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BronxWorks is thrilled to return to hosting Poverty Simulations and recently welcomed a team from Health First, New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurance provider. During the simulation, participants take on different identities of individuals experiencing poverty and work within an assigned family unit. Throughout the simulated month, which takes place during a half-day workshop, participants try to maintain their housing, employment, and family responsibilities while navigating life with very limited resources. The goal of the simulation is for those participating to better understand how poverty is systemic and structural, not a personal failure.
A family unit sits together to review their situation and discuss how to manage their responsibilities.
The Poverty Simulation was originally developed in the 1970s by Reform Organization of Welfare (ROWEL) to demonstrate the difficulty of living on a welfare-based budget. In the 2000s, the Missouri Community Action Network (Missouri CAN) updated the simulation to better reflect their clients at the time and they now train professionals to conduct the simulation themselves. BronxWorks Department Director of Training & Professional Development Amy Greenbaum-Strauss and Director of Training & Learning Management Systems Alex Soto have been trained by Missouri CAN, and they lead the poverty simulations at BronxWorks. Our leadership staff and board members previously participated as the families in the simulation, led by members of the BronxWorks Training Department.
Participants interact with service providers stationed at tables around the room.
With Health First staff fulfilling the roles of the families at this simulation, BronxWorks staff and community members joined as service providers the families must interact with to maintain their livelihood. Services available during the simulation include employers, grocers, school, mortgage and realty, utility company, quick cash, social services, community health care, bank, homeless shelter, inter faith services, and childcare, among others.
The Poverty Simulation provides an opportunity for organizations, community groups, and other nonprofits to better understand their clients and their experiences when interacting with service providers. Oftentimes, most participants struggle to make ends meet under the circumstances and become frustrated with the process to obtain services. Many organizations who have participated in the simulation have been inspired to make changes within their client-facing procedures to make their services more accessible to those facing systemic challenges.
Participants come together at the end of the simulation to share their thoughts.
Health First staff were asked to share how they felt during the simulation. Here are some of their responses:
“The frustration, the exhaustion I felt, I was angry. This is the state of what so many disenfranchised folks are going through and they are constantly forced to be challenged and set up for failure.”
“I felt drained. We were affected because they didn’t have the proper information at the bank. We were evicted because they didn’t have the right information. Thinking about that I’m getting emotional because I had this issue as a child. I think we need to think more about how we work with our families. They may not have the tools or the right information and they need some grace. My [simulated] family and I still sat down and we congratulated each other, my sibling got an award at school. We held it together so that even in the midst of all this we were able to celebrate what we accomplished, and I thank you for this experience.”
“My role was as a child in a family and I had to be in school. The whole time I was in school I was thinking about how much more helpful I could be if I was working.”
“I’ve never spent any time thinking about our patients’ relationships with other people in their families, I never thought it was important. But our [simulated] family would have been evicted and starving without two healthy breadwinners in the house. We need to look at the tools we have and how we can work to address the family as a whole to better support the whole family.”
BronxWorks offers Poverty Simulations as a contracted service. If you’re interested in bringing the Poverty Simulation to your organization or your team, please contact us at info@bronxworks.org.
BronxWorks is thrilled to return to hosting Poverty Simulations and recently welcomed a team from Health First, New York’s largest not-for-profit health insurance provider. During the simulation, participants take on different identities of individuals experiencing poverty and work within an assigned family unit. Throughout the simulated month, which takes place during a half-day workshop, participants try to maintain their housing, employment, and family responsibilities while navigating life with very limited resources. The goal of the simulation is for those participating to better understand how poverty is systemic and structural, not a personal failure.
A family unit sits together to review their situation and discuss how to manage their responsibilities.
The Poverty Simulation was originally developed in the 1970s by Reform Organization of Welfare (ROWEL) to demonstrate the difficulty of living on a welfare-based budget. In the 2000s, the Missouri Community Action Network (Missouri CAN) updated the simulation to better reflect their clients at the time and they now train professionals to conduct the simulation themselves. BronxWorks Department Director of Training & Professional Development Amy Greenbaum-Strauss and Director of Training & Learning Management Systems Alex Soto have been trained by Missouri CAN, and they lead the poverty simulations at BronxWorks. Our leadership staff and board members previously participated as the families in the simulation, led by members of the BronxWorks Training Department.
Participants interact with service providers stationed at tables around the room.
With Health First staff fulfilling the roles of the families at this simulation, BronxWorks staff and community members joined as service providers the families must interact with to maintain their livelihood. Services available during the simulation include employers, grocers, school, mortgage and realty, utility company, quick cash, social services, community health care, bank, homeless shelter, inter faith services, and childcare, among others.
