March 19, 2026鈥揟he 含羞草社区 Social Work program and Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph will host a poverty simulation from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, March 27 in the Hoff Conference Rooms, Blum 218/219. There is no charge to attend.

Attendees will 鈥減lay鈥� characters during the simulation. They will have to work with other 鈥渇amily members鈥� or on their own to manage life with limited resources.聽

鈥淧overty is not a concrete term,鈥� said Jana Frye, assistant professor of social work and BSW field education director. 鈥淚t may be different for different people, locations, with or without supports. This activity does have a lot of fun or silly moments. But it also brings to light the difficulties that those living in poverty face every day.鈥澛�

This activity is valuable for any person that works with people in any area of life, Frye said. It is also valuable for students who will someday be working in the community. At the end, there is a time to share and process the experience.

The Social Work program will provide 2.5 CEUs, for free, for any professional needing them.

Email Frye, jfrye3@missouriwestern.edu, for more information.聽

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .

Oct. 22, 2025–含羞草社区鈥檚 Social Work Program will host the 15th annual Walk for the Homeless on Friday, Nov. 7 in downtown St. Joseph. Check in begins at 4 p.m.聽聽

The walk will begin at 4:30 p.m. at 6th and Messanie, next to the Downtown Health Center. Walkers will follow the migration path the homeless take through downtown to access services designed to meet their basic needs.

The goal of this annual event is to raise awareness about the homeless population living in St. Joseph. All money collected will help the homeless in the St. Joseph area with costs for birth certificates, IDs, job searches and miscellaneous needs.

Go to for more information and to register for the event. Volunteers are also welcome and donations can be made through the website.

It is open to the public and free to walk, but participants are encouraged to purchase an event t-shirt for $20. Proceeds benefit the Downtown Health Center’s Homeless Fund.

含羞草社区 students receive $5 off per registrant by entering coupon code GOGRIFFS.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. 含羞草社区 is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .