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This is NOT A Game!

Days leading up to our poverty simulation were long and filled with many small tasks in order to ensure the event was as successful and meaningful as possible.  My football coach once told me that “Team work makes the dream work”, and I was blessed to have 5 teammates (Erik, Christy, Bertille, Trentice, and Madison), the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, and the Department of Public Health at Campbell University all supporting, and working in tandem, to make this day happen.

The beginning stages of the planning process were basically getting our team acclimated to the simulation protocol, including understanding the families roles and objectives, the community resources and their roles, and the general flow of the simulation. The simulation consisted of 26 families broken down in to 6 groups, and these 6 groups differed by family composition, job status, income, and objective. There were (3) Four Member families who were newly Unemployed, (3) Three Member families Applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known as food stamps, (6) Three Member families already receiving TANF, Food Stamps, (6) Four Members families who were Employed Part Time, Receiving TANF, Food Stamps, (4) One Member families Receiving Supplemental Security Income, (4)Elderly Couples Receiving Supplemental Security Income. Using community resources like, the welfare office, grocery store, police department, employment office, school, food pantry, mortgage and utility companies, transportation services, illegal activities, and more, these families were faced with the task of providing basic necessities like food, utilities, steady education, and shelter for their families.

With this came understanding each community resource in the simulation and finding volunteers to act as these resources during the simulation. Overwhelmed by the extent of each of the volunteer roles, as a group, we split up the roles between our team and trained faculty, family, and classmates (whoever could volunteer their time) on how to effectively portray the designated community resource. We set out to make our simulation as authentic as possible recruiting real members of the community who is or has served as the community resource in the simulation. For example, Lieutenant Tim Lloyd volunteered his time as a real police officer, Dr. Susan Barnes, a social worker actually played a case worker, and Chris Terri who is a real landlord played that role in our simulation. As a team I think we did a great job preparing our volunteers for the simulation.

After setting a concrete date (November 9th) and contacting Campbell University’s facility management team we secured Carter Gym and provided a layout of tables and chairs for the simulation. With a venue and a team full of volunteers ready to go we were faced with the toughest challenge of all in my opinion, GETTING STUDENTS TO CARE. We spent a lot of time pondering the different ways we could get students to buy in to our event. We made flyers which were hung and passed out around campus. We promoted the event in our individual club meetings and class rooms. However, after our efforts we still didn’t feel as though we had reached our desired number of 75ish students! It wasn’t until we came up with the idea to write a proposal offering credit for students that would attend the entire event. After meeting with multiple parties at the university in an attempt to get this event approved for class credit, we finally struck gold and had it approved. Students were offered 2 connections credits (mandatory community event credits students must obtain before graduation) and some professors went above and beyond offering their students extra credit in their courses.

The big day approached quicker than we imagined. As we set up the signage and stations around the gym we all were extremely worried about the amount of people that would show up. The protocol supports up to 75 participants divided in to the 26 aforementioned families, but we didn’t think we’d actually get 75 students to show up. Therefore we set our range at about 30-40 students, but prepared as if we were going to have 75. Then the unthinkable happened! Over 150 students lined up outside of carter gym and we were blown away! We took the first 75 students (per the protocol) and got them registered for the event. Then we got together and made a team decision. Why deprive students of this possibly eye opening experience? We then took the next 30 or so students allowing them to participate. After running out of space and materials we were forced to cap off the simulation and shut our doors. I found it exhilarating to stand up in front of the room and thank everyone for participating, explaining the overall simulation, and directing people where they needed to go. The most challenging aspect of the event was reminding 17-22 year olds that this was not a game and over 40some million people live like this every day. The simulation at times can feel like the game of Life that most of us have played in the past, fake money, family situations etc. so it was important to remind people what we were there for and what we were hoping to convey to them by the end of the simulation. Understanding the limited funding, lack of data and support in the public health field, we knew we had to somehow statistically gage the students’ knowledge before and after the simulation experience. We came up with a 10 question pre and post survey that students were asked to fill out and using SPSS (a statistical software we analyzed the results, realizing that our poverty simulation in fact did make a statistically significant change in perceptions about poverty amongst our student body.