The Poverty Simulation provides an opportunity for organizations, community groups, and other nonprofits to better understand their clients and their experiences when interacting with service providers. Oftentimes, most participants struggle to make ends meet under the circumstances and become frustrated with the process to obtain services. Many organizations who have participated in the simulation have been inspired to make changes within their client-facing procedures to make their services more accessible to those facing systemic challenges.
Participants come together at the end of the simulation to share their thoughts.
Health First staff were asked to share how they felt during the simulation. Here are some of their responses:
“The frustration, the exhaustion I felt, I was angry. This is the state of what so many disenfranchised folks are going through and they are constantly forced to be challenged and set up for failure.”
“I felt drained. We were affected because they didn’t have the proper information at the bank. We were evicted because they didn’t have the right information. Thinking about that I’m getting emotional because I had this issue as a child. I think we need to think more about how we work with our families. They may not have the tools or the right information and they need some grace. My [simulated] family and I still sat down and we congratulated each other, my sibling got an award at school. We held it together so that even in the midst of all this we were able to celebrate what we accomplished, and I thank you for this experience.”
“My role was as a child in a family and I had to be in school. The whole time I was in school I was thinking about how much more helpful I could be if I was working.”
“I’ve never spent any time thinking about our patients’ relationships with other people in their families, I never thought it was important. But our [simulated] family would have been evicted and starving without two healthy breadwinners in the house. We need to look at the tools we have and how we can work to address the family as a whole to better support the whole family.”
BronxWorks offers Poverty Simulations as a contracted service. If you’re interested in bringing the Poverty Simulation to your organization or your team, please contact us at info@bronxworks.org.
Many BronxWorks staff have been born and raised within the communities they now work to support. Austin Thompson, Program Assistant for the CMCC Compass After-School/Summer Camp Program, is an incredible reflection of this. Austin grew up across the street from the BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center (CMCC), where he attended the daycare program and then the after-school/summer program in his youth. Austin has now worked at CMCC for over seven years and his former counselor is now his supervisor. Things have truly come full circle for him, as Austin is now a staff member for the same after-school program he participated in as a child.
“My mom opened up her own daycare, she’s been doing that as long as I can remember. I’ve always been around children… so working with children here [at BronxWorks], it feels like something I was meant to do.”
Austin, sitting front row, with some of his peers at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center playground in 2007.
Austin has always been a kind and considerate person for those in his community. He has enjoyed connecting with his neighbors throughout his life and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He was recognized for his potential by his counselor, Ms. Kim (now Program Coordinator), when he was a BronxWorks after-school participant. After he moved on to high school Austin would often still see Ms. Kim within the community, and once he was old enough to work, she recommended him to the BronxWorks Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Through SYEP, Austin was placed with Ms. Kim to work with the summer youth program at CMCC, and he was then asked to stay and work full time.
Since then, Austin’s position has evolved to include other programs within BronxWorks. Another crucial community program Austin works with is the Community Food Pantry, held bi-weekly at CMCC. When the pandemic hit, daily operations at BronxWorks shifted drastically to address emergency needs, especially access to food. Along with other dedicated staff, Austin began working at the food pantry in Spring 2020 to continue supporting the community through the pandemic. He also took on duties at the front desk of CMCC as many in-person programs were put on pause. Today, Austin continues to work at the food pantry and is a vital part of the after-school program as a Program Assistant.
“Working at the front desk, I can tell you firsthand that emergency food is very important… A lot of families are just down right now, a lot of them need food and come in asking for that. With the cost of living going up, a lot of people aren’t able to pay for things like food, most of their money goes to rent. Pantry is definitely one of the most important services we offer at BronxWorks.”
Austin values the sense of community he has found at BronxWorks throughout his life. Through his various positions within the community center, Austin has connected with many of his neighbors and goes above and beyond to help them find the services they need. In his free time, Austin enjoys sports and hanging out with loved ones. He plays in a softball league on the weekends with his family and he often watches soccer with his grandfather.
Many BronxWorks staff have been born and raised within the communities they now work to support. Austin Thompson, Program Assistant for the CMCC Compass After-School/Summer Camp Program, is an incredible reflection of this. Austin grew up across the street from the BronxWorks Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center (CMCC), where he attended the daycare program and then the after-school/summer program in his youth. Austin has now worked at CMCC for over seven years and his former counselor is now his supervisor. Things have truly come full circle for him, as Austin is now a staff member for the same after-school program he participated in as a child.
