Sims/801-East Report 1
A Report on the 801-East 12-Hour, LowBarrier Shelter Francwa Sims November 2008
Sims/801-East Report 2
Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS....................................................................................................2 801-EAST SHELTER REPORT SUMMARY....................................................................3 Transportation............................................................................................................................................................3 Intake..........................................................................................................................................................................3 Bed Assignment.........................................................................................................................................................3 Dinner.........................................................................................................................................................................3 Lights Out...................................................................................................................................................................3 Lights On....................................................................................................................................................................4 Men’s Morning Transportation Schedule .................................................................................................................4
OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF A STAY AT THE 801-EAST LOWBARRIER SHELTER FACILITY.......................................................................................5 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................5
OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSIS..................................................................................7 Hawk One Security....................................................................................................................................................7 The 801-East 12-Hour Low-Barrier Men’s Shelter Facility....................................................................................10 Catholic Charities Annual Report............................................................................................................................18 DC Central Kitchen..................................................................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................20 APPENDIX I: DEFINITION OF ORGANIZATIONS AND TERMS..................................23 APPENDIX II: SIMS V. CATHOLIC CHARITIES, ET AL. JANUARY 2007..................27 WORKS CITED...............................................................................................................38
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801-East Shelter Report Summary Transportation •
MLK Library: DC Parks and Recreation provides Shuttle Bus that makes two trips at 6:00 – 6:15 pm, 6:30 - 6:45 pm The driver is not consistent, so his time varies If you have to wait at the St. Elizabeth’s Gate, the Hawk One Security won’t open it until 6:45 pm. Depending on the guard that’s on duty, it might open at 6:30 pm.
• •
Intake • • • • • • • •
A very long line. Some days longer than others. We wait for the doors to open and that does not happen until security shows up. Security is either usually late in opening the doors or… Security shows up 5-10 minutes late Normal time of entry is 7:15-7:30 pm All bags, backpacks, luggage, coats etc. must go through X-ray machine Everyone must submit to being wanded (hand-held metal detector) or patted down Next is the bed assignment.
Bed Assignment • • •
You go to the counselor and state your name clearly. You find your bunk Sheets, a disposable cloth and soap are available at the front desk
Dinner • • • •
Is at 7:30 pm The food is provided by DC Central Kitchen Most of the time the food is “hit or miss” it looks like “stuff that your dog wouldn’t eat” Infamous dishes: Vegetable stew (boiled vegetables), vegetarian chili (beans in chili powder sauce), noodles, pasta and whatever.
Lights Out • • • • •
You can see the case worker (social worker), if you can catch him before he leaves at 9:00 pm Stay in the TV Room until 10 pm (11 pm on Friday, Saturday and Holidays) Or Shower Or read a book, newspaper, and magazine Is at 10:00 pm everyday
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Lights On • • • •
Is at 6:00 am Must be ready to leave by 6:45 am Must be out by 7:00 am or you will be written up Gate closes at 8:00 am
Men’s Morning Transportation Schedule Morning Transportation Schedules for Men Pick Up Time 6:30 am 7:15 am 8:15 am
Location 801-East Men’s Shelter
Destination(s) • Anacostia Metro Station • Southwest (Near the Old Randall Shelter and Nationals Ballpark) • Second & D Sts. NW (CCNV Shelter) • Seventh & F Sts. NW (Verizon Center)
As you can see from the chart, these are not the stops that the Department of Parks and Recreation bus is supposed to make.
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Observations and Experiences of a Stay at the 801-East LowBarrier Shelter Facility Introduction This paper is about the observations and experiences that I, Francwa Sims have had at the 801East Low-Barrier Shelter Facility located on the grounds of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in the Ward Eight, Anacostia Neighborhood of Washington, D.C. I will attempt to be as factual and objective as possible, yet one must be aware that there is no objectivity in the viewpoint presented here. I have stayed at the 801-East shelter for about two years and a half. Some have asked, “Why 801?” I am familiar with the neighborhood, because my mother and sister live about four blocks away on Elvans Road SE. I don’t stay with my mother for a variety of complex, personal reasons that I will not go into in this document. Many times I’ve told people that a person can get more education, life experience and even entertainment being homeless than in any university or college. For most people, homelessness is a short, one-time event.1 In my opinion, I think that six months to a year of homelessness should be mandatory for every high school and/or college graduate. In this way, there will be an appreciation for and knowledge of human nature. One can develop great wisdom and respect for humanity by experiencing total humiliation, embarrassment, almost endless hunger, restless nights (as a result, developing a type of narcolepsy), poverty, neglect, and disrespect. To experience all of this takes a toll on your health. I personally, because of chronic homelessness:2 I have developed anxiety, depression and stress. I have had many outbreaks of
Sims/801-East Report 6 strange, unidentifiable skin rashes, many cold and flu symptoms, two ear infections, institutionally contracted pneumonia and anemia. Stays in Howard University and United Medical Center (formerly Greater Southeast Community) hospitals of up to five days are not uncommon for me. And, being turned away from George Washington University Hospital because they don’t accept the DC Alliance health card is quite common. Your belongings are never secure. I have lost two wallets. One time, my wallet was stolen while I was in the shower! And my pants were thrown into the next shower stall. I’ve had to replace my social security card three times, and my non-drivers identification three times. I have had two laptop computers stolen from beside the bunk where I slept, and I have lost maybe about five cell phones. I consider myself a fairly intelligent person. I realize that a shelter is not supposed to be a hotel and being a homeless is not a vacation. When I was twenty-four years old, I thought that was very intelligent and that I knew everything about the world. Most young people are like that. Now, that I’m twenty-eight, I realize that I’m not that smart and that I don’t know anything. It is said that with age comes wisdom. This is true. This experience of being homeless is very humbling. And you can only learn and gain wisdom by being humble. In this paper, I can only show you one shelter based on my own experience. I cannot even begin to transmit wisdom or humility, but I can at least try to put you in the shoes of the many that walk into the 801-East shelter every evening. I thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts and whatever information that I can give. It is my hope that this paper will find its way into the right hands.
Observations and Analysis Hawk One Security I start with Hawk One because to understand 801-East, the first thing that you encounter is Hawk One Security at the St. Elizabeth Hospital gate. The gate is supposed to open at 6:30 PM, but I’m not quite sure about that. Some guards open the gate at 6:30 PM others at 6:45 PM. I’ve heard that the official time is 6:45 PM. I don’t know. When it is real cold outside, people have to wait outside. Even before 7:00 PM, people must wait at the gate outside even when there are severe conditions. After the gate opens, those who were waiting at the gate walk or run down the winding path to 801-East. Some of the men run thinking that they will be first in line so they can get the bunk of their choice. It the end, it really does not make a difference. This is because we all have to wait till they let us in at 7:00 PM. The truth is, most days we don’t get in till 7:15 PM. The main reason is that some of the Hawk One security officers are late. No matter how severe the weather conditions are outside, at 7:00 AM, everyday, no matter what, the homeless must leave the shelter. The reason I make this point I that the Hawk One does an efficient job in get people out of the shelter by 7:00 AM, but do not seem to do the same in letting people in at 7:00 PM. Also, there is a tendency for Hawk One officers to use excessive force against people. There was a fight and the man that was assaulted first was hit with a night club, pushed to the floor and the
Sims/801-East Report 8 guard sat on him. They did nothing to the person that started the fight. The man who was sat on had heart problems so Hawk One had to call an ambulance for him. I think the following by Mr. Eric Sheptock is in reference to this: From: Eric Sheptock <ericsheptock@yahoo.com> Subject: Police Brutality at the 801 East Shelter â&#x20AC;Ś To: <Various DC Council Emails and DC Govâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Listserves etc.> Date: Friday, October 10, 2008, 5:10 PM POLICE BRUTALITY AT THE 801 EAST SHELTER On the night of October 9th, 2008, several homeless men including myself witnessed police brutality at the 801 East (MLK, Jr.) Homeless Shelter. It is quite possible that the staff and/or security exhibited gross negligence and dereliction of duties. I was able to gather information after everything was over that indicated that the incident could've been avoided. There had been an altercation between 2 residents at the shelter around 10 PM. One resident hit another. Having been alerted by the loud arguing, Hawk One Security arrived on the scene and was able to pull the men apart before a return blow could be thrown. They eventually had the victim who'd been attacked by the other resident to go to bed. He slept in my dorm. I couldn't see what became of his attacker. He slept in another dorm. I assume that he was allowed to return to his bed as well. I was told that the victim's name was Michael Williams and his attacker was named Rob. In accordance with protocol, Protective Services was called. When they arrived, an officer went to the victim to get him out of bed. They walked into the hall to speak. At one point, the PSD officer began to ask the victim for ID. The victim refused to produce ID; because, he knew and was asserting his rights. 801 East is a low-barrier shelter. A person doesn't need to show ID in order to gain access to a low barrier shelter. They don't even need to give their real name. (According to Dallas Williams, the director of the Office of Shelter Monitoring, that right to refuse to show ID extends only as far as gaining access to a lowbarrier shelter; and, a person still has to show ID to an officer of the flaw.) From my bunk, I could hear the officer repeatedly asking for the man's ID. I couldn't hear the victim's response with him having the softer voice. The officer's repeated requests were evidence of the victim's refusal. Eventually, the officer snatched the victim's bag from him and ordered him to put his hands behind his back. The victim refused, presumably due to the fact that he felt that his rights were being violated.
Sims/801-East Report 9 Five officers proceeded to jump on him, stepping on his face and neck, kneeing him in the side and back, twisting his arms and altogether abusing him. Several residents including myself jumped out of bed to witness the incident. We and the victim slept in F Dorm. Men from D and E Dorms also came out to witness the incident. The officers told us to clear the hall. We didn't. We wanted to serve as witnesses to the police brutality. Several of us have filled out grievances and handed them in to Catholic Charities. The incident took place in the hall between F Dorm and the cafeteria. From the entrance to F Dorm to the end of the hall going toward the cafeteria is about 40 feet. As one gets to that end of the hall, they must then make a left turn into a smaller hall before entering the cafeteria. The police were abusing the man about 20 feet from us. There is a security camera at the end of the hall where one would turn to go into the cafeteria. Can somebody acquire that tape, please? It is my understanding that the attacker was in the program on the 2nd floor. He supposedly was caught drunk and was made to go downstairs for a night as punishment. Furthermore, the attacker had a run-in with Hawk One Security before any of the aforementioned trouble arose. Hawk One failed to sufficiently deal with the drunken man and that man eventually became the attacker in the altercation that I described above. The man who was eventually beaten up by Protective Services had been the victim in the altercation and was further victimized by Protective Services. The names of the officers involved are as follows: R. Moultrie -- Badge # 202 (female) L. Williams -- Badge # 409 J. Barbuia -- Badge # 163 Strickland -- Badge # 100 Bailey -- Badge # 122 At least one of them (Strickland) might actually work for MPD. I hope that a full-blown investigation is launched so as to completely and comprehensively deal with the matter of police brutality at the shelters. This matter was brought up at the June 12th ICH meeting. According to Dallas Williams, those accusations were against Hawk One Security and have since been addressed. This latest incident is a clear indication of the fact that we still have much work to do. This is not the only incident of un-professionalism and misbehavior by Hawk One Security: 3
Sims/801-East Report 10 The most important part of this factor is that we have to wait outside in inclement weather until security (Hawk One) shows up. Hawk One does not have communication with the 801 Shelter. There have been incidents where Plaintiffs have not been let in because of misinformation. The shelter may have beds available, but no Plaintiff can get in because Hawk One has orders to lock the gate at 9:00 PM. Hawk One officers at the gate claim that they don't have phones to call the 801 shelter, but they carry cellular phones and radios. At 5:00 AM, Plaintiffs are allowed to enter the shelter, but when you try to enter, Hawk One says you must enter at 5:30 AM. When you tell them that they are wrong, they threaten Plaintiffs with physical harm and to bar Plaintiffs from the premises. The facility does not close until 8:00 AM, but the Plaintiffs must vacate the premises at 7:00 AM. This is only so that Hawk One can leave early, yet they can come constantly late for their shift, delaying the entry of the Plaintiffs into the 801 Shelter. Then they sit down and take their thirty minute break, further delaying entry into the shelter while the Plaintiffs wait outside in the cold. Also, Hawk One officers are known to fall asleep in the security booth at night. Hawk One employees have shown that they are irresponsible and do not “care about the safety of the Plaintiffs. One of the officers has been quoted as saying, "You all have to get out of here, so we can get home to feed our cats." It is evident that Hawk One gives more priority to their pets than the Plaintiffs. Why does Hawk One have female officers working in a male shelter? At the Blue Plains shelter, also known as "D.C. Village", all the security officers are female. Yet at the 801 Shelter these female guards think that their .38 "midnight special" gun and Billy club are enough to protect them from about two hundred men. Their nasty attitude, negative disposition, lack of compassion, impatience and rude demeanor causes conflict and are a distraction to the Plaintiffs who are trying to obtain housing. If you look at just these testimonies alone, it is evident that there is something wrong with the conduct and handling of those who stay at the 801-East Shelter by Hawk One Security. These observations of mine speak for themselves.
