Volume 10: Issue 5 Month 16 - 29, 2013
Street
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Street Sense aims to serve as a vehicle for elevating voices and public debate on issues relating to poverty while also creating economic opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community.
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Will shelters close in spring?
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A haven for homeless vets.
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Arlington shelter draws ire.
out how Eric 11 Find Thompson-Bey met Ray Lewis.
COVER ART HOPE POSTER COURTESY OF SHEPARD FAIREY OPENING DOORS REPORT BY UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS ILLUSTRATION BY ERIC FALQUERO
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OUR STORY Street Sense began in August 2003 after Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions with the idea to start a street paper in Washington, D.C. Through the work of dedicated volunteers, Street Sense published its first issue in November 2003. In 2005, Street Sense achieved 501 ( c ) 3 status as a nonprofit organization, formed a board of directors and hired a full-time executive director. Today, Street Sense is published every two weeks through the efforts of four salaried employees, more than 100 active vendors, and dozens of volunteers. Nearly 30,000 copies are in circulation each month.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Brian Carome EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mary Otto MANAGING EDITOR Eric Falquero VENDOR/VOLUNTEER MANAGER Allen Hoorn ADVERTISING/COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Rebecca Stewart
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VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Jane Cave, Margaret Chapman, Brandon Caudill, Lilly Dymond, Ashley Edwards, Andrew Gena, Steve Gilberg, Jane Goforth, Roxanne Goldberg, Roberta Haber, Jesse Helfrich, Maurice King, Sean Lishansky, Victoria Hatterman O’Banion, Ashley Perkins, David Piper, Mark Rose, Willie Schatz, David Sellers, Kate Sheppard, Ernie Smith, Lilly Smith, Kelly Stellrecht, Brett Topping, Charlotte Tucker, Bryan Watkins, Marian Wiseman, Eugene Versluysen VENDORS Gladys Akins, Orin Andrus, Charles Armstrong Glenn Artis, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Alan Bates, Grady Baxter, Roberta Bear, Kenneth Belkovsky, Victoria Beaumont, Frosty Bibbee, Phillip Black, Reginald Black, Deana Black, Viktor Blokhine, Harmon Bracey, Debora Brantley, Andre Brinson, Kanon Brown, Reco Brown, Percy Carter, Sunny Chadwick, Conrad Cheek, Lea Ciochetti, Elena Cirpaci, Sarah Colin, Theresa Corbino, Anthony Crawford, Kwayera Dakari, Louise Davenport, Michael Davidson, James Davis, Charles Davis, Clifton Davis, Devon Dawkins, Chino Dean, David Denny, Janna Disraeli, Nema Dixon, Alvin Dixon-El, Charles Eatmon, Richard Embden, Pieus Ennels, Kristin Evald, Betty Everett, Joshua Faison, Patty Feris, Larry Garner, Anthony Gist-El, Marcus Green, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, Dewayne Harrison, Lorrie Hayes, Patricia Henry, Shakaye Henry, Derian Hickman, Vennie Hill, Ibn Hipps, Jaamill Hipps, Anne Marie Holloway, Phillip Howard, James Hughes, Donald Johnson, Tavon Johnson, Mark Jones, Ryan Jones, Evanson Kamau, Tammy Karuza, Mike Leach, Ziang Lin, Anthony Lindsey, John Littlejohn, Michael Lyons, Kina Mathis, Authertimer Matthews, John Matthews, Charlie Mayfield, Marvin McFadden, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffrey McNeil, Kenneth Middleton, Gary Minter, Anton Mitchell, L. Morrow, Jai Morton, Darryl Neal, Charles Nelson, James Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Evelyn Nnam, Amen O’Jango, Moyo Onibuje, Douglas Pangburn, Ebony Pannell, Earl Parkin, Franklin Payne, Aida Peery, Michael Pennycook, Lucifer Potter, Frank Pruden, Ash-Shaheed Rabbil, Clifford Ringwald, Anthony Robinson, Andrell Robsinson, Lawrence Rogers, Melania Scott, Chris Shaw, Veda Simpson, J. Simpson, Patty Smith, Gwynette Smith, Yvette Smith, Terron Solomon, Matt Southworth, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, James Stewart, Billy Sullivan, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Paul Taylor, Archie Thomas, Shernell Thomas, Victor Thompkins, Deborah Tibbs, Jacqueline Turner, Deborah Turner, Bada Umoja, Bertina Woodson
STREET SENSE January 16 - 29, 2013
Future of Shelters in Limbo By Mary Otto Editor-in-Chief Amid worries about the cost of sheltering homeless families, city officials still can’t say whether they will need to shutter emergency shelters for single men and women once the winter hypothermia season ends on March 31. “I can’t tell you right now,” District Department of Human Services Administrator Fred Swan told advocates and service providers gathered Jan. 9 for the monthly meeting of the Coalition of Housing and Homeless Organizations (COHHO). Before any decision can be made on the men’s and women’s shelters, the city must see how much it will spend on housing homeless families in motels this winter, Swan said. The former D.C. General Hospital has served as the city’s family shelter since the squalid D.C. Village shelter was closed in 2008. Last year, additional rooms were renovated at the facility to increase its capacity to 271 families. City officials hoped through the expansion to avoid the high cost of sending homeless families to motels. But on Jan. 9 the hospital shelter was filled, making motel placements again necessary.
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“Right now, those beds are full at D.C. General,’’ Swan said. “We will have to house people in hotels.” The city, which is required by law to protect people from freezing weather, also offers up to 1,331 emergency beds to single men and 427 beds to single women when hypothermia alerts are declared. In past years, beyond the Nov 1 to March 31 hypothermia season, the city has also maintained a system of low-barrier temporary shelters for single people. But when the city began Fiscal Year 2013 with a $7 million shortfall in its homeless services budget due to the loss of federal funds, the prospect of cutting non-winter emergency services to single people was raised. Swan said he believed that funds are now available “to help close the $7 million gap.” Still he could make no guarantee on sheltering single men and women until the city’s homeless families, particularly the children, were cared for. His message sounded similar to the warning offered the members of the city council last fall by Beatriz Otero, the city’s deputy mayor for health and human services. In a letter to the council, Otero said that through efficiencies and additional funds, “the $7 million projected gap in the Homeless Services budget for for FY2013 has been
resolved.” But she added “the gap in Homeless Services, however, will reappear if utilization of family shelter expands beyond 2012 levels.” The city cannot pay for all needs, Swan said. “Legally, we have to prioritize hypothermia services for individuals and families. Its our legal obligation,” Swan said. Beyond the winter season, the city needs to prioritize homeless families due to the vulnerability of the children, Swan said. Tom Howarth, director of the Father McKenna Center, said the homeless men who receive services from his program are frightened they could lose their shelter beds when spring comes. “What do I tell the men?” Howarth asked at the COHHO meeting. “ What is going to happen on April 1?” Howarth left the meeting without answers, or reassurances.
