On Tuesday, September 16, the senior class of John Paul II Catholic School stepped into lives far different from their own—and walked away with a new sense of empathy and responsibility. For three hours, the Class of 2026 participated in a Poverty Simulation facilitated by the United Way of the Lowcountry, an immersive learning experience designed to help participants understand the complex realities faced by families living in poverty.

Far more than a classroom lecture or a set of statistics, the simulation challenged students to live the day-to-day choices of families struggling to make ends meet. Each senior received an assigned identity and family profile, complete with responsibilities, limited resources, and unpredictable circumstances. Over the course of the afternoon, they had to “survive” one simulated month—each 15-minute segment representing a week—by visiting community resource tables such as the bank, social services, grocery store, and transportation office.

“This is an outreach program—a role-playing exercise of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes,” explained Elizabeth Palmer, the organization’s Showers of Dignity coordinator. “It is not a competition but an experience. Be as realistic as possible. Act according to the ages and roles you’ve been given, and remember: for many families, every decision can mean the difference between stability and crisis.”

Real-World Pressures, Real Lessons

The scenarios reflected genuine Lowcountry realities. Students confronted job loss, unexpected medical bills, transportation challenges, and the high cost of rent in Beaufort County. “It is estimated that to live in our slice of heaven it takes $72,000 annually,” noted Chrystie Turner, United Way’s executive vice president. “Yet the federal poverty guideline for a family of three remains at just $25,000—a figure that hasn’t changed since the 1960s and is based on outdated food costs.”

These stark numbers quickly became lived stressors. Families scrambled to secure childcare, pay utility bills, or find reliable transportation with limited bus passes and long lines at service agencies. Four students assigned the role of “college students” discovered that three of them could not maintain enrollment once they confronted the financial and emotional demands of supporting their families.

“Trying to get all your bills paid, arranging transportation, and meeting family obligations made continuing college nearly impossible,” one student reflected. “It’s never safe to assume what people have gone through.”

Preparing Hearts and Minds for Service

The simulation was intentionally scheduled as seniors begin their Capstone service projects, which require at least 25 hours of meaningful community engagement. English teacher Wendy Lacombe, who organized the event, challenged students to see beyond appearances.

“Sometimes when we don’t know what others are going through, we make judgments,” Mrs. Lacombe said. “Do we really understand what people need? This is a chance to listen before we act. As seniors, think carefully about the kind of service that truly helps.”

She later added, “Our Capstone projects are not just about logging hours—they’re about applying what students have learned to real needs. The simulation brings sociology, economics, and ethics together in a way no textbook can. It challenges them to ask why poverty persists and how faith and education can make a difference.”

A Catholic Call to Compassion

The afternoon concluded with a reflection led by Sister Mary Beth, who drew a direct connection between the day’s experience and the Gospel call to love one another.

“Start thinking about others who are not like you,” she urged. “As Christians, Catholics, and human beings, we have a responsibility to help others. That is what we did today. This is what we are all about here at JPII. Your families sent you here so you would be empathetic to others and their struggles.”

Sister Mary Beth emphasized that Catholic social teaching demands more than charity; it calls for justice. “Today’s exercise is a reminder that poverty is not just a personal problem but a societal one,” she said. “We are educating young people not only to succeed in their careers, but to transform the world through faith, reason, and compassionate action.”

President David Lima echoed those sentiments. “As our seniors begin their Capstone projects, we felt it was important to provide them with meaningful insight into the realities faced by so many in our own communities,” he said. “This simulation challenges them to reflect on service, empathy, and social responsibility—values that are at the heart of a JPII education.”

United Way Partnership: A Catalyst for Change

United Way representatives facilitated each stage of the exercise, staffing tables for banks, social services, employers, schools, and healthcare providers.

“Our goal is to move participants beyond statistics into lived experience,” said Angela Boswell, United Way’s community impact manager. “When you feel the stress of choosing between rent and groceries, or waiting in line for transportation that may never arrive, you begin to understand how poverty impacts every decision. That understanding is the first step toward meaningful change.”

Students left with more than packets and play money. Several said the experience reshaped their Capstone plans, from addressing transportation barriers to advocating for affordable housing. Mrs. Lacombe believes those personal commitments are the point. “We can teach the Corporal Works of Mercy in religion class,” she said, “but when students feel the anxiety of trying to pay rent or keep the lights on, it sinks in at a different level. They begin to see service not as charity, but as solidarity.”

Faith, Empathy, and the Future

For JPII seniors, the Poverty Simulation was more than an academic exercise—it was a lived encounter with the dignity and struggles of their neighbors.

“Participants often leave the experience shaken and determined to make a difference,” noted Ms. Palmer. “We hope these young people will carry what they’ve learned into their communities, workplaces, and faith lives.”

As Sister Mary Beth reminded the class, “Christ calls us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and welcome the stranger. Today you practiced seeing the face of Christ in every person. That is the work of a lifetime.”

With Capstone projects on the horizon and college decisions ahead, JPII seniors now carry a deeper understanding of the challenges many Lowcountry families face—and the conviction that, armed with faith, education, and compassion, they can help change those realities.