The 801-East 12-Hour Low-Barrier Men’s Shelter Facility In January 2007, I attempted to sue Catholic Charities in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Francwa Sims v. Catholic Charities, et al. Civil Action No. 07-CV-0198 RMC). Most people have never even heard of it. I’m not surprised if Catholic Charities has suppressed it. It was an idea that some of us staying at 801-East came up with based on those
Sims/801-East Report 11 who served in prison and became “jailhouse lawyers”. They always hung out in the prison library and studied the law books. At a certain point they became skilled enough to constantly file briefs and motions using “in forma pauperis.”4 It was an ambitious idea. Some would say a revolutionary one. It turned out to be more trouble than it was worth. And, it was a very, eye-opening lesson in embarrassment, humiliation, backstabbing, betrayal and illiteracy. As anyone reading this can tell, I am far from illiterate, but when it comes to the law, even most attorneys are illiterate. The people who came up with the idea were with me at first, and then they soon backed off and betrayed me. There were court orders to “show cause.” That was impossible. How can you “show cause” when you can’t take photos,5 no one wants to be involved because they are on probation, hiding from law enforcement,6 actually likes the shelter, did not trust me, didn’t want people to know that they were homeless and “did not want to have their name on any official government documents they did not know about.” So, I was lucky enough to get only a handful of names on a petition. I lost the case. Those high-powered attorneys for Catholic Charities are something else. The main lesson is, never do the “David vs. Goliath” thing alone.7 And, when you stand up for a cause, you are the only one standing. I will no longer stand up for those who don’t appreciate it. I only mention this because I will be using this as a basis for this section of the report. The whole case was based on the idea that Catholic Charities were possibly violating the HSRA. The main reason for this is how Catholic Charities defines the 801-East Shelter:8 Catholic Charities claims that the 801 Shelter is an "emergency shelter". According to the HSRA, no such term exists. The following terms are specified:
Sims/801-East Report 12 Section 2-21. "Hypothermia shelter" means a public or private building that the District shall make available, for the purpose of providing shelter to individuals or families who are homeless and cannot access other shelter, whenever the actual or forecasted temperature, including the wind chill factor, falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.9 Section 13-36. "Severe weather shelter" means hyperthermia shelter or hypothermia shelter. The term "overnight emergency shelter" is specified in "The Winter Plan" prepared by DHS and the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, and also listed as 12-Hour Emergency Shelters. Under daily experience, no matter how severe the weather conditions are outside, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, everyday, no matter what, the Plaintiffs must leave the shelter. In the 2008 Winter Plan, the definition is now more specific. In the Appendices of the 2008 Winter Plan, the 801 East Shelter is defined as a 12-Hour Low Barrier Shelter, a 24-Hour Transitional Shelter and a Hypothermia Shelter. This is more satisfactory and properly distinguishes the role of this shelter. The second complaint in Sims v. CC et al. was the communication with the Hawk One Security stationed at the front gate:10 Hawk One does not have communication with the 801 Shelter. There have been incidents where Plaintiffs have not been let in because of misinformation. The shelter may have beds available, but no Plaintiff can get in because Hawk One has orders to lock the gate at 9:00 PM. Hawk One officers at the gate claim that they don't have phones to call the 801-Shelter, but they carry cellular phones and radios. At 5:00 AM, Plaintiffs are allowed to enter the shelter, but when you try to enter, Hawk One says you must enter at 5:30 AM. When you tell them that they are wrong, they threaten Plaintiffs with physical harm and to bar Plaintiffs from the premises. The facility does not close until 8:00 AM, but the Plaintiffs must vacate the premises at 7:00 AM. This is only so that Hawk One can leave early, yet they can come constantly late for their shift, delaying the entry of the Plaintiffs into the 801-Shelter. Then they sit down and take their thirty minute break, further delaying entry into the shelter while the Plaintiffs wait outside in the cold. Also, Hawk One officers are known to fall asleep in the security booth at night.
Sims/801-East Report 13 Hawk One employees have shown that they are irresponsible and do not care about the safety of the Plaintiffs. One of the officers has been quoted as saying, "You all have to get out of here, so we can get home to feed our cats." It is evident that Hawk One gives more priority to their pets than the Plaintiffs. This has changed greatly. The front gate stays open all night long. The security can easily call the shelter and DC Protective Service with no problems. However, if there are no beds (“beds full”) the gate is closed and they will turn you away, unless you are in the transitional program. Every night the rule is if you leave before 10 PM and don’t claim your bed by 10 PM, your bed can be given to someone else. This is the so-called “10 o’ clock rule.” 10 PM is “lights-out” that is the curfew. On weekends and federal holidays, it is 11 PM, but the rule still applies. The third complaint was about the gender of the security: 11 Why does Hawk One have female officers working in a male shelter? At the Blue Plains shelter, also known as "D.C. Village," all the security officers are female. Yet at the 801 Shelter these female guards think that their .38 "midnight special" gun and Billy club are enough to protect them from about two hundred men. Their nasty attitude, negative disposition, lack of compassion, impatience and rude demeanor causes conflict and are a distraction to the Plaintiffs who are trying to obtain housing. This concern does not just apply to the two or three female security officers on duty. It applies to the 801-East staff. And I have testified and emailed many times about this one issue with no results. The Catholic Charities staff treats us like little kids. They insult and yell at us, use profanity and make smart assed comments. They give us no respect. Not all of them do this, but the many that do, make the rest of them look bad. And, yes there are incidents where there have been threats of physical harm. I was yelled at for needing to use the phone!
