Effingham County 4-H’ers assisted Family Promise by volunteering in a Poverty Simulation event designed to help participants understand the reality of poverty and to increase awareness of the challenges faced by individuals living at or near the poverty level.

In the simulation, participants role-play the lives of single-parent families, recently unemployed adults with children, and other low-income family members.

The participants must maintain their basic needs while interacting with a variety of community resources.

The experience was an “eye-opener” for the 4-H’ers, who walked away with a better understanding of the importance of being responsible, staying in school, as well as making good choices. The Effingham County 4-H program strives to impact the community through educational opportunities inside and outside the classroom.

Contact the Effingham County Extension office at 754-8040 for more information on the 4-H program.