02 18 2009 by Street Sense Media

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February 18 - March 3, 2009

Where the poor and homeless February 18 - March 3 , 2009

earn and give their two cents

D STE GE ON G S U N AT I DO

Volume 6 Issue TKKTK

Worth the Wait ...

The Thrifty Crock-Pot is Back

Homeless Face Library Dilemma Page 4

A new program at D.C. Central Kitchen explores the possibilities for slow cooking. Page 5

Vendors Share their recession recipes Page 14

A new group sets out to improve shelter conditions Page 6

February 18 - March 3, 2009

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristal DeKleer Lisa Estrada Ted Henson Mary Lynn Jones Sommer Mathis Brad Scriber John Snellgrove Michael Stoops David Walker Martin Walker Kathy Whelpley

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laura Thompson Osuri EDITOR–IN–CHIEF Mary Otto VENDOR MANAGER Gregory Martin ASSOCIATE EDITOR David S. Hammond (volunteer) INTERN Alecia Peterson VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Sherry Antoine, Laura Arico, Robert Basler, Robert Blair, Cliff Carle, Jane Cave, Rebecca Curry, RickDahnke, Jessia Gaitan, Cassandra Good, Joanne Goodwin, Roberta Haber, Carol Hannaford, Justin Herman, Annie Hill, Dan Horner, Phillip Hoying, Kayne Karnbach, Michael Kelly, MauriceKing, Geof Koss, Brenda K. Lee-Wilson, Gregory Martin, Starlett McNeill, Kim O’Connor, Gabriel Okolski, Robert Orifici, Swinitha Osuri, Michael O’Neill, Jon Pattee, Katinka Podmankzy, Sarah Pope, Cara Schmidt, Jamie Schuman, Jesse Smith, Matthew Taylor, Robert Trautman, Francine Triplett, Eugene Versluysen, Jerry W., Linda Wang, Denise Wilkins, Marian Wiseman, Corrine Yu VENDORS Willie Alexander, Jake Ashford, Kenneth Belkosky, Tommy Bennett, Reginald Black, Corey Bridges, Bobby Buggs, Cliff Carle, Conrad Cheek Jr., Louise Davenport, James Davis, Bernard Dean, Muriel Dixon, Patrick Ebitit, Alvin Dixon El, Randy Evans, Tanya Franklin, Barron Hall, David Harris, Patricia Henry, Phillip Howard, Jo Ann Jackson, Michael Jefferson, Patricia Jefferson, Carlton Johnson, Jewell Johnson, Allen Jones, Mark Jones, Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson, James Lott, Robert McCray, August Mallory, Maurice King, Charles Mayfield, Lee Mayse, Jennifer Mclaughlin, Jeffery McNeil, L. Morrow, Charles Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Moyo Onibuje, Thomas Queen, Raymond Ragland, Kevin Robinson, Tyrone Rogers,, Franklin Sterling, Sybil Taylor, Eric Thompson, Francine Triplett, Carl Turner, Jerry W., Martin Walker, LawlessWatson, Wendell Williams, Ivory Wison

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Our Mission

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.

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 individuals who sell it. About 25 street papers operate in the United States and Canada in places like Seattle, Chicago, Montreal and Boston, and dozens more exist throughout the world. After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers and vendors, Street Sense came out with its first issue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies. For the next three years the paper published on a monthly basis and 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 a 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. A year later in November 2006 , the organization hired its first vendor coordinator, and began partnering with several service providers. In February 2007, the paper started publishing twice a month and to support the increased production, Street Sense brought on its first fulltime editor–in–chief in April. As of January 2009 the paper has 80 active vendors and prints about 30,000 issues a month.

Do you want to continue to support Street Sense throughout the year? Order a subscription today! Not only will you receive 26 issues packed with all our latest news, poetry and photography, you will also help raise awareness about poverty in the D.C. area. ___ YES! I want to subscribe to Street Sense for just $40 a year for 26 issues. ___ YES! I want to give half of the cost of a subscription to my favorite vendor: ________________________________ Name: _______________________________ Address: ______________________________ _____________________________________ City:__________________________________ State:__________________ Zip: __________ Phone: _______________________________ E-mail: _______________________________

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Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $1. I agree not to ask for more than a dollar or solicit donations for Street Sense by any other means. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense staff and will not sell papers to other vendors (outside of the office volunteers). I agree to treat all others – customers, staff, other vendors – respectfully, and I will not “hard sell,” threaten or pressure customers. I agree to stay off private property when selling Street Sense. I understand that I am not a legal employee of Street Sense but a contracted worker responsible for my own well–being and income. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling the paper. I will not sell Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I agree to stay a block away from each another vendor and respect the space of all vendors. I understand that my badge is the property of Street Sense and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers and display my badge when selling papers. I understand that Street Sense strives to be a paper that covers homelessness and poverty issues while providing a source of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word.

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February 18 - March 3, 2009

Homeless Man Beaten by Police

A Fresno television station obtained a videotape of two Fresno police officers punching a partially restrained homeless man, 52-year-old Glen Beaty, as they arrested him. The incident took place February 9, before 10 o’clock on the corner of Bullard and Blackstone in northwest Fresno. The person who recorded the video said while he did not want to reveal his identity, he felt compelled to hand it over to KSEE 24 News in hopes of protecting those who cannot protect themselves. He told us, “They grabbed him (Beaty) and threw him to the ground. I just saw him being brutally beaten because he didn’t want to listen to them.” station officials said. The tape shows Beaty lying face down on the ground being hit at least 6 times in the face. The footage was shown to Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, who immediately launched an internal investigation. Dyer said, “The individual was stiff. There was alcohol around him. It was very apparent that he had been drinking excessively and when the officers contacted the individual there was resistance in terms of the line of questioning. The individual refused to answer certain questions and at some point there was an altercation that occurred between the suspect and the officers. At one point, the officers, one of the officers was punched by the suspect in the arm. The officer had his badge ripped off of his shirt. “ Chief Dyer’s account of the incident is based on the police report written by the two officers in question. The person recording the footage admitted to not being on the scene when the officers first approached Beaty, but challenged Dyer’s chain of events. Even though an ambulance was called and used to transport Beaty to the hospital, officers on the scene reportedly did not gather any witness statements.

More Housing for Needy Veterans

Obama Moved By Homeless Woman’s Story FORT MYERS, Fla. -- A woman’s hard-luck tale at a town hall meeting in Florida moved President Barack Obama to leave the stage. When Henrietta Hughes complained she’d been down on her luck and was living in her car with her son, Obama walked to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Hughes said she was out of work and homeless, with “a very small vehicle for my family and I to live in.” A White House press secretary said administration officials asked the local housing authority to contact her after the exchange in Fort Myers. Meanwhile, the wife of Florida state Rep. Nick Thompson offered to let the woman stay in a house she owns that’s vacant about 30 miles away. Chene Thompson isn’t sure if Hughes will take her up on the offer.

