[Hpn] another homeless theme teaching game

[Joseph Reynolds]

 This seems to be commercial and I assume is copywrited and needs a licence for performance similar to the"murder / dinner" scenarios. 
the URL is  www,ajritz.com/jew/index.html
 Homelessness Simulation Game 
2 hours and 10 minutes 
Created by Glenn Stein 
of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism 
Version 1.1 - 7/17/89
By creating a small economic society, this simulation game gives participants an opportunity to understand some of the causes of homelessness through a make-believe first-hand experience. Although the game was designed for high school students, it can be played successfully with older participants as well (there is no upper limit). The game is not as effective when played with younger high school. [ed. note: I have had great success with the program with students as young as middle-school age - just make sure you have extra staff.] The game involves nine eight-minute long days. During each day, the participants must try to eat and find a decent place to sleep. To do this, opportunities for employment are created so participants can earn money to buy food and pay rent. Also, in some cases, limited public assistance is available for persons who cannot afford to pay for food or rent. In addition, during the program situations will occur which may make it more difficult for some p!
eople to afford food and rent.
Goals: 
1. To show how problems of mental and medical illness can contribute to homelessness. 
2. To show that working class people are vulnerable to becoming homeless. Any economic problem can be the cause. 
3. To suggest that providing appropriate medical and mental health care must be part of the solution to eliminate homelessness.
Essentially the way the game works is that the entire group is broken into four economic categories. Based on the economic situation of the category they are in, participants will have varying degrees of difficulty being able to find food and shelter each day (in this game a day is 8 minutes long). Some participants will become homeless, others may die.
For the first three periods the participant's situation will be dictated by the character descriptions they receive at the beginning of the game and their ability to produce income through the factories we have set up At the end of the third period some of the participants will receive situation cards which will inform them, in most cases, of an economic problem that has arisen requiring them to earn (or raise) even more money. We expect this will force a number of them into homelessness.
Those who are homeless will find life to be very difficult. Although they may be able to earn, borrow, beg, or steal enough money to continue to live minimally, they probably will not all be able to eat regularly or pay rent each day. For the first seven periods only very limited public assistance will be available. 
Beginning with period seven, however, mental health and medical care as well as emergency food and shelter will be available to all who need it. We expect this change will assist a significant number of the homeless out of homelessness.
The method in the game for keeping track of the situation on of each participant is to tape an identification sheet to their chests (or stomachs) [n.b. I found that punching holes in the top corners of the sheet and running yarn through the holes, allowing participants to wear their ID sheet around their necks worked better]. On this sheet, the game staff will record the activity and situation of the participant. Every time a participant pays for food or rent the appropriate box on his/her I.D. sheet must be marked. For this purpose we recommend using either Avery peel-off dots or fat bingo magic markers which can apply a dot with one touch. Many other actions of the participants will also be recorded on the identification sheets - - these are described in the instructions which follow.
Because this game can be played by anywhere between 40 and 200 participants [n.b. I have actually modified the game and played it with as few as a dozen], percentages of the total number of people playing have been used in the following instructions to identify how many people should be included in a particular category or situation.
For more information or advice feel free to contact the game's author, Glenn Stein, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, 2027 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 387-2800. 
MATERIALS NEEDED:(based on 100 participants)
·	- public address system 
·	- 100 Identification sheets (see example) 
5 Upper Middle Class
30 Working Middle Class
50 Working Lower Middle Class
7 Chronic Homeless Mentally Ill
8 Chronic Homeless Medically Ill 
·	- situation cards (see descriptions) 
3 Upper Middle Class
8 Working Middle Class
25 Working Lower Class
2 Chronic Homeless Mentally Ill
2 Chronic Homeless Medically Ill 
·	- list of rules (see sample) 
·	- paper play money 
