01 15 2007

$1.00

Every part of this issue is written by vendors and other homeless and formerly homeless people.

L R L A DO N UE E V SS I Where the Washington area's poor and homeless earn and give their two cents January 16, 2007 - February 1, 2007

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Volume 4, Issue 3

Suggested Donation

www.streetsense.org

Mayor Calls on Homeless to Help Set New Priorities

By David Pirtle

Vendors say “Thank You” to donors. From left to right: (top) Jesse Smith, Jake Ashford, Patricia Jefferson, Alvin Dixon El, Brenda Wilson, (bottom) Chris Sellman, Michael Jefferson, Patty Smith, Cliff Carle and Phillip Howard.

The Readers and Givers We Love

O

n behalf of all the vendors, I just wanted to thank all the donors who have given generously over the last few months.

I’m really impressed by the level of generosity and unconditional love that donors have expressed.

They not only buy the paper but they buy you food and coffee when you are out there. This generosity is giving me a passion for work that I have not had in years. I enjoy getting up every morning and am excited to do something creative that I love.

By Cliff Carle

In late November I was asked to serve on Mayor Adrian Fenty’s eTransition Team as a co-chair of the Homeless Services group alongside Sczerina Perot, an attorney who has worked for the last 10 years with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. My involvement with the homeless is even more direct. I was homeless in D.C. for many months and was the strategic director for the Committee to Save Franklin Shelter.

Our task was to draft a three-page document that would make concise recommendations for how the coming administration could best alleviate the problems affecting people who are homeless in the District.

How can you craft an effective strategy to combat homelessness in

three pages or less? Still, we moved forward with this huge undertaking and began a series of “webinars,” or online chats. These chats brought together various interested parties including service providers, government officials, and formerly homeless individuals. Everyone brought his or her own ideas to the table.

However, the problem with conducting these meetings online is that there is very little opportunity for persons who are homeless to access a computer at any given time. In order to solve this dilemma and bring current members of the homeless community into the discussion, Perot and I organized a face-to-face meeting specifically for homeless individuals. Several members of the Committee to Save

See MAYOR, page 8

The most amazing donors are those that give and don’t even buy a paper. They say, “Oh no, I don’t need that, but have this.” I’m a macho man, but that leaves me choked up when people give like that.

See

GIVERS, page 16

Pathways Out of Homelessness

By Jake Ashford

Imagine finding a program in the District that finds housing for homeless people who have mental issues. I found this in Pathways.

This discovery has changed my opinion about nonprofit organizations. My past opinion was that nonprofit organizations were designed for failure, simply taking

money from the government in order to benefit from other people’s misfortune.

Pathways is not like that at all.

I had interviewed Pathways executive director, Linda Kaufman, in December 2006 and she explained the program to me. She said that Pathways makes it possible for homeless people with mental illness to find housing, and Pathways

continues to monitor these people while they are in housing to make sure they succeed. Kaufmann added that the organization’s primary goal is getting homeless people housing and they work to achieve this before taking care of any other issues.

Pathways has been in Washington, D.C. for three years and has

See

PATHWAYS, page 4

Homeless individuals and advocates met in December to discuss their biggest concerns, from affordable housing to shelter conditions to services offered.

Inside This Issue

INTERVIEW

FEATURES

The results of the annual vendor survey are revealed, page 6

More drawings from Jean-Jean and his motivation, page 15

LOCAL

EDITORIAL

VENDOR NOTES

Vendor Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson gives a rundown of all the inagural events and her hopes, page 5

Vendor Patricia Jefferson on Open Door Shelter’s new bag search policy, page 17

Vendor Manager Jesse Smith talks about studio appearances and makeup in the paper’s 15 minutes of fame, page 18

Ringing in The New Mayor

Vendors by the Numbers Unfair Searches

Artistic Statement Street Sense on TV

Street Sense . January 2007

2 ALL ABOUT US

Our Mission 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 347-2006 Fax: (202) 347-2166 info@streetsense.org www.streetsense.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Egger Ted Henson Barbara Kagan David Pike John Snellgrove Michael Stoops Kathy Whelpley

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laura Thompson Osuri VENDOR MANAGER Jesse Smith Jr. SENIOR EDITOR Ted Henson ASSOCIATE EDITOR David S. Hammond AD SALES MANAGERS Jake Ashford Muriel Dixon Allen Jones Mark Jones Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson

VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Jake Ashford, Robert Bassler, Karen Brooks, Cliff Carle, Fiona Clem, Ralph Dantley, Carolyn Daley, Kim Conaway, James Davis, Don Gardner, Wade Guard, Jake Geissinger, David Harris, Annie Hill, Dan Horner, Patricia Jefferson, Allen Jones, Maurice King, Jo Knight, Karin Lee, Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson August Mallory, Claire Markgraf, Mandy McAnlly, Rommel McBride, Jill Merselis, Sean O’Conner, Mike O’Neill, Amy Orndorff, Swinitha Osuri, David Pike, David Pirtle, Brooke Rosenblatt, Chris Sellman, Eric Sheptock, Katie Smith, Patty Smith, Francine Triplett, Robert Trautman, Linda Wang, Marian Wiseman, Corrine Yu

VENDORS Willie Alexander, Jake Ashford, Tommy Bennett, Corey Bridges, Kanon Brown, Bobby Buggs, Cliff Carle, Conrad Cheek Jr., Elena Cipraci, Anthony Crawford, Louise Davenport, Alvin Dixon El, Muriel Dixon, Michael Douglas, Don Gardner, David Harris, John Harrison, Patricia Henry, Michael Higgs, Phillip Howard, Agula Hunter, Michael Jefferson, Patricia Jefferson, Allen Jones, Mark Jones, Lee Mayse, Jennifer McLaughlin, Michelle McCullough, Charles Nelson, Larry Olds, Therese Onyemenam, Kevin Robinson, Chris Sellman, Patty Smith, Matisha Thompson, Francine Triplett, Amia Walker, Martin Walker, Henry Washington, Wendell

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.

Our Editorial Policy

Editorials and features in Street Sense reflect the perspectives of the authors. We invite the submission of journalism, opinion, fiction and poetry, hoping to create a means whereby a multitude of perspectives on poverty and homelessness can find expression.

Street Sense reserves the right to edit any material.

The Story of Street Sense Street Sense began in August 2003 after two volunteers, Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson, approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions about starting a street newspaper in Washington, D.C. A street paper is defined as a newspaper about poverty, homelessness and other social issues that provides an income to the homeless men and women who sell it. About 30 street papers operate in the United States and Canada in places like Seattle, Chicago, Montreal and Boston, and there are dozens more throughout the world.

After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers and vendors, Street Sense came out with its first is-

January Donors Michael and Swinitha Osuri Steve Hill Nick Nelson C. Peter Magrath Michele A. Late Cyril Emery Thomas Paul Terlizzi Chris Plum Anthony Minvera Robin Goracke Barbara Rehm Thomas Zeno Patricia G. Kenworthy D. Studeny R. Scott McNeilly & Sharon Goodman Joel Zweibel Patricia M. DeFerrari

sue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies. Since then, the paper has published consistently on a monthly basis and has greatly expanded its circulation and vendor network. For the first year, Street Sense operated as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless, but in October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space.

In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)3 status, becoming an independent nonprofit organization.

In October 2005 Street Sense formed a full board of directors and in November the organization hired its first employee, a fulltime executive director. In November 2006, Street Sense added a vendor manager to its staff.

Virginia S. Albrecht Ann H. Franke George Eaton Aloysuis Yoon Renae and Chad Campbell David Cooper Jessica Stuart Heather Salko Keith Ivey Sharyn Meister Erica Kraus Tracy Roman Wendy Taylor Jean M. Sutherland David G. Murray Sonya Thompson Edward A. Grefe Marcelo Raimon Sandra Rose Anthony Park Robert Trautman

WANNA HELP?

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact Laura Thompson Osuri at 202347-2006. If you are interested in becoming a vendor, contact Jesse Smith Jr. at the same number.

OUR NEXT EDITORIAL MEETING

Wednesday February 7 at 6:00 p.m.

1317 G Street, NW (near Metro Center)

We are proud members of:

Andrew Kogan Ann Held Terri Nally and Ric Weibl Alfreda M. Brewer Daniel J. Horner Corrine Yu Veronica Jenkins Elisa Ortiz Bradley Smith Julie Anderson Masako Morgan Robert J. Fehrenbach Jane Thompson Amanda and Jack Cutts Bernie and Becky Thompson David Orlin George S. Cardillo Tracey Mills Adrienne Fields Joe and Merna Guttentag Lois Dunlop

North American Street Newspaper Association

International Network of Street Papers

Laura and Bill Slover Jill Morrison Sam Rothenberg Phillip Wallach Leigh Rollins Lucinda Omea McConathy Patricia Henry Kathryn Petit Cynthia R. Woodside Caroline D. Gabel Susan Henson Baker Oron Goldstein Gan Lattice Group And a special thanks to The Weissberg Foundation and The Rapoport Family Foundation.

Thank you!

Street Sense . January 2007

Street Sense To Go Semi-Monthly; First All-Vendor Issue Is Released I am very happy to report that our fundraising drive to give us the money needed to start publishing twice a month was a huge success and we have exceeded our goal, raising nearly $24,000 as of Jan. 14.

So that means in two weeks, on Feb. 2, 2007, Street Sense will publish its first of many semi-monthly issues. Yeah!

I was surprised and touched by all the contributions from readers, many of whom were first-time donors. There were several people who took my recommendation of every reader just donating $5, and we even had a few $5 and $10 bills mailed to us. And apparently an overwhelming number of people were excited about the idea of getting a Street Sense T-shirt (our first one ever available to the public and what I am wearing in the above picture), so the $100 donations were quite brisk.

