02.14.2024

I

EDITORIAL

lORI OUR STORY

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The Cover COVER ART BY LORI SMITH,

DESGIN BY BRUNA COSTA

Warren Stevens, Wendell Williams

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Darick Brown

DIRECTOR OF VENDOR

EMPLOYMENT

Thomas Ratliff

VENDOR PROGRAM

NEWS IN BRIEF

DC closes encampment near Judiciary Square

MARGARET HARTIGAN

Editorial Intern

D.C. officials closed an encampment near Judiciary Square on Jan. 31. At least two residents lived there before the closure.

The last resident to move out, Michael, told Street Sense he had lived in the area for about six years. He did not know exactly how many residents lived in the encampment, but he lived with several other people over the years. One woman moved out the night before, he said.

At the intersection of 2nd and D Streets in Northwest, a metal sign notifying residents about the site’s closure was affixed to a nearby fence. The sticker declaring the date and time was placed on top of several others — D.C. previously closed the encampment in May 2022, July

VENDOR

PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS

Ann Herzog, Beverly Brown, Madeleine McCollough, Roberta Haber

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Annemarie Cuccia

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Andrea Ho, Margaret Hartigan, Nora Scully

GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN

Bruna Costa

SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN

Azaria Jackson

ARTISTS-INRESIDENCE

Bonnie Naradzay (Poetry), David Serota (Illustration), Leslie Jacobson (Theater), Roy Barber (Theater), Rachel Dungan (Podcast), Willie Schatz (Writing)

2023 and Nov. 2023.

D.C. removed Michael’s encampment so the city could conduct a full clean up, bio-hazard removal and “reinforcement of the no encamping ordinance for this space,” according to the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services' (DMHHS) website.

According to D.C.’s encampment protocol, D.C. must give encampment residents written notice of an encampment closure at least 14 days in advance, unless the closure is considered an “immediate disposition.” An immediate disposition allows the city to clear encampments with between 24 hours and six days notice.

Michael said the most recent encampment clearing caught him by surprise. He hadn’t noticed that a new sticker had been added to the sign, which has been nailed to the fence since at least Oct. 18. “I didn’t see the sign, so I didn’t know,” he said.

As part of enforcing a law that prohibits camping on public land, DMHHS has been conducting encampment clearings, trash clean-ups and biohazard removals with increasing frequency. Michael is one of many encampment residents who have been displaced by these clearings.

On that January morning, as officials arrived and began to remove items from the encampment, Michael packed his belongings, including some large pillows and blankets, into two shopping carts. He told Street Sense that he planned to remain in the area.

Andrea Ho contributed to reporting.

OPINION EDITOR (VOLUNTEER)

Candace Montague

EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS

Alison Henry, Anisa Noor, Annabella Hoge, Anne Eigeman, August Ditcher, Benjamin Litoff, Cari Shane, Casey Bacot,

Chelsea Ciruzzo, Dakota Bragato, Dan Goff, Elise Zaidi, Grier Hall, Jessica Webster, J.M. Acsienzo, Josh Axelrod, Kate Malloy, Kathryn Owens, Lenika Cruz, Matt Gannon, Micah Levey, Miles Wilson, Rachel Siegal, Roman

EVENTS AT SSM

ANNOUNCEMENTS

□ Street Sense Media will be closed Monday, Feb. 19, for Presidents Day.

□ Women's Workshop is back! Every Thursday, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

□ Street Sense follows the government for weather closures. Check the office status at opm.gov/status. If Thomas has your number or email, he can notify you.

□ Find announcements and other useful information at streetsensemedia.org/ vendor-info.

BIRTHDAYS

Shuhratjohn Ahmadjonov Jan. 20

Lady Sasha Feb. 18

VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT

Read this democratically elected code of conduct, by vendors, for vendors!

1. I will support Street Sense Media’s mission statement and in so doing will work to support the Street Sense Media community and uphold its values of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity.

2. I will treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and fellow vendors, respectfully at all times. I will refrain from threatening others, pressuring customers into making donations, or engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices.

3. I understand that I am not an employee of Street Sense Media but an independent contractor.

4. While distributing the Street Sense newspaper, I will not ask for more than $2 per issue or solicit donations by any other means.

5. I will only purchase the newspaper from Street Sense Media staff and volunteers and will not distribute newspapers to other vendors.

Peregrino, Ryan Bacic, Taylor Nichols, Zach Montellaro

6. “I will not distribute copies of “Street Sense” on metro trains and buses or on private property.”

7. I will abide by the Street Sense Media Vendor Territory Policy at all times and will resolve any related disputes with other vendors in a professional manner.

8. I will not sell additional goods or products while distributing “Street Sense.”

9. I will not distribute “Street Sense” under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

10. I understand that my badge and vest are property of Street Sense Media and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing “Street Sense” and will always display my badge when distributing “Street Sense.”

Celebrating the life of 'superstar' Cynthia Mewborn

NORA SCULLY Editorial Intern

Cynthia Mewborn’s voice was extraordinary — a deep, rich blend of soul and gospel. She often told people she was a “vocalist, not a singer,” and loved performing, both in Street Sense Media workshops and performances, and for her friends.

Mewborn died on Jan. 11, after she was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in late 2023. She was 59.

Born in Baltimore on Feb. 4, 1964, Mewborn joined Street Sense in 2013 as a vendor while living on the streets. Her passion for performing led her to join several initiatives, including “Staging Hope,” a Street Sense theater workshop and the “Interactive Art Group,” an art showcase. By the time she left Street Sense in 2017, she had directed a film, written several songs and helped create numerous art pieces, including a mobile exhibit of a retrofitted bus.

Mewborn then moved to Second Story Cards in Baltimore, which partners with people experiencing homelessness to produce greeting cards. She worked there until she died.

Mewborn was always artistically inclined, according to Leslie Jacobson, a Street Sense volunteer, who described Mewborn as one of the first members of Street Sense’s theater workshop in 2013.

“She got a lot of joy out of performing, and it gave people a lot of joy to watch,” Jacobson said. “She kept imagining other ways to use her talent in this world.”

For those in the workshop, Mewborn’s presence was always notable. “She carried herself like a superstar, like she was already there,” said Angie Whitehurst, a Street Sense vendor who participated in the theater workshops with Mewborn. “She wanted to do and be everything.”