-Associated Press

Homeless Man Found Dead Montgomery County, Md police are investigating the death of a homeless man whose body was found earlier this month in a wooded area in Rockville. Police say the body of 40-year-old Valentin Del Cid, was discovered on the morning of February 5, off Veirs Mill Road near Twinbrook Parkway. The preliminary investigation revealed no trauma to the body that would indicate foul play, police said. The exact cause and manner of death will be determined after an autopsy has been completed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. - Montgomery County Police

TUCKERTON, NJ - Bruce Jay Smith is a 55-year-old veteran who grew up in Camden. He moved around after he left the Air Force on disability 30 years ago, and today it’s hard to say where he lives, although lately he’s been parking his “home”, a 1977 RV, at a Batsto campsite. “It’s $2 a day, and that’s within my budget,” he said. “You can’t beat the price.” Thursday morning, Smith watched the groundbreaking ceremony for what he hopes will be his first permanent home in about three years , the Tucker’s Walk housing complex, which will be affordable housing for veterans and some low-income families. According to Community Quest subsidiary Home Quest, the Egg Harbor Township, Atlantic County-based company building the project, the effort will meet a need of the area’s poor and homeless. It is one of several recent efforts to help the region’s homeless population, whose numbers have declined in recent years but are expected to increase as the economy falls. “We’re hearing from a lot of agencies that a lot more people are coming to them,” said Janel Winter, assistant director of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, or CSH, a nonprofit organization that produces annual surveys of the homeless population. “I think with the financial climate, it is a lot different than it was last year.” - The Press of Atlantic City

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February 18 - March 3, 2009

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New Library Rules raise concerns By Alecia Peterson

photo By JAne cave

New limits on the number of bags that patrons are permitted to bring into District’s public libraries have stirred concerns among homeless people and their advocates. They worry that the restrictions could discourage the homeless from using libraries, which they say serve as an important resource for poor people seeking jobs and services, and as a refuge from the weather during the daytime hours, when most shelters are closed. Library officials say the decision to reduce the number of allowed bags from three to two was made in order to alleviate problems with crowding and concerns about safety. No bags larger than carry-on luggage are allowed. “In neighborhood libraries, bags brought in by people have become obstructive,” explained Pamela Stovall, associate director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, at a recent meeting of the Coalition of Housing and Homeless Organizations (COHHO). “People are taking up seating places and blocking aisles. It has become a safety issue.” At the meeting, however, some homeless advocates wondered if there might be alternatives to banning the bags, such as designating specific storage rooms, closets or lockers for the luggage. Stovall said that space limits would prevent such accommodations. Others worried about the fairness library staff will use in enforcing the bag rule, or a longstanding restriction on sleeping in libraries. “Would a student who has an extra bag, or who is studying for an exam and lays his head down— would he be treated differently than someone who is dirty and smelly?” asked Michael Maupin, of Carlo Laforteza waits oustide MLK with his belongings Unity Care. Stovall said the new bag limit pertains not only to home- meeting. less people, but to all library patrons, including an increasing “If you don’t want the bags in the library then a lock box number of passengers waiting for intercity bus services that system or stationary guard should be implemented because make stops in front of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Li- the homeless are not the only ones affected,” Black concludbrary, the city’s main library at G and 10th Streets NW. ed. As for the ban on napping, she said “I can assure you On another recent day, another library patron with excess many people sleep who are not homeless, after lunch. They baggage tried to deal with the issue as best as he could. are asked to get up and go out for a walk. … The penalty for Carlo Laforteza, a 29-year-old with two carts full of bags sleeping is that you are asked to go outside.” trying to lock them up to the parking sign in front of the liStovall said the city library system is striving to serve its brary. A library security guard quickly approached him and homeless patrons. informed him that he was not allowed to leave his things “We are working...to train our staff to bring no stereotypes there; he must move them to the parking sign at the other to those who do not have homes. To bring more resources to end of the library. those who have no homes,” she said. Laforteza said that he has never had a real problem with “We want our libraries to be more open, more comfort- the library; he just leaves his bags outside. able for all our users.” This reporter decided to see for herself how the new rules But Street Sense vendor Reginald Black found himself were being implemented. confronted with the new bag limit soon after it went into efOn one morning this month, she carried three bags; her fect on February 1. school backpack, laptop bag and personal bag into the library He said he was on his way to a homeless advocacy without being stopped by security. But she wondered what meeting at the MLK branch with three bags when the guards would have happened if she had worn different clothes or carstopped him and told him one of his bags was too large to ried bigger bags. bring inside. Black said he left the bag outside the door and Robin Deiner, of the nonprofit D.C. Library Renaissance proceeded to enter the library. Project, believes that the whole question of how the general The guard complained again, Black said, telling him: “It’s public perceives homelessness is “a dilemma in our society.” not my job to watch your bag.” Because they are free, and open to all, libraries are “disBlack resorted to stuffing his bag behind a bush, hoping portionately affected” by the needs of homeless people who it would be there when he got back. have limited places to spend their time. Deiner said the maHe worried about his belongings throughout the whole jority of library patrons are “uncomfortable with the homeless

but they don’t want to see them banned.” In order to open up a dialogue on the issue, Deiner is planning a symposium entitled “Shelter for the Mind.” The program is scheduled to take place later this year.

In neighborhood libraries, bags brought in by people have become obstructive... People are taking up seating places and blocking aisles. It has become a safety issue.

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February 18 - March 3, 2009

Worth the Wait: The Thrifty Crock-Pot is Back! This well-known slow cooker can stretch food dollars, and offer comfort food, in a tight economy By Mary Otto The humble Crock-Pot: many of us used to own one, or still do. Crystal Nicholas had one, and the stout little slow cooker remained tucked away in her cabinet for 20 years. She only took it out a few times, to heat meatballs for buffets. But one day, Nicholas, who is the community development coordinator at the DC Central Kitchen, saw her homely old appliance with new eyes. The vision came after a conversation with a DC Central Kitchen colleague, outreach worker Hilary Espinosa, who was telling the story of a man she was trying to help stretch his food stamps, an increasingly common challenge here in the District. Times are hard, and that means tight household budgets, including the grocery bill. Food stamp enrollment has increased 10% in the past year, to more than 99,400 poor people here in the city, the nonprofit Food Research and Action Center reports. The average monthly benefit is about $105 per person, according to the Department of Agriculture, or $3.30 a day. What if there was a tool Nicholas and her colleagues could put into the hands of such people? A simple money-saving, time-saving tool that could transform cheap ingredients into healthy meals? The mighty Crock-Pot! “If you use a Crock-Pot, you can throw in a super-tough piece of meat, a potato ... some beans. You have a whole meal that is ready and waiting for you,” said Nicholas. “It is the perfect thing.” The device, dubbed the Crock-Pot by the Rival Company, was first put on the market in 1971. Over the years, other manufacturers have come up with their own versions of the slow cooker in an array of shapes, designs and sizes, some large enough to accommodate whole chickens and roasts. Many are equipped with programmable timers and heat settings that allow the ingredients of an entire meal, such as corned beef and cabbage, seafood chowder, or chicken stew to be tossed into the pot in the morning, to be ready by dinnertime. “If you are working and have three hungry children, you can sit down and there is a meal,” said Nicholas. It gives you time to talk about your day, she said. Working with her colleagues at the DC Central Kitchen, she came up with a plan. They would go out into struggling city neighborhoods, offering slow cooker workshops and giving participants their own pots to take home. But it took awhile to get the project off the ground. Where would they get all those Crock-Pots? Nicholas’ first efforts, requests to churches and community centers for new or gently used slow cookers, didn’t get many responses. So she decided to go straight to the source of the Crock-Pot, the Rival Company, now part of Boca Raton-based Jarden Consumer Solutions. Officials there decided to support her project. “We understand the financial challenges families are facing. And thankfully, the Crock-Pot brand offers an affordable option to preparing healthy home-cooked meals,” said Tricia McKenzie, associate brand manager at Jarden. “As the original slow cooker, Crock-Pot is proud to be in a position where we can work with the DC Central Kitchen project helping families prepare meals on a budget.” The first shipment of 75 brand-new Crock-Pots arrived at the DC Central Kitchen last fall, completely free of charge. The Crock-Pots got Nicholas and her team through four workshops, at sites including the Lincoln Heights/ Richardson Dwellings Family Enhancement Center in Northeast, as well as SOME’s Barnaby House apartments, the Opportunities Industrialized Center and the ARCH DC Training Center, all in Southeast. Nicholas went back to the manufacturer for more Crock-Pots. This time, the pots were free, but DC Central Kitchen was asked to pay for the shipping.

If you are working and have three hungry children, you can sit down and there is a meal.

“Everybody here is a chef ... because we all have to cook” One recent afternoon found Nicholas, Espinosa and others unpacking cartons of cookers in the community room at the D.C. Housing Authority’s Sibley Plaza Apartments, busy preparing for a class for Ward 6 residents displaced from their homes by a revitalization project. City officials h e a rd a b o u t t h e Crock-Pot project and decided to host a workshop through the New Communities Initiative as one of a series of community building Workshop participants collect their new Crock-Pots events designed to keep neighbors connected while the work goes forward. “It’s kind of tough when you are going through redevelopment, to maintain a sense of community,” said Nakeisha Neal, of the Deputy Mayors’ Office of Planning and Development. “This is a good way to do it.” Around her in the community room, about 50 neighbors – all women – caught up with one another, laughing and chatting over samples of Crock-Pot Chicken and Vegetable Chowder. Then Nicholas launched into the class. “Everybody here is a chef,” she offered. “Because we all have to cook. We all have to eat.” Her revelation that $13 worth of groceries made a hearty meal for six drew appreciative murmurs from the audience. Then she and her colleagues provided a combination of food handling and nutritional information, slow cooking techCrock-Pot Chicken niques and smart shopping tips served up and Vegetable Chowder with plenty of encouragement. By the end of the workshop, each par1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, ticipant had collected the ingredients for chopped her first slow cooker meal, a recipe book 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) cream of potato and a shiny new Crock-Pot. soup “I’m going to make the chicken and 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth vegetable chowder tonight,” said Kimberly 1 package (10 ounces) frozen broccoli Seth as she headed out with her arms full cuts of supplies. 1 cup carrots, sliced “I’m going to make the seafood gumbo 1 jar (4 1/2 ounces) mushrooms, with mine,” Maria Henry said. “I love to drained cook, I have two children. This is really 1/2 cup chopped onion convenient.” 1/2 cup whole kernel corn, undrained “Now I can cook slowly,” said Cynthia 2 cloves garlic, minced Henry, “without all the grease.” 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves Once again Nicholas is out of slow 1/3 cup half-and-half cookers, but she is hoping for a grant to continue her efforts. She is convinced the Mix chicken, broth, soup, broccoli, carinitiative is having an impact. A Crock-Pot rots, mushrooms, onion, corn, garlic and and a small bag of groceries might seem thyme in the Crock-Pot. Cover, cook on like small things, but in the right hands, LOW for 6 hours. Stir in half-and-half. Turn they are powerful, she believes, even transCrock-Pot to HIGH. Cover and cook for 15 formative. minutes. Make sure to follow all the man“It’s not just a Crock-Pot and some ufacturer’s instructions as to safety and food,” she says “but tools that will emfood handling. power you to break the cycle of poverty.”

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February 18 - March 3, 2009

Street Politics

Trying to Find the Right Formula for Change The idea of giving people more of a voice in the help they receive has been gaining ground, in health care and social services alike. If you’ve been to a doctor’s office or a hospital recently, you’ve probably seen a poster or a handout about “patient rights and responsibilities.” That’s becoming standard practice for health care providers and it’s a growing trend in social services, too. In the last few years, D.C. has seen several attempts to do the same for people on the receiving end of decisions and services for homeless people. These have included official initiatives like the city’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, and grassroots efforts, which were galvanized by the long debate over Franklin Shelter, which closed last fall. Participants in these efforts say that the many difficulties of life in the shelter or on the street can make it hard for people to stay involved. And the size of the problems they face can be discouraging. But the desire to make things better still pushes people to try to find the right formula for making a change. Street Sense vendor and writer Reggie Black recently attended a meeting of homeless shelter residents interested in improving conditions. Here is his report. – David Hammond A small group is forming to figure out simple but significant changes at the shelters. I was in attendance at a meeting of the wise, as far as homelessness is concerned, at the Martin Luther King library in downtown D.C. a few weeks ago. The purpose of this meeting was to bring a model for change that has worked at the New York Avenue shelter in Northeast to other shelters in the District, such as Adams Place and 801 East on the St. Elizabeths campus. We talked about putting together a small group to figure out simple but significant changes wanted at the shelters. The first task is to schedule meetings and to follow up until changes are made. The meeting was arranged by two volunteers, Kimberly Johnson and Peter Tucker. Tucker was involved with the protest against closing the Franklin School shelter. They opened up the floor and we expressed our views. One view held by all the shelter residents was that hot water should be available for bathing. This was expressed by numerous shelter residents from all over the District. Other issues brought to light were pests and theft. The residents talked about long lines in hypothermia conditions. With all of these problems it was difficult to point out universal issues. Johnson and Tucker mentioned the legal guidelines for proper hygiene and livability at shelters throughout the District and they explained that the city is required to make sure these guidelines are met. They said that we need to know who the big players are and explained that pressure is needed. A handout was given to all those participating in the meeting. On it were numbers and names that any resident of a shelter should have. Tucker and Johnson also described the success of this same system at the New York Avenue shelter. The strategy is that a small group meets the directors of the shelters and also writes letters and sends e-mails. At New York Avenue, Tucker said, the residents have gotten cleaner bathrooms, and people don’t have to wait outside in cold weather before checking in as much as they used to. The meeting was a great sucess because the information should already be in shelters if anyone has a problem. After a few more comments, it was decided that a committee would be formed. Our challenge is to make small affordable changes at the shelters that all will enjoy. I hope it works. – Reginald Black