Sims/801-East Report 14 The director, Paul Amara in his first “Town Hall Meeting” said that, “The population [of 801East] is crazy.” So, this means that if he thinks that everyone is crazy, their concerns mean nothing to him, but a bunch of crazy rants. Not everyone that is homeless is crazy. Let’s be clear about that. This goes to another complaint about the staff not being “appropriately trained and qualified” and “culturally competent.” I have said many times that the staff needs to have “sensitivity training.” To be frank, what can one expect from people who are former drug addicts and convicts themselves who have no professional training? Some are not even computer literate. So, when they are suddenly in a position of power, they can’t handle it well. The fourth complaint was about the risk of getting barred from the premises if someone takes authoritative action. This is a concern, but what usually happens is that a person gets “written up” by the staff and gets transferred to another shelter. There is an appeal process, but it goes nowhere. If you write a grievance against a staff member, and submit it to the head supervisor at 801-East, Paul Amara, Mr. McCrimmon or the shift supervisor, it does not go the downtown headquarters of Catholic Charities. The complaint is torn up and thrown away. The grievant has to take the complaint downtown himself. If the complaint is not handled this way, the supervisors that I mentioned above will cover for their staff and ignore the complaint.
Sims/801-East Report 15 The fifth complaint about no programs to help find permanent housing: With the “Housing First” (Permanent Supportive Housing) program this is not as much of a problem any more, but there aren’t enough case workers to help with Metrobus or Metrorail fares for transportation, job and placement programs. There is only one case worker and he leaves at 9 pm. That is not enough to serve up to 400 men in a shelter. The sixth complaint about medical care: It is estimated that everyday eighteen people without medical insurance are released into the shelter. There is no adequate medical care or follow-up provided or after care for people that are released from area hospitals. With the Unity Health Care clinic now inside of the 801-East Shelter this has mostly solved the problem of basic health care. Unity Health Care is not open 24/7 with a nurse and a doctor on staff. It is open from Monday through Thursday from 6 pm to 9 pm and they can only see 6 -10 people a day. The seventh complaint about sanitary conditions: Catholic Charities has violated Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005 to provide sanitary conditions of the restroom areas, shower areas, dining room areas, and dorm sleeping areas. The mattresses in the dorm sleeping areas are unclean. The floors are not cleaned daily. The staffs when they do clean after plaintiffs leave, take plaintiff's clothes and throw them away. No one has any blankets and we have to use sheets with rips and holes in them. CC should provide basic essentials such as toilet paper, cups, and clean, sanitary and safe facilities under the HSRA. The food served by DC Central Kitchen is not being handled licensed by food service staff.
Sims/801-East Report 16 At lot of this has changed, but there are some days that the dorms aren’t cleaned. The restrooms and showers are cleaned more often now. Sometimes they run out of sheets. And there are sheets with holes and tears in them. Some are even still wet from the wash because they have not been fully dried by the dryers. They don’t run out of toilet paper as much as they used to. The bathrooms are filthy. The shower curtains can get so disgusting, but they are being changed more often now. The bathrooms are still disgusting. There are feces and urine on the floors, dirt and feces on the walls, no soap to wash hands at the sinks and feces on the toilet instead of in the toilet. The final complaint about search and seizure: Hawk One Security, Inc. ("Hawk One") has abused their authority under their contract with DHS in violating the rights of Plaintiffs under the Equal Protection rights under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Hawk One has also assaulted and threatened Plaintiffs with physical harm. Plaintiffs’ belongings are being searched without probable cause. Hawk One and Catholic Charities has no right to search Plaintiff's property, especially without their consent. Refusal to be searched should not be a bar to entry into the shelter. To do otherwise is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Hawk One is searching Plaintiffs belongings without probable cause. In State of New Jersey vs. SJ Courty, "consent searches" during traffic stops, where individuals are asked for consent to search themselves of their vehicles are unconstitutional without reasonable, articulate, suspicion, of a crime. On this note, when Plaintiffs open their luggage to give our consent to be searched by Hawk One and CC Staff, Plaintiffs are being unjustly harassed without probable cause of any crime being committed. This is a shelter, not a halfway house or anything pertaining to a prison institution. Therefore, Plaintiffs think that Hawk One is superseding their authority against the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Sims/801-East Report 17 The fact that this is being done for our safety is the probable cause. How this complaint came along is that before 801-East shelter had the X-ray machines and hand-held metal detector wand, they hand to physically open your bags, peek around and pat down everyone that walked in. No one likes to be patted down and searched, especially because it is so personal. Also, no matter how much they search everyone, knives and other weapons are still getting in the shelter. You have ex-military who has the training to use just about anything as a weapon. And, those who have been in prison are used to making weapons from household objects like toothbrushes and telephone directories. So how is anyone supposed to feel any safer? In reaction to how the British Crown was able to search their homes and property at any time without their consent, the Founders of this country wrote the Fourth Amendment so that the Federal Government would respect the privacy of its citizens. Law enforcement needs “probable cause” cause to search you and your property. This is usually the case except during emergencies, Martial Law (as under the USA PATRIOT ACT) and if the crime is being committed in plain sight. The Fourth Amendment does not apply when you are entering public and government property. The grounds of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital are U.S. Government property and 801-East Shelter is D.C. Government property under contract to Catholic Charities. As a parent always says to their children, “When you are under my roof, you are under my rules.” Does this mean that while we are under Catholic Charities roof, we are under their rules?
Sims/801-East Report 18 Of course, it does. Just as a parent can search their children’s rooms and belongings, I conclude that Catholic Charities has the right to search people’s belongings.