Mewborn wrote many of her own songs, including an original called “You don’t know what it’s like living on the streets” for an animated short. But her musical pièce de résistance was a 17-aria opera titled “Came Out the Wiser'' on which she'd been working for seven years.

Mewborn began developing the project while working as a vendor for Street Sense.

“She’d move through the office humming and singing as

she was developing [the opera], using that amazing voice she had,” Eric Falquero, the former editorin-chief of Street Sense, said.

Mewborn loved singing, often using it as a medium to express her feelings or uplift others. “Even in hospice, she treated us and sang a little bit,” Reed Sandridge, founder of Second Story Cards where Mewborn worked, said. “She had a beautiful voice.”

Mewborn’s creative work took inspiration from her life. She was often candid about her time living on the streets, which left her living with post-traumatic stress disorder. She was without housing twice, and even after receiving housing, continued to feel like she was living in an unsafe environment, a topic about which she often wrote.

In 2015, Mewborn directed a film titled “Who Should I Be Grateful Too?” about her experience living in a tent as a sexual assault survivor, and how the trauma continued to impact her after she moved into housing. According to Bryan Bello, founder of the Street Sense Filmmakers Cooperative and former artist-in-residence, the short film screened at the National Museum of the American Indian alongside a feature film by Sterling Harjo, who six years later would make the hit show Reservation Dogs.

Familiar with the danger of living without housing, Mewborn hoped to do advocacy work for seniors experiencing homelessness. At the time of her death, she was in the process of creating a nonprofit called National Legal Christian Advocates to advocate for people who had been homeless for seven years or longer, according to Sandridge.

While working to create her nonprofit, Mewborn designed a plethora of greeting cards at Second Story Cards. Her graphics were often nature-inspired, a reflection of her love of science and the planet. Sandridge highlighted Mewborn’s attention to detail, describing how she would pick up every card and feel it to ensure that the texture and design were up to her standards.

But Mewborn’s design capabilities weren’t limited to cardmaking. She was also an avid knitter, according to Ann Herzog, a Street Sense volunteer who knew Mewborn for more than a decade. Herzog would purchase the paper from Mewborn in front of her local grocery store, where the two struck up a conversation. Eventually, Mewborn asked Herzog to teach her to knit.

“She made my husband and me both wrist warmers for Christmas,” Herzog said. “She had an incredible creative use of color. Whatever she did, she did it well.”

Generous to a fault, Mewborn would often gift people things, even if she did not always have money to spend on herself, according to Sandridge and Herzog.

“She bought [my son] baby gifts when he was born, when I knew she didn’t have money to go buy baby gifts,” Sandridge said.

Mewborn was playful with children, according to Herzog. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mewborn had the idea to write a children’s book about the importance of volunteerism, which the two finished and submitted, unsuccessfully, for publication. “This was just like Cynthia, she was always coming up with ideas,” Herzog said.

Many of her projects relied on her dogged perseverance and

intelligence. Few people would be able to identify a NASA scientist out of a crowd, but Mewborn could. According to Herzog, Mewborn had a regular paper customer who frequently wore a NASA shirt. Mewborn would holler at him using the moniker “NASA guy.”

One day, Mewborn shouted at him, “What do you know about CASSINI?” Although engaged in conversation, he stopped and answered. It turned out that “NASA man” was Dr. Jim Green, the director of the planetary science division at NASA, who had worked on the CASSINI project that sent a space probe to Saturn.

Through Street Sense, Mewborn interviewed Green, diving into questions about virtual reality, alien life and the importance of science. But the interview was not the only way Mewborn shared her love for science with the Street Sense community. She also organized a nature walk through Malcolm X Park to show people how to identify various flora.

“She wanted to make sure we used our platform to try to educate people,” Falquero said. Mewborn eventually started a science-focused feature called “c=md2” after her initials.

During the 2016 solar eclipse, Sandridge has a distinct memory of Mewborn, armed with her eclipse glasses and a prime location by the Street Sense office, thrilled to see a oncein-a-lifetime experience. “[Cynthia said] this doesn’t happen all the time, how are you not just amazed?” Sandridge said.

Mewborn’s joy at watching the world unfold was most evident in her love of film. Mewborn and Herzog would regularly go to the movie theater together before COVID-19. There, Mewborn’s “wicked” sense of humor shone. She would often laugh at the parts no one else laughed at. As Mewborn’s laughter filled the oft-empty theater of their afternoon matinees, Herzog would realize that what was just said was quite funny and she hadn’t realized it yet.

“She had a deep, joyous, belly laugh,” Herzog said. “She’d lean her head back a little and laugh.”

Cynthia Mewborn was a vendor with Street Sense Media. Street Sense file photo

Cynthia Mewborn loved to make gifts for others. Photo courtesy of Ann Herzog

Gas explosion damages transitional housing program, residents relocated

NORA SCULLY Editorial Intern

More than 30 residents of a transitional housing program were forced to evacuate after a gas explosion on Marion Barry Avenue in Southeast on Jan. 18. The building sustained significant water and explosion damage, and the organization is now fundraising to cover the cost of renovations.

The women were staff and residents at the Calvary Service’s Good Hope. One of three transitional housing programs run by Calvary Services, the Good Hope program offers safe housing and access to basic services and meals to support women exiting homelessness

Firefighters responded to reports of a gas leak at the neighboring Danakil Convenience Store roughly 15 minutes before the gas explosion. According to Calvary Services CEO Kris Thompson, more than 30 women were safely evacuated from the building following the organization’s evacuation plan, thanks to the work of emergency personnel. The explosion also affected the daycare next door, Baby Einstein Child Development Center. Staff members evacuated 16 children and have moved to a transitional space while the organization fundraises for repairs.

The residents of the Good Hope program were all safely relocated to another site, according to Thompson. Some have been transferred to one of Calvary Service’s other housing sites or another housing provider. Those who are in the process of receiving a housing voucher are working with case managers to potentially expedite the process.

“Case managers have been working closely with each individual to make sure that whatever each person needs, we’re responding to that,” Thompson said.

Thompson emphasized her gratitude to the local community for their support. In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, the residents of the Good Hope site waited at the nearby Capital One Cafe and then Busboys and Poets until they could be safely relocated to another housing site. Anacostia residents have delivered meals, and Thomspon noted that over 500 individuals reached out to the organization.