On the Hill

By Street Sense Staff

On Wednesday, February 11, House and Senate negotiators reached an agreement on an economic recovery package designed to save and create as many as 3.5 million jobs across America and get the nation’s economy back on track. Over the preceding weeks, the House and the Senate passed different versions of the legislation, both called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, which were then combined into a final bill through a “conference committee” made up of key representatives and senators. In Congress, support for the bill has been almost completely along party lines. When first considered in the House, it passed without the support of any Republican members. In the Senate, the package had the support of only three Republicans, Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both of Maine, and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, passing by a vote of 61 to 37. One of the main differences between the two packages was the amount of money spent on projects versus the amount of tax cuts. Both bills, as well as the final package, tried to focus spending on “shovel ready projects” – projects that would immediately put Americans to work building roads, bridges, ports, waterways and mass transit; and on helping people at risk of losing their homes, restoring confidence in the housing sector, and providing incentives to spur small business job growth. The bills also invest in green jobs to make America more competitive and energy efficient while reducing pollution and our dependence on foreign oil. Finally, there is assistance for families on Medicaid and money to help states balance their budgets. Before it passed, a bipartisan group of senators cut $110 billion of nonstimulative spending from the House package to respond to the concerns of those who thought the bill spent too much money on projects that would not immediately create jobs. Once the conferees of the two versions agreed on a final version, it will be written into legislation and then voted on again in both the House and Senate before the President signs it into law.

Educating the public and empowering the homeless one newspaper at a time.

Pick up a copy today from vendors throughout downtown D.C. or visit www.streetsense.org for more information.

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February 18 - March 3, 2009

Street News Service

‘Stop Gap Housing’ - Idea could make big dent in homelessness By Monte Paulsen tion of permanent housing,” he said. “I think it’s better than leaving people homeless.” It’s also cheaper. Nu m e r o u s s t u d ies suggest that this sort of housing would save B.C. taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year in police, ambulance and health expenses. Colorful villages Remote resource extraction companies have been using these modules to create spartan camps for decades. “They use these all over the Athabaska tar sands,” He n r i q u e z s a i d . “They call it workforce housing.” Henriquez took plans from Britco Structures, which operates plants in Agassiz and Penticton, and showed them to managers from the Portland Hotel Society, which rents to hundreds of the Downtown Eastside’s hardest-tohouse individuals. The Portland team suggested that individual units—with ensuite bathrooms and fronts that open directly to the outdoors—would be more acceptable to individuals not accustomed to coping with neighbors, as well as to those reluctant to give up pets or bicycles. Henriquez drew up plans for a motel-like village, with 48 suites clustered around a central courtyard. The colorful compound includes a manager’s office, a covered patio and a secondstory meeting room all within a typical 120-by-200-foot city lot. “The hard part is to make it pretty and nice. But we can do that. We’re good at that stuff,” Henriquez said. “You paint it some bright colors. You

But I think there are a lot of choices. If we don’t act quickly, more people will die. And this is within our means...We can end homelessness this way. A plan to house Vancouver’s homeless is taking shape on the drawing board of a local architect. It calls for the rapid erection of temporary villages assembled from the same type of modular units that mining companies provide for remote workers. ‘Stop Gap Housing’ is what architect Gregory Henriquez calls it. “All of us in this community have long been advocates for permanent housing,” he said. “But we’ve gotten to the point where the numbers of homeless are so staggering that I’m left wondering if we will ever catch up doing it that way. I don’t think we can. I think there has to be a stop-gap measure. And that’s what this is.” Henriquez, whose Woodward’s project includes 200 units of social housing built to last hundreds of years, stressed that Stop Gap Housing would never replace permanent homes. “It’s portable dwellings. It’s not meant to be a permanent fixture on the landscape. But it could serve for several years until we complete the construc-

make it as festive as you can. And you house people with dignity.” Speed is beauty “The speed at which we can accomplish this is the essence of its beauty,” Henriquez said. “The big issue has to do with permitting,” Henriquez said. “For a normal social housing building, you might need rezoning, then you need a development permit, then a building permit. That takes years.” But Stop Gap Homes would rest on wooden blocking, not permanent foundations. “These can all be done through temporary permitting,” Henriquez said. “It’s a 12-month permit that can be renewed.” “We’ve talked to Britco. They have excess capacity because a lot of the oil sands stuff has been cancelled. They could build hundreds of these things within months,” Henriquez said. Saving tax dollars Henriquez is preparing a plan to erect 1,000 units of Stop Gap Housing on eight city sites in less than a year. If combined with the reopening of almost shuttered hotel rooms recently identified by the Carnegie Community Action Project, the Stop Gap plan would provide enough homes to house nearly all of the 1,547 individuals found in Vancouver during the spring 2008 homeless count, and leave hundreds of shelter beds left over for the newcomers expected to arrive as the 2010 Winter Games approach. And the cost of building those 1,000 units would be less than what the city and province are currently paying to administer to those same people on the street. B.C. taxpayers currently spend an average of $55,000 per year in health, corrections and social services for each of the estimated 11,750 homeless people in the province, according to a 2008 study by SFU’s Centre for Applied Research in Mental Health and Addiction. That’s $644 million a year to maintain homelessness.

Modular homes such as Stop Gap Housing could be built for less than $40,000 per unit according to estimates. VANOC: work on similar project The idea makes so much sense that VANOC is already spending about $18 million to create 320 modular housing units as workforce housing at the Olympic Village in Whistler. The total cost of the VANOC project, which is co-sponsored by Britco and RONA, is budgeted at $43.6 million. Henriquez, in partnership with the Portland Hotel Society, is in preliminary discussions with a leading local developer to bring the Stop Gap proposal before the city. He figures the total cost of 1,000 units will also run somewhere in the ballpark of $40 million. And he hopes that Vancouver’s business leaders will join with socially responsible Olympic sponsors as well as the federal and provincial governments in ponying up that cost. “We need leaders with real courage. This isn’t somewhere we wanted to go,” Henriquez said. “But I think there are not a lot of choices. If we don’t act quickly, more people will die. And this is within our means... We can end homelessness this way.” Street News Service

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February 18 - March 3, 2009

Ower Sun

photo By JAne cave

Mornyng wes un the shappes blue to grante wentrus dey its due. Now tha cler mad way fora styll new gray, hes array, fogged hue. -Franklin Sterling

Deeply Within the Shadows The Dynasty running deeply bloodlines, Thickening untold My-stories to be told, Within the deepest depths shadows... -Carlton Johnson photo By JAne cave

Bladende Waves in air lightly dispense corymbs burgeonyng oth dense blossoming rows. Dews condense on nihte te whet the sense of mutch else. Push up! Untense! Weightlessly wet sunn incense! Mellyfluously the frond uncurls yond breazes. Pretense. photo By JAne cave

-Franklin Sterling

S treetS ense.org

February 18 - March 3, 2009

Liquescere Fields a new snow, too, ar flora. Snowflakes be siexfold. The press melted scere vues...light preeues to dress on hues tis whytâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stress, squarenesses, depth-hoar enshield, te crystale sort o fields... photo By JAne cave