A few individuals even took it to the next level, donating $500 or more (in one case an unexpected $2,500). And while a sponsorship of a page in the next issue was offered to all who did this, the majority of large donors simply wanted to remain anonymous, saying “keep the page open to encourage others to donate.”

2 VIEWPOINT

So thanks to everyone who supported Street Sense and believed in our mission and goal. With your help we are able to publish twice a month and provide much more income and opportunity to the men and women who sell Street Sense.

And as a way for the vendors to say thank you, they have decided to give the readers a gift: the first ever issue of Street Sense 100% written and compiled by vendors and other homeless and formerly homeless individuals. (That is, everything but this brief message from me and pictures of vendors.)

In the past about 50% of the paper, mainly the editorials, poetry and select features were by vendors, but this time around they take on everything from the hard news articles, to the profile, to creating the puzzles, to writing the headlines.

This is a huge accomplishment for the vendors. Many of them who had never written anything beyond a school paper in the past are now writing 600+ word articles and thoughtful editorials in a well-circulated newspaper in Washington, D.C. Not only do we have pieces from our longtime homeless/ vendor writers like August Mallory and Maurice King, but we also have many novice writers in this issue like Patricia Jefferson talking about problems with a bag search policy in the shelter (page 17) and Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson giving a run down of the inaugural events (page 15.). And Jesse Smith, our vendor manager who is formerly homeless, has now officially taken over the writing of the vendor notes column (page 18), so be sure to check out his eloquent prose.

So please read on, and while the grammar may not be perfect and the first person used far more than it should in news articles, we hope the next 17 pages will be a reminder to you of what Street Sense is all about – empowering homeless individuals.

- Laura Thompson Osuri Executive Director

Donate to Street Sense I will donate:

My Information

Street Sense Twice a Month? $22,500

$20,000

$15,000

$10,000

$5,000

$0

Oh Yeah!!

___ $50 for two vendor awards each month

Name:_______________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________ City/State/Zip:_______________________________________________ Phone:_______________________E-mail:_________________________ T-shirt size (if donating $100 or more): __________________________ Please make checks payable to Street Sense Street Sense is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

___ $70 for one restaurant review ___ $100 for postage each month

___ $200 for the vests of 15 new vendors ___ $500 for monthly rent and insurance ___ $1,000 for a new office computer and printer ___ $1,200 for the printing of one issue ___ Another amount of $_______ ___ Another amount of $_______ for vendor: ________________

Mail to: Street Sense, 1317 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20005. **All readers who contribute $100 or more get a complimentary Street Sense T-shirt.** Additional items that Street Sense needs: * Messenger and tote bags and backpacks for vendors

* Shredder for office

* Bottled water to hand out to vendors

* Laptop computers with at least Windows 2000

* Hats, gloves and warm socks for vendors

and 10 GB of storage space

Please call 202-347-2006 or send an e-mail to info@streetsense.org if you have any of these items to donate.

LOCAL NEWS

Street Sense . January 2007

involved that makes many people ineligible.

The lack of funding at Pathways follows with the current system, where Washington, D.C. is not interested in solving the homeless problem because it would not be in the city’s best interest. There is so much money generated off of the homeless that providing housing to everyone would lower the city’s money supply.

Personally, I know seven people that Pathways has helped find housing. Once I found out about the orgaTwo clients of Pathways, originally started in N.Y., moving into their new home. nization a few months ago, I ran to its location. But Pathways was PATHWAYS, from p.1 out of funding.

Even though I am disappointed that Pathways housed 105 people - less than 10% become homeless again. This means 90% persistently maintain could not help me immediately, I know that it has housing after obtaining it, regardless of the length helped others, so I give Pathways high scores for the neighborhood. of previous homelessness.

Pathways’ record of housing the homeless is sure Kaufman said that Pathways is out of funding so they are not currently taking applications. It is to set the standard in 2007. amazing how when a program works, the government cuts off funding as if they do not want it to Pathways to Housing succeed. www.pathwaystohousing.org Originally, Pathways started in New York about 20 202-529-2972 years ago. The founders realized that the majority 101 Q Street, NE , Suite G of the programs ask homeless individuals to jump Washington, D.C., 20002 through hoops of some sort in order to become eli gible for a program.

Jake Ashford has been a vendor for two and a half Most programs are not just out to help the home- years and is originally from North Carolina. His faless. Rather, it seems there is always a technicality vorite movie is Forrest Gump.

N Street Village was founded in 1973 by Luther Place Memorial Church as an ecumenical community endeavor and has since thrived and grown to become a separate financial and legal entity.

The winner of The Washington Post 2006 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, N Street Village empower homeless and low-income women to claim their highest quality of life by offering a broad spectrum of services and advocacy in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, serving over 600 women a year.

Remembering Those Homeless People in D.C. Who Passsed Away in 2006 James Alexander Keith Butler James Cobb Patrick Corrigan Valerie Dixon John Doe 1 Jane Doe 1 Mitchell Edmonds Joseph Elie David Feliz Wanda Futrell Ben “Raccoon” Gibbs Larry Hart Emmitt Henson Mike Hunt Eugene Charles Jackson H.E. Jones Henry Marshall Jones Tae Kim Steve Lemko Alexander Logan Emory Mathis Frank Mayo Bryan Morris Mike Philon Jodi Prikogan George Pugh Sheila Reeves Rodney Slaughter Sandra Smalls Melvin Smith Joseph Tally George Thomas Ronald Eugene Twyman Donald Weiss Richard Wesley Gregory Wireman Albert Wise Freddie Woody Rose Zimmerman And to all the others who have died while homeless in the District of Columbia, we hope that every single man, woman, child and family will find a place to call home.

On Dec. 21, 2006, more than 100 individuals gathered in McPherson Square for Homeless Memorial Day to honor those homeless individuals who died last year in Washington, D.C.

www.nstreetvillage.org ∙ 202-939-2072

Homeless memorial Co-Sponsors: Coalition of Housing and Homeless Organizations, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.

Street Sense . January 2007

LOCAL NEWS

DC’s New Leader: A Mayor For All Seasons

By Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson In February 2004, Rowdy Dawg and I were in Nashville, Tenn., when we happened by one of the court buildings that had in front of it, placed dead center on the sidewalk, a huge rectangle marble slab with the inscription “THERE IS NO NECESSARY EVIL IN GOVERNMENT - Andrew Jackson.” I knew I was at that moment right where God wanted me to be, as I had longed for an affirmation that our government - we the people, by the people, for the people - would be restored.

God provides.

For the District of Columbia and its inhabitants, Mayor Adrian Fenty is the living embodiment of these words, and I had the privilege of being able to cover for Street Sense newspaper the events commemorating his election. Having spoken before him on two separate occasions, once with Rowdy Dawg by my side, as Fenty chaired the Committee on Human Services that oversees the public shelters, I knew this was the man who had the tenacity to take this combination Sodom-and-Gomorrah city and restore it to that for which it had been originally built: our inalienable rights.

The prayer service at 7:00 a.m. in the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church was, of the four events, the highlight for me. The words that passed from the mouths of the many

Inauguration cake prepared by the culinary arts students at D.C. Central Kitchen.

speakers, including Fenty, focused on the driving factor that is within us all, free will, and on using this free will with vigor, vitality, prayers, humor, song, hope, vision and love

to enhance the life that is within this city, for the lives that live in this city.

At the swearing-in ceremony for Fenty and the council members, I viewed a process of government that prior to this had escaped me. Seeing Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who, for the first time, administered the oath to both Fenty and Councilmember Mary Cheh, was an especially educational enlightenment.

Fenty displays the same heartfelt substance and seriousness that Justice Ginsburg does.

His eyes, like hers, have a quality of sincerity and an illuminating energy that assures onlookers that they too are right where God wants them to be. Again, God provides!

The open house at the Wilson Building found me wandering into the “bullpen,” as I was unsure of what its purpose was, but to my extreme pleasure, I was able to visit with Neil Richardson and Tene Dophin. Both had shown me the thrill of the fundamentals associated with campaign canvassing leading up to winning the primary race in September 2006 for a candidate truly dedicated to the people and city he would represent.

I was further awed by the large gold cake shaped like the U.S. Capitol building made

by D.C. Central Kitchen. Since I can eat my weight in sugar every day, I decided it was time to leave.

Finally, the Mayoral Ball afforded me the first opportunity to be Cinderella since be-

We Clean Up Nicely

coming homeless. Laura Thompson Osuri, the executive editor of Street Sense newspaper, provided me with a work letter that allowed me to stay out until midnight without losing my bed at the shelter where I sleep.

I wore my favorite colors in the form of a black A-line skirt I’ve had since 1985, black cowboy boots I’ve had since 1990, and an antique black-and-white western jacket I got at the Salvation Army in Columbia, Tenn., in 1997. (See the picture below.) Black is all colors. And white is void of all color.

It is a perfect mix, and it was the perfect chance to celebrate the beginning of what is to be the best to come for the people, this city and our country from this man for all seasons, the Honorable Mayor Adrian Fenty.

A special thanks to Linda O’Brien at Tommy Wells’ office and Mary Ann Luby at the Washington Legal Clinic, who provided Inaugural Ball tickets for me, and my associates at Street Sense newspaper and at the National Coalition for the Homeless. We had, quite simply put, a marvelous evening.

Brenda began selling Street Sense with her beloved service dog Rowdy, in March, 2005.

She is going to be on Street Sense’s soccer team; the U.S.A. cup tournament will be held the 4th of July, 2007 in the District. She says this city will be the winner!

FRESH START CATERING I am a caption.

