Broome’s Rural Poverty Rate Above State Average

The reality of poverty in local rural communities is being highlighted during simulation exercises.

The exercise is being hosted by the Rural Health Network of Central New York at the Tioughnioga Riverside Academy in Whitney Point.

Up to 80 participants role-play the lives of low income families with 20 volunteers playing the part of human service agencies, grocers, pawnbrokers, bill collectors, police officers and potential employers.

The simulation was developed by Missouri Association for Community Action.

According to the New York State Community Action Association 2016 Poverty Report, Broome County has a poverty rate of 17.8%.  That’s 33,527 people with the child poverty rate at 24.8%.  The statewide rate is 15.6% or 2,978,521 New Yorkers.