Report on Homeless Attacks A 23-year-old transgender woman who was shot and killed in the District was one of 32 homeless people who were fatally attacked in the United States during 2011, according to a new report. The account of Lashai Mclean’s death, and other instances of rapes, beatings and shootings are included in
a report entitled “Hate Crimes Against the Homeless: the Brutality of Violence Unveiled,” produced by the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH). The cases were gathered from published news sources as well as from homeless service providers and advocacy organizations across the country. Some of the crimes were apparently motivated by bias while, in others, homeless people were seemingly victimized because they were in vulnerable positions, according to the report’s authors. Nationwide, an additional 73 homeless people were injured in nonfatal attacks in 2011, according to the report. Over the past 13 years, NCH has documented 1,289 acts of violence against homeless people by housed individuals. A total of 339 of the victims died as a result of the attacks, NCH found. The NCH supports legislation that would amend the federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act to include crimes against the homeless, as well as legislative efforts that would add homeless persons as a protected class to state hate crime statutes. District police did not respond for a request into the status of the investigation of the death of Lashai Mclean, who was killed in the early morning hours of July 20, 2011 in Northeast D.C.
- Mary Otto
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Shaw Middle Schoolers Find Healthy Cooking a SNAP By Ferris Garel Volunteer “My favorite snacks are apples, carrots and grapes,” explained Sewitt, an eighth grade student at Shaw Middle School. Sewitt was formerly a fan of chips and cookies, foods implicated in America’s ongoing obesity epidemic and the poor health outcomes associated with excess calories. Sewitt learned to look at food a new way when the MicroGreens project came to his school. The eight-week program, created by local chef Alli Sosna, is designed to teach good nutrition while transforming middle school students into chefs. Sosna’s varied career has taken her from high-end gourmet establishments including the Inn at Little Washington and Dean and Deluca to the Food Network show CHOPPED to the nonprofit DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) which feeds and employs the District’s poor and homeless through innovative food recycling and culinary training programs. She left DCCK in June of 2012 to started MicroGreens, in hopes of expanding access to healthy food to District children.. Her recipe combines hands on cooking instruction, meat cutting, vegetable dicing, with a focus on healthy meal planning on a fixed budget. Students learned to get the most nutrition for their money in simple ways, such as buying brown rice instead of white rice, and by adding vegetables to their meals.
“I wanted to give kids the confidence and creativity to make good-for-you, delicious meals on the equivalent of a SNAP budget.” All MicroGreen menus can feed a family of four for $3.50, which is the value of the federal government’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps). In 2012, nearly 20 percent of Americans will apply for the SNAP program. The final class in Sewitt’s MicroGreens course featured a Top “Cheap” Chef competition that included teams of kids competing for a prize. Chicken stir-fry was the menu. Students were graded on their chopping, dicing, meat carving, and seasoning skills. Guest chefs joined Sosna to select the winners. “During the program the kids really cultivated their culinary skills,” stated Sosna proudly. The MicroGreens curriculum included herb chicken soup, coffee crusted pork soup with rice and sweet potatoes, and pulled pork sandwiches with pickled carrots. Joshua, one of the Top “Cheap” Chef winners, said he has been enjoying using his culinary expertise at home. “I liked learning how to eat more for less money. Now I cook with my parents and help them understand what foods are good to eat.” Sosna, who also runs a catering company that donates 8 percent of its earnings to MicroGreens, hopes to expand MicroGreens through grants and partnerships in 2013.
Happy Birthday to Carl Schulze! a man of
style & substance Love, Ana
Chef Alli (top right) and other MicroGreens volunteers work with students from Shaw Middle School during the Top “Cheap” Chef Competition. Dwight (top left) became an expert carrot chopper, while Sewit (bottom left) learned to carve chicken. PHOTO COURESY OF MICROGREENS
STREET SENSE January 16 - 29, 2013
A Haven for Homeless Vets By Jeff Gray Editorial Intern For Army veteran Wilson Rice, Jr., the Winterhaven Homeless Stand Down held on January 12 was more than just a day of free support services for homeless and at-risk veterans. “I also came to socialize with people,” said Rice, Jr., who spent three years homeless before finding government housing. “It’s a great way to see people you haven’t seen in awhile.” The annual event, now in its 19th year, is a daylong drive put on by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) that brings together an array of health care and social service providers to support members of the District’s veteran community struggling with homelessness. Held at the District’s VA Medical Center, this year’s event saw some 70 organizations provide over 500 veterans with services ranging from medical and mental health assistance to housing leads, hot meals and haircuts. “Any facet that deals with the human existence, they have it covered,” praised Rice, Jr. Though the event traditionally focuses on emergency care such as food, clothing and medical aid, VA Medical Center Supervisor Brian Hawkins says a new prevention component was added this year. “For the first time in the 19 years of this stand down we actually have onsite job offers.” Three separate organizations attended the event looking to hire veterans. Hawkins said the VA was hoping that 70 veterans would receive job offers by the end of the day. “This is truly a milestone for our organization,” Hawkins said. “If you can get veterans work, you can potentially prevent them from being homeless.” After registering in the lobby, veterans and their families spread out through the medical center, travelling to the various clinics along predetermined routes. Each veteran was given a checklist of service stops that he or she was required to make before being eligible for the free lunch and comfort kit. Rice, Jr., who took about an hour to complete his rounds, called the process
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ployment counseling. Roosevelt Smith, a 26-year Air Force retiree and member of the Disabled American Veterans was on-hand to donate funding to the VA. He expressed the significance of helping former service members. “It’s important to show up and support fellow vets, especially those that are struggling with homelessness.” The Winterhaven stand down is one of many such events put on throughout the country, and has become part of a national campaign by the VA to end veteran homelessness by 2015. In 2011, 220 stand downs were held, during which over 27,000 volunteers provided service to nearly 46,000 veterans. Statistics suggest the VA’s efforts are having an impact. A 2012 national point-in-time homeless count estimated that 62,619 veterans were homeless on a single night in January, a 17 percent decline since 2009. The campaign is continuing to gain momentum in the DC area, where Hawkins said this year’s Winterhaven boasted all-time highs in both volunteer and veteran turnout. “This thing is growing. The more awareness we get out there the better position we’ll be in to eradicate veteran homelessness.”