Celebrating Ten Years of Serving More Than Just Great Food MENU SELECTIONS

SIGNATURE HORS D’OEUVRES

Maryland Crab Cakes Chicken Satay with spicy peanut sauce Smoked Salmon Pinwheels Artichoke & Olive Crostini

SIGNATURE SANDWICHES

Roast Beef & Watercress Wrap Veggie Hummus Wrap Thai Basil Chicken Salad Basil, Mozzarella and Roasted Red Pepper Sandwich

VEGAN VEGETABLE CURRY

Fresh vegetables with tofu in a rich and spicy curry sauce, served over steamed rice with carrot-daikon slaw

ROPA VIEJA Pulled flank steak with spicy sofrito sauce, served with black beans and Spanish rice

Fresh Start Catering offers professional catering services while employing graduates from DC Central Kitchen’s Culinary Job Training program, further preparing them for employment in the food service industry.

The Street Sense gang had a fabulous time dressing up and coming together for the Mayoral Inaugural Ball. Though there were nearly 15,000 people in attendance, everyone managed to find each other, and Jesse and Laura even managed to get a few dance moves in. From left to right: vendor manager Jesse Smith, executive director Laura Thompson Osuri, vendor Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson, National Coalition for the Homeless’s Michael O’Neill, and writer David Pirtle.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Fresh Start Catering 425 2nd ST NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 234-0707 | freshstart@dccentralkitchen.org www.dccentralkitchen.org

INTERVIEW

Street Sense . January 2007

Survey Results

Who Are the Street Sense Vendors?

Gender

30 or less, 3% 31 to 40, 18%

What do you like most about selling Street Sense?

Women, 29%

51 to 60, 50% 41 to 50, 29%

Men, 71%

Education Post-Graduate Work, 3%

College Degree, 3%

Did not graduate HS, 25%

Some College, 47%

HS Diploma, 22%

Homelessness

Sleeping Place

1 year or less, 7%

Own Place, 14% Friend's Home, 14%

Shelter, 54%

4 years or more, 35%

1 to 2 years, 29%

Street, 18%

2 to 4 years, 29%

52% Have lived in D.C. all their life.

36% Sell Street Sense 20 to 40 HOURS a week.

14% Have moved into HOUSING since selling Street Sense.

27% Have started full- or part-time JOBS since selling Street Sense.

‘‘

• The activism, telling the real story about homelessness.

• I like the freedom.

• I like the interaction with different people of all walks of life who are affected by my contagious smile and congenial attitude.

• I’m getting grassroots issues to the public and it gives me the opportunity of a challenge of selling the paper to a diversity of people.

• It’s a good promotion for the homeless community. It keeps people abreast of what is happening with homeless people and homeless organizations.

• Because it is a good way to give a break to those that are still homeless. I don’t want to see homeless people left behind and will give my last drop of blood for Street Sense.

• Outdoor environment and the people.

• Independence, being my own boss.

• Self-employment.

• Meeting a lot of people.

• Making the extra money, volunteering and meeting people.

• It’s a good thing to do, meeting people, doing something positive and staying out of trouble.

• I like meeting new people every day. Also talking to people is very educational and a learning experience.

• It gives me time to do something. I love to talk to people.

• The chance to earn a good wage based on my efforts and willingness to work. The full-time job I have came from a contact made while selling Street Sense.

• Meeting people and educating and informing the public of the good news.

• It gives me a sense of dignity, self-esteem, selfrespect. God bless Street Sense.

• The ability to be independent.

• Meeting people and sharing views concerning poverty and homelessness.

• It brings light to the plight of the homeless, and it shows the public we homeless are not necessarily looking for a handout but a hand up to rise above our circumstances.

• Dealing with people and helping people like myself.

• I like the freedom of working when I want to, the smiles I get from my regular customers, and the reaction I get from people who hear me selling the paper for the first time.

‘‘

Age

It shows the public we homeless are not necessarily looking for a handout but a hand up to rise above our circumstances.

All numbers are based on a survey of 28 vendors in December 2006.

Street Sense . January 2007

Downtown Services Center Changes Sites The Downtown Services Center, often referred to as the “9:30 Club,” and the Dinner Program for Homeless Women will relocate from their present location at 945 G Street, NW, to the corner of 4th and E Streets, NW (Trinity Church), which sits opposite One Judiciary Square.

The center’s last day at the old location at the First Congregational United Church of Christ will be Jan. 19. Its first day at the new location will be Jan. 22. The old building is being torn down and it will take nearly two years to construct the new building on that site. The new building will eventually house the service center, as well as the church and new condominiums.

The Downtown Services Center will stop serving Saturday meals.

The new 9:30 Club and Dinner Program location at Trinity Some other services will also be Church Near Judiciary Square. eliminated.

The center will continue to receive individuals’ mail. However, because government mail can’t be forwarded, those receiving SSI checks will need to talk to the staff about the process involved in changing their address with the Social Security Administration and other government agencies.

For more information, e-mail Erika Barry at erika@dphw.org.

- Eric Sheptock

LOCAL NEWS

Rainy Day Blues

Vendor Henry Washington took this photograph at the park across from the World Bank, showing how, on a rainy day, homeless people struggle to keep themselves and their possessions dry.

Inclusionary Zoning, DC’s Growth Plan Pass On Dec. 19, the D.C. City Council approved the city’s Comprehensive Plan and a new Inclusionary Zoning law.

The Comprehensive Plan revision was a two-year process that involved hundreds of public meetings and thousands of hours of community input. It creates concrete approaches for dealing with issues like affordable housing, traffic congestion, and environmental quality. It also establishes new standards for managing growth and guiding development.

“Sound planning is a critical tool in transforming communities,” said former Mayor Anthony Williams. “Passage of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan, which was created through a citizen-driven process, lays the foundation for improved public spaces, more affordable housing, and a greener, All highlighted areas will be targeted for inclusionary zoning, more inclusive city.” which requires a portion of affordable housing in new buildings.

The Inclusionary Zoning legislation requires that developers of new or substainally renovated buildings with 10 or more units set aside up to 10% of their residential projects for affordable housing. In return, they receive a density bonus to build the affordable housing, plus additional market-rate housing.

“I am very proud of the staff of the Office of Planning who have worked steadfastly to bring the Comp Plan and IZ to fruition,” said Director of Planning Ellen McCarthy. “But I am equally proud of the residents of our city who have given their time and talents to ensure that these two efforts will work to make ours a truly inclusive city.”

- Patty Smith

Help Bring the Homeless in from the Cold

CALL THE

Shelter Hotline 1 800 535-7252 Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor, Government of the District of Columbia

LOCAL POLITICS NEWS

Street Sense . January 2007

MAYOR, from p.1 Franklin Shelter participated in that meeting as facilitators, including Jesse Smith, Michael McFadden, Eric Sheptock, Rommel McBride and David Benziquen.

In the end, we gathered more information from that meeting than in all the webinars combined. If you want to learn how to alleviate homelessness, ask the people who have experienced it themselves. They are the real experts.

After the meetings it was time to take the information we had gathered and assemble a document that would give concrete suggestions for what needed to be done in the first year of Fenty’s administration. It was a challenge to condense the dozens of recommendations into one concise, three-page document.

In the end it was actually four pages, but we still had to pick and choose among all the incredible ideas that were offered to us. Sczerina worked out the legal specifics, while I contributed the impassioned doggerel.

Our most important recommendations are as follows: • Increase Housing Production Trust Fund spending. We are losing affordable housing at such a rate in the District of Columbia that we could build units at the current rate of 300 a year ad infinitum without making any headway on the District’s plan to construct 6,000 net units of affordable housing.

• Create model shelter facilities for men and women in the downtown corridor. It does no good to improve facilities in the outer reaches of the District while closing down shelters where the homeless actually are: downtown.

• Dedicate staff in the city administrator’s office to act as a liaison between the government, the Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the homeless community, who would hold monthly meetings with the homeless community to give progress reports and hear grievances and communicate issues raised to the City Council.

• Increase funding to provide case management for all people in the continuum of care at a ratio of 20 clients or less per case manager. Case managers should no longer be tied to facilities; rather, they should be independent and follow individual clients throughout the system.

• Increase housing capacity for families and individuals by funding more Housing First programs. The only way to really end homelessness is to put people into homes.

Will our work make a difference in what the new administration does? I don’t know. All that I can be certain of is that right now there is great anticipation among the District’s homeless community. We have pinned our hopes on Adrian Fenty. Let’s see if he can deliver.

We could build units at the current rate of 300 a year ad infinitum without making any headway on the District’s plan to construct 6,000 net units of affordable housing.

David Pirtle is a former resident of Franklin Shelter and a member of the Committee to Save Franklin Shelter. He now lives in city-subsidized housing in Southeast.

Editor’s Note: As Street Sense went to press, Mayor Fenty released a list of goals for short-term action based on the recommendations gathered by his transition team. “100 Days and Beyond” covers a broad range of areas, including education, public safety, public health, affordable housing, and government operations.

Next Meeting: February 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

On homelessness policy, the “Action Plan” includes: “Working with a private non-profit, initiate an effort to explore a Housing First policy to address homelessness (90 Days)”; “Propose solutions to resolve the shortage of family shelter spaces (60 days)”; and “Provide additional downtown shelter space by resolving the Franklin School issue or other means (90 days).”

The plan also states that “This, by no means, is an exhaustive list, but a representative sample.”

We care. We help. We heal.

Quality Primary Care Services for D.C. Medically Underserved and homeless Individuals……

For information on medical services in homeless shelters call 202-255-3469. For an appointment at any of our community health centers call 1-866-388-6489

We want to help. We want to help you.

Street Sense . January 2007

WORLDWIDE VENDOR PROFILES Dan Newth Street Roots Portland, Ore., USA Dan has been selling Street Roots for more than a year.

He just recently self-published his first book Being Simple (comes with complications). He hopes this book communicates a few of the lessons that he’s learned down the road of hard knocks.

Dan said that this book would not have been possible without help from Street Roots. “They taught me to write, helped me believe in myself and revived my hope in the world and society,” he said.

