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Join us for the Family PASS Poverty Simulation
Can you spare 90 minutes on March 12th?
You are invited to participate in a unique and impactful Poverty Simulation at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department’s Hall on March 12, 2020 at 9:00 am sponsored by Family PASS and Fairfax County’s Community Action Advisory Board.
The poverty simulation experience is designed to help participants begin to understand what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family trying to survive from month to month. It is a simulation, not a game. The object is to expose participants to the realities faced by low-income people. In other words, to walk a mile in their shoes.
If you are interested in participating please click here for information and reservations. Reservations are required as each attendee will place a specific role during the simulation. If you do make a reservation we ask that you honor that time slot. If you cannot, please let us know as soon as possible so we can replace you in the simulation.
In the simulation, 44 to 80 participants assume the roles of up to 26 different families facing poverty. Some families are newly unemployed, some are recently deserted by the “breadwinner,” some are homeless, and others are recipients of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, formerly AFDC), either with or without additional earned income. Still others are senior citizens receiving Disability or Retirement or grandparents raising their grandchildren. The task of the “families” is to provide for basic necessities and shelter during the course of four 15-minute “weeks.”
The simulation is conducted in a large room with the “families” seated in groups in the center. Around the perimeter are tables representing community resources and services for the families. These services include a bank, super center, Community Action Agency, employer, utility company, pawn broker, grocery, social service agency, faith-based agency, payday and title loan facility, mortgage company, school, and child care center.
Each participant will receive a bag of essential items at the end of the program to give to someone in need.
Coffee and snacks will be served during the orientation and lunch will be available during Q & A.
Here are some of the reactions from participants in previous simulations:
I “lived” this for one hour. I cannot imagine living this day in and day out.”
“This experience made me realize the need to change my business policies that negatively impact
low-income people in my community.”
Thank you to our Simulation donors:
Bombas Socks, Wegman’s- Fairfax, Target – Mosaic, Giant – Vienna, Peet’s Coffee, and Chick Fil A-Vienna.
Date and Time
Tuesday Mar 3, 2020 Thursday Mar 12, 2020
March 12th
9:00 AM to 11:30 AMLocation
Vienna Volunteer Fire Department
400 Center St. SE
Vienna VAFees/Admission
free but registration required
Contact Information
Pat Kearns 703-242-6474
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