As a group we felt as though the simulation went as well as it could have for a first time event. We met up afterwards and discussed some of the things that worked and didn’t work so that we could possibly lay the ground work for following practicum groups who may want to do this again. We also discussed with different departments about how willing they may be to allow us to incorporate this into a standard once a semester event and the feedback has been positive thus far.

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The folks who made this whole event possible! Shouts out to Ms. Kitt (Not in the Picture) for serving as our Preceptor for the semester!!!

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Mic check 1, 2 Mic check 1,2!

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The Support of our Public Health Department faculty is second to none! Thank you Dr. T and Dr. A for your help! You guys are AWESOME!!!

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The Calm before the storm

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If someone would have told me the line to get into our poverty simulation would be this long, I wouldn't have believed them! What a turnout! So exciting!

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PROMO for the Poverty Simulation!!! Academic Circle!!! (Dr. Macnell tried to dodge us GOTCHA! HAHAH)

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Thank you to the Beacon Rescue Mission in Dunn NC for allowing us to serve our community!!!

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I think Erik liked the Dress more than the young lady taking it home HAHAHAH!

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A Bright Idea

The federal poverty line is $11,892 for households with a single individual income and $23,836 for a family of four, assuming two sources of income. The official poverty rate is 14.5%, meaning 45.3 million people in the US live in poverty. However, Harnett County citizens live in poverty at disproportionate rates. We began our journey exploring what poverty looks like in the counties surrounding Campbell University. Between 1970 to 2011, the county’s poverty rate showed minimal fluxuation staying between 26 and 21 percent.  We quickly realized that our university was in the middle of one of the poorest counties in North Carolina.  

Campbell University is a private school who charges its students, on average, 40 thousand dollars per year, for tuition. One would think the partnership between the university and the county it sits in is rather strong. Wrong. Though Campbell University does a pretty good job of providing services for citizens of Harnett county such as, food drives, Christmas give aways for disadvantaged families, and the very popular street fair, the climate from the outside looking in didn’t seem as warm hearted as we would have thought.  I had a few in depth conversations with students, faculty, staff, and Harnett county citizens and was shocked to hear some of the perceptions people have about Campbell and its student body. Some reoccurring themes of my conversations were that students who attend this University are viewed as privileged, selfish, and even sometimes condescending. I also noticed a lack of awareness in terms of students understanding how severe Harnett County’s poverty situation is.  Disturbed by these comments we sat as a group to figure out ways we could possible clear the air and revive Campbell’s good name.  We took a physical approach of being present in the community. Our group participated in roadside cleanup efforts in impoverished communities (Riverside Road-Side Cleanup) , volunteered at food pantries and missions (Beacon mission in Dunn NC), and even attended and participated in town meetings held at Oak Grove church in Dunn. Though these efforts didn’t go unnoticed, we didn’t think our presence in the community was felt, at the capacity we would have liked.  After meeting with our preceptor, Kittrane Sanders, at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension building in Lillington, we decided to conduct a poverty simulation for the students of Campbell University.

What we set out to do, with the poverty simulation, is change the perception of both community members and students allowing the two entities to begin building strong partnerships, making Campbell a valued resource for Harnett County.  Research has shown that there are too few rural counties that house a major university, which in turn limits resources to surrounding communities. The dichotomy is seen when we compare larger urban schools such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University to those smaller rural institutions such as Campbell University or Methodist University. The larger universities impact urban areas, making resources like health clinics, university hospitals, health literacy programs, food and shelter initiatives, and a myriad of other resources.  With Campbell University sitting in a prime location to create great change in not just Harnett County, but Johnston, Duplin, Sampson, Hoke, Moore, and Chatham counties as well, all which are classified as rural and average incomes 25%, or greater, LESS than the state average. In a nutshell we wanted to impact our students making Campbell University a valuable and valued resource amongst some of the poorest counties in this part of North Carolina.