The Junior League of Washington (JLW), a volunteer organization dedicated to female empowerment, has provided coffee and breakfast to Calvary Services employees and has awarded the provider a $5,000 JLW Community Assistance Fund grant to replace essential items destroyed by the explosion.

“We are proud of our partnership with Calvary and happy to support them however we can in their time of need,” Kimberly Price, JLW president, wrote in a statement to Street Sense.

The Good Hope building sustained significant water damage from the explosion and remains

FOR CYNTHIA

A great equation

FREDERIC JOHN Artist/Vendor

c=md2. That’s how our Cynthia Mewborn signed many of her very deep investigations into life’s conundrums: pollution, recycling, the 17-year locust and social hypocrisy. There was no topic Cynthia wouldn’t tackle. And when our Street Sense theater musical creative group ‘Hope’ began in the mid-2010s, Cynthia’s mellifluous voice led the way. I shall never forget the joyful tears I shed when she held forth with “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” When she fell ill, I found an embossed Nativity card for her — and how Cynthia loved her saviour!

inoperative, according to Thompson Calvary Services began a new campaign called Restoring Hope, which accepts financial and volunteer contributions to help repair the building.

“We were grateful for the support we've received from partners, from this community,” Thompson said. “Everyone just moved quickly to make sure everyone was safe — physically safe but also supported in what has been a very challenging time.”

A gas explosion damaged Calvary Service's transitional housing program. Photo courtesy of Calvary Services

Committee investigation, public testimony reveal failings of housing code inspection process

NINA RAJ

Volunteer Freelance Reporter

After water began leaking through the ceiling light fixtures in her apartment, with floors cracking and mold growing up the walls, Shanta Rodriguez filed a complaint with D.C.’s Department of Buildings (DOB), Rodriguez testified in a public Committee of the Whole hearing on Jan. 18.

Rodriguez, who testified virtually about her ordeal while displaced from her apartment, reported that the DOB inspector told her there was nothing the agency could do until her ceiling collapsed. She said she felt hopeless, a feeling echoed by multiple residents who testified people in their tenant associations and buildings were frustrated with DOB’s failure to act.

DOB's agency’s mission statement says the agency is designed to “protect the safety of residents, businesses, and visitors” by enforcing the District’s property and housing code. The agency does so, in part, through building reinspections to ensure proper maintenance and continued compliance with housing regulations. It DOB's responsibility to penalize property owners, including landlords, who fail to provide tenants with sanitary, structurally sound and safe housing.

Yet Rodriguez and other D.C. residents say property managers continue to ignore housing code violations, at times until their homes become uninhabitable. The Committee of the Whole, a legislative body composed of all D.C. Council members, conducted a months-long investigation into DOB’s housing inspection process, finding flaws in nearly every step of the agency’s operations.

In its investigation summary, “Report on The District’s Housing Code Inspection Process: Broken and In Need of Repair,” the committee cited shortcomings in the DOB’s communication with both property owners and tenants, inaccessibility of DOB resources and failure to abate a majority of housing code violations promptly. The committee’s hearing focused on discussing the results of this investigation, collecting public feedback on DOB procedure and exploring possible solutions to the failures exposed by the report.

When a tenant faces an issue with their living conditions, they are first expected to notify their landlord. If the landlord fails to fix the problem, tenants may file a complaint with the DOB. Public witnesses at the Jan. 18 hearing expressed widespread concern with the DOB’s online complaint form, which they said offers no option for language translation and uses confusing, ambiguous wording.

For instance, when asking tenants to describe their housing problem, the form lumps multiple issues that require distinct solutions into a single category, such as, “Peeling Paint, Holes, Water Damage, Unsanitary Condition.” The result, according to the investigation, is that the information collected by the DOB from complaints is both limited and inconsistent.

Tenants attempting to reschedule or request follow-up inspections are forced to open an entirely new complaint. Additionally, Children’s Law Center policy attorney Makenna Osborn testified that for those without access to computers who have to call in their complaints, DOB’s phone line is unreliable and frequently unreachable.

Within 15 days of receiving a complaint, a DOB inspector is expected to review a housing unit for violations and document them in a notice of infraction (NOI) issued to property owners.

The NOI serves as a guide for landlords on what needs to be fixed to bring the property into compliance. Through the system of “deferred enforcement,” a property owner can avoid paying a fine for their code violations if the issue is fixed within 60 days of receiving the NOI, or within 24 hours of an emergency violation.

Keith Parsons, strategic enforcement administrator at DOB, said at the hearing that in fiscal year 2023, approximately 30,000 total violations were found through inspections. Of these, only 12,000 have been confirmed as abated.

Moreover, the committee’s report recorded that 56% of NOIs sent to landlords were mailed to an incorrect address. Since the landlords never received notification of the infraction, they are deemed not liable for the violation, contributing to DOB’s low rate of successful abatement.

Abatement may be confirmed either through an in-person reinspection by DOB or by the landlord submitting evidence the issue was addressed on DOB’s online portal. Parsons said the proof provided by property owners is “rigorously scrutinized,” yet public witness testimony called this into question.

Residents said pervasive problems of rat infestation, mold growth, broken windows and doors, exposed wires, cracked floors, missing stair railways and failing security measures have all gone unattended, even after reports showed landlords had fixed the issue.

After DOB completes its inspection, “Tenants are left in the dark," Osborn said. She reported clients of the law center frequently do not know what, if any, action was taken by DOB since noting the violations in their homes. When a landlord confirms abatement with DOB, there is no notice provided to the tenant or outreach about opportunities to dispute the property owner’s claim. While a public dashboard provides the status of housing code violations, Osborn explained “Right now all the onus is on the tenants” to locate information and contact DOB.

Without required, in-person verification of abatement, supervising attorney at Legal Aid DC Eleni Christidis testified that photographic evidence submitted by landlords can be misleading and has left enforcement of the housing code to “the honor system.” The committee’s investigation found that several DOB inspectors reported instances where property owners had sent false proof of abatement. Further, no framework currently exists to catch sophisticated methods some landlords are using to game the system.

If there is no confirmation of abatement provided within the timeframe allowed to landlords, the violation is sent to the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) for litigation. Over 9,000 NOIs are pending at OAH, a number that continues to grow, according to Parsons. While these disputes await resolution, nothing prevents property

owners with outstanding fines or unabated violations from buying more buildings.

Even when the landlord is successfully prosecuted in a case that makes it to trial, a judge’s ruling is no guarantee of improved living conditions for the tenant.

Tanisha Gordon shared with the committee that after 14 housing code violations were found in the building in which she lives, the property manager paid over $10,000 in fines last year. Yet the violations have not been fixed.

“There’s still water in the ground floor, there’s still the beeping sound that was reported in the summer, and the wall of black mold was just painted over,” Gordon said at the hearing.

Following the committee’s report, both DOB and advocates offered suggestions for how to improve the housing inspection process.

Parsons announced, awaiting tenant feedback, that a revised complaint form will go live on the DOB site “very, very soon.” The updated form will feature banners to access language translation assistance and improved wording. To address the inaccurate service of NOIs to landlords, DOB is developing a housing complaint clearinghouse, which will include a comprehensive database of property owner contact information.

The committee’s report includes several recommendations for DOB, including more intensive and interactive training of inspectors, increased in-person reinspections of units to confirm abatement and a practice of “nudging” landlords with courtesy letters to address alleged violations.

Public testimony pointed to a need for DOB to improve engagement and communication with residents. Witnesses suggested DOB contact tenants regularly with updates on their complaint status, provide clearer notice of when inspections will occur and automatically follow up even after a landlord verifies abatement. Some called for more proactive measures, such as routine inspections of properties with regular violations, rather than waiting for conditions to worsen and tenants to file complaints.

Public housing advocate Rhonda Hamilton said that although the committee’s investigation into DOB practices is a welcome effort to begin fixing a broken system, this was only a first step. Given the negative physical and mental health consequences of poor housing, Hamilton stressed the urgency for the report’s findings to lead to real change for tenants.

“These are just words for them. They are living through egregious conditions,” Hamilton told councilmembers. “And the reality is it’s leaving them vulnerable. They don’t have the luxury of waiting for you to figure it out.”

New bill would allow people who use marijuana to live in federally subsidized housing

MARGARET HARTIGAN

Editorial Intern

D.C. Congressional Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced a bill to allow people who use marijuana to live in federally subsidized low-income housing on Jan. 25.

Currently, people who use drugs that are illegal at the federal level — including marijuana — are ineligible for public housing and governmentassisted housing. Landlords have the right to evict anyone found to be using marijuana, even if it is for medical purposes, and even if the head of household wasn’t using the drug.

“If a public housing resident's child gets caught with a joint and they're named on the lease but they're not the head of household, the head of household risks eviction because they're the responsible party,” said Daniel del Pielago, the housing director at Empower DC, an advocacy organization for low-income D.C. residents.

“This causes a lot of stress for people who are already living in poor living conditions and worried about potential eviction,” he added.

If passed, this bill would change that. It would prohibit landlords from evicting residents from federally assisted housing, including both public housing and voucher-supported housing, because of marijuana use, regardless of whether the use of marijuana takes place on or off the premises. This new rule would only apply in states and territories where marijuana use is legal, including D.C.

Norton originally introduced the “Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act” in 2018. It was reintroduced again in 2019 and 2021. Norton is now reintroducing it once again and it’s co-sponsored by Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Norton’s office did not provide a comment in time for publication.

Marijuana is currently legal in 38 states, but it is still illegal to use or possess on the federal level. In other words, most states have made marijuana legal, but the federal government maintains a ban on the drug. In states where marijuana is legal, however, federal officers generally do not enforce marijuana laws unless there is an additional reason to, like if it is being sold to minors or transported across state lines.

Despite federal marijuana law, legalization of the drug is popular: 70% of Americans support legalizing recreational use, and more than 90% support medical marijuana legalization. Medical marijuana was legalized in D.C. in 2010, and recreational use was legalized in 2015.

All forms of public housing in the United States have had no-smoking policies since 2017, according to a D.C. Housing Authority spokesperson. People who smoke tobacco are still permitted to live in public housing, however, as long as they do not smoke inside or within 25 feet of public housing facilities.

If this bill is passed, a similar rule would apply to marijuana smoking. It would be legal to live in a public housing unit as a marijuana smoker, so long as the resident smokes somewhere else.

If passed, the bill would ease just one of many restrictions affecting current and prospective public housing tenants in D.C. As of publication, those restrictions include a ban on new pets and community service requirements, according to del Pielago.

“Public housing residents are District residents,” del Pielago said. “Not everyone plans on all of a sudden smoking marijuana, but they do want to enjoy in full the rights that other District residents have.”

The D.C. Housing Authority's former headquarters. Photo by Will Schick

ROCHELLE WALKER Artist/Vendor

My heart

NIKILA SMITH Artist/Vendor

I have a weeping heart looking at people I can't help

holding my head down so my face can't be seen I'm overwhelmed with sadness

I'm trying hard some would say it's the minimum amount these words come from a dead heart that wants the life from mine my heart weeps for the ones I can't reach my heart weeps for those who can't word their words to speak

I weep for the things I can't speak about

I'm going to become a superhero so I can have a shield to cover my heart my heart cries

drowning me on the inside

my heart is lost searching for a beat it once had a lot of hearts have no rhythm because it was stolen if Bob the Builder can't fix it then I don't know who can is this love in the air I can't smell it maybe my nose is stopped up that wasn't an arrow I think a bed bug bit me they bit him too

I can't cook a romantic dinner it's the end of the month love can take a rain check

I'm setting the mood I’m the Valentine’s Day Scrooge I used to love using my moves but the rules have changed

and V-Day just ain't the same Happy V-Day to all I hope bed bugs don't bite you as they bit me

Situationship

CARLOS CAROLINA Artist/Vendor

For my lil’ situationship: Aye baby, I hope we grow until we are stable. Build with you like we are Really situated.

If I had nothing but us, I’ll have more than enough, I dream big for my lil’ situationship.

And you can spin me all day, I’m spinning. Got love for you, I’m chasing, if you win. (It’s my pleasure)

I’ve been deep in thought And I’m thinking about us. To think about it, You might just be the one.

You were feeling down on your luck, I’ll be there to pick you up.

I don’t know, but what I’m Feeling, I won’t fake it.

The four letters, whole ‘Nother situation, baby.

I’m going places with my lil’ situation. I gotta situationship, From the bottom of my heart.

Illustration by Nikila Smith

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine’s Day to all who still believe in love

REGGIE JONES Artist/Vendor

Unfortunately, I will be in court on Valentine’s Day for a mistake I made which I have asked God to forgive me for, for my sins. But they hurt me, and I was tired of turning the other cheek on things with people. So I will be spending my day in court. Hopefully, it’s a lady judge, and I can wish her a happy Valentine’s Day before my case begins. I love ladies, including my own lady who’s very special to me. I’ve been with her a long time, she’s my chocolate. I love her very much. I hope to marry her one day. We already have a family together. All we need is a house to put us and our kids in to make our family stronger. I love my lady who’s very patient with me and loves me in her own unique way. We understand one another and get along very well. I will always love her with all my heart and will do anything for her.

I booked us a suite at the Ritz-Carlton. We’ll have a nice dinner. So I hope everything goes well. I am praying to God on this one. So anyway, happy Valentine's Day to all the ladies, including mine. I call her chocolate because she’s so sweet. I love her to death, to the moon and back. Nothing can end our love, not even money. I try to make enough money for us to live a good life and make us happy. If you believe in love, have a good time, and enjoy yourself. Valentine's Day is very special, whoever you decide to spend it with. No matter what I still believe in old-fashioned love and romance. Candlelit dinners and the whole nine yards. Reggie loves his lady with all of his heart. I would never cheat on my chocolate drop, ever. So happy Valentine's Day to all, and enjoy it.

We share, we care, we know, we go

QUEENIE FEATHERSTONE Artist/Vendor

Our togetherness grows and grows and grows. Our strong feelings for each other are as high as a kite. This feeling is just right! Being apart often breaks my heart. Something inside is so strong. My God, please, I just can’t be wrong. Just what is this feeling that is really this strong?

The reason for love

KYM PARKER Artist/Vendor

I know love is a feeling deep in my soul somewhere.

It's pure sometimes.

It’s raw sometimes.

Just the feeling of God touching me.

So when I wake up in the morning I pray the reason that love feels good is because it’s real.

When I say love is pure, I mean when I was weak she gave me love and respect.

She always protects us, she always loves us unconditionally.

Her love is like a shower, the most powerful, most pure that burns my soul when I wake up.

I talk to her about knowing pain, grief and worries.

She takes it away.

Her love is pure. Her love is pure and righteous. This is why I love her.

I know that deep in my mind, she loves all of her children.

She is the reason we wake in the morning.

Her anger protects us and gives us strength. She told us all her words are pure.

Her words are true, so I do it every day.

When she calls we should all answer.

JACKIE TURNER Artist/Vendor

My husband

VENNIE HILL Artist/Vendor

I'm here again with a sad story. My husband was in a fatal accident on Dec. 31. He passed on Jan. 1, New Year's Day. I've been with this man for 14 years. This would have been our 15th year together on July 4, which is my birthday too.

Let me tell you about what I lost and took for granted. This man rubbed my feet and rubbed my back when I was tired. When I was on medication he walked me to the bathroom at night to make sure I did not fall. Every time I was in a hospital, no matter how far away I was, he made his way to get to me. He helped me get off of drugs. He and I have been fighting alcoholism for a long time and he was still by my side.

Not a day went by that he didn't tell me he loved me, and every day I told him I loved him. I miss him so much. There's nothing that can take the place of a man like that who will give you anything, do anything for you. I never thought that he would be gone. Now I'm without him — that's the worst feeling in the world.

It was a crazy accident. My husband was on the side of the highway fixing the car when some man came on the side of the highway trying to beat traffic and hit my husband and killed him. Now he’s gone and I can't bring him back. I feel angry. I'm upset. I feel devious. I feel revenge. I feel everything. But I have to let God take his course and handle it.

I hope you have someone in your life like that. Don’t take it for granted. They might be here today but they could be gone tomorrow in an instant. You could have never told me a man that I had could disappear like that, and it wasn't even his fault. I wish I had more than 15 years, it's just not enough. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with this man, but now he's gone. He knew I loved him and I know he loved me.

I matter

BRIANNA BUTLER Artist/Vendor

I take care of my family with love and care from my heart. I listen to them when they need a shoulder to lean on. I give my two cents about how we should do things helps the family long-term.

I’m a good hugger for those who need a little love to uplift their hearts. I do this for everyone in my family and outside my family — including you. I celebrate meals as the essence of keeping people together in harmony. That’s what makes my meals fantastic to taste and to eat. I put my whole self into every dish I create. I will even go on long-distance errands to get the right ingredients for those meals.

I encourage my church family with smiles and laughter. I pray for them and their families to keep moving forward in life. When people have special needs at my church I always volunteer my time and help.

You readers matter to me. You give me great feedback when letting me know how much you like every article I’ve written. Your smiles and giving let me know people care about each other in their times of need. I want to say thank you with a grateful heart and prayers that your needs are met the way you are meeting mine.

All these people I’m discussing matter to me. And all these people encourage me when they respond to me with love and care, too. Let us keep hoping and trusting our God; he’s the father and finisher of our lives.

My different Feb. 14

ROBERT VAUGHN Artist/Vendor

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day has been a day to tout our love for our significant others, wives, husbands and sweethearts. Boxes of chocolates, red and white greeting cards, intimate gifts and romantic candlelit dinners are often the order of the day. This year, though, I choose to show love to some others: my children.

2023 was very trying for many reasons: My homeless situation, my continual struggle to overcome my addictions, a failed marriage and a host of day-to-day trials that, at times, seemed insurmountable. However, despite all those difficulties, my four adult children have been a constant source of support, encouragement and, most of all, love. Without them in my corner, I don’t know whether I would have had the strength and the courage to carry on. And even though they were not in my life for many years, God chose just the right time to mend those old wounds and bring us all closer together to hold each other up when life’s perils threaten.

I’ve gone to each child and asked for their forgiveness. They responded the same way: "Dad, you’ve already been forgiven." We have a daily group text in which we discuss the happenings in our lives and share guidance and support. Best of all for this day, one of my daughters was born on Feb. 14!

On Feb. 10 I celebrated one year of sobriety and avoiding harmful drugs. All of us spent that weekend together. Two children came from South Carolina, one from Suitland and the other from Brandywine, Maryland. We had ice cream and cake for about 40 people at my social club, then were off on a weekend of fun, fellowship and love.

This is gonna be a very special Valentine’s Day for all the reasons I’ve described. But the main theme for us will be a father’s love for his children and their undying love for their dear old dad.

Love poem without a certain word

ROCHELLE WALKER Artist/Vendor

I got a feeling I will be kind I got a clock saying you are right on time I got mine saying you are mine I got hope staying together we can cope I got something saying I care about you I got my Valentine's card with a little hug I got some candy as sweet as you I got my religious beliefs saying Jesus is mine and somebody is right on time

Prayer for today

PATRICIA DONALDSON Artist/Vendor

God is good to me. When my mom died I was sad and alone, because I had nobody. But my friend called every day. I thank my friend for being there for me.

Loving God, thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for allowing us to see the beauty of your creations. Bless and guide us today. May our actions that we take today always give you glory. Protect us, dear God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Presidents Day

WARREN STEVENS Artist/Vendor

It is voting time. We hope this year we use God to put someone in the seat to free this country. Put more Democrats in the chair to bring down crime, gun violence and carjacking, so people can live here in peace.

Last year in June one night when I was selling papers at Dupont Circle, somebody snatched my cup with money in it. The couple at the bus stop saw what happened. The man ran and tried to catch the young guy and he got away. They were sorry it happened. The next day I wore my pouch and didn’t have any problems. My mom always told me that the District area is a rough area full of crime and gun violence. I hurried up and left to get out.

Valentine's Day is around the corner. I will be sending my loved ones Valentine's cards, to make their day happy. Couples, relatives and friends celebrate Valentine's Day with dinner, dancing, candy and flowers. Happy Valentine’s Day to my sister and her family, my son and his girlfriend and my girlfriend.

Without love

JACKIE TURNER Artist/Vendor

If this world didn’t have love, there would be nothing but hurt!

With love comes kindness, comfort, feeling safe and a little peace. Without love, there is fear, insecurity and unhappiness. Love keeps the world happy!

Valentine’s Day

LATICIA BROCK Artist/Vendor

If I could give this world something it would be my word, not empty promises like Mayor Bowser did with the food scare.

And Mayor Bowser, why do you run away after speaking to the public and never respond to requests to talk with your constituents? And if you want to speak with the mayor, it is always a member of her staff. And why do you spend most of your time out of town while D.C. is dying with more deaths and the street is still so uneven?

At your functions food is catered to be slayed and the food you save for my homeless community be in bags.

It’s sad how you want to pray for a better mayor who cares like I do.

Age 66

GRETA CHRISTIAN Artist/Vendor

When you get to the age of 66, you feel a whole lot of pain. Things change over the years, and you have to keep your body healthy and exercise.

How many push-ups do I need to do?

I have asthma. When you have asthma, you have to be very careful. Take care of your body.

I thank God I’m here to see 66. Don’t forget your body changes so much. Keep your health up.

I don’t smoke any more cigarettes. I’m off that. I don't drink, I used to, but no more of that ever.

Now I wish I see my next birthday. I will be 67 years old. My body is going to change. Keep up the good work.

Sheltering the soul: Housing as a human right

CHON GOTTI Artist/Vendor

In the shadows of our cities, 'neath the starry sky so vast, Lies a tale of silent suffering, a crisis unsurpassed.

Where hearts, burdened and broken, seek shelter from the cold, The call for housing as a right, a story to be told.

Homelessness, a haunting specter, grips our world in fear, But within its bleak darkness, there's a truth we all must hear.

A home, not just a shelter, is a human birthright, they say, A sanctuary from the storms, where hope can find its way. For in the heart of every soul, there lies a burning ember,

A longing for security, a place to rest, remember.

In the tapestry of life, each thread deserves its place,

A space where dreams can flourish, where dignity we embrace.

Imagine a world where no one sleeps out in the cold, Where no child faces hunger, where stories of despair grow old.

A place where compassion reigns, and judgment finds no room,

A world where love and empathy dispel the gathering gloom.

Let's build not just with bricks and beams, but with compassion's grace, A bridge from despair to hope, a smile on every face.

Housing is a human right, a truth we must defend,

To heal the wounds of homelessness, and let love's light extend.

In shelters and on sidewalks, in alleys dark and deep, Resides the strength of human will, a promise we must keep. Together we can change the world, ignite a shining light, Housing is a human right, a beacon in the night.

So let us stand as one, hand in hand, and take the lead, To ensure that every soul finds a safe and nurturing deed. In this poetic call to arms, in every word we write, Let's champion housing as a right and end the homeless plight.

Community mentors

MARCUS MCCALL

Community concerns

RITA SAUL Artist/Vendor

The District’s community is exclusively private when it comes to outsiders. Outsiders are those who live in the city but were not born in it. Washingtonians have a secret code saying, “This does not include you.”

The code works in two ways. First, a feeling we get from the D.C. government: No love for its citizens. Second, we must fend for ourselves while expecting to be taken advantage of. So now it’s time to turn it up against all of those against us.

Tenants should have more options

JEN MCLAUGHLIN Artist/Vendor

Many renters in D.C. don’t have many options to pay rent. Many property managers only allow tenants to pay with either a money order or a check. Tenants in D.C. should have other options to pay online like using Cash App, Pay Pal or Zelle.

What is war good for?

Nothing

ANTHONY CARNEY Artist/Vendor

What is war good for?

Nothing.

We need peace on Earth. What is war good for?

Nothing.

Please don’t kill the babies and the seniors. Let them live in harmony.

Please, higher power, stop the war. What is war good for?

Nothing.

Peace on Earth. Spread love.

I want to introduce my vision plan to help D.C. youth, called "Community Mentors."

We plan to provide services to the eight wards that encompass Washington, D.C. A team of professional and licensed counselors, therapists, social workers and mentors trained in the field of psychology, substance abuse and life experience in general, will assist parents and guardians and help youth in avoiding traps that lead to substance abuse and mental health instability.

