WellLink invites community members and leaders to a powerful, immersive event designed to deepen the understanding of poverty.

Join us on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. ET for a simulation event in partnership with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and the YMCA of Greater Cleveland.

This event is not a typical training or policy discussion. In this hands-on simulation, each participant will experience financial hardships and navigate a series of day-to-day challenges such as applying for food stamps, enrolling in Medicaid, securing housing, accessing transportation, and seeking behavioral health support. Participants will interact with event volunteers who represent various agencies and bureaucracies while simultaneously facing time constraints, misinformation, limited resources, and systemic barriers.

This event is free to attend, but attendees are encouraged to bring a donation item for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank (see list below).

Who Should Attend?

The event is designed for professionals and stakeholders across sectors, including the following:

• Healthcare and behavioral health providers.
• Education and youth services.
• City, county, and state policymakers.
• Nonprofit and philanthropic organizations.
• Faith-based and community leaders.
• Business, technology, and workforce partners.
• Anyone committed to building a just, nourishing, and thriving community.

Bring a donation! Here are a list of the items they need most:

• Beans (canned or dried)
• Peanut Butter
• Canned or Boxed Entrees
• Pasta Sauce (low sodium)
• 100% Juice
• Cereal (hot or cold)
• Canned Protein (like tuna or chicken)
• Whole Grain Rice & Pasta
• Canned Fruits & Veggies
• Monetary Donations

What You'll Gain

Assumptions that we each hold will be challenged and participants will gain an experiential foundation that fosters collaboration, promotes equity, and drives innovation in health and social services. We'll go beyond the reports and data and you will leave with renewed motivation, practical insights, and a clearer sense of how to drive meaningful, system‑wide transformation.