Dan was born in the old St. Vincent Hospital when it was on the east side of Portland’s West Hills. Dan alleges that he has always been a bit slow (he didn’t start writing until he was 39) and a bit overly sensitive.

While Dan admits that he may not have much in the way of material possessions, he derives satisfaction through devoting his time to worthy projects like Street Roots, Crossroads and advocating for the homeless.

Mfesane Mnengi Big Issue South Africa Capetown, South Africa Mfesane has worked with the Big Issue for five years.

Originally from the Eastern Cape, he now lives in Delft with his brother. He came to Cape Town in search of work but could not find any. “I heard about TBI from a friend who also works there, he told me that I should join in and I decided to do so,” he says.

Mfesane, who is only 22, says that for as long as he has worked with TBI he has not yet experienced any problems, except for one thing – he says he is being picked on by the law enforcement who come to where his pitch is and confiscate his magazines.

This happens every now and then and he is forced to move. Mfesane is worried about where he could go because he has customers where he is and there is no other place he could go to.

Other than that he is very happy with what he does. “My future plans are to get my driving license and I have been doing self-defense lessons.” He concludes by saying, “I would love to thank all my customers for being so supportive to me and also my non-customers for their kindness.”

INTERNATIONAL NEWS 9

Director of South African Street Paper Stabbed, Dies Richard Ishmail, the director of The Big Issue South Africa, died Jan. 10 after being stabbed at his home in Cape Town three days earlier.

The assailant is unknown and the crime is being investigated by the police.

Ishmail was an active promoter of street papers and the Homeless World Cup, an international soccer tournament that brings together homeless and formerly homeless athletes to raise awareness. He was also key in organizing the hugely successful Homeless World Cup tournament in Cape Town in September 2006.

Mel Young, honorary president of the International Network of Street Papers (of which Street Sense is a member) and president of the Homeless World Cup spoke on behalf of both organizations: “We are all extremely shocked and upset by the death, and the circumstances of the death, of Richard Ishmail.

“Richard worked hard to bring the Homeless World Cup and the eyes of the world, to Cape Town to raise awareness of the issues of homelessness and exclusion and highlight the power of sport to bring unity, peace and opportunity to the nation and the rest of the world.

“Our love and thoughts are with Richard’s family and friends.”

Cylvie Gingras L’Itinéraire Montreal, Canada In 1994, I had survived for many years the ups and downs of my wandering life: the streets, prison, drug rehabilitation centers and homeless shelters. During my last stay at a shelter, I wrote a short text on a napkin, titled “Rancid Era.” I was then invited to go to the newspaper L’Itineraire to show my text to the editor in chief, Serge Lareault.

The next day, on my two blistered feet, I dragged my 100-pound body and my suffering spirit to L’Itinaraire.

To my great surprise, Serge accepted my text. I was so happy, me, who dreamt of becoming a journalist.

When I found my place in Ahuntsic (a district in Montreal), I didn’t have a dime or any identification.

L’Itineraire allowed me to acquire a stable home. I like to think that my pieces for the newspaper cured me from my addictions. When you, the readers, talk to me about what I write, it is, in a way, a reward.

Selling L’Itineraire is a real job and an alternative to begging. Through L’Itineraire I went from someone who was poor and unknown to someone who was poor and famous!

Did you know there are nearly 30 street papers (those with similar vendor/editorial models as Street Sense) in the United States and Canada and dozens more throughout the world, including Nambia, Poland, Argentina, Scotland and Australia?

If you want to find out more about the vendors and street papers all across the United States and throughout the world, visit www.street-papers.org (international) or www. nasna.org (North America.).

Deserted, By Warren Beishir Although I am “sighted,” I cannot always “see.” I became interested in investigating a life of physical blindness. My search took me to The Associated Blind at Selis Manor in NYC. The individuals I met were kind enough to share their experiences with me, no matter how painful they might have been. People shared themselves: their interests, stories, dreams and anecdotes. I learned to see many things.

This painting comes courtesy of the BIGNews in New York City. For five years this street paper has been featuring works by outsider, self-taught and otherwise marginalized artists.

10 PHOTOS & POETRY

Street Sense . January 2007

Union Station, Saturday Morning I was just looking for a warm and peaceful place for breakfast: sandwich of ham and cheese, potato chips, a brownie, moist and rich, sensuous in the sweetness in my mouth Interrupted by an Amtrak cop, natty in blue suit, orange vest, asking for my train ticket.

I did not explain I was going nowhere, except between the pages of a mystery, sitting among flushed-faced holiday travelers surrounded by luggage, just like me, fleeing the bleak cold city for places of warmth...

Trains depart this morning for Boston, for Newport News; I have no destination except a wasteland of empty streets.

This woman was planting bushes near the Smith best “are you serious” look. And the portrait-sett

Cliff’ This is one of my frequent customers. She just looks like the “Alpha” female--so confident and ready to take on the world.

On loudspeakers overhead, a nasal voice summons passengers to Syracuse, New Haven, Richmond, or Quantico while Bing Crosby croons white christmas dreams, while the Amtrak cop tells me move along.

I move along, taunted by Crosby’s voice and the shrieks and laughter of shoppers on their way to christmas; I have no destination, except a Metro train; I have a ticket for that where I can sit in a warm soft place, between the pages of a mystery and ride long enough to get to Boston or Newport News.

This photo sp many faces of t woman with po females I encount as a vendor. From to the retiree, these a unique beauty definitely ca

My kind is welcomed in libraries and liquor stores; There I seek my holiday cheer, there and a Red Line train where a soft and sleepy voice summons travelers to Friendship Heights or Cleveland Park, and even speaks to those like me, going nowhere.

- David Harris

This lady has a great look. With her beret and a European city.

This is a picture of Street Sense volunteer Amy Orndorff after I beat her in a game of chess. Boy, she was mad!

PHOTOS & POETRY 11

Street Sense . January 2007 Another Woe Lord help me to see another’s plan So I don’t treat them with shame Lord show me the weak So I can help them be strong Lord unfold the mystery of life So I can lead the blind And wipe the tears from their eyes Be a witness Touch lives And help set the captive free Lord create in us a clean heart And renew in us a right spirit So then we can “praise you” Each and everyday And confess to others That “Jesus Christ” Is the only way - Don L. Gardner

hsonian when I snapped this, and she gave me the ting background only emphasizes her stare.

’s Pics

pread honors the the Washington ortraits of various ter through my day the college student e lovely ladies have y and charm that aught my eye.

This is a student at Howard University. I really like the angle of this photo, as you are not used to seeing portraits taken from this low to the ground.

Stranded

Stranded.

All alone No direction Up, down or home.

Waiting for a breeze to lift and carry me Past now Thru eternity.

The rain is here Falling upon my face.

With no destination I wander and roam Falling from place to place

The breeze lifts The rain chills My spirit drifts & wanders the hills.

With destination unknown I wander and roam No direction UP, DOWN, or HOME.

Permission To Dream…

Permission to dream About a world where we all Will occupy a house with Its fertile gardens sprouting Forth the fruitage of our spirit Permission to think About the good one can do If resources are pooled To end the pain of hunger In the world’s impoverished children Permission to speak Out in an infinite echo Saying let me help you I am your brother Confide in me Permission to imagine A world where one is not Judged by skin color or Eyes that are slanted Permission to dream…granted!

all, she reminds me of someone I would see in a I love this woman’s headdress and the matching scarf. She looks so statuesque.

- James Davis

- Wade Guard

Street Sense . January 2007

12 FOOD

My Turn At the Table By Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson

La Loma: Tex-Mex Heaven and Me

At this Capitol Hill eatery, Brenda takes a bite of her tacos and enchiladas covered in green sauce “heaven.”

My mother is of German and Irish descent and was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She loves Mexican food and as often as she could would take us out to eat at GOOD Tex-Mex restaurants. There are many awful ones and she knew the difference.

Robert Trautman, a retired journalist and a volunteer at Street Sense, was kind enough to join me and never once mentioned, from the time we left the office up until he returned me there, that his name was not David, which is how I had been addressing him. What a GREAT guy!

What made this lunch date even better was the excellent food and drink we had at La Loma Mexican Restaurant on Capitol Hill. We arrived at 11:30 a.m. and found one other patron there. By the time we left at 12:45 p.m., the place was packed.

I do not drink a lot of things, and one is alcohol, but in order to rate any Tex-Mex restaurant, one must have a margarita, for it is synonymous with the food. I ordered the top-shelf one that they call a Cadillac, on the rocks with a salted rim. The first sip was, well….yuck; I knew it was a “mind” thing. The second sip allowed me to taste the ingredients of Grand Marnier, gold tequila and a superb sweet-and-sour mix. The third sip revealed the reality that this was something truly to be enjoyed. Robert also had three sips and concurred in my sentiments.

As an appetizer, I ordered the chili-con-queso and Robert got the guacamole. While we waited on those, we tried the red salsa and chips that come complimentary and arrive almost as one is seated. Robert mentioned the salsa was a little watery for him, but we both agreed

the flavor was worthy of repeated consumption.

The main course arrived while we were still savoring and partaking in our mighty fine appetizers. I was raised with a knowledge of what proper table manners are and had to often restrain myself from oohing and ahhing on how fine the flavor, texture and taste were as these marvelous mixtures marinated my tongue. Robert was with me on these.

My entrée was called the El Paso, and I chose this one of the many and varied selections not for its contents, but because as a small girl living at Edwards A.F.B. in California, we had a Beagle that had been named such. (Four legs and fur is never far from my heart and head.)

Robert’s entrée was Tacos al Carbon with chicken,and he chose his because this is what he wanted to eat for lunch. Amazing!

Then I asked if they had any green salsa. At first, the man who delivered the food and the waitress looked at each other and then at me as if I was speaking a foreign language. Next they returned looks to each other and acknowledged “its” existence, and within minutes I had a large stainless steel gravy container full of green sauce. Meanwhile, slowly as I could, I managed to sample the contents of my plate without the sauce; everything was a delight to my every sense. I stopped once, maybe twice to ask Robert if he wanted to try anything from my meal. He was enjoying his so much he cared nothing about mine.