600 $1 bills, 300 $5 bills 
·	- 10 lbs. of macaroni 
·	- 2000 feet (4 500' rolls) of 40 lb. weight monofilament (fishing line) 
·	- video tapes of a popular comedy routines 
·	- VCR and television 
·	- signs for each booth (see booth list) 
·	- 200 glue-on stars 
·	- either 100 peel and stick Avery dots or 8 large Bingo markers 
·	- 10 magic markers
STAFF NEEDED: 
·	17 people total 
·	1 facilitator 
·	5 factory supervisors 
·	2 people at apartment booth 
·	3 people at restaurant booth 
·	1 person at each or the other booths (six more)
PROCESS:
Part A - - 9 minutes -- Go over the rules with all participants. 
Part B - - 16 minutes -- Game sessions 1 - 2 
Part C - - 10 minutes -- Close mental hospital. Game session 3 
Part D - - 10 minutes -- Distribute situation cards. 
Part E - - 25 minutes -- Game sessions 4 - 6 
Part F - - 15 minutes -- Discussion of what occurred up to that point. Open federal programs. 
Part G - - 25 minutes -- Game sessions 7 - 9 
Part H - - 20 minutes -- General discussion.
Part A
As participants enter the room they should be given a packet containing the following: 
1.	Identification Sheet listing their beginning status and skills level. 
2.	List of rules 
3.	Description of their character 
After giving participants a chance to review the materials in their packet, the facilitator should go over the rules with the group and introduce them to the various booths. The facilitator should then introduce the various categories of people in the society and everyone should write their name on their identification sheet and then tape it to their chest [or place it around their neck]. 
Part B
The Chronic Homeless and Mentally Ill participants should be placed in the mental hospital. Periods 1 and 2 of the game can now be played!
Note - You may want to let the first session go a couple of minutes longer to allow people to get the hang of earning enough money to pay for food and rent.
Part C
At the end of period 2, inform the Chronic Homeless and Mentally Ill participants, over the loudspeaker so all of the participants in the room can hear, that the mental hospital has been closed down due to the lack of federal funds. Therefore the Chronic Homeless Mentally Ill will all have to leave. Wish them luck as they leave, they will need it.
Continue with period 3.
Part D
At the end of period 3, pass out appropriate situation cards to 50% of the upper middle class, 25% of the working middle class, 50% of the working lower class and 25% of the homeless. The easiest way to do this is to have the exact number of cards ready and then simply give them to the first appropriate class people you see.
At this point, tell all participants that they must register at the necessary places now. The game staff at each booth must be sure the right number has registered.
Before you continue with the game, go over all of the new situations so everyone will know what happened to the individuals that are affected by the new situation.
Part E
Continue with periods 4 - 6.
Part F
At the end of period 6, gather all of the participants together to observe the community situation. Who is in each of the locations? What changes have occurred at each period? What has happened? 
After a fairly thorough discussion, announce that the government has just provided new funds for mental health care, medical care and skills training. All interested should visit the appropriate booth.
Part G
Continue with periods 7 - 9.
Part H - Discussion
·	What happened after the government funds were made available 
·	Do you think that would happen if government funds were really made available? 
·	Review how each category of people got in and out of homelessness. Do you think that really happens? 
·	Relate what happened in the game with what really happens to the homeless in society. [I have not included the background info on homelessness, as it is considerably dated. I recommend you contact the RAC for updated background info].
SAMPLE RULES LIST:
1.	As long as you abide by the limitations inherent in your character, the game rules, and any further official instructions you may receive, you may do whatever you want. However, you will get the most out of the experience if you play the game seriously. 
2.	You want to eat every period so you will not be hungry. You must eat at least every other period or you will die and will have to report to the graveyard on your own. Failure to report to the graveyard is a violation of the game rules. [This is a good reason for having additional "floating" staff around] 
3.	If at all possible, you want to sleep inside the apartment building each evening. You must sleep inside somewhere (either the apartment building or shelter) at least every other evening. If you do not sleep inside for two evenings in a row you will not be allowed to work for the next two periods. 
4.	Wear your identification sheet at all times. Only game staff can mark on the identification sheet. 
5.	Do not remove any items from the factories. 
 
