Poverty Challenge
A Walk In Other’s Shoes 
- Family -

The Options Committee of Making Kenora Home has proposed the fourth poverty challenge, A Walk in Other’s Shoes. This year’s event is for the entire family: Poverty Challenge – A Walk in Other’s Shoes – Family. 

Participants will be asked to attempt to stay within a social assistance benefits’ budget. The maximum basic needs benefit for families accessing Ontario Works varies slightly depending on the number of adults in the household. The maximum basic needs for a couple with any amount of children is $458.00; this sets the challenge budget at $75.00 per family, or $15 per day. A single parent would receive $344.00 per month, therefore, their challenge budget will be $60.00 or $12.00 per day. 

The budget includes all food and drink, entertainment, some personal supplies and transportation costs. Each family will be given a daily challenge card which will reveal an additional challenge to be completed before the end of each day. As the family completes the challenge, they will blog about their experience twice a day.

The participants will experience some of the hurdles that people living on social assistance face. It is hoped that the event will raise awareness and break barriers for families living in poverty. 

A kick-off event will be held at Kenora City Council Chambers on Friday February 7th at 12:00 p.m. The wrap up event will be held at Northwestern Health Unit City View Board Room (Mount Carmel location) on Wednesday, February 12th at 12:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

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