Catholic Charities Annual Report Sims v. Catholic Charities, et al. asked for the release and disclosure of the most recent annual reports and data provided by Catholic Charities. I have searched their website and it’s still not available. Most non-profit organizations have annual reports. How come Catholic Charities does not have an annual report available to the public? If they are under contract to and receiving money from the DC Government, then how the funds used for the homeless are spent?
DC Central Kitchen The main complaint about the food: There should be a food provider that provides well-cooked, properly prepared, nutritious food with fresh ingredients. D.C. Central Kitchen is not that provider. The food served by DC Central Kitchen is not being handled licensed by food service staff. DC Central Kitchen serves food at facilities operated by Catholic Charities on a regular basis to provide meals to Plaintiffs. It being that this is done on a regular basis, there appears to be a contractual service relationship with regard to the business relations involving these two non-profit agencies. DC Central Kitchen, for the most part, serves “stuff that a dog wouldn’t touch” food to 801-East Shelter. DC Central Kitchen does the best it can with the resources it gets. On that note, several restaurants, and supermarkets donate food to DCCK. I have personally seen trucks from Safeway, Giant and Whole Foods supermarkets. Where is all this good food going to? I know that DCCK has a professional catering service. Are we getting the leftovers?
Sims/801-East Report 19 On visit to 801-East by Ward 6, Councilmember Tommy Wells on November 24, 2008, he is quoted as saying, “that he might eat that (whatever that stuff was) once a week, but not every day.”12 And that it was a type of “gruel.”13 I understand that this is a shelter and not some restaurant, professional catered event or cafeteria in a food court. If children in DC Public Schools can be served decent (and tasty) breakfasts and lunches everyday, then why similar accommodations can’t be made for individuals in homeless shelters? Are children considered more human beings than homeless men? People are willing to do almost anything to humane enough to feed their pet animals, but will stand by and do nothing when they see a fellow human being suffer. One could also make the argument that these are “grown, adult men” who should be able to take care of themselves. If they want something good to eat, then they should buy it themselves. I agree, yet if they had the money to take care of themselves, let alone have a meal to eat, then they would not need to stay in a homeless shelter.
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Conclusion For all the complaints about 801-East Shelter and Catholic Charities, the organization that runs it, I understand that the fact that these services are being provided is an amazing thing in itself. Some people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to remember that at one time in this city, that only churches provided help to the homeless. There are many areas in this country that do not have the services that this city has for the homeless. The first major homeless shelter was the Center for Creative NonViolence (CCNV), founded by Mitch Snyder. And this shelter serves as a model for other similar shelters around the country and maybe the world. Catholic Charities is not a perfect organization, and their employees provide a good service of giving people a bunk to sleep on at night. This is much better than spending time out in the elements. In my introduction, I said that this report is only from my point of view. This is what I have experienced in the two years that I have been there up to now. There needs to be more training and accountability for the staff of 801-East. When I was asked to write a report on 801-East, I thought, â&#x20AC;&#x153;How can I go about this?â&#x20AC;? I have only been as factual as I could be up to my own views and experiences. There is no doubt that this is unlike any report that, you the reader may have read. This is not an academic thesis, an official government report, or a technical white paper. This is just what I have experienced.
Sims/801-East Report 21 Did my failed attempt to sue Catholic Charities make a difference? Well, for the most part, no. I am still homeless and checking in at 801-East. I will remember never to believe a bunch of socalled “jailhouse lawyers” that back off when someone has balls to do something. Now, the bathrooms and showers are cleaned more frequently. The medical care provider, Unity Health Care has “set up camp” in 801-East. The X-Ray machine and metal detector wand works now. DC Central Kitchen is trying the best it can to feed us. The staff is more respectful and courteous to our concerns. Two DC council members (Barry, Ward 8 and Wells, Ward 6) have visited the shelter. The mayor will never visit, nor will anyone else. And, I do not blame them. Their priorities are known. The homeless of DC are not one of them. That does not make them bad people. It just makes them another class of people. You, the reader, based on everything in this report, decide what class they fall into. Let’s keep in mind that the homeless are not just a group of people. These are diverse individuals with their own life stories that have, for whatever reason, fallen on hard times. And it seems that they are being penalized by society for bad decisions and mistakes. And, that is not fair. Of course, life is not fair, but they should expect some fairness from those who are supposed to provide the “safety net” that supports their basic needs as human beings. Yes, still some people aren’t happy and want to complain. You can’t please everyone. I’m not complaining. I’m done fighting and I leave it to men like Mr. Sheptock above and the people at the Committee for Human Services to continue the fight. And, I’m sure that if they fail, someone else will be ready to fight for the homeless of this city.
Sims/801-East Report 22 I can only hope that some day the homeless are treated with as much respect as women admire the style and look of nice, fashionable shoes. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a testament to the reality of the fact that being without a permanent dwelling is like a womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foot being without a pretty shoe. How very undesirable indeed.
Sims/801-East Report 23
Appendix I: Definition of Organizations and Terms
Sims/801-East Report 24
Catholic Community Services of the Archdiocese of Washington (“Catholic Charities” or “CC”) is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under IRS Code § 501 (c)(3) established under the laws of the District of Columbia with offices in Washington, D.C. CC is a donor-supported organization also funded by the Catholic Church that according to their website: “goes where the need is, reaching deep into the communities we serve to bring help for today and hope for the future to the most vulnerable among us. Clients receive services at 88 locations throughout the District of Columbia and five Maryland counties. Our approach to every situation is the same. We focus on prevention where possible, intervention when needed and advocacy when resources or opportunities are either inadequate or unfair.”14 District of Columbia Department of Human Services (“DHS”) administers social service programs and services that primarily benefit low-income District of Columbia residents. The major programs and services are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (“TANF”), Medicaid/Healthy Families, food stamps, family services, early childhood development, rehabilitation services, mental retardation and developmental disability services, and youth services.15 The District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”) whose mission according to their website, “is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the District of Columbia by providing and effectively managing affordable housing which is diverse, well maintained, and aesthetically pleasing for those whose circumstances prevent them from competing in the general marketplace. The District of Columbia Housing Authority seeks to achieve the highest and best use of that housing for people of low and moderate income through the promotion of economic
Sims/801-East Report 25 development and self-sufficiency opportunities and the facilitation of other supportive services.”16 Hawk One Security, Inc. (“Hawk One”) provides security for the District of Columbia Public School system, the District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS"), and all District of Columbia Government agencies. There are two main types. SPO’s (Special Police Officers) are the ones with the guns and Billy club or Night Stick. They usually have Gold or Silver badges that look similar to DC MPD badges and black patches on their gray uniforms. Security officers look similar but have different silver badges and red patches on their uniforms. DC Protective Services (“Protective Services”) provides security for the District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS"), and all District of Columbia Government agencies. They work in tandem with Hawk One but they are an actual DC Police Force that can arrest people. And, like the DC MPD, they have a “License to Kill”17 and beat the crap out of people. They are highly feared by the homeless. DC Central Kitchen, Inc. (“DCCK”) “is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c) (3) corporation that was incorporated on July 27, 1988 and began its first phase of operations on January 20, 1989, redistributing the excess food from the Presidential inauguration.” Also, according to their website, “As a community kitchen, we recycle over one ton of surplus food each day that would otherwise go to waste and turn it into 4,000 meals for the hungry in the greater Washington, DC region.”18 The chronically homeless19 are those with a protracted homeless experience, often a year or longer, or whose spells in the homeless assistance system are both frequent and long.