“My mom opened up her own daycare, she’s been doing that as long as I can remember. I’ve always been around children… so working with children here [at BronxWorks], it feels like something I was meant to do.”
Austin, sitting front row, with some of his peers at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center playground in 2007.
Austin has always been a kind and considerate person for those in his community. He has enjoyed connecting with his neighbors throughout his life and is always willing to lend a helping hand. He was recognized for his potential by his counselor, Ms. Kim (now Program Coordinator), when he was a BronxWorks after-school participant. After he moved on to high school Austin would often still see Ms. Kim within the community, and once he was old enough to work, she recommended him to the BronxWorks Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). Through SYEP, Austin was placed with Ms. Kim to work with the summer youth program at CMCC, and he was then asked to stay and work full time.
Since then, Austin’s position has evolved to include other programs within BronxWorks. Another crucial community program Austin works with is the Community Food Pantry, held bi-weekly at CMCC. When the pandemic hit, daily operations at BronxWorks shifted drastically to address emergency needs, especially access to food. Along with other dedicated staff, Austin began working at the food pantry in Spring 2020 to continue supporting the community through the pandemic. He also took on duties at the front desk of CMCC as many in-person programs were put on pause. Today, Austin continues to work at the food pantry and is a vital part of the after-school program as a Program Assistant.
“Working at the front desk, I can tell you firsthand that emergency food is very important… A lot of families are just down right now, a lot of them need food and come in asking for that. With the cost of living going up, a lot of people aren’t able to pay for things like food, most of their money goes to rent. Pantry is definitely one of the most important services we offer at BronxWorks.”
Austin values the sense of community he has found at BronxWorks throughout his life. Through his various positions within the community center, Austin has connected with many of his neighbors and goes above and beyond to help them find the services they need. In his free time, Austin enjoys sports and hanging out with loved ones. He plays in a softball league on the weekends with his family and he often watches soccer with his grandfather.
For many BronxWorks staff, drive and passion for their work at BronxWorks comes from lived experiences and love for their community. Eliana De Los Santos is a perfect example of that, as she participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) as a teen and is now Assistant Program Director for Youth Workforce Programs at BronxWorks. Eliana has been working at BronxWorks for over three years, but her career in Youth Workforce initiatives spans over a decade.
Eliana began participating in SYEP, a citywide youth employment program, when she was 14 years old. SYEP is offered by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) in partnership with community organizations throughout the city, such as BronxWorks. Eliana developed a passion for working with children and youth after being placed by SYEP in an internship at a daycare.
“Summer jobs are a really great opportunity for youth to build important skills and gain valuable insights into the workplace, and most importantly give them access to a network of caring mentors to help them become a better adult.”
Eliana continued to earn work experience in youth development, customer service, and clerical skills through SYEP job placements during her time in high school. While she was earning her Associate’s Degree from Bronx Community College, Eliana became employed by SYEP to facilitate connections with worksites. “I was running my own program where I was serving around 880 participants between the ages of 14 and 21, and I was 20 years old myself,” Eliana said. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Lehman College while continuing to work for Youth Workforce programs.
Eliana’s experience with SYEP from a young age and her passion for supporting youth and her community has made her well-suited for her current career. She joined BronxWorks three years ago as a Program Specialist and she quickly became Assistant Program Director for Youth Workforce Programs. In this role, Eliana is in charge of internship placement for our participants, supervising site monitors and program specialists, collaborating with worksites, hosting workshops for employment preparation, and much more.
“I value working for BronxWorks because I am originally from the Bronx, and there is no better passion than helping your own people in your community. I know my community and how it can be difficult to find the right places or people to get help. It’s very important to me that I’m able to provide that assistance and be a person that someone can ask for help.”
Outside of work, Eliana enjoys photography and graphic design, which she studied in college. Eliana is also a mother of two and loves spending time with her family.
For many BronxWorks staff, drive and passion for their work at BronxWorks comes from lived experiences and love for their community. Eliana De Los Santos is a perfect example of that, as she participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) as a teen and is now Assistant Program Director for Youth Workforce Programs at BronxWorks. Eliana has been working at BronxWorks for over three years, but her career in Youth Workforce initiatives spans over a decade.
Eliana began participating in SYEP, a citywide youth employment program, when she was 14 years old. SYEP is offered by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) in partnership with community organizations throughout the city, such as BronxWorks. Eliana developed a passion for working with children and youth after being placed by SYEP in an internship at a daycare.
