An Eye-Opening Experience on Making Ends Meet
Step into the shoes of a struggling family with United Wayâs 30|30 Experience. Navigate real-life scenarios, make tough decisions, and learn what daily life is like for low-wage earners.
Ever wonder why some people just canât get ahead, even when they have more than one job?
United Way of Central Marylandâs 30|30 Experience reveals that escaping economic hardship takes much more than giving up a daily coffee or poor budgeting skills. The 30|30 Experience is a powerful online, interactive session that reveals why so many hardworking people canât make ends meet.Â
To experience the 30|30 Experience yourself, join our next virtual Discovery Session on July 16 at 10:30 a.m. ET. RSVP today!
What To Expect
Youâll find out what it feels like to work hardâsometimes in more than one jobâbut still be unable to cover all your basic expenses.
In real-life scenarios, youâll experience in 90 riveting minutes what day-to-day life is really like for the working poor as you navigate 30 days of difficult, often life-altering decisions by assuming the identity of a parent in a low-income household.
Whether the 30|30 Experience opens your eyes to the struggles others faceâor affirms your lived experienceâyouâll come away better equipped to share with others the challenges and choices the working poor face every day.
What Would You Do?
Sample scenarios youâll experience:
- You want to move to a safer apartment, but canât afford the security deposit.
- Your child is sick, but you canât take time off work.
- Your car breaks down, but your credit card is maxed out.
“You will interactively walk in the shoes of a head of family who is asset-limited, income-constrained, employed (ALICE) and the daily real-world decisions they make in a month. It was stressful and made me feel anxious at the end of the simulated month, but I have a greater appreciation of how resilient an ALICE family must be. It was very impactful, and I think you will get a lot out of the experience.”
â United Way board member
The 30|30 Experience is available to individuals, workplaces, or large groups throughout the year.
Participating Companies & Organizations
Note: If you have lived or are living with limited assets, this experience may evoke strong emotions.
Curious about the 30|30 Experience?
“It was great because, for those who have never had to live this scenario, it can be an eye-opener and impactful to look at people living this real-life scenario and not be so judgmental. It also gives you a better understanding that sometimes, no matter how hard you work and try, it still may never be enough.”
CareFirst Employee