In a perfect world our poverty simulation would reach 40 or 50 Campbell University students in hopes of sensitizing them to what it may be like if the shoe were on the other foot and had to experience resource deprivation and hardships. This sensitization effort in turn would make student organizations as well as department heads to be more readily available and apt to working as a partner with the community, assessing and helping fulfill their needs. We are currently familiarizing ourselves with the Missouri State of Welfare Poverty Simulation by the Reform Organization of Welfare (ROWEL).  Once we are more familiar with the content we are going to set a date, plan a strategy, and find a way to promote and reach our student base so we can equip them with the cultural humility and sensitivity to be able to effectively work with low income communities. As progress is made dates, times, and volunteer opportunities will be posted.

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Two Trents are better than One!!!

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Bridging Gaps

              There are many definitions of poverty. Explanations that range from simplistic terminology such as being extremely poor to more complex and in depth elucidations, adding detailed economic values that determine where each population’s poverty lines lay, lack of essential resources necessary for meeting life’s BASIC needs, and incorporating social as well as political elements. According to the United Nations’, fighting to reduce global poverty, poverty is the inability of having choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It means not having enough to feed and clothe a family, not having a school or clinic to go to, not having the land on which to grow one’s food or a job to earn one’s living, not having access to credit. It means insecurity, powerlessness and exclusion of individuals, households and communities. It means susceptibility to violence, and it often implies living in marginal or fragile environments, without access to clean water or sanitation. This complex, multifaceted, and wicked monster is very difficult to overcome. Because of social and economic structures of our society, as well as some of the benefits that come with them, some people will never fully understand poverty or develop a much deserved respect for those navigating their way through it on the daily basis. Understanding poverty and its downstream ramifications is essential to building health equity for a myriad of vulnerable, diverse and, disproportionately underrepresented populations.

Harnett County is the home to the fighting Camels of Campbell University. The county is approximately made up of 71%, 20%, 10% and 1% White, African American, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaskan Native respectively. With the presence of a well-established private university in the center of Harnett County, one would assume its citizens, community based organizations, and small businesses would be well supported. However, according to the 2015 census, there are over 26,000 people living below the poverty line and that hasn’t necessarily been the case. With Harnett County being surrounded by Wake, Johnston, Cumberland, and Lee counties, many of the potential resources and economic opportunities are funneled out to the surrounding counties and become scarce within. There is no secret of Harnett County’s love hate relationship with the University, or should I say its students. In the short time that I’ve been a Campbell University student I’ve heard many comments from county citizens that they love and enjoy Campbell University Athletics, however the general consensus of attitudes toward the student body is “snobbish, rude, entitled, rich kids”.  There may be some truth to those accusations, due to the assumption that students are rich, because on average, after all tuition, fees, and room/board, etc. are taken care of the average student ends up paying north of $40,000 a year. There may be just a general lack of understanding between students and community members. I don’t know for sure, I don’t have the answers. However, as a Campbell University student and a future public health practitioner, I feel it is important to maximize the welfare of both the county and the University.

Our practicum group Team Poverty in an attempt to take a swing at tackling an aspect of this issue chose to conduct a poverty simulation for the Campbell University student body. We are anticipating that after the simulation students will increase their cultural competence and understanding of some of the harsh realities that many Harnett county citizens experience on the daily basis. If we are successful many students who have never been exposed to living impoverished lifestyles will feel the urge to strengthen community ties and create new University/Community based partnerships to try and reduce some of these downstream poverty ramifications together. After speaking with multiple staff members and organizations her on campus, we have gained an immense amount of support and are extremely excited to subject Campbell University AND Harnett County citizens to our poverty simulation. We are strongly encouraging faculty and staff of the university to get behind this small public health effort, by incentivizing their students, volunteering at the event, and promoting positive dialogue about the consequences of poverty. At the same time we are hoping community members and organizations come out and attend the simulation and really get behind our mission to bridge the knowledge gap between our university’s students and our community. Team Poverty is continuously working with NC Cooperative Extension’s Kittrane Sanders, to learn as much about poverty issues and determinants specifically affecting Harnett County so we can put on the most authentic, and meaningful Poverty simulation for our students and community.   