street sense me e free tiyou m o s e v w ha Do you nt to know hol p o u r a and w m o r e t o h e c a n d o ??? s vendor Volunteers interact with homeless and at-risk veterans at this year’s Winterhaven Homeless Stand Down. PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF GRAY
a “well-oiled machine.” “It’s run very efficiently,” he said. “I have no complaints at all.” Medical checks included rapid HIV testing, dental and eye screenings, blood pressure checks and Hepatitis C, flu and pneumonia shots. These preventative health screenings are important, said Hawkins, because they “open up
the door” for veterans. “Many people don’t feel like they need to come to the VA hospital until they need massive medical attention,” he explained. “But if we can get them in here and catch [health issues] early, we can prevent that.” Non-medical stops included social services, housing organizations and em-
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Concerns Linger at Final Arlington Shelter Hearing By Mark Rose Volunteer Some residents of Arlington, Virginia, angry about a county plan to open a homeless shelter in a downtown office building, had sharp words for officials at a third and final public meeting. At the January 14 hearing, residents of condominium and apartment complexes near the site contended that the Arlington County Board had ignored their personal safety. And they expressed worries that the planned Homeless Services Center, to be located in a building recently purchased by the county, would would draw violent criminals to their neighborhood and reduce property values in the area. But the project has won praise from advocates for the poor who say the shelter, scheduled to open its doors to the county’s single adult homeless population in November 2014, will help get indigent people off the streets and into job training programs and permanent housing so they can live with dignity. The seven-story Thomas Building at 2020 14th Street, walking distance from Courthouse Metro, was bought Nov. 17 for just over $27 million. Arlington County plans to spend $42.6 million ren-
ovating it over the next five years. In addition to the shelter, the redeveloped building will include office space for county government, as well as space for retail shops and commercial offices. The county plans to close the existing Court Square West emergency homeless facility the day before the new shelter opens. While they are upset, shelter opponents acknowledge they can’t stop the plan from going ahead. “Arlington County is bound and determined to do this,” said Woodbury Heights Condo Association President Kenneth Robinson, its most vocal and consistent critic. In an interview, Robinson said he did not believe the county looked very hard for alternative locations that would have been farther away from homes, though he said a number of such places would have been available. The nearby Court Square emergency shelter, which has operated for 20 years with negligible incidents of crime, is still perceived by neighborhood residents as a potential danger according to Robinson. “I think it is a perceived danger,” he said, “and perception is a reality.” County officials added to the unease of opponents when they said they do not plan to hire security guards to patrol the site. The shelter’s staff will use security
Homeless Memorial Day Songs were sung, candles were lit and memories were shared Dec. 21 in observance of National Homeless Person’s Memorial Day. At this year’s vigil, held at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, participants remembered 45 homeless and formerly homeless men and women who died in the District during 2012. Among them were three Street Sense vendors: Tommy Bennett, Tyrone Murray and Leroy Studevant. Also mourned were former Street Sense vendor manager and poet Jesse Smith Jr. and Brian Anders, a formerly homeless activist with the Community for Creative Non-Violence. In addition, two local women who spent their careers helping the homeless and who died during 2012 were remembered. They were Patricia “Pat” Handy, homeless coordinator for the District of Columbia Department of Human Services and Imogene Stewart, a
cameras to monitor the building’s perimeter. Opponents contended that if a fight were to start, staff could not summon police in time to stop the violence. “It sounds like you’re blowing off the community; a security camera is not going to help you when you have a situation,” said a woman in the audience. Arlington Police Department Captain Andy Penn countered that his department’s response time is noted for its speed; the nearest officer would immediately go to the scene of a fight or other dangerous incident in progress. The county’s Justice Complex is right across the street from the shelter site. Shelter advocates, led by Kathleen Sibert, executive director of A-SPAN, the Arlington non-profit that will run the shelter and runs the current one, said she is delighted the shelter is going forward. But she added in an interview she understands the opponents’ concerns. “I understand they’re really afraid, afraid it’s going to change (the neighborhood) a lot.” In reality, she added, “it’s not going to change anything.” Sibert noted that these people are not criminals just because they’re homeless. She added that her organization, which has run the Court Square emergency shelter just down the street for
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NATIONAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
religious leader, shelter founder and advocate for the poor. The annual Memorial Day, observed here in Washington, D.C. and in over 150 other cities and towns across the country, was organized by groups including the National Coalition for the Homeless. The vigils, held every year since 1990, provide a time and place for friends and advocates to mark the passing of homeless lives. The events are also intended to call attention to the continuing toll homelessness takes on individuals and communities nationwide. -Mary Otto
about 20 years without incident, expects no crime or violence problem at all. “What does homeless mean? It just means you don’t have a home.” If a homeless person comes to them who is a danger to himself or others, they will direct that person to assistance elsewhere or to the nearby emergency room at Arlington’s Virginia Hospital Center. “I don’t think there should be fear of these people at all,” said Sue Randall, a retired Arlington County school teacher who attended. “They’re like you and me.” Randall spent her career teaching teens who spoke languages other than English. “it’s harder to keep control of my kids (than to control the This new shelter, which will be open to Arlington’s homeless year-round and around the clock will offer the homeless a “year-round opportunity for a place to go,” said South Arlington resident Jeff Brady. “It’s been a long time coming.” A required special use permit hearing before the county planning commission to deal with residential zoning in a business-zoned area is scheduled for March 4, and a further hearing before the Arlington County Board is set for March 16 or 19. Renovation is expected to start in the fall of 2013.
STREET SENSE January 16 - 29, 2013
Why Homelessness Endures By Allen Hoorn Vendor and Volunteer Manager What started as an oral history of people experiencing homelessness has become an in-depth historical view into the forces that have contributed to the persistence of homelessness in the United States. In his book “Derelict Paradise,” published by the University of Massachusetts Press in 2011, Daniel Kerr seeks to understand why homelessness has apparently become more entrenched than ever in our society, despite the billions of dollars spent on shelters and social services to end it. Kerr, now an assistant professor at American University, was raised in Cleveland at a time when homelessness was often a feature story on the evening news. But rather than dedicate himself to the academic study of solving homelessness, he decided he wanted to participate first-hand in the solutions of the day. He joined the squatter’s movement in New York City, where participants claimed abandoned factories and warehouses as places to live. Kerr came away from several years of participation in the movement with a growing sense of a paradox: that many organizations and policy makers were championing programs and initiatives that often served to institutionalize homelessness rather than to end it. Desiring a real discussion of the causes and solutions to homelessness, Kerr began his oral history project with his fellow squatters before returning to his hometown.