“Summer jobs are a really great opportunity for youth to build important skills and gain valuable insights into the workplace, and most importantly give them access to a network of caring mentors to help them become a better adult.”
Eliana continued to earn work experience in youth development, customer service, and clerical skills through SYEP job placements during her time in high school. While she was earning her Associate’s Degree from Bronx Community College, Eliana became employed by SYEP to facilitate connections with worksites. “I was running my own program where I was serving around 880 participants between the ages of 14 and 21, and I was 20 years old myself,” Eliana said. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree from Lehman College while continuing to work for Youth Workforce programs.
Eliana’s experience with SYEP from a young age and her passion for supporting youth and her community has made her well-suited for her current career. She joined BronxWorks three years ago as a Program Specialist and she quickly became Assistant Program Director for Youth Workforce Programs. In this role, Eliana is in charge of internship placement for our participants, supervising site monitors and program specialists, collaborating with worksites, hosting workshops for employment preparation, and much more.
“I value working for BronxWorks because I am originally from the Bronx, and there is no better passion than helping your own people in your community. I know my community and how it can be difficult to find the right places or people to get help. It’s very important to me that I’m able to provide that assistance and be a person that someone can ask for help.”
Outside of work, Eliana enjoys photography and graphic design, which she studied in college. Eliana is also a mother of two and loves spending time with her family.
LaVonne Smith is a Bronx native who has worked to support the New York City community her entire life. LaVonne attended Lehman College to study Sociology, and worked her way through school as a receptionist for Celebrity Cruises. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree, she worked as an Office Manager in the medical field for several years.
LaVonne came to BronxWorks in 2005, then known as Citizens Advice Bureau, in search of a career related to her sociology degree. She started as Operations Coordinator at the BronxWorks Willow Ave Family Shelter for five years, and then became Operations Coordinator at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center for another three years. LaVonne eventually returned to Willow Ave as the Security Coordinator, where her supervisor recognized her potential and encouraged her to go back to school for her Master’s.
LaVonne remained working at the Willow Ave Family Residence while attending New York University to obtain her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She then went on to work as Director of Social Services at Willow for several years. In 2023, LaVonne was promoted to Residence Director of Willow Ave Family Residence.
“As Residence Director I provide leadership to my team and motivation to our clients to achieve their goals. I am responsible for the overall operation of the facility including Social Services, facility management, Childcare, Recreation, and managing the budget.” LaVonne’s experience in various positions at Willow Ave and longstanding institutional knowledge has made her uniquely well-suited for her current position. LaVonne says that she has continued her career with BronxWorks because she values the connections she has made with clients and colleagues.
I really do enjoy it. I like the interactions with the clients, and I’ve really made good relationships at BronxWorks. I’ve always worked with wonderful people here… I can call my colleagues and ask for input on any situation. And I think that’s the great thing about BronxWorks.
In her free time, LaVonne enjoys attending the theater, concerts, and other live performances.
LaVonne Smith is a Bronx native who has worked to support the New York City community her entire life. LaVonne attended Lehman College to study Sociology, and worked her way through school as a receptionist for Celebrity Cruises. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree, she worked as an Office Manager in the medical field for several years.
LaVonne came to BronxWorks in 2005, then known as Citizens Advice Bureau, in search of a career related to her sociology degree. She started as Operations Coordinator at the BronxWorks Willow Ave Family Shelter for five years, and then became Operations Coordinator at the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center for another three years. LaVonne eventually returned to Willow Ave as the Security Coordinator, where her supervisor recognized her potential and encouraged her to go back to school for her Master’s.
LaVonne remained working at the Willow Ave Family Residence while attending New York University to obtain her Master’s Degree in Social Work. She then went on to work as Director of Social Services at Willow for several years. In 2023, LaVonne was promoted to Residence Director of Willow Ave Family Residence.
“As Residence Director I provide leadership to my team and motivation to our clients to achieve their goals. I am responsible for the overall operation of the facility including Social Services, facility management, Childcare, Recreation, and managing the budget.” LaVonne’s experience in various positions at Willow Ave and longstanding institutional knowledge has made her uniquely well-suited for her current position. LaVonne says that she has continued her career with BronxWorks because she values the connections she has made with clients and colleagues.
I really do enjoy it. I like the interactions with the clients, and I’ve really made good relationships at BronxWorks. I’ve always worked with wonderful people here… I can call my colleagues and ask for input on any situation. And I think that’s the great thing about BronxWorks.
In her free time, LaVonne enjoys attending the theater, concerts, and other live performances.
