More than a card game

A conversation with Virginia Moor about the value of group activities

“UNO!” I heard someone yell from across the dayroom.

Twice a month, the Inmate Advisory Council (IAC) holds board games, card games, or sporting tournaments for residents to win prizes. In March, the game was UNO!

The tournaments vary in level of difficulty, but anyone is allowed to sign up to play. First place wins three sodas, second wins two, and third gets one.

I sat down with Virginia Moor, 63, who has been an IAC member in Building 506 since 2023. Moor has been hosting tournaments throughout her tenure as an advisory council member. An IAC member will always host the game tournaments, but in 506, Moor hosts them most often. Her favorite game is Scrabble, and her favorite game to host is Backgammon.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Why do you think it’s important to host these tournaments in our community?

A. It’s important to bring residents together to spend time with each other. There is always someone different who signs up to play, and the players get to know each other and create a bond. As a host, I enjoy watching the people play, banter with each other, and interact.

Q. What can community members get out of these tournaments?

A. Sodas! Each person who wins will win a soda as a prize. The sodas range in variety, but are often flavors that we don’t have available to purchase. But more importantly, they get the chance to intermingle. A lot of times, the residents get competitive in a friendly way and have lots of fun interacting.

Q. How do the tournaments build community?

A. They help the communities build camaraderie. The players always amaze me by giving each other compliments and encouragement. For example, if someone makes a good move, the other player will say, “Way to go!” or “Oh, I didn’t think of that move.” The sportsmanship that I see makes me happy to continue hosting.

Q. Can you share a special moment you have had while hosting a tournament?

A. Once, while hosting, tensions were high, and someone said something that offended another person. That person stormed off angry. Later on, I saw the two sitting down together, talking the situation out, and laughing together. The person who stormed off came back and apologized to everyone playing and to me for leaving. This moment showed growth in dealing with a situation that normally would not have ended in such a positive way.

Q. What would you like those who never participate to know about these tournaments?

A. That everyone is welcome! If you don’t know how to play a game, there are plenty of people who are willing to teach you. Playing these friendly games are so important to your own wellbeing. These games also bring out the kid in you. During sports events, the residents run around and laugh. Most of the time, they are having so much fun that they forget they should be scoring points.

So, if you are interested in participating in one of the monthly game tournaments, sign up next time you’re in the dayroom. According to Moor, you never know what you can gain, even if you lose.