“Derelict Paradise” was written as an exploration of more than a century of homeless policies and practices in Cleveland. The title was drawn from a report to the Cleveland City Council by service providers frustrated that organizations often competed to provide relief services to people experiencing homelessness. These service providers claimed the widespread availability of help from various sources made Cleveland into a paradise for vagrants and derelicts. Using stories from local newspapers, official documents, and interviews, Kerr takes readers on a journey into homelessness from the peak of the Industrial Revolution through the Great Depression, postwar urban renewal, to the growing racial tensions of the 1960s to the resurgence of homelessness at the end of the 20th century. From the days of the Industrial Revolution, where skilled workers were often displaced by lower skilled and lower cost workers, Kerr looks at successive waves of loss and disenfranchisement. Even as the workforce became increasingly expendable and living costs rose, policy makers failed to give much thought to how workers should go about recovering that which they were losing. The theme is carried throughout the book as low-income residents are forced from their homes to make way for higher rent addresses and amenities for the rich. Shelters and jails have contained the displaced poor, but have not replaced that which was taken away. While the theme of lost space and opportunity carries through the book, “Derelict Paradise” seeks to look beyond
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the effects to the causes. Kerr contends that the organizations and public officials and community leaders entrusted with the task of eliminating homelessness also frequently benefit from the implementation and continuation of policies that, in practice, perpetuate it. “Derelict Paradise” was written with deep insights into the experience of homelessness, yet also lays out the plans, programs, policies and practices designed by decision makers. And while Kerr’s sympathies seem to lie with the poor rather than the persons making the decisions, he is careful to point out, the primary actors believed they were making the right decisions for the good of the community and usually did not intend to perpetuate social injustice. The author worked hard to make his
book engaging and readable in hopes that someone living in a shelter or on the street might pick it up and see their own story in the larger narrative. Yet readers should not mistake the accessibility of the book for easy reading. Many of the topics Kerr tackles have been the focus of entire volumes twice as long as “Derelict Paradise.” In the end, Kerr’s book offers a vitally important historical perspective on policies and practices affecting homelessness. By focusing on one city, rather than tackling the entire spectrum, Professor Kerr is able to draw direct lines from specific policies and measurable effects. For anyone wanting to learn about the causes and history of homelessness in the United States, “Derelict Paradise” is indispensable.
cized stories over the decades often gussied up the “quaint” aspects of plantation life at the expense of the real deal: Slaves were intimidated, tortured and worse at the whim of “the master.” Tarantino pulls no punches as he unspools the sojourn of a Germanborn bounty hunter with impeccable aplomb (Christoph Walz) who teams up with a wronged freeman (Jamie Foxx) with explosive results. Their final collision with a sneeringly vicious yet suave cotton lord (Leo DiCaprio) blows the lid off all the sup-
posed niceties of a less-than-perfect world order circa 1858. Special kudos to the star turn of Samuel L. Jackson as Stephen, whose “house rules” as he’s observed them all his life have been far from kosher. Often accused of being ‘over the top,” Tarantino, who earned his reputation with such pics as Kill Bill I and II, Pulp Fiction and From Dusk till Dawn, has topped ‘em all this time with Django Unchained, which I easily dub this director’s Great American Epic Numero Uno!
BLOWING UP TARA: REVIEWING “DJANGO UNCHAINED” By Chris Shaw, “The Cowboy Poet” Vendor For those of you readers who aren’t aware, this “Cowboy” is quite the movie maven, particularly when it comes to blazing flamboyant Westerns more hoary critics long ago dubbed “oaters,” (equines and stagecoaches were usually involved). Add to my faves chart, any Italian western by Sergio Leone PLUS any crazy groundbreaking flick by Quentin Tarantino! Now comes Tarantino’s latest quizzi-
cally smashing work, Django Unchained. How to describe the plot, or even the makings of this florid, torrid tale in boundless Magna-Vision? Take a touch of Two Rode Together, another of Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, put in a pinch of Mandingo, and the kitchen sink too, padded with the aura of my favorite, Unforgiven, and whew. One begins to grasp the breadth and depth of Django. As our nation approaches the 150th anniversary of the emancipation of the slaves, it’s easy to see that romanti-
A
s we see President Obama inaugurated for a second term on Jan 20th, I wonder what lies ahead. Will he draw inspiration from FDR’s New Deal? From LBJ’s Great Society? Bring the troops home from Afghanistan? Will he be the president to bring peace to the Middle East? Will he stand his ground or submit to the Republicans and make cuts in Social Security and Medicare in the name of compromise?
The next four years won’t be easy. First, I am concerned about human rig hts, both here and abroad. The military detention and interrogation facility at Guantanamo Bay remains open. Government surveillance under the Patriot Act has been expanded. Drone attacks are also a source of worry. I would like to see a non-partisan committee investigate his justification of them. Then there is real gun control. Achieving it would present challenges to the second and fourth amendments.
human rights!
Gun owners are not going to give up their guns without a fight. I don’t think the anti-gun crowd would put up with the guerrilla tactics that would be needed; searches and seizures and violations of civil liberties. Americans love their constitution and are not willing to give up their certain freedoms. I think we need to strengthen the laws we have and bolster funding for the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco. Firearms and Explosives. A ban on assault weapons will take a strong hand. Its useless to try to use logic in dealing with special interests who put profit over public safety. These people have no conscience and no decency. Obama should just impose new laws and let them go through the courts. Maybe he will get lucky. If pro-gun judges retire he can appoint more liberal judges who will ban assault weapons. Lastly I would like Obama look at the existing laws to see how we can curb offensive language mainly from the Farright on public airwaves . There are many reasons political discourse has become polarized but I believe this started with the abolition of the fairness doctrine back in the 1980s.
gun co
ntrol!
That ended unbiased journalism and created industrialized extremism, allowing large corporations to buy up public airspace. Now they say anything they want and are not accountable for the consequences. Mentally ill people hear their hateful propaganda as a call to arms, resulting in the killings sprees we are witnessing. And the culprits are not only the farright commentators. Corporations, movie directors and others who are more concerned with profit than ethics share the blame. I think we need to consider placing restrictions on people saying things that could jeopardize others. There should be more balance, in news, government, and in society itself. Fairness does not impose on free speech. It allows people to make rational decisions There are more things I would like to see but these I feel are top priority.
STREET SENSE January 16 - 29, 2013
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Letters To The President Victoria Beaumont Vendor Dear Mr. President, I am Victoria Beaumont, Street Sense vendor #438. I’m sure you have heard of Street Sense or at least you’ve seen us around wearing our bright lime green vests. Anyway, sir, we were in our Writers Group discussing what we would like to see you do in your second term. I figured you had enough political talk, so these are my wishes. First, can I borrow Michelle’s Jimmy Choo shoes? (Size 7, please.) But seriously, sir: your wife is a true First Lady lady, and I mean lady in every sense of the word. She is a true role model. Not just for African-American women, but for females of all ages, classes and races. Second, can I please be Bo’s official dog walker? I may be mistaken, but I believe I heard somewhere that Bo’s breeder or dog family has some kind of connection with Pittsburgh. I grew up in Pittsburgh,so, Bo and I would definitely get along during football season. (Go Steelers!!) Third, please continue being an excellent husband and father. Also, take care of our troops and our country. Fourth, have a successful second term. (If you want to send a few VIP tickets to the Inaugural Ball my way, I would not complain.) Above all, Barack, we at Street Sense love you. Bless you and your family!!