-Franklin Sterling

A Sunset The corredor reade-gold shone, swic benighted surfaces, stone meruails glaes be-hon. The sourdre begon sinkend, on to gae done. -Franklin Sterling

photo By JAne cave

The Unknown Cosmos within timelines of space are windows in time unknown darkness of light the unknown star. -Carlton Johnson

Withoute Wintere is went with his scrud nye night and daye the miltse. Namo hrim frost! Winter is lent. -Franklin Sterling

S treetS ense.org

February 18 - March 3, 2009

Who’s That Girl?

gREGORY’S gREAT gAME

Antoinette Betty Crystal Deborah Elaine

Vendor Manager Gregory Martin loves to create seek-and-find puzzles and drive the Street Sense staff crazy trying to find the answers. Below is his latest puzzle. Good

Fay Gloria Haley Ingrid Judy

Karen Linda Margaret Nancy Patricia

Vicky Wanda Renee Susan Tina

street sudokuo: puzzle 9

Difficulty level: easy

G A M

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B E D

Who’s Who of the Homeless By Carlton Johnson Famous individuals who have been homeless, and where are they now: There just happen to be one Nobel Prize winner and two nominees; six Oscar winners and 10 nominees; eight Emmy winners and 11 nominees; nine Grammy winners and 13 nominees, and in fact six best-selling authors to date, also one recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and moreover one recipient of the English knighthood, who have been homeless at some point in time. Now for the Who’s Who of the Homeless award winners: Lionel Aldridge, for his hard work in the NFL as a defensive end player in the 1960s, the holder of two Super Bowl rings, and a television sportscasteranalyst, was homeless for two-and-a-half years. After playing with the Green Bay Packers, he had his last battle with paranoid schizophrenia, a mental illness that some homeless people deal with on a daily basis. He died at the age of 56 in 1998. Halle Berry, the mesmerizing queen of the silver screen, was born August 14, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Oscar and Emmy award winning actress went from the shelter in New York City to Hollywood fame. This goes to show you one can go from park benches to Park Avenue. Jesus of Nazareth, the man that needs no introduction: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head.”

LAST ISSUE’S ANSWERS

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S treetS ense.org

Will write for food: Writer’s Group

February 18 - March 3, 2009

Writer’s Group meets Wednesdays 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Street Sense office. A poetry after party is 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Black History

Find the stories of blacks who made history , much like our new President. Write up your findings. If need be you can use prior knowledge or research to help tell the story you choose. Good luck!

Sgt. William H. Carney – A Young Man Who Won Glory By Reginald Black

This brave soldier was born a slave in Virginia in 1840. And 85 years before my own lifetime began, Sgt. Carney was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. On July 18, 1863, during the Battle of Fort Wagner in South Carolina, Sgt. William Carney miraculously helped lead the safe retreat of his men after Colonel Robert Gould Shaw was shot down. The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the “colored” regiment you saw in the movie “Glory,” was pinned down and pushed back by deadly Confederate force. It happened in 1863 during the Civil War, but William Carney didn’t receive the award until 1900, making him the twenty-first African American recipient. Sgt. Carney achieved this feat at the age of 23, sending a resounding message to me that the young are capable of great things under pressure.

Madame CJ Walker by Cara Schmit

For years her family had been slaves, people whose fate had already been sealed, but Sarah Breedlove was born free. She was the first child in her family to be given the chance to create her own destiny. She took that chance and ran with it. Three marriages by the age of 43 left her still single, but with a new name: Madame CJ Walker. It was with this name that she would create a hair care empire to help women who, like herself, were losing their hair due to the poor hair care standards of the day. More than save women’s hair though, she also helped improve their lives by offering them good jobs in sales and contributing to black philanthropies. While accomplishing all that she also managed to become the first black millionaire by her mid 40’s. Proof that greatness sometimes comes from the most humble of beginnings. .

Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly By ‘Reginald Black

This great woman was born january 30th 1944 in Washington D.C. Her name was Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly. At the age of 46, she became the first African American female mayor of the District of Colombia. Even thought she only served one term, her election proved that even the nations capital can be diverse with its leaders

Ode to Eartha Kitt

By Patty Smith Pun like a baby scratchy scratch she trying to get at batman it’s either him or her to die scratchy scratch scratchy scratch

Reggie’s Reflections: Follower by Reginald Black

Now we are all human. Some of us male of course, the other female. We go through life thinking this first person that likes us just maybe the person we are willing to be with ten or twenty years later. We each also have a buddy or friend that we believe has our best interest in mind, but they don’t. I have encountered two of the these kinds of friends. They are only around to move in on your intimate ventures. I was getting mixed messages for a young lady from the past. When she called my phone the message board turned upside down. There was a male who referred to me as his brother. This so-called brother made it his business to know who I knew. He lived about three or four states away. He told me everyday he wanted this one and that one. Pining for information he asked constantly about each girl that I knew. I wondered, why does he keep asking me this? I thought he just wanted to be a part of something. Soon I found out what he wanted was to date all the females that I did. Problem was he wanted relationships with all the females I did. This became evident when i got into it with that girl a few weeks before. He was the one she cheated on me with. I wondered should i have put him on with someone? a tough question i had no choice but to answer Reggie contact: roninworrior@yahoo.com

Dear Mr. President

-By Charles Carson

Please, Mr. President, Do take the time To read this message I’ve written in rhyme. I sleep on the street Two blocks from your house. Now don’t get me wrong I’m not here to grouse. The problems I face Have been there all along And most will be here When you are long gone. I ask only that While the leader you be You not shut your eyes When they drive you past me. You’re welcome to visit Whenever you can. I really would like To just shake your hand. I voted for you In percentages great, But for some of us It’s already too late. I do like you Barry, I hope you do well. E’en though at times I’m living in hell. I hope you care, But we’ll never meet Cause you are the pres And I live on the street.

PRODUCTION, HOSTING, LAYOUT AND SUPPORT:Carlton Johnson, Cara Schmidt, David Hammond, Jerry W., Patty Smith, Reginald Black

