On Friday, Oct. 24, Lee’s School of Nursing and Disaster and Health Missions Management (DHMM) Club partnered with students from Hixson High School for the Community Action Poverty Simulation experience at the DeVos Student Recreation Center on Lee’s campus. This simulation allowed students to explore the realities of poverty and the difficulties people face obtaining necessities.  
 
The simulation encouraged students to think critically about empathy, resilience, and the social determinants of health that impact the well-being of individuals and families in every community. 
 
“Collaborative experiences like this remind us that nursing extends far beyond clinical care,” said Shannon McBrayer, nursing lecturer in Lee’s School of Nursing. “It begins with compassion, understanding, and the ability to see people as whole individuals.” 
 
Students worked together to complete tasks often experienced by impoverished families. The students began the simulation at a homeless shelter and found their way to job training. They also demonstrated making mortgage payments.  
 
DHMM students led by Jake Fast, director of DHMM and assistant professor of science in emergency management, played an integral part of the setup, execution, and teardown of the simulation.  
 
“Our DHMM students help facilitate the Poverty Simulation as part of their mission to prepare for real-world service in communities facing crisis or limited resources,” said Fast. “It’s a powerful way to connect academic learning with compassion in action.” 
 
For more information about the Community Action Poverty Simulation, visit povertysimulation.net.