Step Up Silicon Valley Community Action Poverty Simulation

Step Up Silicon Valley Community Action Poverty Simulation
Jun 02, 2016
Angela Silveira
Step Up Silicon Valley Community Action Poverty Simulation

Bio:

Angela Silveira is the program coordinator for Step Up Silicon Valley, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County.  A graduate from San Jose State University with a BA in Graphic Design and a Minor in Portuguese, she is an integral part of her Portuguese Community, volunteering her Graphic Design skills and promoting the importance of her heritage to the upcoming generations. Previously working in the technology sector, Angela valued her volunteer experience as something she wanted to move into a career – to become a part of something that can make a change. As the Program Coordinator for Step Up, she works with the community partners on Step Up’s quest to reduce poverty and increase economic opportunities for all. 

Step Up Silicon Valley is a social innovation network focused on reducing poverty in Santa Clara County through convening, advocating for policy changes, and incubating innovative solutions to help people move out of poverty.

Community Action Poverty Simulation:

Silicon Valley is one of the most affluent areas in the United States, yet poverty runs deeper than one may think. According to the Supplemental Poverty Measure, nearly 1 in 5 in Santa Clara County cannot afford basic necessities each month without financial assistance. Each year, Step Up Silicon Valley engages about 1000 people to action in our movement to reduce poverty in Santa Clara County.

The Community Action Poverty Simulation is an engagement tool that raises awareness and deepens understanding of how poverty affects families and individuals in our community. Participants learn how families struggle to make ends meet with only $2000/month and work together to overcome unforeseen economic obstacles along the way. This experience goes beyond role-play as participants hear from those who share their own stories of day-to-day challenges as all attendees reflect on the experience together. This core convening strategy intends to educate and engage our community members toward action.