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United Way holds event for empathy

Poverty Simulation event taught participants the day-to-day reality of poverty
September 29, 2017
Julia Shin Doi talking at podium to room full of people

Photo: Julia Shin Doi, Ryerson general counsel and secretary of the Board of Governors, spoke at the September 27 event. Photo by Clifton Li.

One in five adults in Toronto live in poverty. Have you ever tried to walk a mile in their shoes? On September 27, United Way held "2017 United Way Poverty Simulator: Living on the Edge" at Ryerson, which sought to give participants an understanding of the day-to-day reality of poverty.

Members of the 2017 United Way Law Cabinet joined colleagues from the law sector for the event. Participants were divided into small teams representing a family unit, with each member assigned a role (father, mother, etc.). Each team was given a family information package (which outlined the family's sources of income, possessions, bills, etc.), and were required to figure out how to provide food, shelter, and other needs on the income of a family living in poverty. The situations and challenges assigned to the groups were all based on real families.

The Poverty Simulation has become one of United Way's touchstone donor engagement initiatives: an experience that challenges perceptions and builds empathy. "It's not really meant to replicate real situations—we all know that we're in a room here," said Sherry Hugh, senior manager, donor engagement and events for United Way Toronto, at the event. "What it really does is conjure up real feelings—real challenges, real time crunches, real stress."

"Your generosity makes a huge difference to our community, and it personally means a lot to me," said Julia Shin Doi, Ryerson general counsel and secretary of the Board of Governors. "When I came as an immigrant in 1969 at the age of two, I lived in one of the poorest areas in Toronto—and the community became my extended family. Through the United Way, we can help make communities stronger and make a difference in people's lives."

Ryerson's annual United Way fundraising drive supports charities that address the root causes of harmful social conditions, and mobilizes the Ryerson community to give back to their city. To donate or volunteer, visit ryerson.ca/unitedway.

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