilitated by the Mississippi School Board Association. The goal of the simulation is for community leaders to gain awareness of the daily struggles for many people in Columbus and Lowndes County. The CLCC Education Committee hopes that this experience will help effect change in the perspectives of our community’s leaders for a more understanding and well-rounded leadership perspective.
The CLCC Education Committee hopes to challenge stereotypes, change attitudes, shift perspectives, spark critical conversations and influence policy with the Poverty Simulation. The idea came from the Education Town Hall that the committee hosted in December. After seeing questions and answers surrounding issues in education, the committee debriefed that understanding the realities of poverty could be helpful.
The Mississippi School Board Association Facilitators will lead the simulation and facilitate the group debriefing. The participants will be dealt with a life situation and have to visit all the booths for various life necessities such as health care, utilities, grocery store, school, and courthouse. Other booths such as quick loans and pawnshop will be featured as well.
Expected to participate as contestants in the Poverty Simulation are leaders from churches and religious organizations, leaders in industry, elected officials from Columbus city council, non-profit board members, local media, elected officials from Lowndes County government, administration from public and private schools, and utilities.
All media is invited and encouraged to attend to cover this impactful Poverty Simulation event on March 17th from 8:30 am-12:00 pm in the Columbus Middle School Gym.
Jo Shumake, CMSD Board Member, and CLCC Education Committee member participated in the Poverty simulation as part of the MSBA Fall Meeting. “For a few hours, I walked in the shoes of a life that many students and families face in our school district. I was quickly engrossed in the situation of the game and it shocked me how real it felt” said Shumake, “I am looking forward to recreating the simulation for more leaders in our community because I think it will broaden their perspectives, as it did mine.”
The mission of the CLCC Education Committee is to provide support and advocacy towards bettering the education system in our community. The committee believes strong education has a direct correlation to a strong workforce for the business community.
Please contact Lisa James, President, Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce or Cherie Labat, CMSD Superintendent.
Original source can be found here.
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