S treetS ense.org

February 18 - March 3, 2009

A Homeless Guide to the Recession By Jeffrey McNeil

Even though I never went to college, I managed to learn about life by growing up in the Northeast. Going with my dad and other people to auctions in New York and New Jersey showed me how to make a living no matter what the economy does. Even though I have experienced homelessness from time to time, I have never forgotten how to survive and find a way to earn some money to get out of homelessness. I believe homelessness starts in the mind. With a positive outlook and good health you can avoid undesirable circumstances no matter what hits you in life. Yes, we are in a serious financial crisis and there is doom and gloom everywhere; but, even in these bad circumstances, you can find opportunities that are profitable. I would like to illustrate some of the things I learned while I couldn’t find work or get a place to stay.. A closed mouth never gets fed. One thing I never did was panhandle or beg for someone’s sympathy. I don’t need pity. Besides, I can do many things— I am a chef by trade, have computer and clerical skills, and know how to landscape, paint and do yards. I’d rather do something constructive than have someone give me charity because they feel sorry for me. Sometimes when I see someone with a cup, begging, I wonder why not make a sign that reads, “I am homeless but am willing to work for a small amount.” More and more people would be willing to stop and listen to you, and, furthermore, law enforcement wouldn’t be as likely to harass you. My philosophy is if you can do it, it is not bragging. I always tell someone I can cook, clean houses and offices, if you are willing to pay me for the work. Learning how to be flexible will always keep a dollar in your pocket and you will never have trouble finding money in these difficult times. Learn how to have a personality, and sell. The way I survived in New York and Philadelphia, when I was broke, was like this: I would tell someone I know how to bargain and sell merchandise. I learned how to bargain and negotiate: it was always about how much profit you can make from the product you bought. It was tough, sometimes cruel. I had people throw me out with security right behind me, but it was an education into the business world. Even though being an entrepreneur can be rough if you don’t make any money, I liked being my own boss. I didn’t have to follow orders, meet deadlines, or have looking over my shoulder someone whom I knew I had more talent than. If you make money, you really have freedom. The East Coast, especially Delaware, southern New Jersey, and Virginia, have many flea markets where you can rent a stand for as little as 20 dollars and try your hand at selling merchandise. The beauty of flea markets is you don’t have to be like me and go to the Empire State Building (the hustler’s market) and look for products to sell. There are many

things in your attic, closet or garage that you can sell. You’ll learn the ins and outs; you’ll know if your baseball cards are worth what a pr ice book s a y s t h e y ’r e worth. You’ll find out what someone wants to buy and you’ll get wiser after someone tries to snooker you or steal something from you. You will get the basic education about being a boss. I happen to have a love for buying and selling merchandise. It is in my blood. However, some don’t have what it takes to sell things. Learn a trade. I agree with wealthy investors like Warren Buffet who say that “the economy doesn’t exist it is an indicator to see who is doing something foolish .” When you watch certain news shows on cable television you hear the latest wonk telling about layoffs, downturns and how many people lost their jobs. I always wondered, why should I feel sad? I slept on the concrete in the middle of winter in New Jersey. What is the use of complaining about getting fired? It can happen. Welcome to capitalism and democracy. When you get hired and have a boss, you are always at war with the boss. He controls your salary, your hours, and, basically, your life. To survive a recession you need to have a skill that is not replaceable, like carpentry, welding, or mechanics. The best skill is to be a handy man. You can name your price when you know how to build and fix things. If you are going to go back to school, learn something so that someone can’t replace you. If you are going to college, take a course like law enforcement, or something in the medical or finance professions. There is always a need for people who have these skills; and, you’ll find the pay is always good when you take the courses that are less glamorous than being a model or an actor. Get a driver’s license. I think one of the main reasons people go into poverty is they don’t have a driver’s license. To earn money, sometimes you must be flexible, possibly going two, or maybe even three hundred miles away for an opportunity. If you are on foot it, is nearly impossible to take advantage of job opportunities. A car can be your own personal treasure chest if you are enterprising and willing to work. My biggest regret is not keeping my car, but as of now I am working on getting my license. Maybe soon I’ll get a chance to express my real passion: traveling. I hope this advice will be helpful in the upcoming recession.

New Year, New President and New Challenges By Maurice King This year, it almost seems as if ushering in the New Year was done with impatience, as if 2008 had outlived its usefulness before it expired. A lot of that can be attributed to the economic woes of the country, which are very significant and severe, and the pressing need for solutions to the problems that the shattered economy has created. Of course, the biggest event thus far in the New Year is the presidential inauguration, which took place on January 20. It would be an understatement to say that the event was anxiously awaited by millions of people. From the data that came in, the Inauguration drew such massive crowds of people from such a wide radius that many of my co-workers, so anxious to watch history in the making first hand, expressed concern about being trapped amid the hordes of onlookers. With the ceremony now past, I look ahead. The job that President Barack Obama has before him is not for the faint of heart. During the election, there was much talk about his inexperience. Even the most experienced politician would be hard pressed to face the obstacles set before the new president. The economy is in ruins. Numerous sectors of the economy are beckoning for bailouts. There are still unfinished wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which were somehow pushed into the background of the public’s view and remain a concern unlikely to go away. These are but a few of the issues that President Obama must deal with from the outset. There is little question that his ability to take control and to lead will be tested from the start. With so many problems that are pressing, the problem of homelessness receives nary a mention. As painful as it may sound, now there is a struggle to keep homeowners in their homes without getting around to housing those people who have already lost their homes. Never mind the fact that housing the homeless has been proven to be a more cost-effective solution than leaving them homeless. That argument does not seem to have an audience right now. Programs that would house the homeless fall under the category of social welfare, and in times of austerity, social welfare programs are the first to be cut. Even if an argument can be made as to the cost effectiveness of such a program, its chances of being approved in the current climate are virtually nonexistent. I have actually heard some persons who have already said, “Obama ran an election promising change. What change has there been?” I won’t dignify such a remark with an answer. I know that real change will not happen in a week’s time, or in a month’s time. It will be a process, not an isolated incident, if it is to be effective. Likewise, comments that Obama is a “socialist” never fail to make me snicker. For most Americans, “socialism” conjures up memories of the Cold War and communism, which are not the same thing at all. The United States is one nation in which socialism has never taken root, and the likelihood of it happening is extremely remote. It is easy to understand that many people are fearful in times like these. People are confused and afraid of the unknown and look for leadership to reassure them that things will ultimately be all right. However, not everyone is sure that they can believe in the leadership that will be taking over the country. That uncertainty gives a very uncomfortable feeling. The only thing any of us can do right now is to wait and see. We elected a President; we have to wait and see the results of that choice.

This Space could be yours. talk to youR vendor about ad space.

S treetS ense.org BOOK REVIEW

February 18 - March 3, 2009

By Patty Smith

“Wedding Day Disaster”

By Kenneth Belkosky

Patty Smith

“Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew” #17 “Wedding Day Disaster” by Carolyn Keene, illustrated by Macky Pamintuan, Aladdin Paperbacks 2008. can be solved – the “wedding day disaster.” At the end Nancy says “this mystery was a piece of cake,” because everything ended just great. “Wedding Day Disaster” is aimed at the younger reader, but I enjoyed it too, and it was easy reading. If you’ve ever loved Nancy Drew then you should read this book. This book brings out the kid at heart.

Your thoughts and editorials are welcome.