Chris Shaw Cowboy Poet Dear President Obama, I supported you daily the only way I could in 2012: shouting “Yes We Can!” in a trades union marching information line. Two decades ago, I was swept into official White House protocol as a member of newly elected President Bill Clinton’s transition team- Correspondence division. Would that in the year of our Lord 2013, there were a place for an eager and EXPERIENCED individual who still believes that he shares the energy and foresight for a world of equality and progress, even though his birth age now has a “6” in front rather than a “2,” a “3” or a “4”. Best wishes to you, sir.
By Barron Hall Vendor
Cynthia Mewborn Vendor, “C=MB”
I see my president cry on national television about babies being shot down by sick white men who would probably be afraid if they were at war. But nobody cries for our young black boys shooting each other down in the streets right here in the nation’s capital just because they are trying to survive the ghetto. Is this part of the War on Terror or is it part of the black man’s way of life, as he tries to survive in America? I wonder what happened to the 13th Amendment? How long do we fight each other for the crumbs that fall from the table? I think America has cut us off to save itself. We have young black men fighting and dying in the richest nation of the world because of poverty and at the same time we host the most corrupt and unfair leader in the world being protected in our White House. My God tells me the last shall be first and the first shall be last. So when you start gun control, start in our neighborhood first .
My wish list to the president is that the Government keeps its promise to end homelessness by 2020. I believe that once homelessness and poverty ends in the nation’s capital it will end worldwide. In the District we have roughly 7,000 homelessness individuals who “cannot afford permanent housing” and live on the streets or in shelters. When we come up with a solution to end homelessness in Washington you can best believe all other great leaders will follow. This nation wasn’t founded on being great because we settle for less or second-rate standards, this nation is great because we write the standards and create the solutions. The nation spends more when we settle for less or accept second-rate as a whole. Homelessness isn’t a policy issue it’s a moral issue. Let’s get in right first here in Washington so the rest of the world can following our lead……. Thank you Mr. President.
John “Mick” Matthews Vendor 1. Help rebuild the Middle East peace process so that the international community can focus on its myriad domestic issues. 2. Give DC statehood a chance. 3. Decriminalize marijuana at the federal level. 4. Create a more cooperative relationship between the executive and legislative branches of our federal government so the words “fiscal cliff” can vanish from our vocabulary. 5. Change how history is taught in schools, using more primary sources.
“January 7, 2009 Street Sense vendors first write ‘Letter to Obama’”
10
A Decade of
IMPACT Street Sense
COMICS & GAMES
TERRON’S GAME: STREET SOCIAL MEDIA
Greets & s t e e M ator” e r C is H “
By Terron Solomon Vendor
STREET SENSE January 16 - 29, 2013
OPINION
How I Met Ray Lewis
The Paper with a Heart
By Eric Thompson-Bey Vendor
By Victoria Beaumont, Vendor 438
First of all, for those who don’t know who Ray Lewis is, he’s a future Hall of Fame middle linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens. He is set to retire from football after 17 years in the league. But when I met him, in the summer of 2005 or 6 -- I can’t quite remember which -- it wasn’t his plays-of-the-year or his Super Bowl win that impressed; it was the time he took to give me a few encouraging words. The Black Caucus was in town at the Washington Convention Center. I had heard that after the convention attendees would be dining at the 701 restaurant on 7th Street by the Archives-Navy Memorial Metro station. I knew that would be a good time to see some famous celebrities and panhandle a few bucks. Of course this was before I was introduced to Street Sense. I was sitting in front of the restaurant on a small wall, watching the celebrities exit their limousines to go inside. I sat there with my cup asking, “Can you spare a little change?” None of the people took time to even acknowledge me. Then a car pulled up
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and three men got out. One walked up to me and said, “What’s up big slim?” At first I didn’t recognize the face. He then put his hand out to give me a handshake. During the handshake he put a $100 bill in my hand and said, “Keep your head up, God’s got you.” Then with I realized with amazement, “Ray Lewis! Can I get your autograph?” As he started to walk away with the other two men who I did not recognize, he said, “If you’re here when I come back I’ll give it to you, but remember - God’s got you.” He walked into the restaurant. I sat there for about an hour waiting for Mr. Lewis to come out -- still shaking my cup asking for space change. After about an hour, I went on my way. Mr. Lewis was the only one of the celebrities that gave me money that day. Yes, the money was good to have, but that one or two minutes that he took out of his time to spend with a homeless man like myself meant a lot to me. As I’ve been reading about his retirement, I found out that he does a lot of charity work, not just for the homeless, but for people in general. I’m not a Baltimore Ravens fan, but I’m a big fan of Ray Lewis.
CHILDREN’S ART: TO: MOM, LOVE: WYNNTER
-Wynnter, age 6 There are 1,880 children experiencing homelessness in the District. The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project visits 6 different transitional housing and emergency shelter programs to provide weekly activities, healthy snacks, and opportunities to play and learn to as many children as possible.
Courtesy of the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project
My Dear Loyal Street Sense Readers, By now, I know you have heard more than enough from every person asking you for donations. I also realize that rising prices affect every area of your life, from the subway to utility bills to parking. Unfortunately, everything is going up--other than your income. I truly, truly understand this. But, even though our requested donation has risen to $2, please continue to support
us as you always have. I may be showing my age here, but... Remember the movie “Mr. Mom”, starring Michael Keaton and Terri Garr? (I obviously do!) When she was working for Scuna Tuna, she would say, “Please buy and support Scuna Tuna, the tuna with a heart.” Well, in these tough times I am asking you to please continue supporting Street Sense, the paper with a heart. Thank You!
Why $2? By Brian Carome Executive Director Last fall, we decided to increase the suggested contribution for a copy of Street Sense to two dollars and that change went into effect January 2nd. It was the first time in nine years that we asked our readers to pay more for the paper. We rely on circulation to cover nearly 25 percent of our operating expenses, and therefore we came to this decision cautiously, knowing it might lead, at least temporarily, to a decrease in circulation. We did not make the change to upgrade to a higher quality paper, add new features to the publication, or invest in online infrastructure to deliver the paper electronically, as some might guess. Quite simply, we made the change because our vendors deserve a raise. Under any circumstances, directsales is difficult work. It takes determination, incredible self-motivation, a
willingness to smile and be courteous in the face of rejection, and perseverance. In the case of the 130 Street Sense vendors who distribute our newspaper every day, it takes a willingness to work in whatever weather conditions Mother Nature serves up. Because they believed so strongly in our product and the opportunity for betterment that association with Street Sense offers, our vendors actually volunteered to take a pay cut in 2009 in order to help stabilize the organization as the recession began to affect our other income streams. They agreed to pay 35 cents for each copy of the paper, up from 25, reducing their profit margin by 10 percent. While the January 2nd rate change to our readers coincides with an increase in the per paper price for vendors of 15 cents, it means that your vendor keeps $1.50 for each paper he or she distributes, a 131 percent increase. It is our goal and genuine hope that this change quickens the path beyond homelessness for more of our vendors. Let us know what you think, by contacting me at brian@streetsense.org.
