Exploring Faith and Poverty in an Urban Context

At UrbanSpirit, we’re committed to changing perceptions. Our educational program integrates the tenets of faith with the realities of economics. We ask questions here. Hard questions. You have to, to change the world.  

Looking for an Alternative Spring Break? Try this!

Poverty Immersion Week just for College Students!

March 7-13, 2010*

Same intense, challenging Poverty Immersion experience, but designed for thoughtful, mature students, ready to change the world...

• You can register individually (rather than with a group) and meet students from other places

• Program materials and discussions are geared toward folks who are spiritual seekers, not necessarily rooted in Christian denominations.

• Lower registration fee recognizes constraints of students' budgets.

Our signature event, the Poverty Immersion Experience is not a typical "mission trip" and more than merely a retreat. We will engage your group by leading you through an experience of living in poverty. From the moment you arrive, you step into the world of the working poor -- those tens of millions of Americans who work hard and never really get anywhere. Poverty, you'll soon see, isn't just about money; it is about what you eat, where you stay, how you work, how much or little control you have over your circumstances, what surprises and anxieties you encounter day-to-day, and how it never ever ends. What would it be like to be a single mother of 3 living on minimum wage in America? We’ll help you find out. You’ll work, live and reflect, earning low wages and trying to provide the things your family needs. Food, shelter, health care, child care, work, hygiene, transportation, leisure  — all these and more become part of the challenge as your try to build a life from scratch. Of course, no simulation is perfect, but this one will push you to your limits and leave you wondering how we let people live this way. And along the way, we'll consider Jesus and some prophets (ancient and modern), Marx, Roosevelt (Eleanor!), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and a few manifestos written by folks looking for meaning.

This is a challenging program. You will work hard in conditions you cannot control, eat less than what you're likely accustomed to, and sleep on concrete at least once. For youth and adults, this is a discovery of character, an exploration of faith, an introduction to building relationships across class lines, and a new look at the American dream.  In addition to experiences, activities, studies, and games we've developed, you'll also work with our partner agencies, to shape your simulation experience with a real payday and real-life stories from the neighborhood. When you're done, you'll get a diploma and you'll know that you've earned it.     
 

Wanna know more? Email our director and pastor, Deb Conrad, or Hannah Truxell, our staff intern who's been there, done that. We'll tell you everything we know!
 

Here's what one college student said:
"On Sunday (when we arrived), I thought getting out of poverty was like winning a game. If we strategize, make sound decisions, and play by the rules, anyone can overcome the confines of minimum wage. I quickly realized that it is not possible....  This was a miserable, horrible, wonderful, eye-opening experience that I would never do again, and I can't wait to encourage all my loved ones to attend."

Program Costs

Cost is $235 per person for this Poverty Immersion College Week. That includes all program fees and leadership, lodging and meals. You just have to get yourself to and from Louisville. Plan to arrive by 3 pm Sunday; depart anytime Saturday.

To Register for this Event, either click the link below to register on-line, or print the registration form and return it by fax or mail. You'll need to pay a $85/person deposit, which you can do by check, money order or credit card. The balance of $150 is due by than February 27.