The Meet ALICE Experience is designed to help participants understand what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month. It is a simulation, not a game! The objective is to sensitize participants to the realities faced by low-income people.
Here’s how the Experience works:
- Participants assume the role of a low-income family member living on a limited budget and interact with volunteers playing the roles of bill collectors, school administrators, service providers, and more.
- A simulation creates a community of people living in poverty for one “month” comprised of four 15-minute weeks. During this hour, each family unit must connect with community resources (i.e. schools, utility companies, social service workers, etc.) to meet their basic needs on a limited income.
- The experience lasts about two hours. It includes an introduction, the actual simulation exercise, and a debriefing period in which participants and actors share their feelings and experiences and learn about ways they can get involved in reducing poverty in our community.
What will volunteers do?
During a simulation, we use volunteers to role-play as community agencies such as child care centers, social services, utilities, interfaith services, sheriff and more. We are seeking individuals to join a pool of volunteers who can take on one of these essential roles during upcoming simulations that fit into your schedule.
I you are interested in signing up for the Meet ALICE Experience Corps sign up here. As a member of the Meet ALICE Experience Corps, you will come to be experts in helping us spread awareness of ALICE and make strides to alleviate poverty, while still having the flexibility to join the events with days/times that work for you.
Locations
- February 19, 2026 - Hosted by UNF - 550 Water St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- February 28, 2026 - Hosted by Childern's International Summer Village - 29 W Duval St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
- April 9, 2026 - Hosted by Leadership Jacksonville - 5555 Gate Pkwy, Ste. 110, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- April 24, 2026 - Hosted by JEA - 225 N Pearl St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
