United Way NCA Launches New Virtual Experience for National Volunteer Week

United Way of the National Capital Area Will Host Its First-Ever, Region-Wide Poverty Simulation on April 21

Washington, DC (April 13, 2021)—Volunteering is one of the core assets to United Way of the National Capital Area’s success, alongside donating and advocating. If it were not for our thousands of volunteers that dedicate their time to our organization each year, we simply could not accomplish all that we do to ensure equity in health, education and economic opportunity for all National Capital residents.

To honor National Volunteer Week (April 18 to 24), United Way NCA is providing a new opportunity to the region’s community members. For the first time, we are hosting our acclaimed Poverty Simulation to the public on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m. The event is free, virtual and open to all Washington Metropolitan area residents to attend.

Our one-hour Poverty Simulation, which has been presented to several corporate partners throughout the years in the National Capital Area, is designed to enhance awareness of the challenges many of our neighbors face, who comprise the community that United Way NCA serves—the ALICE population [Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed].

ALICE represents the growing number of individuals and families across the National Capital Area who are working but are unable to afford the basic necessities. United Way NCA uses these reports as the framework for our work in improving residents’ lives and strengthening our communities. It allows us to make stronger, more efficient decisions with our funds.

During the Poverty Simulation, participants navigate how a low-income family must make critical choices based on available resources to support their basic needs. If you had to choose between repairing your car or paying off medical bills, which one would you put your money toward? Have you ever not been able to buy necessary grocery items because the prices were too high?

Many in our community confront these types of challenges every day, and by hosting the Poverty Simulation we hope to create more awareness for financial barriers many people in the DC area face. Our Poverty Simulation will give you the chance to understand the community we serve and, in turn, become a better advocate for all as we work together to create a more equitable National Capital Area.

About United Way of the National Capital Area

United Way of the National Capital Area fights for the health, education and economic opportunity of every person in the National Capital Area community. United Way NCA has been improving lives by creating measurable impact in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties for more than 45 years. In 2020, United Way NCA was among 384 organizations across the United States to receive a generous transformational investment from novelist and venture philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott. For more information about United Way of the National Capital Area, visit UnitedWayNCA.org.