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS: (to be given to participants as they enter the room at the beginning of the game)
Upper Middle class (5% of the participants)
Together with ______ other persons, you own the community apartment building. you have hired an apartment management company to look after the day to day details. Therefore, you are NOT able to: 
fire the management, as they have a long-term contract. 
raise rents or kick any of the tenants out of the building, as they have long term leases.
The good news is that your building produces a profit everyday, which the apartment manager (at the rental booth) will pay you upon request. Each partner will receive $9 per day. Although you have the skill to get a job, it is not necessary, as this income is sufficient for you to eat, pay rent, and go to the theatre. 
Enjoy your life, you are among the privileged.
 
Working middle class: (30% of the population) 
(Staff - place a star in the first box in the employment column of their identification sheet.)
You already possess the skills necessary to compete for the best labor jobs in our society. Therefore you can apply for work at either one of the two factories. Work hard and you should be able to take care of yourself.
 
Working lower class: (50% of the population)
Although you are currently healthy and employed, you do not have the skills necessary to transfer to the higher paying Factory B. However, with appropriate skills training, you could become qualified for a better job it you wanted it.
For now though, you are only skilled enough to work at Factory A. Work hard, you will need to if you are going to be able to pay your bills on time.
 
Chronic homeless mentally ill: (7% of the population) 
(Staff - write "mental" in the first box in the status column of their identification sheet.) 
Currently you are staying in a government sponsored hospital. Although they will not treat you for your mental health problem, they do provide food, a place to live and tickets to the local theatre for entertainment. What more could you ask?
Receiving this care is absolutely essential, of course, because if you were on the street you would not possess the skills to work at either community factory. What would you do?
If you can find it there is medical care available that can treat your condition, making you well again. Until then, enjoy, you're crazy!
Chronic homeless -- medically ill: (8% of the population) 
(Staff - write "sick" in the first box in the status column of their identification sheet.)
Although you are mentally healthy, you have a debilitating illness which makes it impossible to get a job at either community factory. However, if you can find it, there is medical care available that can treat your condition - -making you well again, Until then, good luck, you will have to fend for yourself any way you can.
 
SITUATION CARDS: (to be given out at the end of period 3)
Type A -- Give the following card to 50% of the upper middle class.
UMC -- You have been sued. Your insurance has paid for most of it, but you must pay $4 per period for the next three periods. Your payment should be given to the entertainment center manager, Go register your name with them now.
Type B - - Give an equal number of the following three cards to a total of 25% of the working middle class and 50% of the lower middle class.
Situation 1 - - You just caught a deadly disease. Luckily a cure is available, but it will cost you $4 per period for the next three periods. PAY IT or the disease will kill you. Your payment should be given to the staff at the medical clinic. Go register your name with them now.
Situation 2 - - The traumas of everyday life have given you a nervous breakdown. You are better now, but you must take special medicine to avoid becoming mentally ill. Your treatment will cost you $4 per period for the next three periods. Your payment should be given to the staff at the mental hospital. Go register your name with them now.
Situation 3 - - You have been temporarily suspended from your job and will be unable to work for the next two periods. Go register your name with your factory foreman now.
Type C - - Give one to 25% of the chronic homeless population. 
CH -- Good news! A local synagogue has offered to pay the costs for your mental health or medical treatment. Present this card to the Medical Clinic for free treatment.
DESCRIPTION OF BOOTHS: (sample room layout)
Factories: There should be two kinds, Factory A where workers thread ten macaroni pieces onto monofilament (fishing line) and tie the top closed. The workers at Factory B take them apart so the materials can be recirculated. Workers are paid $2 for each set of 10 macaronis threaded at factory A and $1 for each set taken apart at factory B. The factories should be placed as far apart from each other as possible so workers will not be able to take the unfinished goods from one factory and turn them in as finished goods at the other. Because taking the material apart is easier than putting it together, workers at factory B will probably end up earning more money. Therefore skills training is required to work at the more desirable factory B.
Be sure not to allow people who have mentally or medically ill listed on their status line to work in the factory. These people must have a star in the mental health care/medical care column of their identification sheet to signify that they have been cured of their illness. Also, be sure only to allow people with skills training to work at Factory B.
Be sure not to allow people to work if they have a "U" marked in the employment box for the current period.
You may want to string a rope around the factory and only allow people to go or out through one opening. That way you can post one staff person at the opening and only allow people who are eligible to work into the factory area.
As per the Type B-situation 3 situation card given to some members of the working middle class and lower middle class, at the end of session 3, mark a "U" in the employment boxes for periods 4 & 5 on the identification sheets of people who come to you after receiving their situation cards. These people should not be allowed to work during periods 4 and 5.
At least two staff are required to run each factory. An additional staff person will be needed to run finished goods from one factory to another so they can be used as unfinished goods.
 
