>As one group of people ran out of money, got evicted, were arrested, and pawned their last possessions to keep their lives afloat, Chris Peterson and Dwight Pickens looked on, laughing at times. The group was experiencing poverty through "Life in the State of Poverty: A Simulation Experience." Peterson and Pickens, however, faced poverty every day of their lives, sleeping in tents off Telegraph Road and struggling to survive.
"I can understand this," Pickens said. "These people could see what I'm going through."
"We dealt with these type of things," Peterson said.
Pickens and Peterson observed the role-playing seminar conducted on Thursday, May 20, by the Fairfax County Community Action Advisory Board (CAAB). Community members, representatives from the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, families, teenagers and Supervisor Sharon Bulova (D-Braddock) took part in the exercise at the First Baptist Church of Springfield,
"It's a reality check on how people get into situations they do. Sometimes it's no fault of any one person," Bulova said.
IN THE role-playing exercise, everyone in the room divided into families, each with a different scenario with which they had to cope. Some were single mothers, unemployed, in trouble with the law, or facing an event that they couldn't pay for on the wages they received from imaginary jobs. The scenario took place over a month, in which 15 minutes in real time equaled one week.
Philip Rosenthal, vice chairman for CAAB, met Pickens and Peterson earlier that day and brought them to the role-playing activity so that they could observe. Each of the men had stories similar to the situation Bulova described. Peterson's situation started 18 years ago.
"I had a good job, but it moved to Manassas, and I didn't have enough money to move to Manassas," Peterson said. "It was a spiral after that. Once you get behind, it's difficult to catch up."
Pickens' situation was similar. Although he works every day, Fairfax County is garnishing his check from a fine that Pickens' brother owed.
"When I went down there to straighten it out, I couldn't get it straightened out," Pickens said.
Rosenthal was in the process of helping him deal with the county. After the simulation, Pickens and Peterson were dropped off along Telegraph Road near their camp.
VOLUNTEERS from CAAB manned the stores and services the families had to turn to, such as a check-cashing place called "Quick Cash," Big Dana's Pawnshop, U-Trust-Us Bank, the employment office, legal aid, Food-A-Rama, a school, and social services. In addition, Fairfax County Police officers Rich Mullins and Michelle Rowling from the Franconia bike team manned a mock police station.
The woman at Food-A-Rama spoke only Spanish, to show what it was like to communicate with someone who didn't speak English. Springfield resident Larry Graham was Big Dana at the pawn shop. Graham volunteers at CAAB and has participated in the role-playing exercise before. The first week, he had no customers.
"As the weeks go on, they'll get more and more desperate," he said.
Before long, Carl Chen, an alias played by Alexandria resident Jesus Contreras, was arrested for stealing money from school and ended up in front of Big Dana with a diamond ring to sell. By the end of the month, he was back to buy a gun from Big Dana.
"You may experience some frustration, but that's the reality of it," said the master of ceremonies Evelyn Swieter, a member of CAAB.
Bulova played the role of Katrina Kaminski, a 25-year-old. The Kaminski family ran into financial trouble, and Bulova looked for a way out, as many do in the Northern Virginia area.
"We're thinking of doubling up with another family if we can find one," Bulova said, before approaching the Isma family.
At the end of the exercise, CAAB members asked questions of the group. Participants divulged the hopelessness they felt. Bulova talked about her experience at Food-A-Rama.
"I thought that was the most difficult thing. I speak no Spanish," Bulova said.
Andrew Junkin of Loudoun County came in with his mother to take part in the exercise. He played Nathan Nattia, a 17-year-old.
"I thought the shopkeepers did a good job abusing their power," Andrew said.