Sims/801-East Report 26 Catholic Charities claims that the 801 Shelter is an "emergency shelter". According to the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005 (HSRA), no such term exists. The following terms are specified: Section 2-21. "Hypothermia shelter" is a public or private building that the District shall make available, for the purpose of providing shelter to individuals or families who are homeless and cannot access other shelter, whenever the actual or forecasted temperature, including the wind chill factor, falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Section 13-36. "Severe weather shelter" means hypothermia shelter. The term "overnight emergency shelter" is specified in "The [2007] Winter Plan" prepared by DHS and the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, and also listed as 12Hour Emergency Shelters.
Sims/801-East Report 27
Appendix II: Sims v. Catholic Charities, et al. January 2007
Sims/801-East Report 28
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CLIENTS OF THE 801-EAST SHELTER, ) Case No.: No. 070198RMC AND OTHERS SIMILARLY SITUATED, ) ) COMPLAINT AND IN THE INTERESTS OF THE ) ) GENERAL PUBLIC, ) 2700 Martin Luther King Avenue, SE ) Washington, DC 20032 ) ) ) ) )
Plaintiffs, v. CATHOLIC CHARITIES, also known as the CATHOLIC COMMUNITY SERVICES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON, also known as the ASSOCIATED CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON INCORPORATED, 924 G Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001, HAWK ONE SECURITY INCORPORATED, 1331 H Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005, BRIAN WILBON, in his official capacity as Interim Director of the Government of the District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) 64 New York Avenue, N.E., 6th Floor Washington, D.C. 20002,
28
Sims/801-East Report 29
DC CENTRAL KITCHEN, 425 2nd Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001, MARTHA'S TABLE, 2114 14th Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009, MICHAEL P. KELLY, in his official capacity as Executive Director of the Government of the District of Columbia Housing Authority 1133 North Capitol Street N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002
Defendants.
CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT Nature of Complaint 1. This is a class action for injunctive and declaratory relief brought on behalf of current and future clients of the Catholic Community Services of the Archdiocese of Washington ("Catholic Charities" or "CC") and other nonprofit organizations and agencies contracted with the District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS"), as described herein. Plaintiff and all similarly situated clients (collectively, "Plaintiffs") of the 801 East Shelter ("801 Shelter") located at 2700 Martin Luther King Avenue S.E. Washington, D.C. 20032, have been repeatedly subjected to violations of their Equal Protection rights under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Parties 2. Defendant Catholic Community Services of the Archdiocese of Washington ("Catholic Charities" or "CC") is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under IRS Code ยง 501 (c)(3) established under the laws of the District of Columbia with offices in Washington, D.C. CC is a donor-supported organization also funded by the Catholic Church that according to their website: 29
Sims/801-East Report 30 "goes where the need is, reaching deep into the communities we serve to bring help for today and hope for the future to the most vulnerable among us. Clients receive services at 88 locations throughout the District of Columbia and five Maryland counties. Our approach to every situation is the same. We focus on prevention where possible, intervention when needed and advocacy when resources or opportunities are either inadequate or unfair." 3. Defendant Hawk One Security, Inc. ("Hawk One") provides security for the District of Columbia Public School system, the District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS"), and all District of Columbia Government agencies. 4. Defendant District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS") administers social service programs and services that primarily benefit lowincome District of Columbia residents. The major programs and services are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid/Healthy Families, food stamps, family services, early childhood development, rehabilitation services, mental retardation and developmental disability services, and youth services. 5. Defendant DC Central Kitchen, Inc. ("DC Kitchen") "is a non-profit, taxexempt 501(c) (3) corporation that was incorporated on July 27, 1988 and began its first phase of operations on January 20, 1989, redistributing the excess food from the Presidential inauguration." Also, according to their website, "As a community kitchen, we recycle over one ton of surplus food each day that would otherwise go to waste and turn it into 4,000 meals for the hungry in the greater Washington, DC region." 6. Defendant Martha's Table is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation under IRS Code ยง 501 (c) (3) whose mission according to their website, "is to help at-risk children, youth, families and individuals in our community improve their lives through the provision of educational programs, food, clothing, and enrichment opportunities. McKenna's Wagon, our seven-days-a-week mobile soup kitchen feeds more than 1200 hungry and homeless people at many locations in Washington, DC. 7. The District of Columbia Housing Authority ("DCHA") whose mission according to their website, "is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the District of Columbia by providing and effectively managing affordable housing which is diverse, well maintained, and aesthetically pleasing for those whose circumstances prevent them from competing in the general marketplace." "The District of Columbia Housing Authority seeks to achieve the highest and best use of that housing for people of low and moderate income through the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency opportunities and the facilitation of other supportive services." 30