Happy Birthday to our Vendors! Ken Belkosky - 1/17 Quentin Sanders - 1/17 Chris Shaw - 1/17
The Street Sense Writers’ Group is led by two writing professionals and meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The group’s goal is to develop ideas and colaborate on the next great issue of Street Sense.
Before the Rain, Part 13: The Great Green Vortex By Chris Shaw “The Cowboy Poet” WHERE WE LEFT OFF: Loomis had undergone an emotional paradigm shift by scooting out of Ms. Lyndsey Patterson’s orbit and drifting off by aluminum dory to a strange Spiritual Church in what was most likely the Seventh Ward. Down the Irish Channel in the Garden District, Mr. Purslane had quit trying to light his fat cigar. “Dammie,” he snarled, “Now where is that doggoned wife of mine?” She was nowhere to be seen; likewise, a huge ancient cypress had swept down, flattening his porch and separating Purslane from his house. Meantime, the harried Lindsey Pat-
Housing for Veterans By Gwynette Smith Vendor The Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home on Rock Creek Church Road in Washington houses veterans and even has a golf course for veterans and their guests. The land is spacious and so nice that President Lincoln located his summer cottage there when he was in the White House. It is now open for tours, with a statue of Lincoln and his horse near the front entry. On the grounds is the Sheridan Building, with its beautiful rooms, and there
Happy New Year! By Aida Basnight-Peery Vendor I am glad that 2012 is over with, and am ready to move on to a new year with a new husband. Unfortunately, I am still unemployed. But, since I have a new last name, maybe I can find work as an administrator assistant or as an information system analyst. I’m an excellent typist and have soft skills, meaning that I can deal with all ages, different personalities and backgrounds. Selling Street Sense should be
terson was now in command of a swollen-tired amphibious APV, choogling up the swirling eddies of Poydras Street, the convention center was fading into a blurrish speck. Her seatmates in the amphib were two Louisiana guardsmen in full camo with loaded assault weapons and a guy in a tie who could have been anchor Brian Williams or roving troubleshooting reporter Anderson Cooper. She couldn’t care less who it was. Where in the blazes was this poor Loomis? More importantly, why did Lindsey care about this befuddled middle-aged man-child? At this moment the object of Ms. Patterson’s obsession was on a most peculiar trajectory, indeed. Manning the prow of the aluminum swamp dory, Sistah Helena Temple stood impassively as
her ‘flock’ guided the dented (but not yet stove-in) metal craft over a slew of tarry-looking slop. Loomis, in and out of his inner fog, observed to no one in particular. Then all Hades broke loose as the boat clipped a partially submerged hearse from Ghislaine’s Mortuary. Amazingly, the Sister held sway, but Loomis, astern and unaware, bounced out into the slop. The row boat drifted southward, and Loomis, spluttering and dog paddling, shoved away from the wrecked hearse, and wound up on the roof of a shotgun house with a hole chopped in. He grabbed for dear life onto a weathered blue and red tin sign reading “House of Goofer Dust and Other Remedies.” Loomis slipped awkwardly sidewise across his backside over a few
is a new Scott Building that is being built. There are activities and recreation for the residents. During special occasions, they watch firework shows from a very high point. There are day trip outings, too. There is also a church and some housing for staff on the grounds. With so many homeless vets in Washington, it is easy to wonder if some of that land could be used for some of them. Boston has a shelter for homeless veterans, and other places probably do, too. Meanwhile, the Walter Reed campus is now closed, and there is another facility for veterans in Bethesda. Could Walter Reed or the Soldiers’ and Air-
men’s Home possibly be made into homeless veterans from around the a place homeless veterans could get country. It only needs to have housing help, counseling, temporary shelter, built on the land. The difference beand maybe have some housing available tween homeless and regular veterans is that could be permanent or long-term? the ability to pay for housing. Of course the current residents might want some separation in housing. There is a spirit of cooperation, I believe, and recent veterans have found work at that location, and maybe in Bethesda, too. By John “Mick” Matthews Which location, I wonder, would be more Vendor likely, Washington or Bethesda, or could it be both? Potential The veterans have property in Silver That piece of what it means to be human, Spring, Maryland that they have had for That never gets satisfied in a lifespan some time and that is basically unde- Of very few months to almost a century. veloped. It would be ideal for housing The spark of what could be That would no longer be “could” new and older customers I have found But “have been” if completely achieved during the two years of selling the paNot the beginning but the end. per. But, my status as a vendor is not enough to convince a property manager Possibility that I would be responsible enough to The answer of “what if,” not “what was” keep up with the monthly rent. The near-infinite span of a life For two years I have pounded out That can bring calamity or a golden age or resumes and cover letters, attended job fair after job fair and even walked Normalcy the pavement throughout Washington, Which is why potential can never be satisMaryland and Virginia. fied So, if there is anyone in the Washing- For no mere mortal can ever truly have ton area that can find it in their hearts the courage to help me find a job, I would greatly To completely fulfill his appreciate it. As the slogan goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Potential
proof enough of my soft skills. My new husband has a disability and his income only supports his needs, not mine. So, my new marriage isn’t based on his money, but on the fact that we fell in love with each through mutual respect, friendship and companionship. We met at the shelter and one thing led to another. But we are still homeless and still trying to find housing. However, that can’t happen unless I find a job so I can help pay for bills that I know we will accumulate while living in an apartment. My only income now is selling Street Sense. Don’t get me wrong, I love Street Sense. I love the
rows of rough tarpaper shingles, before dropping through the hole in the house’s roof and falling into a stifling, but strangely dry, room. He spotted a most wizened figure, wearing a sequined head scarf and peacock feather. He squinted, trying to make out the shape... could it be... it was! “MOJO MAN,” cried Loomis almost in terror “Is that... You?!!” “Ask no questions. Too soon,” the figure croaked softly. “W-what’s Goofer Dust?”, asked Loomis Reader, trembling. “It might be whut got me back heah, boy...So, would you like to try some?” ” (To be continued)
The Unborn
STREET SENSE January 16 - 29, 2013
11 3
FEATURE
PART TWO
ISOTOPIA A place where the people care for no one but themselves...
By Ibn Hipps Vendor
A
bandoned buildings, people sleeping on the street, little work, poor economy, broken homes, broken laws, hate amongst the races, wars and dying soldiers! Weary and old, this world of Isotopia. Polluted air causes her to cry tears of fiery flames. Dying crops, her heart beats slow. The motion stops, end of life, no love left. Unworthy sacrifices, we took till there was nothing left to take. Sad and innocent people, starving children, wounded soldiers with no fight left in us for goodness. (Isotopia) Josh warns his wife and kids every night and every day about the dangers of the city. He gets harrassed and hit-on by the female homewreckers of Isotopia, just like Melissa does by the male homewreckers. Life is very hard for the married couple. Josh has gotten into endless fights: alley fights, knife fights, and even shoot outs to protect his family and home. There are no churches,
no mosques, no place of religion to pray - so they pray from the heart, in their own home of Strive 77 Dr. E. of Isotopia. Every so-called friend Josh had stabbed him in the back and tried hard to break his happy home. In Isotopia’s cold fiery streets, death and starvation lie around every corner. Sex, lies and murder live in these streets of depression, lost souls and sin. Josh dreams of a better life for him, his wife, and five kids. Good hearts get eaten alive in a city like this. Josh fell victim to the female vampires that prowl the streets at night in Isotopia. He cheated more than once, falling to the sadness of the city after working long nights to support his family. His wife loves him unconditionally, so she tries hard to make things work. She’s been faithful for all seven years they’ve been together. Josh loves her also, but feels weak at times of sorrow and depression. (Isotopia) Backstabbing people live here, says Melissa. Josh and his family know they can never trust the laws and the people
of this God-forsaken city. Every night Josh leaves for work Melissa prays for his safe return, she worries a lot about him. It would be hard to raise five children alone if something happened to him, this is her nightmare. There are no more good men out here as she prays for her family’s salvation. Without Josh in her life this world would be fatal to the family, says Melissa of Strive 77 Dr. E.of Isotopia. Melissa recalls the time when Josh tried to use the streets of Isotopia : squeeze them for a little bit of money (y’know, street money, drug money, you name it!) You name it, Josh was in it, but his love for Melissa caused him to slowly stop. His old crew didn’t like that, they saw right through him. Josh wasn’t a cold hearted person and they were starting to see that. They tried to kill him, and his whole bloodline. Josh gathered some old friends he had from a tribe called True Heart Soldiers. They murdered and killed everyone who tried to harm his family and got away smooth. In a city like Isoto-
ILLUSTRATION BY ERNIE SMITH
pia, no one cares about no one. They have laws, but the laws are more corrupt than the streets. Money rules the world, people say. That’s why Josh is so overprotective of his whole family, especially his wife and kids. (Isotopia) During that bad-boy time Josh went through, says Melissa, he and a supposed friend were saving money to start a businesses. (They did) But Josh’s friend got us robbed and nearly killed. If Josh hadn’t been armed, well... (Josh tried to squeeze Isotopia, and it bit ‘im in the ass! It nearly cost his family their lives. If it wasn’t for his real friends, we’d be dead.) Josh’s friends got involved and eliminated all of his problems. The law got involved, but Josh’s friends paid the law. (“Unsolved Case,” “Evidence Contaminated,” the works!) Sin City, better known as Isotopia, contained some of the worst criminals and people that you would ever know. Josh also has true-hearted friends and family in the police force, judges, lawyers: a secret society of good-hearted people. They all believe in one God, and that he is sending a child born of pure heart and love. And this child shall grow and shine: Light of Love amongst the people of Isotopia, says Melissa. (to be continued)
Good Morning By Linda Williams Vendor First let me say: Thank God for waking Me up and saving another blessing for me. Without him, where would I be today? Good Morning Who wakes up and prepares herself To be homeless Or looks forward to being worse off than yesterday? Neither do we look forward to being on the Outside looking in. But if I do look forward To be able to say Good Morning. Homelessness comes in many forms. Some people become homeless within themselves. “Take Inventory” Good Morning. I’m so glad God accepts me as I am. Without him, Where would I be today? I’m one of his children, and he loves me. Good Morning. Especially to all of my Street Sense family And Street Sense readers. I love you. Remember, God loves us all. To you I’d like to say Good Morning.
Street Sense Part 8 By Mike Pennycook Vendor I have a 7 month old son now. I’ve been spending a lot of time with him. I take him fishing, he likes it. He and fishing might be the most important things in my life. It feels important, at least. This past fall I’ve spent fishing instead of selling papers. I’m back mostly at Friendship Heights, but I have a nice new perspective. A lot of this personal growth I attribute to my son. I’ve been fishing for years; it is the most relaxing thing for me. It doesn’t enlighten me or give me new perspectives on myself or the others around me. When I am on the street things feel different now. Things have changed, I have changed. My priorities have changed and I am not sure if other people’s priorities have. I’m pretty sure that my new perspective is a result of my changed priorities. My son has been the catalyst of my pri-
orities changing. Fishing is my time to think all these things over. I guess that is the moral of this story, everyone has to take time to themselves, immerse themselves in the things that make them happy. Once happy, perspectives change, priorities are different. Phew, thanks for fishing. Gives me time to recollect with my son about what goes on in my life. Do I need permission to be a different person on the job in Friendship Heights? Does my new perspective make me judgmental? Do my new priorities put me on a different plane than other people? I say NO to these questions. Others will say otherwise, I know that. I’ve admitted my part. I will be able to handle all else from all others. All I can ask of others is to not automatically stick to the first thought that comes to their head. To anyone that may pass by Friendship Heights, just think of your most favorite, most relaxing thing in the world. That’s probably what I will be doing, thinking about fishing and my son.
A New Year “2013” By Evelyn Nnam Vendor Goodbye 2012 and hello 2013! All the times we laughed and had fun are over now. We are entering into a new year and that year is 2013. I am so happy that another year has passed and it is time to transition into a new year! I know that 2013 will mean more laughter, more enjoyment, more change, and more new unexpected things to come. You know that many times when you enter into a new year, that it’s a good sign of getting the things you may want or may need. We
Helping Others By Phillip Black The Cat in the Hat
will also receive a lot of good changes that we will need to be successful in the future. We will see new people and make new friends. We will also get more opportunities to get jobs and to work for big companies and businesses. A new year is when new babies are born and experience a new year full of excitement and thrills! Thank God for what he has done in 2012 and what he will do in 2013. Thanking God for more years that we are growing older beyond our years richer for the best. This is a new year and this is a new year now. I thank you all and be blessed. God bless you all.
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If you want to feel good about yourself, try helping other people; it goes a long way. We are living in a world today where most people feel that every man or woman is for themselves. It should not be that way; but most of the time this is the case. A friend of mine’s mother passed away last year, and he had a lot of his mother’s clothes. He wanted to throw them away. So I asked him ‘why don’t you give them to the Salvation Army or a woman’s shelter’? He told me he didn’t want to be bothered with that. So I suggested to him that we should take the clothes to homeless women. When we did, he was so surprised at how many women wanted the clothes that a look of joy came across his face. You would have had to see it to believe it. You can help people in a lot of ways today. With clothes, shoes, old hats, and gloves. What is trash to you is like treasure to someone else. I believe in the power of prayer and I pray that people helping people will better all of us. My New Year’s resolution is to help others. When you can give your time, your advice, old clothes, shoes, or food to someone in need, you will get a feeling inside that no one can take away. Remember: in the course of your busy day, try to help someone. The feeling that creates will last a lifetime.
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Service Spotlight: Community of Hope By Kate Glantz Volunteer On Saturday, Jan. 19, Community of Hope will lead organization and deep cleaning of the Girard Street housing facility as part of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. The event is open to volunteers or groups aged 14 and older. Those interested in participating should contact the volunteer coordinator (asumpter@cohdc.org) for more information, but cleaning up housing facilities is hardly all Community of Hope does. For over three decades, Community of Hope has supported homeless and low-income families and individuals in Washington, D.C. to build healthier, more stable futures. The organization helps people get back on their feet with programs that provide shelter, healthcare, and educational opportunities. Housing assistance ranges from temporary to long-term and connects
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS HOTLINE 1-888-7WE HELP (1-888-793-4357)
SHELTER Calvary Women’s Services 110 Maryland Avenue, NE (202) 289-0596 (office) (202) 289-2111 (shelter) www.calvaryservices.org Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW (202) 745–7118, www.missiondc.org Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393–1909 www.newhopeministriesdc.org/id3.html Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232–7356,www.communityofhopedc.org Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE (202) 610–9600, www.covenanthousedc.org John Young Center (Women) 119 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469, www.catholiccharitiesdc.org
beneficiaries to resources, including job referrals, counseling, and mentoring programs. Community of Hope also offers healthcare to uninsured and underinsured people at two local health centers. Later this year, a health and resource center will open to serve the comprehensive health needs of Ward 8 residents. In 2012, Community of Hope supported approximately 7,000 homeless, low-income, and underserved individuals through its housing and healthcare programs, representing an 11 percent increase from 2011. In spite of this impressive uptake, Executive Director Kelly Sweeney McShane insisted, “There is a lot more to be done. We’re committed to providing the highest quality [programs] and serving families as well as they deserve.” There are many ways for volunteers to get involved, for more information about Community of Hope, visit www.communityofhopedc.org.
My Sister’s Place PO Box 29596, Washington, DC 20017 (202) 529-5261 (office) (202) 529-5991 (24-hour hotline)
STREET SENSE January 16 - 29, 2013
COMMUNITY SERVICES St. Stephens Parish Church 1525 Newton St, NW (202) 737–9311, www.thrivedc.org
Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328–6608, www.marthastable.org
Food and Friends 219 Riggs Road, NE (202) 269–2277, www.foodandfriends.org
Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW (202) 682–1005, www.ccdsd.org/howorwc.php
Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW (202) 452–8089, www.miriamskitchen.org
Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675–9340, www.sashabruce.org
The Welcome Table Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW (202) 347–2635, http://www.epiphanydc. org/ministry/welcometbl.htm
So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW (202) 797–8806; www.some.org
MEDICAL RESOURCES
Academy of Hope GED Center 601 Edgewood Street, NE (202) 269-6623, www.aohdc.org
Christ House 1717 Columbia Road, NW (202) 328–1100, www.christhouse.org Unity Health Care, Inc. 3020 14th Street, NW (202) 745–4300,www.unityhealthcare.org Whitman–Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW (202) 797–3500, www.wwc.org
OUTREACH CENTERS N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060, www.nstreetvillage.org Samaritan Inns 2523 14th St., NW (202) 667 - 8831 http://www.samaritaninns.org/home/ New York Ave Shelter (Men 18+) 1355–57 New York Avenue, NE (202) 832–2359
FOOD
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Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW (202) 265–2400 1640 Good Hope Road, SE (202) 561–8587, www.breadforthecity.org Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW (202) 364–1419, www.cchfp.org Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060, www.nstreetvillage.org
Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232–3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplac
Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112
Church of the Pilgrims (Sundays only) 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387–6612, www.churchofthepilgrims.org
Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050, www.friendshiphouse.net
Thrive DC Breakfast served Mon.-Fri., 9:30-11 a.m. Dinner for women and children, Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m.
Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (202) 338–8301 www.georgetownministrycenter.org
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Catholic Community Services 924 G Street, NW (202) 772–4300, www.ccs–dc.org D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW (202) 347–8870, www.dccfh.org Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW (202) 347–0511, www.cflsdc.org Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010, www.foundryumc.org Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731, www.grm.org Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332–2874 www.ccs–dc.org/find/services/ JHP, Inc. 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 544–9126, www.jobshavepriority.org Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202) 889–7702, www.samaritanministry.org
SHELTER HOTLINE: 1–800–535–7252
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VENDOR PROFILE: GLEN ARTIS By Jeff Gray Editorial Intern When Glen Artis would prop his feet up on the park bench where he slept, the rats would scuttle between the wheels of his wheelchair.
“The plug where I charged my chair was between two trash cans, so the rats were always bothering me,” says the 50 year-old New York native. Much has changed for Artis in the three months since Street Sense last profiled him. He has gone from living on the street to inhabiting a stable residence, a move that came in late
January 16 - 29, 2012 • Volume 10 • Issue 5
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November when he was accepted into a housing initiative through the homeless service organization So Others May Eat (SOME). “One day the phone rang,” Artis remembers. “It was like a gift from God.” Following a single room occupancy, or SRO, format, the SOME housing provides Artis with his own private room within a larger housing structure. Though the SRO is merely a temporary location while Artis waits on the list for his own apartment, it is a vast improvement over the District shelter he dwelled in before moving out on the street. He compares the “negative environment” of the shelter to the rodent colony he once slept above. “It was disgusting and dirty,” he says. “Everyone was running around and fighting, like those rats. If I dropped my food, they would steal it.” Artis says the positive change in his life was preceded by a harbinger in the form of a different animal. “One day I was selling the paper and a pigeon comes up to me. Next thing you know, there’s pigeons everywhere. To me, that was a sign of good things
to come,” explains Artis, who now carries a bag of bird feed to attract his feathered omens. Birds aren’t the only ones that flock to Artis on the corner where he sells his papers. Dispensing smiles and warm greetings like handfuls of bird feed, he draws crowds of customers. It is these loyal Street Sense consumers, who he refers to as his “angels sent from the Almighty,” to which Artis attributes all of his success. “Without my customers I’m no one,” he asserts. In addition to monetary contributions for the paper, Artis has received food, clothing and even a recent Happy New Year’s card from his beloved patrons. Above all, however, he appreciates their donations of time and conversation. “They show me love, they show that they care,” he says. “They give me a lot of positive energy.” It is this positive energy that has buoyed Artis during his quest to get off the streets. “If you send out negative energy, you’ll stay down like the rats. If you stay positive, you’ll rise up like the birds.”