One in 10 Canadians live in poverty. It’s a reality that we have come to accept as a part of our society, it’s become something we’re accustomed to see in our everyday lives, particularly in an economic downturn. From the homeless man asking for change downtown to the single mother in line at the Food Bank, you don’t have to go far to see the impact that living below the poverty line has on Canadians. It’s easier to walk right past someone living in poverty than it is to address an issue that can sometimes feel too big to tackle. The reality is poverty is an issue that affects us all. The average cost to society for each person that drops out of high school is $15,850 / year for the rest of their life. From a purely economic standpoint, it’s easy to see the serious consequences that poverty has and the considerable strain that it puts on our country’s resources. This is why it’s essential that we invest now to decrease the number of people relying on these services and ultimately to break the cycle of poverty for future generations to come. It’s a long-term investment, but one that will have a profound impact towards the betterment of society as a whole. United Way is one organization that has taken an initiative to spread awareness of the realities of living in poverty through the use of an interactive online simulation called ‘Make the Month’. The first of its kind in Canada, Make the Month allows people to simulate the life of someone living in poverty. The simulation covers 12 different United Way regions encompassing 14 cities and has been adapted to each region, offering up-to-date statistics on the unique effects of poverty in each city as well as showcasing ways that United Way and its supported organizations are making a difference. You can try the simulation online at makethemonth.ca and experience some of the real-life decisions that are made while living in poverty and the impact these decisions have. As the name suggests, you are trying to make it to the end of the month without breaking the bank. To start, you are asked to pick the life of a single person, single parent family, or two parent family and then must choose what part of the city to live in. After this decision, you are asked a series of 30 questions (1 per virtual day), each with its own unique financial or other consequence. For example, you might be told that your best friend is getting married in another city and wants you to attend the wedding. You would then have to decide based on the money you have left if you want to drive to the wedding, fly, or not attend. Other factors such as stress level, deferred needs, and a strike system are present to make you realize that while the simulation only lasts a month, the effects of your decisions may have long-term impacts. Make the Month isn’t, however, just founded on the idea that everyone should have more than $0 in their bank accounts by month’s end. It’s a realization that everyone goes through tough times in their lives and has difficult decisions to make, but the effects of poverty can often make these everyday choices a whole lot harder. While it can be easy to treat the simulation as a ‘game’, it’s important to remember that the scenarios and facts presented are reality. A reality that 10% of our population faces every day, every week, and every month. With the stress of an economic downturn weighing on our country, it is more important now than ever that we support those in need and help more people in their efforts to make the month. I encourage you to try to Make the Month, join the conversation, and challenge your perspectives on poverty. It’s a big issue and we all need to tackle it together. About the author: Todd Hirsch is Chief economist with ATB (Alberta Treasury Bank) Financial. He is an official spokesperson for Make the Month. To read the official press release click here.
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