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Class Action 8. Catholic Charities are in violation of the "Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005" ("HSRA"). 9. Hawk One Security, Inc. ("Hawk One") has abused their authority under their contract with DHS in violating the rights of Plaintiffs under the Equal Protection rights under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Hawk One has also assaulted and threatened Plaintiffs with physical harm. Plaintiffsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; belongings are being searched without probable cause. 10. DC Central Kitchen serves food at facilities operated by Catholic Charities on a regular basis to provide meals to Plaintiffs. It being that this is done on a regular basis, there appears to be a contractual service relationship with regard to the business relations involving these two non-profit agencies. 11. All the grant money and donations that Martha's Table receives and all they can give is a stale Bologna and cheese sandwich to a hundred people? There are times that there aren't any sandwiches at all. They also have a tendency to show up late or not at all. 12. Catholic Charities claims that the 801 Shelter is an "emergency shelter". According to the HSRA, no such term exists. The following terms are specified: Section 2-21. "Hypothermia shelter" a public or private building that the District shall make available, for the purpose of providing shelter to individuals or families who are homeless and cannot access other shelter, whenever the actual or forecast-ed temperature, including the wind chill factor, falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Section 13-36. "severe weather shelter" means hypothermia shelter. The term "overnight emergency shelter" is specified in "The Winter Plan" prepared by DHS and the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, and also listed as 12-Hour Emergency Shelters. Under daily experience, no matter how severe the weather conditions are outside, from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, everyday, no matter what, the Plaintiffs must leave the shelter. When it is real cold outside, Plaintiffs have to wait outside. Even before 7:00 PM, Plaintiffs must wait at the gate outside even when there are severe conditions. The most important part of this factor is that we have to wait outside in inclement weather until security (Hawk One) shows up. 13. Hawk One does not have communication with the 801 Shelter. There have been incidents where Plaintiffs have not been let in because of misinformation. The shelter may have beds available, but no Plaintiff can get in because Hawk One has orders to lock the gate at 9:00 PM. Hawk One officers at 31
Sims/801-East Report 32 the gate claim that they don't have phones to call the 801 shelter, but they carry cellular phones and radios. At 5:00 AM, Plaintiffs are allowed to enter the shelter, but when you try to enter, Hawk One says you must enter at 5:30 AM. When you tell them that they are wrong, they threaten Plaintiffs with physical harm and to bar Plaintiffs from the premises. The facility does not close until 8:00 AM, but the Plaintiffs must vacate the premises at 7:00 AM. This is only so that Hawk One can leave early, yet they can come constantly late for their shift, delaying the entry of the Plaintiffs into the 801 Shelter. Then they sit down and take their thirty minute break, further delaying entry into the shelter while the Plaintiffs wait outside in the cold. Also, Hawk One officers are known to fall asleep in the security booth at night. Hawk One employees have shown that they are irresponsible and do not care about the safety of the Plaintiffs. One of the officers has been quoted as saying, "You all have to get out of here, so we can get home to feed our cats." It is evident that Hawk One gives more priority to their pets than the Plaintiffs. 14. Why does Hawk One have female officers working in a male shelter? At the Blue Plains shelter, also known as "D.C. Village", all the security officers are female. Yet at the 801 Shelter these female guards think that their .38 "midnight special" gun and Billy club are enough to protect them from about two hundred men. Their nasty attitude, negative disposition, lack of compassion, impatience and rude demeanor causes conflict and are a distraction to the Plaintiffs who are trying to obtain housing. 15. The air conditioning is on in the shower areas in the winter. It has been in operation for the last three months (since October 2006). From the director on down, nobody seems to know where the keys are to turn it on or off. Plaintiffs are catching colds, flu and pneumonia after they step out of the shower. 16. For taking authoritative action against the 801 Shelter, Plaintiffs risk getting barred from the premises. 17. There are no programs to help find permanent housing. There are no job search/placement programs. Plaintiffs can't get any transportation assistance in the form of Metrobus or Metrorail fares. 18. It is estimated that everyday eighteen people without medical insurance are released into the shelter. There is no adequate medical care or follow-up provided or after care for people that are released from area hospitals. 19. The food served by DC Central Kitchen is not being handled licensed by food service staff. 20. Catholic Charities has violated Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005 to provide sanitary conditions of the restroom areas, shower areas, dining room areas, and dorm sleeping areas. The mattresses in the dorm sleeping areas are unclean. The floors are not cleaned daily. The staffs when they do clean after 32
Sims/801-East Report 33 plaintiffs leave, take plaintiff's clothes and throw them away. No one has any blankets and we have to use sheets with rips and holes in them. CAUSE OF ACTION Violation of the "Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005" ("HSRA") 21. Plaintiff repeats and realleges paragraphs 1-20. 22. Hawk One and Catholic Charities has no right to search Plaintiff's property, especially without their consent. Refusal to be searched should not be a bar to entry into the shelter. To do otherwise is a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Hawk One is searching Plaintiffs belongings without probable cause. In State of New Jersey vs. SJ Courty, "consent searches" during traffic stops, where individuals are asked for consent to search themselves of their vehicles are unconstitutional without reasonable, articulate, suspicion, of a crime. On this note, when Plaintiffs open their luggage to give our consent to be searched by Hawk One and CC Staff, Plaintiffs are being unjustly harassed without probable cause of any crime being committed. This is a shelter, not a halfway house or anything pertaining to a prison institution. Therefore, Plaintiffs think that Hawk One is superseding their authority against the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States and the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. 23. Hawk One has no right to abuse its authority by physically harming and/or threatening anyone. 24. CC should provide basic essentials such as toilet paper, cups, and clean, sanitary and safe facilities under the HSRA. 25. CC has no exit program for Plaintiffs to leave the shelter. No affordable housing program, no medical program, no job program, or anything. 26. There should be a food provider that provides well-cooked, properly prepared, nutritious food with fresh ingredients. D.C. Central Kitchen is not that provider. 27. Plaintiff is entitled to injunctive relief with respect to the release and disclosure of the most recent annual reports and data etc. provided by the Defendant as part of the investigation. 28. DC Housing Authority always claims that there are 50,000 names ahead of each applicant for housing assistance. And that there is no more affordable or public housing being built. 29. Where is the taxpayer's money going to? Requested Relief WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court enter a judgment for Plaintiffs and award the following relief: 33