Seizing the gravy boat with the green salsa, I poured it onto the enchilada, taco, rice and beans and entered into a heaven of God’s creation. This was the icing on the cake for me and since Robert refrained from wanting any, I ate it ALL. I did save some of the guacamole, chili con queso, chips and most of my beef taco for the office gang. It was eaten within seconds of its arrival, not because they were hungry, but because it was that tasty.

I would without a doubt eat breakfast (if they served it), lunch and dinner daily there, because as my mother would have stated, “it’s a GOOD restaurant” meaning one of the very best.

The prices were reasonable and generally $1.00 separated the lunch from dinner meals. The portions were generous and the service excellent.

La Loma is located at 316 Massachusetts Ave, NE. Call (202) 548-2550 for more information.

Brenda began selling Street Sense with her beloved service dog Rowdy, in March, 2005. She is going to be on Street Sense’s soccer team; the U.S.A. cup tournament will be held the 4th of July, 2007 in the District. She says this city will be the winner!

Cook’s Corner

Deviled Ham on Garlic Toast Ingredients • Deviled Ham • Mayonnaise • Garlic Bread

Preparation • Mix deviled ham topping with light mayonnaise added to taste • Cut garlic bread into silver-dollar sized discs • Toast lightly to avoid break-up or crumbling • Top each piece with a tablespoon of deviled ham

Why this recipe won?

Sometimes less is best, it certainly held true in this case.

The presentation was produced in such a way that it was very pleasing to the eye.

This suggested that it would have some exotic flavor. Each disc was arranged around the platter with celery strips separating each piece angled towards a centered eye-catching morsel. Once the familiarity of the food was realized, you could not resist sampling another. This is a presentation that can be served in large quantities because the items needed to prepare it are extremely economical.

– Jesse Smith This Recipe was created and prepared by Renee Lucas. The runnerup was Patricia Barns with Stuffed Mushroom and Stuffed Zucchini.

Renee and Patricia are students at Community Family Life Services culinary arts training program.

This student works at Third and Eats Restaurant and at the U.S. Tax Court cafeteria. Many also work for New Course Catering.

New Course caters all events, from corporate lunches to weddings to 500-person galas. For more info call (202) 347-7035 or visit www. newcoursecatering.com.

AD SPACE AVAILABLE If you are a local business and want to increase your exposure while helping a good cause, advertising in Street Sense is a perfect solution.

The paper reaches more than 15,000 readers each month and has lower rates than most other local papers.

Check out details and rates at www.streetsense.org. or e-mail info@streetsense.org for more information. **READERS SPECIAL: Mention you saw this ad and get an automatic 10% discount.**

We apologize for running such a dark picture of the last recipe contest winner, in which you could not even see her face. Here is a new one of last month’s winner Connie with a bright smile.

LITERATURE

Street Sense . January 2007

Marvin Hammerman

A Beacon in the Night

A mystery novel in parts

BOOK 3, PART 12: THE FINAL CHAPTER

By August Mallory

It is now late evening in Atlanta, and Daniel Smith has burned all of his bridges in many places. Smith now has no place to go and is getting desperate to go somewhere, to do anything.

He is hungry and has no money. All of the shelters and soup kitchens have barred him from ever coming back. He looks very shabby; he’s badly dressed, unshaven and unwashed. He sees a street vendor and immediately makes a quick grab for fruit and candy, and he then takes off running down the street. ``Hey, you, come back here,’’ the street vendor shouts.

Smith makes a run down Peachtree Street, past Lucky Street, across Centennial Park and down Decatur Street to a place where he cannot be found.

Meanwhile at police headquarters, a call comes in for an officer to respond to a theft. The street vendor talks to a patrol officer about Daniel Smith, reporting that he just stole $25 worth of food. The vendor gives the officer a good description of Smith.

The officer calls the information in to the dispatcher and finds out that Smith is a wanted man. The officer also finds out that Jeffery Handler is another wanted fugitive, but Handler is nowhere to be found, at least not in Atlanta.

Police Capt. Mick Chadwell is now on the streets of Atlanta, along with Anna Jackson and Det. Marlene Greer. As the trio moves around the city undercover, dressed as homeless people, their eyes are peeled for anyone who fits the description of Daniel Smith or Jeffery Handler.

For some unknown reason, Smith comes out into the open. As he makes his way to a line of homeless people waiting to be served food, he knows he has to be very careful not to be recognized. He approaches cautiously and feels very uneasy.

All of the homeless people are eating their meal as Capt. Chadwell, Anna Jackson and Det. Greer join them. As Smith suddenly appears, Anna Jackson is the first to see him. ``Captain, that’s him,’’ Anna whispers to Chadwell. ``That’s Smith, the guy we’re looking for.’’

Chadwell immediately radios for backup, and undercover officers soon are in position to take down Smith. ``OK, Anna, this is where you make your move,’’ Chadwell says.

Anna nervously approaches Smith. ``Hey, bro’, have you got a light?’’ she says to Smith. ``I have a smoke if you need one.’’

Smith is not aware that he is about to be arrested and engages in a deep conversation with Anna. When she says that she would like him to meet her friends, Smith reluctantly agrees.

As Chadwell and Greer approach Smith, they offer their hands in greeting. As soon as Smith extends his hand, Chadwell slaps the cuffs on him. Smith then tries to make a break for it, but there are too many officers surrounding him by now, and he has nowhere to go but to jail.

As Smith is taken into custody, the officers on the scene are informed that they have one more fugitive to catch: Jeffery Handler.

Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, Florida, the search for Jeffery Handler is on the news all over town. The truck driver who dropped Handler off in Jacksonville remembered something very odd about the man. Handler, who had given the trucker a false name, walked with a lean to his left side. When the trucker hears the news report, he learns that Handler uses several different names, including Michael Brown, and that’s the name that Handler gave him. The trucker immediately calls police, reports his encounter with Handler and gives them a description.

A call comes into the Jacksonville police station about a vagrant sleeping on a park bench, with beer cans scattered around the bench. The man is Handler, and he is extremely intoxicated. As officers approach Handler, he awakens from his drunken stupor but can barely stand.

After the officers order him to stand up, they run an ID check on him and discover that Handler is wanted in Atlanta. Handler is immediately arrested and taken into custody.

As the news of the arrests of Smith and Handler reaches Hammerman and Jamison, both men breathe a sigh of relief. ``Well, Marvin, it looks like it’s finally over,’’ Jamison says. ``You know, Russ, I often wonder why it is that those who are homeless will commit crimes against other homeless people,’’ Hammerman replies. ``It just makes no sense to me.’’

As the two men continue their recovery, they now have time to think about what kinds of cases might come their way in the future, and how those new cases might end. What will be the next adventure for Hammerman and Jamison?

The new adventures of Marvin Hammerman will come to Street Sense in February, so keep your eyes peeled.

August was a vendor for Street Sense for its first three years and was the first vendor to ever sell Street Sense. He now lives in Seattle but still frequently checks in with Street Sense. He is also looking into getting this series published.

Vendor Chris Sellman snapped this photo one rainy night. He said what caught his eye was how twinkling bright the White House was was while everything else was so dark and dreary.

Poetry Art Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson

13

14 PUZZLES

Street Sense . January 2007

Vendor Cryptogram

Street Su-Do-Ku This Su-Do-Ku puzzle was put together by vendor Chris Sellman who claims he is obessed with the game.

He promises that the puzzle below is easy to solve, but warns it may get beginners hooked!

Solve the message below to discover a meaningful quote from one of Street Sense’s most well-spoken vendors.

Just fill in the numbers 1 through 9 without repeating a number in any column, row or box.

2

DII NVYAVJL DMN KPLW VNQ XNJAVLast Month’s Solution VAVJL, XPW SBP ZDEN WB YNTAYN WB CDUN AW LB. – DIINV KBVNL Hint: D = A

3

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Last Month’s Solution:

3 3 6 7 2

8 2 1 3 9

2 8 5 7

8 3

1 9

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7

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. – Maya Angelou 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Crossword 1

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Peeked Keg Fire remains Get to your destination Stare at Downwind Legume Colored horse Cation Quotable cryptogram vendor Acts to impress Little bit British drink Just Christmas giving writer Scorches Tennis player Andre Act as usher Time period Truck driving vendor Disconnect Shifty Buffoonish

48 49 51 52 55 56 57 60 64 65 67 71 72 73 74 75 76

Baltic Republic Cows Am not Mexican sandwich Rest South southeast Goodbye Domain Pro On What the bank did Day of the week (abbr.)

Ecological communities NFL quarterback Dan Okay Listen to Foot jewelry

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5

Friend Bard’s before Gray sea eagle Bread Cruel

December’s Answer Key

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS

S H A L L

A E R I E

J A D E D

U N I T E

B E I N B E

P L E B E

Vale Eye part (pl.)

Gone by Smack Beano Unnaturalized National capital Vendor training in sheet metal And so forth Distress call Groups Wild sheep Personal writings Snacked Central Standard Time Moses’ mountain Hales Volcano Magnitude Rock and Roll “King” Breaks Multi-colored rock School group Football assoc.

Longed Garden tool Grain Pull candy Dote Vendor who loves Sudoko Hasten Dueling sword __ matter Borrowed money Vendor on NBC4 Unrefined metal Nichts Compass point Tiny mark

S P A R A A M R L E P EW V G O A L A Y C A F O G U R E R N

B E A R D S

A A L L L E M K I N O T Y P Y D A P C A R E W O U N D W A R N S A L E T F I L Y J A S B U S T S A L T Y O G I L I E U I L L S

T A F E L

Put a “Face” to Homelessness Hear personal stories from people who have experienced it!