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Planning this poverty simulation!!! Its one you don't want to miss!!!

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A Troublesome Car Ride

The wheels turn but for some they don’t turn right.

I was twelve years old living in the low income housing projects of Harrisburg Pennsylvania. The constant reek of urine in the stairwell was, all too often, accompanied by crack heads and drug dealers stimulating our economy, for lack of better words. Gun shots and tire screeches often served as an unwanted alarm clock that I couldn’t hit the snooze button on. Stay below the windows. Most days when I wasn’t at school, my small group of friends would ride our bikes up the side walk to the park across the street from the gas station, chase girls and play football all day. When the street lights came on, or tried to come on, that was our que to kick it in gear and get home. Despite the aesthetically unpleasant image of our little neighborhood, my mother, being the quintessential strong Black woman she is, never took any handouts, government assistance, or crap from anyone. That mentality led her to work three jobs at a time to care for my sister and I. She exhausted herself, keeping clothes on our backs, food on our wobbly kitchen table, and our attendance in the best private school in the area. With the same old broken record playing in black communities of an absent-incarcerated father I was, more or less, raised by my sister who is only 3 years older than me. We didn’t have a lot of money, but we had each other. Here I am now, a 25 year old college educated Black man who has lived and came up through “Poverty”. At least I thought it was.

The wheels turn, but for some they don’t turn right.

As we listened to the different type of practicum opportunities, right away, team Poverty caught my attention. I had seen it, I’ve lived it, so at the beginning I felt like I had an easy A rolling my way. Wrong. We made our acquaintance with Ms. Kittrane Sanders, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Agent specialized in Community and Rural Development. Her impeccable hair was held down by the many hats she wears within and outside of the Extension. I was amazed at the incredible work she does. We sat and discussed options for our Poverty Practicum experience and she gave us the unsolicited freedom to do what we wanted to do, creating a little pressure in an already busy semester. One of our group members said “Well I want to see Poverty around here first hand to get a better understanding”. Her being the awesome person she is pulled around the 7 passenger NC Co-op van and told us to load up.

The wheels turn, but for some they don’t turn right.

As we rode away from the agriculture building in Lillington, we headed to a place, I now know as “Shawtown”. As we drew nearer to our destination, the scenery changed drastically. Food pantries replaced grocery stores, gas stations were abandoned, and other simple consumer locations became extremely sparse. The grass went from groomed to wild. Cars and trucks became limited. Beautiful homes quickly turned into trailers, and shotgun houses. Trash burned on lawns as folks washed clothes on the porch with buckets. Then it dawned on me, I don’t know ANYTHING about rural poverty and this “Easy A” just got a lot harder. Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the sight and reality of the citizens of Shawtown, Ms. Kitt asked us what stood out as we made our way back to the Agriculture building. As my team and I started blurting out the negatives of the small little community, she drew attention to the eleven churches that span the extremely small 3-4 mile radius. The role of the church in Shawtown, and many other rural impoverished areas, is essential in providing physical, mental, and spiritual wellness amongst its citizens. The poverty challenges facing rural communities are, food scarcity, lack of transportation, absence of sidewalks and parks, inaccessibility to health care providers, a noticeable decrease in people with insurance, and believe me the list goes on and on. Though I grew up in the city projects, the poverty I experienced is only a single lens to view the big picture from. As I reflect on the thought process I had of picking a practicum group, I am actually happy that I am engaging in something completely foreign. Not only am I hoping that my single lens view of poverty grows into a well-rounded scope, but I am also hoping I can use my past experience to offer insight and perspective to our group in our attempt to raise awareness and tackle this wicked issue.

The wheels turn.

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Eric with the good ideas!!! I'm all ears 👂👂👂 #TeamPoverty

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