Sims/801-East Report 34 (a) The Mayor of the District of Columbia under the provisions specified in the HSRA must take an active role. This is not the current mayor's problem. He has inherited this system from the previous mayor. (b) It is estimated that the District of Columbia and the Federal Government are jointly spending at least $186 dollars per person to provide basic needs under the HSRA. Catholic Charities, D.C. Central Kitchen, and Martha's Table needs to be closely monitored and investigated. (c) A permanent injunction prohibiting Hawk One, as under contract of DHS, and their employees, agents, officers, representatives, servants and Catholic Charities staff from violating the Fourth Amendment rights and threatening the safety of the Plaintiffs. (d) An investigation into the finances and practices of Catholic Charities, Martha's Table, D.C. Central Kitchen and Hawk One Security, Inc. (e) Provide for expeditious proceedings in this action. (f) An award to Plaintiffs of attorney's fees and for costs of suit; and (g) An award of such other relief and compensation as the Court may deem just and proper. Respectfully submitted, ________/s/___________________ pro se Francwa Sims Address Washington, DC 20002
34
Sims/801-East Report 35 PETITION FOR REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES RELATING TO "CATHOLIC CHARITIES" AND "HAWK SECURITY, INC." We the undersigned (and all others situated) of the 801 East Shelter, located at 2700 Martin Luther King Avenue S.E. Building No. 801-East, Washington, D.C. exercise our First Amendment right "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." We hereby Petition the Government of the District of Columbia and other non-profit organizations and associated agencies contracted with the District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS") for a redress of grievances relating the inhumane, disrespectful treatment and unsanitary conditions of the 801 East Shelter caused by Catholic Charities, and Hawk One Security, Inc. The Constitution of the United States of America guarantees to every American citizen and to those lawfully on our soil, the right to privacy, freedom from unreasonable searches and to due process of law, and The Constitution guarantees each and every American citizen the unalienable right to life, liberty, and property, and The homeless and poor displaced residents of the District of Columbia are American citizens, therefore Citizens of the United States, and Every American citizen has an unalienable right to freedom from a government that would infringe or erode the unalienable rights to privacy, due process, freedom of association, freedom of information, freedom of speech, and right to legal representation, freedom from unreasonable searches, right to a speedy and public trial, and right to liberty, now Catholic Charities and Hawk One Security, Inc. under contract with the District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS") are in violation of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America and, Catholic Charities are in violation of the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005 for the staff are not "Appropriately trained and qualified", "Culturally competent" and they do not provide "Supportive services" and, Hawk One Security, Inc, has abused their authority under their contract with the District of Columbia Department of Human Services ("DHS") has violated of the Fourth Amendment right to freedom from unreasonable searches and rights to privacy, and threatening the safety of the clients, Catholic Charities are has violated Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005 to provide sanitary conditions of the restroom areas, shower areas, dining room areas, and dorm sleeping areas, The mattresses used in the dorm sleeping areas are not properly cleaned of lice and fungus, etc, 35
Sims/801-East Report 36 The food served by DC Central Kitchen are not being handled by licensed food service staff, Respectfully submitted this 4 day of January, 2007 by: (signatures on subsequent pages attached) Respectfully submitted this 4th day of January, 2007 by: (Names are transcribed from original petition) First Name
Last Name
First Name
1. Anthony
Faine
30.
2. Theo
Young
31.
3. Nathan
Fraztoea?
32.
4. Clyde
Spencer
33.
5. David
Nelson
34.
6. Mike
Harper
35.
7. Amet?
Moore
36.
8. Rand
Thomas
37.
9. Anthony
Jackson
38.
10. Dr. Michael Alle?
Lee
39.
11. Michael
Barnes
40.
12. Donald
Epps
41.
13. Donnell
Underwood
42.
14. Brian
Watson
43.
15. Darren
Page
44.
16. Anthony
Seabrooks
45.
17. Francwa
Sims
46.
18. David
Marhey
47.
19. Smiley
Brown?
48.
20.
49.
36
Last Name
Sims/801-East Report 37 First Name
Last Name
First Name
21.
50.
22.
51.
23.
52.
24.
53.
25.
54.
26.
55.
27.
56.
28.
57.
29.
58.
30.
59.
31.
60.
32.
61.
23.
62.
24.
63.
25.
64.
26.
65.
27.
66.
28.
67.
29.
68.
37
Last Name
Sims/801-East Report 38
Works Cited
38
1
Thompson, Secretary Tommy G. (2003). Ending Chronic Homelessness: Strategies for Action. Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services. 2 Chronically homeless: those with a protracted homeless experience, often a year or longer, or whose spells in the homeless assistance system are both frequent and long. (From the above endnote.) 3 Sims v. Catholic Charities, et al. 2007. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 4 Latin for “as a pauper” The court grants a waiver of court filing fees. 5 No photographs. Cameras are prohibited on the St. Elizabeth Hospital grounds. If you are caught with one, you can be permanently expelled from the 801-East shelter. 6 Hiding from law enforcement is impossible. Catholic Charities works in conjunction with the DC MPD and the US Marshalls. There have been reported incidents of Secret Service agents showing up looking for someone, FBI agents showing up, and US Marshalls waiting outside in an unmarked vehicle. So, it is really idiotic, in my opinion to hide from the law in a DC shelter. 7 While it is true that the ancient Israelites did not support David either. 8 Sims v. Catholic Charities, et al. 2007. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 9 DC Code, Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005 (HSRA). 10 Sims v. Catholic Charities, et al. 2007. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 11 See above. 12 This is from contemporary accounts, speculation and hearsay. 13 "gruel." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 01 Dec. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gruel>. A light, usually thin, cooked cereal made by boiling meal, esp. oatmeal, in water or milk. In this instance, I think he was referring to the taste and consistency of the food. 14 From the Catholic Charities Website. 15 Summarized from the DC DHS Website. 16 From the DCHA Website. 17 “Licence to Kill” One of my favorite “James Bond” movies. Just a bit of humor and trivia. 18 From the DC Central Kitchen Website. 19 Chronically homeless: those with a protracted homeless experience, often a year or longer, or whose spells in the homeless assistance system are both frequent and long. (See endnote #2.)