The Junior League of Asheville, Inc. (JLA) is proud to announce its first Poverty Awareness and Education Week, kicking off on Friday, September 22nd and running through Friday, September 29th.
Women and children living in poverty is a primary area of focus for the JLA.
The League has planned a week of experiential learning, challenging its members, and members of the community at-large, to try and “step into the shoes” of those living below the poverty line. This includes a unique Working Poor Simulation led by Just Economics, where participants are assigned identities based on real individuals living in poverty and must complete the everyday activities of their families, like going to work, paying bills, applying for public benefits, etc.
JLA President, Kendra Ferguson, has this to say about Poverty Awareness and Education Week: “In serving our community and developing as leaders, we believe that it is important to gain wisdom through experience. Poverty Awareness and Education Week offers a variety of opportunities that are intended to give us and our community a deeper understanding of the issues affecting women and children in poverty. Understanding is the first step towards change.”
The JLA is inviting the public to join in two events:
The Next to New Kick-Off Event – Friday, September 22, 6-8pm at THE BLOCK off biltmore
This event commemorates the 1960s, a decade in which major federal initiatives were undertaken with the intent of eliminating poverty and racial injustice. The event will feature a cash bar, and the League will provide vegan snacks. The League will be collecting donations of feminine hygiene products at this even and will be awarding prizes for the best 1960s era costumes. The event will give all attendees an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming Poverty Awareness and Education Week events. No RSVP is necessary.
Working Poor Simulation – Tuesday, September 26, 6-8:30pm at The Van Winkle Law Firm
Just Economics’ Working Poor Simulation is an experiential learning tool that exposes participants to the real-life struggles of the working poor in our community. This event is free but since space is limited, you must reserve your ticket via Eventbrite in advance.
For a full list of Poverty Awareness and Education Week events, please visit the JLA website.