Skill Training Center: You can sell skills training to anyone who requests it for $10 each. To show that a person has received skills training by paying for it, place a star in that period's employment box of their identification card. Once they have the star, they are skilled for the remainder of the game. Please note that upper middle class and working middle class already had skills training when the game began and do not need to purchase it. There is no need to give these individuals stars. 
 
Mental Health Hospital: For the first two periods of the game the chronic homeless - mentally ill will be staying with you. You should give them food and a place to sleep for the first two periods by marking a "H" in the food and rent boxes of their identification cards for periods 1 & 2. After that they are on their own.
During sessions 1 - 6, you can sell mental health to anyone $10 each. After that, give it free to anyone who wants it. To show that a person has received mental health care, place a star in the for the current period.
As per the Type B-situation 2 situation card, given to some members of the working middle class and lower middle class at the end of period 3, during periods 4 - 6, you will need to collect $4 from each person who registers with you at the end of period three. Any person not paying this amount should be made mentally ill by crossing out whatever is in the status column of their identification sheet and writing "mental" instead.
As per the Type C situation card given to 25% of the chronic homeless at the end of period 3, these people are entitled to medical or mental health care. Place a star in their box and take their situation card.
 
Medical Clinic: During sessions 1 - 6, you can sell medical care to anyone who needs it for $10 each. After that, give it free to anyone who wants it. To show that a person has received medical care, place a star in the medical care box for the current period.
As per the Type B-situation 1 situation card, given to some members of the working middle class and lower middle class at the end of period 3, during periods 4 - 6, you will need to collect $4 from each person who registers with you at the end of period three. Any person not paying this will die. If this happens write dead" in the status column of their identification sheet and send them to the graveyard.
As per the Type C situation card given to 25% of the chronic homeless at the end of period 3, these people are entitled to medical or mental health care. Place a star in their box and take their situation card. (Make sure you only give this free care to people with the Type C situation card.)
 
Apartment: When people pay you $5 for their rent, mark it on their identification sheet. If a majority of the owners want to, they can waive rent for specific persons they identify - - but don't tell them this unless they ask. The apartment can hold a maximum of 90% of the total population -- so don't rent out spaces to more than that amount each period.
As each person comes to you look at their identification sheet. If you notice that their rent column is blank for two past periods in a row (signifying that they slept outside - - were homeless - - for two periods in a row) , mark a "U" in their employment boxes for the current and next periods. They will not be able to work during these periods. The purpose of this is to demonstrate that often times being homeless leads to increased difficulty in obtaining employment.
At the beginning of each period, pay $9 to each owner (enough to cover their food, rent and theatre admission). This is their share of the profits. Out of these profits the owners must still pay for food, rent, etc.
 
Shelter: During periods 1 - 6, you have room in your shelter for 10% of the total population each day. Give it to the first 10% who ask for it by marking an S" in the food and rent boxes for the current period on their identification sheet. You also have food (but no shelter) for an additional 5% of the total population. Give it to the first 5% who ask for it by marking an "S" in the food box on their identification sheet. 
After session 7, give food and shelter to anyone who needs it. 
As each person comes to you, look at their identification sheet. If you notice that their rent column is blank for two past periods in a row (signifying that they slept outside - - were homeless - - for two periods in a row) , mark a "U" in their employment boxes for the current and next periods. They will not be able to work during these periods. The purpose of this is to demonstrate that often times being homeless leads to increased difficulty in obtaining employment.
 
Graveyard: Anyone who does not eat for two periods in a row will die and should report to you. Write "Dead" in the status section of their identification card and keep them in the graveyard for one full period. After that, tell them they can walk around and observe the game but cannot talk or interact with anyone - - they are now ghosts.
 
Theatre: This should be an ongoing video tape of some current comedian doing a routine. You may want to publicize the video with periodic announcements over the P.A. system. Let anyone in to watch the VCR who pays $2 per period. If the period is more than half over, they can pay $1 for the remainder of the period. They may not carry time into the next period. Chronic homeless - mentally ill should be given free admission for the first two periods only.
As per type A situation card given to 50% of the upper middle class at the end of period 3, you will have to collect $4 per person for periods 4 - 6 from any owner who registers with you at the end of period 3.
 
Restaurant: Collect $2 per period from people and mark their current period paid on the food box of their identification sheet. 
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