Mentors will be available to disseminate information to recreation centers throughout D.C. including community centers, schools and churches. A plethora of learning material and educational experiences will be provided, along with innovative activities such as workshops teaching life skills, coping with emotions, stress management, anger management and communication skills will be incorporated in the program.

Our vision is to bring awareness to the many problems our youth might be facing due to mental, emotional, environmental and family disarray. The heart of the program is about learning different mechanisms that will be beneficial to our youth, parents and the citizens of D.C. When such issues arise with our youth, it’s about learning how to find alternative ways that are positive when faced with circumstances of adversity. People who have knowledge and information can make decisions that are advantageous to their development and growth. In other words, knowledge is power.

“Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you’re going to do now and do it.” — William Durant, American philosopher.

Marcus McCall is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

Youth take part in mentorship and training camps. Photo courtesy of Derrick Irions / Wikimedia

So broke

CHRIS COLE Artist/Vendor

I miss your smile

I miss your smell

I miss your presence

I miss our love spell...

I regret writing that email

I regret the day that I pressed send

I regret the words that made you turn in...

Turn in our love story

Have you turned the page?

Turn in my keys

The key to my heart

Return them BACK...

BACK to me

BACK to my heart

BACK to the middle

Of our start

Not the end

For the end

So BROKE my heart

I miss you, Quincy

I'm sorry for what I said

Please don't leave me

I've been waiting for your response

But you have disappeared instead

This disappearing act

Feels like you are dead

Is this all because

I ran out of bread?

I'm so BROKEn inside

And outside too

The storm

DOMINIQUE ANTHONY Artist/Vendor

When the storm comes in, afterward comes the bright sun

We feel so much better

Crying together

Healing from the storms and thunder

And Prince said

God is coming down to us

Crying for us

My sorrows and hurt

My worries

My fears

My crying

God must be crazy

Like the movie

God is awesome

God is pain

God is love

I am learning how to weather these storms in my life

Weather

ANDRE HUNTER Artist/Vendor

Snow. I just want it to go. It blows. When will it stop? Who knows. It’s cold. Can’t wait for the sun. Hot days are what I long for. So much fun!

Looking ahead to 2024

MAURICE SPEARS Artist/Vendor

In our diverse community, we have individuals from various backgrounds such as the homeless, entrepreneurs, returning citizens, individuals with mental health issues, members of the LGBTQ+ community, law enforcement officers, nurses, doctors and social workers. Each of these groups brings their unique perspectives and opinions to the table, including political views.

As we navigate through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult to improve our economy and make our community safer. However, some individuals are actively working towards making a difference. I hope to give back to the community and solve problems faced by entrepreneurs and government officials, as well as individuals with disabilities. I aim to bring about change in our community, particularly in areas such as grant money, loans and the role of politicians.

Looking ahead to 2024, I hope to witness significant improvements in entrepreneurship, retail stores, grocery stores and more. By working together, we can create a community that is not only better but also safer for everyone. If you want to learn more about me and my goals, you can contact me through Street Sense.

Looking back and forward

MARS Artist/Vendor

I started working as a vendor several months back. I enjoy speaking to the public; those who buy the paper genuinely enjoy it. They know their dollars are always hard at work, as some of the articles are extensive. And Street Sense rivals even national newspapers. I'm happy to have aligned myself with Street Sense, and all the caring individuals who work together to make this publication happen.

CROSSWORD

To the Gills

Puzzle by Patrick “Mac” McIntyre

To the Gills

Across

1. "When ____ younger, so much younger than today..." (2 wds.) (1,3)

5. Hat or pool table material

9. Abominable Snowman

13. Rapper Nicki

15. Soprano's song, maybe

16. Something a leopard can't change, in an old expression

17. ____-turf

18. 1952 Hank Williams hit with the lyric "Son of a gun, we'll have big fun on the bayou"

20. Wine that Hannibal Lector paired with liver in a well-known film

22. Word that may follow onion, tulip or fluorescent

23. Bro's gender counterpart in street slang

25. Afghanistan's Karzai

29. Art ___

32. With "The," old Broadway hit and popular film about striking sleepwear factory workers (2 wds.) (6,4)

35. Med. sch. course (abbr.)

36. Purple smoothie ingredient berries at juice bars

37. Thor Heyerdahl craft (AIR anagram)

38. Orange Monopoly property by the Pennsylvania Railroad (2 wds.) (2,5) (incls. abbr.)

42. River blockers

44. Nonpro sports org. (abbr./initialism)

45. ___ fixe (obsession) (Fr.)

47. Future doc's exam (abbr./acron./ initialism)

48. Warrior gear worn by turtles named Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael (2 wds.) (5,5) (JIM ASKS NAN anagram)

52. Prohibits

53. "Casablanca" female protagonist, and others (SAILS anagram)

54. Michelangelo masterpiece

56. What's found in porno mags

59. Start of many prayers (2 wds.) (4,3)

63. Filled to capacity...or an apt literal description of the answers with circled square groups (3-6)

67. Singer Lopez who had a hit with "Lemon Tree"

68. Nobelist Wiesel

69. Achy

70. Ambulance and police vehicle wailer

71. Old Russian ruler title

72. Shot the bull, briefly (abbr./initialism)

73. The "E" of B.P.O.E.

Down

1. Apple on a desktop?

2. As you ____, sir/ma'am (servant's reply)

3. Pro fighter?

4. Florida's Circus Hall of Fame site

5. Tex-Mex treat

6. Period of history

7. Arm or leg

8. Popular fragrance that sounds like a no-no

(ABUT anagram)

9. High-end fashion accessory, briefly (2 wds.) (3,3)

10. Gov't grp. found in its mission to "keep air clean"? (abbr./acron.)

11. Happy Meal or Cracker Jack bonus

12. Suffix with senor

14. First name in folk

19. Reagan staffer who was "in control," briefly (2,4)

21. Cooking meas. or medicinal amt. (abbr.)

24. 1977 double-platinum album with a palindromic title

26. Half of a percussion pair that are shaken

27. Bo Diddley's gender-declaratory classic number (3 wds.) (2,1,3)

28. Believers in a "watchmaker" god (Paine and others, religiously) (DESIST anagram)

29. Evian bottled water competitor (NAIADS anagram)

30. Necessarily involve

31. Makers of 18-Across

33. Athlete's knee injury site, often (abbr./ initialism)

34. Cultural Revolution leader ____ Zedong

39. Accumulation of unhealthy and possibly toxic vapors (SAM I AM anagram)

40. Oilers, on NHL scoreboards (abbr.)

41. ____-Tac Airport (NW Alaska Air hub)

43. "Peter Pan" penner (1,1,6)

46. Medium strength? (abbr./Initialism)

49. Quartz variety, or first name of pop artist Johns

50. Did some leg-pulling, in a way

51. "Get the picture?"