Who is homeless and why?

What are the causes of homelessness?

What can I do to help?

Get the answers to these and other questions from the REAL EXPERTS! Bring our “Faces of Homelessness” panel to your place of worship, school or community center.

O A D C R O T E N

O R G R A E N M E E R D O A D M E

M O U N T

B E T T Y

V E G A S

E D E M A

National Coalition for the Homeless “Faces of Homelessness” Speakers’ Bureau Michael O’Neill Director, Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau National Coalition for the Homeless phone: 202-462-4822 x20 email: moneill@nationalhomeless.org website: www.nationalhomeless.org

FEATURES 15

Street Sense . January 2007

What our REaders are Saying about Vendors...

“The vendors are so nice and friendly. This has helped me think differently about people who are homeless.”

“Vendors are professional, friendly, and courteous.”

“My vendor is Mr. [August] Mallory. He is friendly, polite and very talented.”

“Vendor #19 [Muriel Dixon] was very informative and, polite, and well-spoken. She really impressed me and made me listen and read.”

“Muriel [Dixon] is a great vendor and advocate for Street Sense!”

“Phillip Howard, my vendor, is wonderful! Always kind and courteous.”

“Vendor 14 [Phillip Howard] just shines with professionalism and enthusiasm.”

“Vendor #23 [Conrad Cheek] is a wonderful man; very talented and smart; I enjoy talking with him.”

“Conrad [Cheek] is such an inspiration. He’s bright, friendly and a dynamo.”

“My street vendor is wonderful, engaging and professional.”

All of these comments come from our Annual Readers Survey from June 2006.

Artist’s Statement

Letters From SEattle By August Mallory Dear Street Sense Reader, Once again it is such a pleasure to write to you, all of my supporters who were my customers.

I can say that my new home, Seattle, is a very different city from Washington, D.C. Here, poverty is very high. And I often wonder why, because Seattle has a much better economy than the D.C. area does. Every morning I cannot help but notice the many homeless women that I pass on a daily basis.

As I send this story from the newsroom of [the street newspaper] Real Change, I keep thinking of my days at Street Sense and at the Farragut North Metro station. For three full years straight I had built up such a customer base that when I went on road trips, people were constantly asking, ”Where is August Mallory?’’ And even now, I would bet many are still asking about me.

Some of my former customers still write me to say hello.

It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.

To all of you who missed my going-away party and my farewell story, this letter is for you. I understand that we have very busy lives, and it’s very hard to keep up with what is going on. However, to all of my former customers, I thank you again for everything. My farewell gathering had a great turnout. I honestly didn’t think there were so many caring people in the world.

I have gotten my small business up and running online, and you can log onto my two websites at www.magfundrais-

ing.com/DOI and http://ld.net/?22543008 and take a good look at what Division One International has to offer you, the consumer.

I wish to thank Street Sense for having had me on its board of directors and as an office volunteer. Again, I wish to thank Michael Stoops of the National Coalition for the Homeless for allowing me to join their speakers’ bureau.

And to all of the speakers in the bureau, I send you holiday greetings, and I wish you the best of the new year.

I also had fun doing the urban plunges. I think I will talk with the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless about doing urban plunges here. As I walk along the waterfront near downtown Seattle, I see a lot of homeless people doing their own plunges.

This year, I also will be meeting with the editorial committee each week to come up with new story ideas for Real Change. I truly want to do an “on the road’’ story from Washington, D.C., but it will take a little arm-twisting to get that done. Real Change has been around for 13 years, and trying to break the usual routine is going to be tough. But I cannot quit now. I have come too far to give it all up.

Meanwhile, my last installment of the current Marvin Hammerman detective story is in this issue. This will mark the end of Book 3, and as of February, Hammerman begins a new adventure. Keep your eyes peeled, mystery fans, because there’s a lot in store in 2007.

With this I will say goodbye and thank you for being such loyal readers.

Happy New Year!

- August Mallory August was a vendor for Street Sense for its first three years, and was one of the most well-known vendors. Please e-mail August at: carriergroup2009@yahoo.com with any comments or questions on his letters from Seattle.

A Picture (that is) Worth More Than a Thousand Words

A Great Future of Righteousness Should Make Us Already Smile The smile on those two girls should make us understand something important. As I was drawing, I thought of one of my favorite quotations. The great Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky once said, “The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.”

Likewise, in our time, considering the problem at hand, we could say, “The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its homeless shelters.” From this we can judge how the authorities care about people by seeing how they care for the lost, the least, and the last.

Relating to this picture, we can say that these two girls represent the future – whose premises are entrusted to our care.

We have something that belongs to them, and they are happy because we understood that every generation owes something to future generations.

But these two little girls are also happy because they are the generation to come. And the happiness that is generated by the bright future we may yet create is welling up within these two little girls and being projected to us through their smile.

Our main characters here – these two, smiling girls – are the granddaughters of one of the staff at the Franklin School shelter in downtown Washington. The picture became the best opportunity to show – on behalf of the other willing residents – my brotherly love to the rest of the staff.

In this respect, I have to thank both sides, without whose mutual need for perfect harmony I might have lacked such a strong self-involved motive to express respectable greatness through skill and patient dedication.

This goal has been achieved, not only for me but most importantly, on behalf of each and every one of the residents of all shelters. This is why, in the light of President Bush’s “no

child left behind” program, we all have to start to think – together – about eradicating homelessness, through beginning to think in terms of this new initiative: “no homeless left behind.”

Physicist David Bohn said, “We have yet to perceive a new order. We are in a position, which is in certain ways similar to where Galileo stood when he began his inquiries.” All of

us are standing in that position. We can perceive a new order – we have to.

- Jean-Jean Nyengele Jean-Jean lives at Franklin Shelter in downtown Washington and hopes to publish a book on religion some day. You can reach him at lion.777@hotmail.com.

16 EDITORIALS

Street Sense . January 2007

In MY Opinion Rommel T. McBride

Holiday Giving Full of Problems and Solutions More Toiletries and Food

By Eric Sheptock

W

ell, Christmas has come and gone. Gone with it is all of the glitter, hype, commercialism, and, last but not least, the carols. Here to stay for some time (if you’re less fortunate than us poor folk anyway) are the lingering bills from this increasingly expensive holiday.

One might imagine that many pigs and turkeys are ecstatic that they’ve made it through both Thanksgiving and Christmas; they’ve been spared for yet another holiday season. Sadly, one well-beloved turkey, “The Godfather of Soul,” wasn’t quite so fortunate.

In my previous article I enumerated several suggestions for helpful gifts to give the homeless. I also complained about some of the redundancy in people’s gift giving. It would therefore seem appropriate for me to complement that article with a report of how things went this Christmas season.

So, without further ado I must say that it was more of the same. There were many kind people doing much giving. I did actually receive a wide range of gifts. Most of them were quite useful. However, I received no less than 10 sets of gloves and hats. I also received at least six hygienic kits.

I’ve even made the assertion that no homeless person in D.C. should be dirty for up to 30 weeks with all the hygienics that we received. Neither should any of them have cold heads or hands (which says nothing for the rest of their bodies).

My Christmas began about two weeks early with a free viewing, on Dec. 11, of the new Will Smith movie “Pursuit of Happyness” courtesy of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and Linda Kaufman of Pathways to Housing. I could even say that it began on Dec. 2, when about 25 church members came from Mechanicsville, Va. ,(right outside of Richmond) and gave out over 100 coats with sports logos and as many backpacks outside of the Downtown Services Center.

Also, among churches that gave were the Heritage Fellowship Church of Reston and Floris United Methodist Church of Herndon. And let’s not forget my church, Church of the Epiphany in D.C. It would be both impractical and impossible for me to recollect all of the philanthropists who gave to the homeless of D.C. this holiday season. Nonetheless, one more does stand out in my mind.

There is a charity in Annapolis, Md., called “Giving Back.” A woman working out of the back of her car started it about 30 years ago. It has since grown into a rather sizeable operation. Giving Back donates to the homeless of Maryland and Virginia every Christmas. This was their first year in D.C. They sent 18 U-Haul trucks (three each) to six locations, including one here in D.C. on the north side of Lafayette Park (across the road from St. John’s Church). They gave out sleeping bags, blankets, backpacks, socks, snacks and much more.

Because of them and other givers I don’t have room to contain all of my gifts. Just for the record, I’ve begun to play Santa Claus.

In addition to giving out my overstock, I was also given six gift packs by Michael O’Neill of the National Coalition of the Homeless to distribute. In both cases I actually had trouble getting people to take them. But that’s a good thing. It means that they have enough.

So, like the Christmas turkey, we’re stuffed. Thanks to all of the philanthropisticalpalians (and other givers) for all that you’ve done. The food was great too!

Eric Sheptock lives at Franklin Shelter in downtonw D.C. and is the spokesperson for Committee to Save Franklin Shelter. He loves to sing and perform.

GIVERS, from p.1 For example, the other day I was standing outside of Whole Foods and after I did my little jingle, a guy with red hair walked by and said he would get back with me on his way out. And on his way back, he gave me a $20 bill. And when I asked if he wanted a paper, he said, “No thank you.” So I asked why, and he said, “That’s for you just standing out here doing what you’re doing.” Man, what an act of kindness. I was close to tears.

I especially want to thank the customers at Dupont Circle and Whole Foods who have

really been supportive. I really want to say thanks a million-and-one times.

Thanks also to the folks supporting vendors and Street Sense that helped us go biweekly. it’s going to increase our finances exponentially. And now the readers will get up-to-date news every two weeks instead of once a month. Also people won’t be saying, “I already got that issue” and walking by. It’s also going to keep me busy creatively taking more photographs and putting together photo essays every other week.

Personally, I would like to thank Street Sense for giving me this wonderful opportu-

T

o be able to help someone you must first understand his or her spiritual and mental state. We have the same problems that you have -- just on a larger scale. Lack of coping skills and bad decisionmaking ability combined with no resources can lock a person into the homeless cycle.