Jailyn M. graduated from Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School this year. She will attend Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in the fall where she will study Biochemistry. Jailyn hopes to start a career in echocardiography. “I knew a few years ago I wanted to pursue medicine,” she says, “The career of an echo-technician can be financially rewarding. I wanted to get into the career as soon as possible so I put in the extra work and I am graduating a year earlier than most students!”
Jailyn joined the BronxWorks CAFE Program last Fall after hearing about the program through a counselor at her night school. “The program is really amazing,” she says. “Being a senior is hard, and with the extra work I was putting in to graduate early, the encouragement from the BronxWorks staff was enormously helpful.” Jailyn says the BronxWorks CAFE Program provided her guidance when choosing colleges, weighing pros and cons of the different schools she had looked at and working with her to support her goals. “Old Dominion had a really great internship program in echo tech; that made the decision easy, and I was so excited I was accepted.”
Jailyn lives with her mom and two little brothers. Education is important in their home, with her mom currently working on her Master’s degree and her aunt already with a Master’s. “My extended family live here in the Bronx and in New Jersey, and while they are nervous about how far away I will be going to school, everyone has been incredibly supportive of me and excited for my education.”
Emmanuel A.
Emmanuel A. was born here in New York City but moved to Ghana when he was very little. After spending most of his childhood in Ghana, he returned to the Bronx two years ago and found the BronxWorks CAFE Program. He participated in multiple workshops about the college application process and what to expect from college life, as well as SAT prep classes. He feels these workshops have prepared him for higher education. “Coming to America, I didn’t know a lot about how the process worked. CAFE definitely helped me understand the process. The workshops were an eye opener, not just about college education and FAFSA, but also maintaining mental health. It was really educational for me.”
Emmanuel graduated from Bronx Community High School in December 2023 and is preparing to attend New York University in the fall to study Computer Science and Finance. “I really like technology; coding is something I’ve come to like a lot. I want to be a software engineer. There’s many branches of tech, but I want to be on the back end of software development.”
With CAFE’s guidance, Emmanuel applied for and received an NYU scholarship for full tuition, as well as other smaller scholarships. “Going to a big school like NYU was important. Big schools have access to a wide array of great internships, and I am so excited to be attending the school. My family is really excited and everybody is proud.”
Jailyn M.
Jailyn M. graduated from Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School this year. She will attend Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA in the fall where she will study Biochemistry. Jailyn hopes to start a career in echocardiography. “I knew a few years ago I wanted to pursue medicine,” she says, “The career of an echo-technician can be financially rewarding. I wanted to get into the career as soon as possible so I put in the extra work and I am graduating a year earlier than most students!”
Jailyn joined the BronxWorks CAFE Program last Fall after hearing about the program through a counselor at her night school. “The program is really amazing,” she says. “Being a senior is hard, and with the extra work I was putting in to graduate early, the encouragement from the BronxWorks staff was enormously helpful.” Jailyn says the BronxWorks CAFE Program provided her guidance when choosing colleges, weighing pros and cons of the different schools she had looked at and working with her to support her goals. “Old Dominion had a really great internship program in echo tech; that made the decision easy, and I was so excited I was accepted.”
Jailyn lives with her mom and two little brothers. Education is important in their home, with her mom currently working on her Master’s degree and her aunt already with a Master’s. “My extended family live here in the Bronx and in New Jersey, and while they are nervous about how far away I will be going to school, everyone has been incredibly supportive of me and excited for my education.”
Emmanuel A.
Emmanuel A. was born here in New York City but moved to Ghana when he was very little. After spending most of his childhood in Ghana, he returned to the Bronx two years ago and found the BronxWorks CAFE Program. He participated in multiple workshops about the college application process and what to expect from college life, as well as SAT prep classes. He feels these workshops have prepared him for higher education. “Coming to America, I didn’t know a lot about how the process worked. CAFE definitely helped me understand the process. The workshops were an eye opener, not just about college education and FAFSA, but also maintaining mental health. It was really educational for me.”
Emmanuel graduated from Bronx Community High School in December 2023 and is preparing to attend New York University in the fall to study Computer Science and Finance. “I really like technology; coding is something I’ve come to like a lot. I want to be a software engineer. There’s many branches of tech, but I want to be on the back end of software development.”
With CAFE’s guidance, Emmanuel applied for and received an NYU scholarship for full tuition, as well as other smaller scholarships. “Going to a big school like NYU was important. Big schools have access to a wide array of great internships, and I am so excited to be attending the school. My family is really excited and everybody is proud.”