The Footsteps of History – Flowing All the Way to the White House By Carlton “Inkflow” Johnson

In the historic month of January in the year 2009, nearing the eve of Black History Month, came two days when history was made: January 19 and 20, the coldest two days of the month, but the hottest ticket in the city was for the inaugural weekend events when people from all walks of life filled the streets of Washington D.C. for one cause – setting the stage for the historical, cold, but rain-free inaugural events. Families, friends, entertainers, actors, activists, and Street Sense vendors, writers, reporters, and photographers, and news stations from every corner of the United States with eyes from around the world, were front and center on the first family’s historic day. Once again the march was on the streets of the nation’s capital, where thousands of people traced the footsteps of history to fulfill the dream within the mist: the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader, activist and good friend of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP, welcoming members from out of town at the Lansburgh Theater, the NAACP’s inauguration welcoming center for the weekend, location 450 7th Street, NW in downtown Washington, D.C., with keynote speaker Benjamin T. Jealous, president and CEO, with a focus on the business of the organization and the shifting of its mission from achieving civil rights, to attaining human rights for all. And the way to get there, Mr. Jealous said, is “to access educational equality.” And highlighting the night, a spoken word performance and the recording of the historic event, with the congratulations being forwarded to Barack and Michelle Obama. Moreover, the NAACP has had a hand in the shaping of lives and history alike for 100 years, being founded February 12, 1909, and so celebrated its own milestone anniversary with the witnessing and the making of history and the marking of the day in history. It was “The day my mother would have loved to have seen” and with that, you may now tell your son or your daughter truly that he or she can run for the presidential office, and with the love of the people you may some day become the President of the Land of the Free. That’s your report from Street Sense News – the newsroom of the streets. photo By Carlton Johnson

Please e–mail content to editor@streetsense.org or mail to 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

This is a story of the Pay It Forward Project that was founded by two women, Denise Bobba and Wendy Farrell. “Paying it forward” means repaying favors by helping other people. The non-profit helps people around the world and all donations go to all who need help. Pay It Forward has no overhead; the women use their own money to pay for the office supplies for Pay It Forward. They work for a company called Airbus and they help with Pay It Forward. Denise and Wendy were inspired to start Pay It Forward by all the natural disasters like the tsunami in Asia and Hurricane Katrina. I met them almost two years ago. The Pay It Forward Project was founded in August of 2006. The Pay It Forward Project would like to help the homeless in this country. You can learn more at their websites, www.payitforwardproject.org and www.pifp.org. Denise Bobba, the founder can be emailed at denise@pifp.org. The co-founder Wendy Farrell and can be reached at wendy@pifp.org. The address for Pay It Forward is Pay It Forward Project P.O. Box 903 Ashburn VA. 20146.

photo By Carlton Johnson

Generations of girls have grown up reading the Nancy Drew books about a young woman detective, and I grew up reading them too. “Wedding Day Disaster” is a new book about the famous Nancy Drew character, this time as a younger girl, a third-grader, who solves mysteries. It’s Sara and David’s wedding day and eight-year-old Nancy Drew and her friends George Fayne and Bess Marvin are the flower girls. But someone has cut a big slice out of the wedding cake. The bride cries. Is her big day ruined? Who cut the big slice out of the wedding cake? The bride cried and cried about someone cutting a big slice out of her cake. The one that committed the crime is the one is going to have cream cheese on them. And someone left a footprint on the cake – Nancy has to find out who. A dog that can sniff out clues (unless he has a cold), a lady that makes the best cupcakes in her little town, and Nancy – a gogetter and a super sleuth who didn’t want anything else to get in the way of her “clue crew” solving the crime – are all in this book together. Read it and see the interesting ways this crime

Pay It Forward

Bejamin Jealous, President/ CEO (NAACP)

S treetS ense.org

February 18 - March 3, 2009

Bachelor’s Rice Pudding (Vegan option)

Carlton’s Fried Chicken

By Jerry W.

Cooked rice, left over from take out Chinese? (brown rice might suffice) Dry nonfat milk with water (or soy) Raisins Cinnamon Sugar or maple syrup Vanilla powder possibly available in coffee shops Or liquid but has alcohol Mixing the ingredients proportionally to desired taste (about 2:1 rice to milk), but cinnamon may just float. Refrigerate overnight soaks the cooked rice and raisins, turns into something tasting like a rice pudding but without egg and the requirement to bake, but if really hungry soaking can be shortened to available time, but rice consistency will be a little tougher.

By Carlton Johnson

My son Quincy likes chicken. He loves my chicken. I put my chicken in an egg wash, egg, milk and a little water. As far as my flour goes I use all-purpose flour, a little bit of garlic and pepper. No salt right now. You put that in and it will mess up your cooking oil. Put the salt in later. I like my cooking oil at least half way in the pan so it can cover the chicken. I heat my cooking oil. I bring my grease to an even temperature. I know when it’s hot enough. I put a little flour in and watch it cook up. It bubbles. Then from there I put my pieces of chicken in for browning time. I turn them and then I put the lid on. I let that chicken cook for about 5 minutes ‘til its well browned on both sides. Then I take the top off the pan and turn the temperature down and let the chicken cook with an open top ‘til the chicken is done and you stop seeing a lot of bubbles. I add the seasoning salt after I take the chicken out of the cooking oil. I toast a few pieces of bread and put that on the plate. I put that on the plate and let the bread catch the grease. When it’s my turn, I throw hot sauce on the bread and make a sandwich. I normally eat when I cook. I’ve never been a sit-down eater.

Omelets, Anyone? By Patty Smith

I’m going to tell some of my secrets to cooking. First I’m going to make an omelet. In my opinion, the most delicious is the ham and cheese omelet. I must first make sure my kitchen is clean. So I will wash dishes and pots and pans and the silverware. I will use a spatula, a knife, a large spoon, a frying pan and a plate. Then I will get my ingredients: two eggs, Swiss cheese, butter, ham pieces. Grate the cheese. Whip the eggs in a blender or by hand until they are frothy. OK, here we go. Put a medium-sized pat of butter in the skillet and let that melt over medium heat. Put your eggs in the skillet with the ham pieces, put in the cheese. Let it cook for about five minutes over medium heat until the bottom of the eggs have begun to cook solid. Now use the fork to fold one side across the other. There’s your omelet. Let it keep cooking over low to medium heat until the inside is as cooked as you like it. Put it on a plate and dig in and eat. You try this – delicious, huh?

Now Providing Quality Dental Services for D.C. Medically underserved and homeless persons

….We treat you well

You Can Help! FOUNDRY A Reconciling Congregation Invites you to join us in worship on Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 AM Homeless Outreach Hospitality: Fridays 9:00 AM

Foundry United Methodist Church For one of Unity Health Care’s Medical Homeless Service Sites Call (202) 255-3469 For an appointment at any of our Community Health Centers Call 1(866) 388388-6489

Wanna See More Vendor Restaurant Reviews?

1500 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 332-4010

www.foundryumc.org

This year, we resolve to ask more vendors to visit area eateries and report on their breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Keep an eye out for these honest and complete reviews.