The “me-first” mentality of the homeless, which is rooted in the fear of being left out and rejected by society and family, also contributes to their spiritual degeneration and their mental decline.

The truth is that the homeless live in thirdworld conditions, in a country that is one of the wealthiest. Franklin Shelter is a good example. The food is better at a soup wagon then what they give inside. There is mold in the showers, the railings are hanging off the stairways, it needs paint, and it is infested with roaches and rats. The staff treats the homeless with disdain, just like the public does.

Imagine being homeless. How would you feel on New Year’s Eve when everything is closed? It’s six and pouring rain, there is no place to go and you are thrown outside. After months and even years of this abuse (because abuse is what it is), how would you feel and act?

In an economy where people are making on the low end almost a hundred dollars a day, the only job many homeless can find is day labor. After taxes (and yes homeless people pay taxes) and company deductions, the pay is between $36 and $40 for eight hours of hard construction labor.

All this and more happens in a country where almost everyone has a piece of paper in his pocket that says IN GOD WE TRUST. So where is the God in you and where is the trust for the homeless? I surely don’t see it.

There is a belief that the government can solve homelessness alone. That is a myth.

The homeless face both spiritual and physical hurdles, so it takes a three-pronged approach: government, the private sector and a network of churches working together in one accord. To go beyond treating the symptoms

of homelessness and actually solve the homeless issue, the spiritual and mental outlook of the homeless must both be improved.

Government can play an important role in making the most basic things attainable through work. Why and how can this be done?

Well, I’ll tell you. The goal of a local government like the District of Columbia should be to keep the city’s wealth in the District and share it with a wide portion of the population.

How can the government do this?

Since the District is experiencing a building boom, it should provide a tax incentive to developers, with the condition that a third of all construction jobs must be reserved for D.C. residents, and a third of these for the homeless. These jobs would begin to reeducate the homeless and other residents whose education is outdated. At the same time, providing income for D.C. residents will increase the city’s tax base. People who live here, spend here.

The need for medical assistance and food stamps will decrease as the homeless receive more income.

The city will pay fewer subsidies for affordable housing.

Crime will drop, and, as the city’s image improves, tourism will increase. Tax dollars from tourism can be used to improve the city’s schools, which the homeless could help repair at a fraction of the cost.

Mayor Fenty has the right idea: misuse of resources is the city’s biggest problem. And the most under-used resource is the homeless. Retrained, this resource will not only improve the city, but also, in the long run, save a lot of money.

The Committee to Save Franklin Shelter has a detailed plan to research models across the country and identify the best ways to integrate this underutilized resource back into society. Our plans work. As proof, the Committee to Save Franklin Shelter has already saved the shelter.

To go beyond treating the symptoms of homelessness and actually solve the homeless issue, the spiritual and mental outlook of the homeless must both be improved.

nity to be creative and express myself.

Thanks to all the donors once again. I cannot thank them enough, and we could not make it without their support. We would simply not be here.

And remember to keep buying Street Sense, because when you get the paper you also get a free gift - the gift of giving!

Cliff is Street Sense’s resident photographer and has been a vendor for a year. He used to practice martial arts and work for the Republican National Committee.

Rommel just recently moved out of the Franklin Shelter into his own place in Southeast Washington.

If you are homeless, formerly homeless or just in tune to poverty issues, your thoughts and editorials are welcome. Please e-mail your stories to info@ streetsense.org or mail it to 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

EDITORIALS 17

Street Sense . January 2007

word on the Street

MAURICE SPEAKS

Keeping the Homeless Occupied

A

lead article in the previous issue of Street Sense received much attention when it explained that the homeless have made public libraries a shelter of sorts during daytime hours.

L i b ra r i e s p rov i d e a number of activities that can be of interest to those who have an entire day ahead of them before seeking shelter for the night. One of those activities is using computers that are hooked up to the Internet. Blogs written by homeless authors and user groups created by homeless group leaders have sprung up as a result.

With the majority of shelters open only at night, the homeless are left to wander the streets during the day. This causes many problems, one of which is finding an activity that will not be regarded as loitering. Libraries offer a way for time to be used constructively, as blogs and user groups have shown.

Some argue that the homeless should be looking for work, and that is true, but a job search does not go on forever. I help people with job searches on a daily basis and am therefore aware that after someone has created a résumé and cover letter, has searched for job openings and has applied for them, the only thing that’s left to do is wait, and that leaves idle time that can be especially nervewracking. At that point, having something constructive to

do is invaluable.

Obviously, a library isn’t a shelter, and it shouldn’t have to serve as one. If complaints are raised that the homeless are using the libraries as shelters, it is a sign that real needs are not being addressed.

Shelters that turn all their residents out into the streets at 7 a.m. create a void during the hours between discharge and evening intake, which is usually 7 p.m. Some sort of structured daily activity would be a positive development, and the fact that some homeless people have used their time in the libraries to create sites in cyberspace indicates that much could be done with structured activity.

With recovery as an ultimate goal for the homeless, the need for productive day programs remains paramount.

Because the population being served is incredibly diverse, programs must target a wide audience. If day programs are put into action, the chances that homelessness can be reduced are far greater than if the homeless are left to fend for themselves in the streets for 12 hours every day.

Ultimately, homelessness should be eliminated completely so that the problem of finding ways to keep the homeless occupied would no longer exist. I’ve said this line many times before, and I still believe in it: Only if someone has an interest in keeping a segment of the population homeless – and that possibility does exist, I fear – can there be an excuse for not resolving the problem.

The question still remains: Will this problem ever be resolved?

N

and told her that it was a personal item, she grabbed the item and proceeded to look through it. I immediately grabbed the item (case) back and returned it to my bag.

When a practice such as this occurs, it makes me wonder if the security staff might want to know about a resident’s personal business and, if so, why? I believe the practice of selecting to search one resident’s bags over another’s is discriminatory, and obviously food is sent to the sleeping areas when this happens.

On occasion, I have observed residents eating food in their sleeping area. So how does the food get into the sleeping area if all bags are being searched, and searched thoroughly? This is so hilarious because, after the initial search of the bags has ended for the evening, the security guard has nothing of any significance to do.

In my opinion this practice and procedure is something that, if not done correctly every day, then you cannot get around someone breaking the rule. Such a practice should either be eliminated or, perhaps, they should come up with a new plan of procedures in checking the residents’ bags.

When you are homeless, you are confronted daily with an array of problems and situations. So, at the end of each day it is not right to be subjected to an unnecessary practice.

Patricia Jefferson has been a vendor since August 2006, and usually sells around Metro Center. She has been diligently saving her Street Sense earnings with the hope of getting a place of her own.

Ralph has lived on and off the streets of Washington, D.C., for many years. He is trying to start his own outreach organization. You can reach him at rdantleygoodsuccessservantservices@yahoo.com.

Maurice King has been writing editorials for Street Sense since January 2004, and is also in the process of publishing his own book. If you have any comments, please e-mail him at benadam@cyberdude.com.

By Patricia Jefferson

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By Ralph Dantley o one talks much about crime against homeless people. The reality is much of it goes u n re p o r t e d . B u t o n e thing for sure is that word spreads on the street.

I’ve heard about it from lots of people, including many seniors, and it’s really shocking. One senior I talked to – a friend I really care about – got punched senseless over his blanket.

I couldn’t believe it when I saw his face. This happened in Farragut Park.

The word out on the streets is that there is a new element of homelessness lurking about. It’s the young and ex-incarcerated that are now homeless with no means of support but the streets.

So the homeless have now had to band together for protection. Take a trip out in the streets during the early morning hours and you will see the clusters of homeless people together in groups.

I mean, robbing the homeless, come on now, how much can you expect to get?

Not to say every homeless person you see is broke. I personally believe that there are some really rich people on the streets. And when you spend time on the streets as I did,, you can sense when you talk to a person and there is more to them than what you see. But this robbing thing is stupid.

The same way one person got what they got, another person can too.

Is all this crime against homeless people some kind of sport? Or is it the raw viciousness of anger, frustration, aggression and bitterness that is being unleashed on the unfortunate who have to sleep on the streets?

You may ask why they don’t go to a shelter? Well, many homeless persons feel just as unsafe in a shelter as they do on the streets: having personal items stolen, talked to like you’re nothing, herded around like cattle and the feeling of being treated like a P.O.W. Whew! Not to mention the stress that comes with being a homeless woman on the streets.

I know the law of the streets is the same as the law of the jungle: “survival of the fittest.” The only difference is location. I’ve heard so many homeless crime stories, the names of all the victims could read like a graduation roll call.

So, as homelessness is radically transforming to include a younger and more ruthless element, crimes within the homeless community continue.

Now some might say, “Oh well. They’re homeless. So what?” But regardless of whatever state of life you are in, you are still a human being and deserve respect.

Oh sure, if Mr. or Mrs. or Ms. “got it going on” get ruffed up, it’s, “I want justice.” If it is a homeless person, it’s, “Who are they?” Unless of course it’s a high profile incident.

So with the homeless population growing and growing, and more of them staying on the streets with the lack of shelter space, homeless crimes might start making the headlines.

Bag Searches and the Streses and Strains of Being Homeless here is a policy at the Open Door Women’s Shelter in Washington, D.C., that the residents’ bags – all bags, purses, luggage, etc. – have to be searched before entering the sleeping areas because of a rule that no food is allowed in the sleeping areas.

I stay at the shelter, and I believe that the policy is preposterous and absurd because of the way the search is being conducted.

A line is formed before we enter the sleeping areas because we have to sign in to get a bed, and after the residents sign in, bags are checked. I have witnessed on occasion how the security staff may select to search one person’s belongings over another’s.

