The Cost of Poverty Experience
January 17, 2026 @ 9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Have you ever wondered what it’s truly like to live on the margins? Or how our good intentions might unintentionally hurt more than help?
Join us for The Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE): a 2½-hour immersive event by Think Tank that helps participants understand the daily challenges faced by families in poverty. Admission is by donation, allowing everyone to take part in this transformational experience. Through immersive role-play, you’ll gain insight into the day-to-day decisions, challenges, and systemic barriers faced by people in poverty.
This is not just an empathy exercise; it’s a catalyst for reflection, dialogue, and transformation.
Join us for The Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE): a 2½-hour immersive event by Think Tank that helps participants understand the daily challenges faced by families in poverty. Admission is by donation, allowing everyone to take part in this transformational experience. Through immersive role-play, you’ll gain insight into the day-to-day decisions, challenges, and systemic barriers faced by people in poverty.
This is not just an empathy exercise; it’s a catalyst for reflection, dialogue, and transformation.
Following the 2 1/2 hour simulation, we’ll gather for a Debrief Session where we’ll:
• Have lunch together
– Reflect on the experience and what it revealed about our assumptions and emotions
• Discuss principles from When Helping Hurts and how we can serve without unintentionally harming
• Explore the heart of Servant Leadership — learning to walk with others rather than for them
• Identify next steps for how our church can serve our neighbors with dignity and partnership
• Have lunch together
– Reflect on the experience and what it revealed about our assumptions and emotions
• Discuss principles from When Helping Hurts and how we can serve without unintentionally harming
• Explore the heart of Servant Leadership — learning to walk with others rather than for them
• Identify next steps for how our church can serve our neighbors with dignity and partnership
Let’s kick off the new year by learning to be followers of Christ who serve with humility, understanding, and love.
This experience is for ages 18+. Childcare will not be provided.
Register: https://www.shelbygiving.com/…/b85f9dd0-d6c9-434e-a02d..
This experience is for ages 18+. Childcare will not be provided.
Register: https://www.shelbygiving.com/…/b85f9dd0-d6c9-434e-a02d..
suggested donation: $20