You can help by DONATING GIFT CERTIFICATES to Street Sense and a vendor will go check it out, and Street Sense will thank you in a review. Typically reviews are $50 to $70 (for a vendor and guest). Please mail your gift certificates today to: Street Sense, 1317 G Street, NW, Wash-

S treetS ense.org WASHINGTON, D.C. SHELTER Calvary Women’s Services 928 5th Street, NW (202) 783–6651 www.calvaryservices.org Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW (202) 745–7118 www.missiondc.org CCNV (Men and Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393–1909 users.erols.com/ccnv/ Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232–7356 www.communityofhopedc.org Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Ave SE (202) 610–9600 www.covenanthousedc.org Housing, education, job prep Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731 www.grm.org John Young Center (Women) 117 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469 www,catholiccharitiesdc.org My Sister’s Place PO Box 29596 Washington, DC 20017 office (202) 529-5261 24-hour hotline (202)-529-5991 shelter and other services for domestic violence victims N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060 www.nstreetvillage.org 801 East, St. Elizabeths Hospital (Men) 2700 MLK Avenue, SE (202) 561–4014 New York Ave Shelter (Men) 1355–57 New York Avenue, NE (202) 832–2359 Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 Mitch Snyder Place, NW (202) 639–8093

FOOD Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232–3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplace Church of the Pilgrims 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387–6612

February 18 - March 3, 2009 www.churchofthepilgrims.org

mental health services

Dinner Program for Homeless Women AND the “9:30 Club” Breakfast 309 E Street, NW (202) 737–9311 www.dphw.org

Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050 www.friendshiphouse.net counseling, mentoring, education, youth services, clothing

Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112

Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (202) 338–8301 www.georgetownministrycenter. org laundry, counseling, psych care

Food and Friends 219 Riggs Road, NE (202) 269–2277 www.foodandfriends.org Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW (202) 452–8926 www.miriamskitchen.org The Welcome Table Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW (202) 347–2635 http://www.epiphanydc.org/ ministry/welcometbl.htm

MEDICAL RESOURCES Christ House 1717 Columbia Road, NW (202) 328–1100 www.christhouse.org Unity Health Care, Inc. 3020 14th Street, NW (202) 745–4300 www.unityhealthcare.org Whitman–Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW (202) 797–3500; www.wwc.org

OUTREACH CENTERS Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW (202) 265–2400 AND 1640 Good Hope Road, SE (202) 561–8587 www.breadforthecity.org food pantry, clothing, legal and social services, medical clinic Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW (202) 364–1419; www.cchfp.org housing, medical and psych care, substance abuse and job counseling Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060 http://www.nstreetvillage.org meals, hygiene, laundry, social activities, substance abuse treatment Green Door (202) 464–9200 1221 Taylor Street NW www.greendoor.org housing, job training, supportive

Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328–6608 www.marthastable.org dinner, education, recreation, clothing, child and family services Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW (202) 682–1005 http://www.ccdsd.org/howorwc. php hygiene, laundry, lunch, phone and mail, clothing, social events Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675–9340 www.sashabruce.org counseling, housing, family services So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW (202) 797–8806; www.some.org lunch, medical and dental, job and housing counseling

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Academy of Hope GED Center 601 Edgewood St NE 202-269-6623 www.aohdc.org Bright Beginnings Inc. 128 M Street NW, Suite 150 Washington DC 20001 (202) 842–9090 www.brightbeginningsinc.org Child care, family services Catholic Community Services 924 G Street, NW (202) 772–4300 www.ccs–dc.org umbrella for a variety of services D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW (202) 347–8870; www.dccfh.org housing, substance abuse treatment, employment assistance

www.cflsdc.org housing, job and substance abuse counseling, clothes closet Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010 www.foundryumc.org ESL, lunch, clothing, IDs Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332–2874 http://www.ccs–dc.org/find/ services/ meals, hygiene, laundry, clothing JHP, Inc. 1526 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (202) 544–9126 www.jobshavepriority.org training and employment Jubilee Jobs 1640 Columbia Road, NW (202) 667–8970 www.jubileejobs.org job preparation and placement National Coalition for the Homeless 2201 P Street, NW (202) 462–4822 www.nationalhomeless.org activists, speakers bureau

SHELTER Comm. Ministry of Montgomery Co. 114 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville (301) 762–8682 www.communityministrymc. org The Samaritan Group P.O. Box 934, Chestertown (443) 480–3564 Warm Night Shelter 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499–2319 www.cmpgc.org

FOOD

Mobile Medical Care, Inc. 9309 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda (301) 493–8553 www.mobilemedicalcare.org

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 1514 15th Street, NW (202) 667–4394 http://stlukesdc.edow.org food, counseling

Catholic Charities, Maryland 12247 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring (301) 942–1790 www.catholiccharitiesdc.org shelter, substance abuse treatment, variety of other services

Wash. Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U Street, NW (202) 328–5500 www.legalclinic.org

Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW (202) 347–0511

MARYLAND

Carpenter’s Shelter 930 N. Henry Street, Alexandria (703) 548–7500 www.carpentersshelter.org Arlington–Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless 3103 Ninth Road North, Arlington (703) 525–7177 www.aachhomeless.org

Our Daily Bread 10777 Main Street, Ste. 320, Fairfax (703) 273–8829 www.our–daily–bread.org

Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE , AND 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202)889–7702 www.samaritanministry.org HIV support, employment, drug/ alcohol addiction, healthcare

DC Food Finder Interactive online map of free and low cost resources. www.dcfoodfinder.org

Alexandria Community Shelter 2355 B Mill Road, Alexandria (703) 838–4239

Community Place Café 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499–2319 www.cmpgc.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES

Travelers Aid, Union Station 50 Mass. Avenue, NE (202) 371–1937 www.travelersaid.org/ta/ dc.html emergency travel assistance

SHELTER

FOOD

National Student Partnerships (NSP) 128 M Street NW, Suite 320 (202) 289–2525 washingtondc@nspnet.org Job resource and referral agency

St. Matthew’s Cathedral 1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW (202) 347–3215 ext. 552 breakfast, clothing, hygiene

VIRGINIA

Bethesda Cares 7728 Woodmont Church, Bethesda (301) 907–9244 www.bethesdacares.com

Manna Food Center 614–618 Lofstrand Lane, Rockville (301) 424–1130 www.mannafood.org

Community Clinic, Inc. 8210 Colonial Lane, ilver Spring (301) 585–1250 www.cciweb.org

Alive, Inc. 2723 King Street, Alexandria (703) 836–2723; www.alive–inc. org

MEDICAL RESOURCES Arlington Free Clinic 3833 N Fairfax Drive, #400, Arlington (703) 979–1400 www.arlingtonfreeclinic.org

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Mission of Love 6180 Old Central Avenue Capitol Heights (301)333–4440 www.molinc.org life skills classes, clothing, housewares Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless 600–B East Gude Dri Rockville (301) 217–0314; www.mcch.net emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportiveservices

Abundant Life Christian Outreach, 5154 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria (703) 823–4100 www.anchor–of–hope.net food, clothing, youth development, and medicines David’s Place Day Shelter 930 North Henry Street, Alexandria (703) 548–7500 www.carpentersshelter.org laundry, shower, workshops, hypothermia shelter Legal Services of Northern Virginia 6066 Leesburg Pike, Ste. 500 (703) 778–6800; www.lsnv.org civil legal services

Shelter Hotline: 1–800–535–7252

February 18 - March 3, 2009Veda Vendor Profile:

S treetS ense.org

Simpson

by Alecia Peterson

Veda Simpson is 53 years old and grew up here in Washington, D.C. She graduated high school at Eastern High and she now lives in a one-room apartment. She does not have any children, but adores her eight cats and considers them family. Other than Street Sense, Veda does not have an alternate job, but is currently pursuing a career as a Veterinary Assistant. She came to work for Street Sense at the end of November after a friend told her about it, and she currently sells her papers at 13th and G Street.

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