Entergy Hosts Poverty Simulations To Help Employees Better Understand Customer Challenges

Rhea-AI Summary

Entergy recently organized poverty simulations to help employees better understand customer challenges in their service areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Over 140 employees participated in immersive role-playing scenarios set in the fictional "Realville, USA". Participants were assigned unique identities and faced real-life situations such as transportation issues, food access, and managing chronic illnesses.

The simulations, supported by the System Planning Organization, aimed to provide insight into the difficulties faced by individuals in need. Participants navigated four simulated weeks in 15-minute segments, dealing with scenarios like homelessness, unemployment, and navigating social services. The goal was to foster empathy, inspire perspective shifts, and cultivate advocates within the workforce to improve resources and support for customers and communities in need.

Positive

• Increased employee awareness and understanding of customer challenges
• Potential for improved customer service and support based on enhanced empathy
• Cultivation of internal advocates for better policies and resources for low-income customers

Negative

• None.

By: Cristina del Canto • Senior Communications Specialist

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 8, 2024 / Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families. But unless one has experienced poverty, it's difficult to truly understand. Recognizing this, Entergy's low-income initiatives team recently organized poverty simulations aimed at providing our employees with a firsthand understanding of the struggles faced by our customers living in our service area of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

With the support of the System Planning Organization, over 140 employees participated in these immersive simulations held in Louisiana and Texas. Through role-playing scenarios set in the fictitious "Realville, USA" city, participants were able to step into the shoes of individuals facing poverty and experience the daily hurdles they must overcome.

During the simulations, participants were assigned unique identities and encountered real-life scenarios such as the need for reliable transportation, access to food or managing a chronic illness. They experienced various scenarios over four weeks, simulated in 15-minute segments, that reflected the lives of individuals who were recently homeless, unemployed, navigating the social services system, surviving on public assistance, and facing other challenges.

"The goal of the simulation was to help our employees gain insight into the difficulties and tough decisions that individuals in need have to make," said Liz Brister, director of low-income initiatives. "Whether it's dealing with childcare issues, job losses or any unexpected expenses, the simulation helps us understand these challenges so that we can better serve our customers, promote policies that will provide better safety nets and assist them in achieving success."

The simulation took place in a large room where participants were seated with their assigned "families" in the center. Surrounding them were tables representing community resources and services such as a community action agency, a school, an employer, a utility company, and a payday and title loan facility.

In addition to managing budgets with low incomes, accessing assistance resources, and dealing with unexpected issues, the simulation also included chance "wild cards" like illegal evictions, school suspensions, job losses, and more.

Beyond expanding our employees' understanding, the simulations aimed to foster empathy towards individuals living through these experiences and inspire a shift in perspective. By cultivating advocates within our workforce, we continue to seek to improve the resources and support available for our customers and communities in need.

Learn more about our commitment to giving back and supporting our communities.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Entergy Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Entergy Corporation
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/entergy-corporation
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Entergy Corporation

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What was the purpose of Entergy's poverty simulations?

Entergy organized poverty simulations to provide employees with firsthand understanding of the struggles faced by customers living in poverty in their service areas of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The goal was to help employees gain insight into the difficulties and tough decisions that individuals in need have to make.

How many Entergy employees participated in the poverty simulations?

Over 140 Entergy employees participated in the poverty simulations held in Louisiana and Texas.

What scenarios did participants experience during Entergy's poverty simulations?

Participants in Entergy's poverty simulations experienced scenarios such as homelessness, unemployment, navigating the social services system, surviving on public assistance, dealing with childcare issues, job losses, and unexpected expenses. They also faced 'wild cards' like illegal evictions and school suspensions.

How were Entergy's poverty simulations structured?

Entergy's poverty simulations were structured as role-playing scenarios in a fictional 'Realville, USA' city. Participants were assigned unique identities and navigated four simulated weeks in 15-minute segments, dealing with various challenges faced by individuals living in poverty.