When a bag is being searched, the security staff may roughly mishandle residents’ person items with no regard for the person’s property. There were a few occasions when my bag was roughly searched and mishandled.

For example, there was a personal item – a case that had a strap and compartments for carrying personal items – that looked like a wallet. But it was not a wallet, and obviously not food, but the security guard asked about it. When I responded

Crimes Against the Homeless: Who Cares?

Street Sense . January 2007

18 COMMUNITY PAGE

Vendor Notes Here’s some exciting news to report: Henry Washington, a Street Sense vendor of two months, has enrolled in apprenticeship program through the Department of Employment Services. He will spend 12 weeks in a sheet-metal training program followed by four years of an apprenticeship. Congratulations Henry. We’re proud of you!

Street Sense vendor Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson was denied a second motion for a court-appointed attorney in U.S. District Court. The case revolves around her service dog, Rowdy, being denied access to a local supermarket. Brenda states that she plans to refile her case, which was dismissed on Jan. 5 on a technicality. Brenda also says she plans on panhandling to obtain legal representation; that is unless a law firm or benevolent attorney steps up to the plate. If you are an attorney or know someone willing to take the case on a pro bono basis who could help Brenda, please call her at the Street Sense office at 202-347-2006 or e-mail her in care of Street Sense at info@streetsense.org.

Ladies and Gentlemen: We at Street Sense have become television personalities. It seems that our 15 minutes of fame is becoming more like a half-hour. Lately there has been considerable demand for information about Street Sense, its history and its employees.

On Jan. 8, members of the Street Sense and Michael Stoops of the National Coalition for the Homeless were the invited guests on the PBS show “This is America” hosted by Dennis Wholey. There were a number of issues brought to the table, most of which centered on homelessness and poverty. There also was a considerable amount of discussion about Street Sense. The panel members from Street Sense were vendors Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson, Corey Bridges and Phillip Howard; executive director Laura Thompson Osuri; and myself.

The idea of getting star-like attention from the television staff in preparation for the broadcast was most exciting. Having a makeup artist enhance your appearance was something I never expected, but it was a most pleasurable experience, and the other members of our group agree. More than that, the information exchanged and the issues discussed were most pertinent to getting a better understanding of the daily challenges faced by the homeless community and poor people in general.

The program airs on WHUT, channel 32. Part 1 was shown Jan. 13-14, and part 2 will air Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. and Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. The program also can be viewed online at www.thisisamerica.net.

In addition to our invitation to “This is America,” “Viewpoints” (part of the morning news lineup on NBC4) also invited us as guests to discuss Street Sense, focusing on how it works and how it benefits its vendors. The guests were vendor Mark Jones, executive director Laura Thompson Osuri and myself, and we talked about Street Sense’s relationship and value to the Washington, D.C., community. The program is hosted by news personality Pat Lawson Muse. This show aired on Jan. 14, but you can find it on www.nbc4.

I also want to send out a big “thank you” to our intern-fora-week, Amy Esposito, a senior from the College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y. She helped out in the office the second week in January and did everything from compiling the vendor surveys to stuffing envelopes to preparing vendor training packets. She even went out for a few hours on two occasions to sell with vendors Jake Ashford and Cliff Carle. After Intern-for-a-week Amy Esposito. this sales experience she said she developed a new respect for the vendors and what they have to do to make a sale.

While plans are still in the works, it looks like the 2007 Homeless USA Cup will be in Washington, D.C., this year and will hopefully be held during the days leading up to July 4th.

In order to compete in this national tournament of five-onfive street soccer that brings together homeless players from across the country, Street Sense needs to put together its own team.

So if you are homeless or formerly homeless (within the last two years) and have some athletic skill, please consider joining our mish-mash of a team. If interested, please contact Laura at 202-347-2006. Practices will begin soon!

And last but not least, I would like to wish a big happy birthday to Cliff Carle, longtime vendor and resident Street Sense photographer, who celebrated yet another year on Jan. 15. He would not reveal his age except to say that he is 30-plus.

Vendors enjoy great food and friendship at the holiday party.

Though Christmas seems so long ago, I just wanted to thank all the volunteers who bought gift for vendors in the “adopt a vendor” Christmas exchange, and for Fresh Start Catering for providing the delicious food for our holiday party. It was a wonderful event and vendors were very appreciative and touched by the thoughtfulness of each gift.

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___ YES! I want to subscribe to Street Sense. At the special 2 by 2/2 rate of $35 for 24 issues. ___ YES! I want to give half of the cost of a subscription to my favorite vendor: _________________ Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________State:_______________ Zip: _______________ Phone: ______________________________________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________________________ Please make checks payable to Street Sense. Street Sense is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization.

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Thanks for your support!

- Jesse Smith Vendor Manager

Street Sense . January 2007

SERVICE PROVIDERS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 19

Community Service Index

Hypothermia Hotline: 1-800-535-7252

SHELTERS Calvary Women’s Services 928 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 783-6651 Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 745-7118 CCNV (Men and Women) 425 2nd Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 393-1909 Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-7356 DC Village (Family) 2-A DC Village Lane, SW Washington, DC 20032 (202) 561-8090 Franklin School (Men) 13th and K streets, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 638-7424 Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 842-1731 House of Imagene Shelters 214 P Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 518-8488 House of Ruth: Madison Emergency Shelter (Women) 651 10th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 547-2600 John Young Center (Women) 117 D Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 639-8469 La Casa Bilingual Shelter (Men) 1436 Irving Street, NW Washington, DC 20010 (202) 673-3592

Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-3066

Community of Hope 2250 Champlain Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-9022

Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-8870

Church of the Pilgrims 2201 P Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 387-6612

Unity Health Care, Inc. 3020 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 745-4300

Dinner Program for Homeless Women 945 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 737-9311

Whitman-Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 797-3500

Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 543-5298

Eofula-Spanish Senior Center 1842 Calvert Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 483-5800

OUTREACH CENTERS

McKenna’s Wagon 2114 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-6608 Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Ave, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 452-8926 So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 797-8806 Wash. City Church of the Brethren 337 North Carolina Ave, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 547-5924 The Welcome Table Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-2635 Zacchaeus Community Kitchen (“9:30 Club”) 10th and G Streets, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 393-9144 EMERGENCY FOOD

N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 939-2060

Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 265-2400 AND 1640 Good Hope Road, SE Washington, DC 20020 (202) 561-8587

801-East @ St. Elizabeth’s Hospital 2700 MLK Ave., SE Washington, DC (202) 561-4014

Covenant House of Washington 2001 Mississippi Ave, SE Washington, DC 20020 (202) 610-9630

New York Ave Shelter (Men) 1355-57 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 832-2359

Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 842-1112

Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 Mitch Snyder Place, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 639-8093

Food and Friends 219 Riggs Road, NE Washington, DC 20011 (202) 269-2277

SOUP KITCHENS

MEDICAL RESOURCES

10th Street Baptist Church 1000 R Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 232-1685

Christ House 1717 Columbia Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-1100

Downtown Services Center 945 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 393-5400 Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 939-2060 Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20007 (202) 338-8301 Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-6608 Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 682-1005 Sasha Bruce Youth Work 741 8th Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 675-9340 Friendship House 619 D Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 675-9050 Comm. Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Ave. NW Washington, DC 20016 (202) 364-1419 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Byte Back (computers) 815 Monroe Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 (202) 529-3395 Capital Area Food Bank 645 Taylor Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 (202) 526-5344 x223 Catholic Community Services of DC 924 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 772-4300 Catholic Comm. Services Emergency Center 1438 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 526-4100

Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 347-0511 Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW 20036 (202) 332-4010 Hermano Pedro DC Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way Washington, DC 20010 (202) 332-2874 JHP, Inc. (Jobs and Housing) 1526 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 544-5300 Jubilee Jobs 1640 Columbia Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 667-8970 National Coalition For the Homeless 2201 P Street, NW Washington, DC 200037 (202) 462-4822 Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE Washington, DC 20020 AND 1516 Hamilton Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 (202)889-7702 St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 1514 15th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 607-4394 Travelers Aid, Union Station 50 Mass. Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 371-1937 Virginia Williams Family Resource Center 25 M Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 (202) 724-3932 Wash. Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-5500

If you are an area nonprofit serving the homeless and wish to be included in this index please e-mail all the relevant information to info@streetsense. org.

VENDOR PROFILE

PHOTO FINISH

Home Is Where You Make It

By Cliff Carle

vendor photographer

Martin Walker

Martin, 35, was born in Washington, D.C. He grew up in the Southeast section of the city. He is the youngest of five children of a single parent. He said that growing up with four other siblings was tough, but he managed to survive in spite of the pressures that are common to the single parent environment. He has worked as a telecommunications manager and a collections agent, and he has a CDL license, which allows him to drive dump trucks and other large vehicles.

He currently resides in the new Adams Street shelter.

How did you become homeless?

I became homeless as a result of an automobile accident, which led to an extensive hospital stay. My employer saw fit to terminate me due to the excessive absence from work. And without this income I was no longer able to pay the bills. So I was evicted and had to survive on the streets.

Why do you sell Street Sense?

It’s an easy way to earn money while seeking permanent employment.

What advice would you give someone who is homeless?

Don’t give up, keep trying, better things are on the horizon.

A homeless man sets his own kind of living room (complete with couch and mini-fridge) at 3rd and D streets in Nortwest, just above I-395 and next to the CCNV shelter.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I would like to be in a new home and start a family and have a good career in commercial driving.

Your favorite music?

R & B and smooth jazz.

StreetFact

Your favorite movie?

“Judgment Night,” starring Emilio Estevez and Cuba Gooding Jr.

Street Sense currently has 44 active vendors and has had 102 total badged vendors in the last year.

Source: Street Sense

Your favorite food?

Seafood.

Your favorite book?

Conceived Without Sin, by Bud Macfarlane.

Martin reminds customers to only buy from badged vendors and not to give to those panhandling with one paper.

January 2007 • Volume 4 • Issue 3

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Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005

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