55. Artful ink

57. Campus 100 miles NW of L.A. (abbr.)

58. Bout enders, in brief (abbr./initialism)

60. Demoiselle

61. Short run, for short (2 wds.) (3,1) (incls. abbr.) (KENO anagram)

62. Loud harsh noises

63. The ___ set

64. Capone of crime and Capp of comics

65. Soccer star Hamm

66. "... ___ he drove out of sight"

This crossword puzzle is the original work of Patrick “Mac”McIntyre. It is provided to us courtesy of Real Change News, a street paper based in Seattle, Washington. Learn more about Real Change News and the International Network of Street Papers at realchangenews.org and insp. ngo.

POEM OF THE WEEK

A daughter's prayers

JOSIE BROWN Artist/Vendor

To be a daughter is a joy unspeakable full of glory

To be a daughter is to tell the story every hour and to empower for an hour

To be a daughter is to endeavor to keep your laughter though you want to cry and live not a lie but to try to reach the heavenly skies and be lifted on high to the stars in the sky.

To be a daughter is to step aside and drift away to a different place because of his amazing grace how sweet the sound for I know there are angels all around

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento

Case Management Coordinación de Servicios

Education Educación

Food Comida

Academy of Hope Public Charter School 202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Place NE aohdc.org

Bread for the City - 1525 7th St., NW // 202-265-2400 - 1640 Good Hope Rd., SE // 202-561-8587 breadforthecity.org

Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Good Hope Rd., SE calvaryservices.org

Catholic Charities // 202-772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

Central Union Mission // 202-745-7118 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW missiondc.org

Charlie’s Place // 202-232-3066 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW charliesplacedc.org

Christ House // 202-328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd., NW christhouse.org

Church of the Pilgrims // 202-387-6612 2201 P St., NW food (1-1:30 on Sundays only) churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach

Community Family Life Services 202-347-0511 // 305 E St., NW cflsdc.org

Community of Hope // 202-232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

Covenant House Washington 202-610-9600 // 2001 Mississippi Ave., SE covenanthousedc.org

D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 202-347-8870 // 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW dccfh.org

Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 Eye St., NW fathermckennacenter.org

Health Care Seguro Employment Assistance Assitencia con Empleo

Food and Friends // 202-269-2277 (home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc) 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org

Clothing Ropa Transportation Transportación

Legal Assistance Assistencia Legal Showers Duchas

Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW foundryumc.org/idministry

Identification services

Friendship Place // 202-364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW friendshipplace.org

Georgetown Ministry Center // 202-338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave., NW georgetownministrycenter.org

Jobs Have Priority // 202-544-9128 425 2nd St., NW jobshavepriority.org

Loaves & Fishes // 202-232-0900 1525 Newton St., NW loavesandfishesdc.org

Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org

2375 Elvans Road SE

2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE

Miriam’s Kitchen // 202-452-8926 2401 Virginia Ave., NW miriamskitchen.org

My Sister’s Place // 202-529-5991 (24-hr hotline) mysistersplacedc.org

N Street Village // 202-939-2060 1333 N St., NW nstreetvillage.org

New York Avenue Shelter // 202-832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave., NE

Patricia Handy Place for Women 202-733-5378 // 810 5th St., NW

Samaritan Inns // 202-667-8831 2523 14th St., NW samaritaninns.org

Laundry Lavandería

Samaritan Ministry 202-722-2280 // 1516 Hamilton St., NW 202-889-7702 // 1345 U St., SE samaritanministry.org

Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org

So Others Might Eat (SOME) // 202-797-8806 71 O St., NW some.org

St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-333-4949 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

Thrive DC // 202-737-9311 1525 Newton St., NW thrivedc.org

Unity Health Care 3020 14th St., NW // unityhealthcare.org

- Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500

- Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699

1500 Galen Street SE, 1500 Galen Street SE, 1251-B Saratoga Ave NE, 1660 Columbia Road NW, 4414 Benning Road NE, 3924 Minnesota Avenue

NE, 765 Kenilworth Terrace NE, 555 L Street SE, 3240 Stanton Road SE, 3020 14th Street NW, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, 1717 Columbia Road NW, 1313 New York Avenue, NW BSMT Suite, 425 2nd Street NW, 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 1333 N Street NW, 1355 New York Avenue NE, 828 Evarts Place, NE, 810 5th Street NW

Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U St., NW // 202-328-5500 legalclinic.org

The Welcome Table // 202-347-2635 1317 G St., NW. epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable

Whitman-Walker Health 1701 14th St., NW // 202-745-7000 2301 MLK Jr. Ave., SE // 202-797-3567 whitman-walker.org

For further information and listings, visit our online service guide at StreetSenseMedia.org/service-provider-map

Prep Cook

The Capital Grille // 1005 7th St. NW

Part-time, full-time

Complete orders on time while ensuring proper food safety.

REQUIRED: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/capgrillecook

Customer Service

The Home Depot // Multiple locations

Part-time, full-time

Provide fast, friendly service by actively seeking out customers to assess their needs and provide assistance.

REQUIRED: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/homedepotwashington

Host Yard House // 812 7th St. NW

Part-time, full-time

Responsible for greeting guests with hospitality and professionalism, accurately quote wait times and seat guests all while accommodating their needs.

REQUIRED: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/hostyardhouse

Crew Member

Wendy's // 4250 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE

Part-time, full-time

Take orders and provide excellent customer service.

REQUIRED: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/wendysnortheast

Have You Checked Your Mail Lately?

DC Medicaid sends renewal info by mail. Check your mail and renew. Don’t risk losing your coverage.

Act Now. Stay Covered!

3 Update your contact information and check or renew your coverage at districtdirect.dc.gov.

3 Fill out the forms anyway. Even if you’re not eligible, your kids may be.

If you have questions, call us at 202-727-5355.