Lynchburg, VA -Two local organizations want you to feel what it's like to live day-to-day in poverty or close to it. It's called "A Day in Their Shoes."
The poverty simulation is designed to help others understand what it's like for low-income families trying to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, it wasn't too hard to find someone here in Lynchburg who is living it out in real life.
For a lot of people, a walk to work is a block or two from the parking lot. For Victoria Watkins, it's more like 3 miles. The single mother of five doesn't have a car, and the bus can be expensive. So four days a week, she walks to a part-time job with her 3-year-old daughter.
"It takes me about an hour and a half to two hours to walk to work, she said. "Sometimes she cries because the walk is so long."
Watkins says she takes care of her kids all by herself, and it's difficult. Watkins receives help with food stamps, housing, and disability from her oldest son.
"Those are the three major things that help me out at this time. But on a monthly budget, it's hard when you have light bills and utility bills," said Watkins.
It's hard for a lot of people, and that's the reason behind "A Day in Their Shoes."
Participants will play assigned roles, such as senior citizens relying on Social Security benefits, or someone who lost their job. They'll have to get groceries and pay the rent with a limited income.
Booths will be set up that provide community resources to simulate the experience.
"As participants come in they'll be assigned to a family," said Alex Johnston, a family support worker. "They'll be able to see a different side of the population and when you pass someone on the street, you might take a step back and say, let me think about them a little differently."
Presbyterian Homes & Family Services and the Family Alliance, in collaboration with the Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension, are hosting the event.
The event will be held at the Presbyterian Homes & Family Services and the Family Alliance location on Linden Avenue in Lynchburg.
The goal is to better understand and better serve the low-income community.
"A Day in their Shoes " is set for this Friday, and it costs $20 to participate.
Learn more about the event or register here.
