New to Poverty - Impact on Youth - Owen (#218B)

Extrapolated from New to Poverty - Hannah and Liam (Developed with a grant from the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Fund (LTEF) and support from the Learning and Teaching Office, Toronto Metropolitan University). This simulation deals with the struggles associated with living in poverty and how it impacts youth.

Not long ago, Owen and his family faced a bright middle-class future. However, due to a variety of circumstances the family now lives in poverty and struggles to meet their daily needs. These changes weigh on Owen, affect his character, demeanour, outward presentation and his grades at school.

• Active listening
• Empathy
• Building rapport
• Various questioning styles
• Collaborative solutions
• Collaborative goal setting

You, the Social Worker, Child Youth Care Worker or Early Childhood Education Specialist, are meeting with Owen or Owen and his mother Hannah, in the school’s Guidance Office. Owen has always been an ‘A’ student with a bright future. However, since the start of Grade Twelve, his final high school year, he has not been himself. Recently, another student accused Owen of taking his laptop. Using your interpersonal skills, you are tasked with understanding the situation, learning about the circumstances responsible for Owen’s changes and offering him guidance. Hopefully your input brings Owen back to himself.