Poverty Simulation in Durham

The number of residents in the Triangle living in poverty is about 14-and-a-half percent and growing.  A group of community leaders met in Durham yesterday to try to address the problem. 

Community, political and business leaders took part in a “poverty simulation.”  Henry Kaestner – co-founder of Durham Cares – played an 8-year-old boy whose family managed to secure health coverage after a lay-off.

Henry Kaestner:  "The relief on her face was not a role-playing relief, it was very real relief."

Cynthia Booth works with Durham’s Parks and Rec Department.

Cynthia Booth:  "You really had to juggle what was important and what needed to be paid and what was priority.  And at the end of the day we really found out that everything was a priority."

The United Way of the Greater Triangle was one of the sponsors of the event. The organization says one in three Triangle residents uses a partner agency service or program.