VOL. 19 ISSUE 27
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The Cover
The Street Sense Media Story, #MoreThanANewspaper
Special Edition: Voter’s Guide 2022
Originally founded as a street newspaper in 2003, Street Sense Media has evolved into a multimedia center using a range of creative platforms to spotlight solutions to homelessness and empower people in need. The men and women
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AT A GLANCE VENDOR PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS • Are you a D.C. resident? Were since 2020? Was Street Sense 2020? Ask Street Sense Staff about DC Cares.
Street Sense Media artist and vendor Queenie Featherstone reads a voter guide sent to District residents. Photo by Will Schick
How we built this year’s voter guide Beginning May 27, registered voters across the District will begin casting ballots in the primaries. This year’s election has attracted a large number of candidates for a small number of open seats. In Ward 3, for instance, there are nine Democratic party candidates running for one open seat. Meanwhile, the race for the mayor’s office has also proven to be just as competitive. Two of the four candidates in this race are current councilmembers. attorney general and other open D.C. Council seats, we decided to build a voter’s guide to help better inform our readers. For the past several weeks, we reached out to every candidate from and open seats on the D.C. Council. We asked each of them to answer a series of questions, and gave them a 100-word limit for each (We asked slightly different questions to candidates running for D.C. delegate and attorney general). • Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? • In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? • By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? • What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? the following issues from most important to least important: Public Safety Affordable Housing Education Homelessness
Racial Equity Social Safety Net Climate Change and Environment Access to Healthcare Economic Development Transportation
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Most of the candidates who responded to our questionnaire Many of them told us that many of these issues could not be intrinsically separated from one another, and that they are all inter-related. Some even declined to answer the question at first. But eventually everyone who responded to our questionnaire provided a ranking. While we agree that this is know how candidates might prioritize issues while working under pressure. Within the guide, these issues are ranked from left to right For this week’s edition, we only had room to include responses for candidates running for D.C. Council. That said, we also plan to cover candidates for D.C. delegate, shadow representative, mayor and attorney general and will be including their responses in next week’s issue. Some readers might also notice that some candidates have been left out of this voter’s guide issue. We began reaching out to D.C. Council candidates beginning May 10. However, despite sending repeated requests through phone and email, several candidates did not manage to respond to our questionnaire in time for print publication. We plan to provide an online version of this week’s voter’s guide on our website at: www.streetsensemedia.org beginning in early June. And we will include any answers from anyone who wasn’t able to respond to us in time. Will Schick, Editor-in-Chief
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and a celebration of the lives of those we’ve lost. • Congratulations to Levester Green for being scouted by a talent agency!
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VOTER GUIDE
Brianne K. Nadeau getting results. For the past 8 years she has put more than 1,200 units of affordable housing in the pipeline in Ward 1, has increased funding for public safety each year, improved our schools and provided constituent services to more than 8,000 families. Platform Summary: Brianne has a proven track record of working for our most vulnerable residents. As chair of the human services committee, Brianne has made historic investments in ending homelessness, reformed the District’s expanded disability services. She knows there are still challenges here in the District and wants to keep pushing for those in need. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Affordable Housing, Public Safety, Education, Homelessness, Social Safety Net, Racial Equity, Transportation, Climate Change and Environment, Access to Healthcare, Economic Development Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Yes. I am already a co-introducer of the Human Rights Enhancement Amendment Act of 2021, which would protect individuals experiencing homelessness from discrimination; provide training to law enforcement on the impact of enforcement decisions on people experiencing homelessness and the protections against discrimination provided by this bill. It also prohibits employment discrimination against contractors and enhances protections against workplace harassment. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? As the chairperson of the Committee on Human Services, I have made the largest investments in ending homelessness in our city’s history. I established the Homeless Street Outreach program through the Dept. of Human Services, and each year I have invested millions of dollars into housing for those experiencing homelessness. In FY22, I passed the Homes and Hearts Amendment, which allocates $65 million annually to 2,400 households to provide permanent housing. I’ve worked to oversee the closing of DC General and the opening of short term family housing in all eight wards. I’ve overseen the and the Downtown Day Center. By following our roadmap, Homeward DC, I have helped reduce homelessness by 47% By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? In my role as committee chairperson I have funded hundreds of subsidies to working families through the Flex program and Career MAP DC. I have also funded permanent housing for families each year in the budget, and this year the council will add additional targeted affordable housing to support these families. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and
Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? I am very concerned about the way this program has been implemented, despite its goal of housing those experiencing homelessness. As the councilmember who funded the street outreach program, and the housing that we are working so hard to connect residents with, I am thrilled that we now have enough vouchers that we can offer them to those living in encampments. This program, however, was launched at the beginning of hypothermia season, and purported to provide housing to anyone residing in an encampment, before evicting them. In practice, however, not everyone was offered housing, people were asked to leave before they were ready to do so, and many residents were simply displaced from one encampment to another. This is why I proposed emergency legislation to halt the CARE program until hypothermia season ended. Unfortunately my legislation was not successful, and I continue to monitor the treatment of those residing in encampments to ensure their rights are upheld.
is connected with a voucher they know where and how to use it. We cannot end our process there. We need to provide wraparound services like access to comprehensive health care, foster inter-community connections, ensure job placement, and secure furniture and household goods for their new homes. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? I believe we must trust the experts who say that the rapid re-housing program must be bailed out and reformed to provide families with the permanent housing they need. Rapid re-housing is simply an ineffective Band-Aid that has shown to be very sisyphean in nature only hurting the families it’s supposed to help. We must give these families the permanent housing they need and provide them with direct cash assistance to help create long-term, safe, stable homes. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? CARE pilot program; however, after talking with our unhoused neighbors and advocates on the ground it hasn’t been effective and in several cases it has been harmful. I believe we must have
Sabel Harris I am the daughter of Vietnamese boat refugees and workingclass Virginians and have called D.C. home for a decade. I’m currently serving as ANC for the 14th and U St. area. I am a community advocate and I bring extensive experience to the table supporting businesses small and large. Platform Summary: can all thrive by: • Investing in our schools, teachers, and children • Cleaning up our communities and keeping our streets safe • Fighting displacement and reforming our housing policies • Expanding our approach to public safety • Showing up in the community and addressing our needs Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Racial Equity, Affordable Housing, Climate Change and Environment, Homelessness, Education, Transportation, Access to Healthcare, Social Safety Net, Public Safety, Economic Development Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Yes, I do believe housing is a human right and I am willing to propose and/or sponsor legislation to that effect. Housing is the foundation of what someone needs to then have better outcomes on factors like food security, regular employment, reduced health issues and safety. Unfortunately none of these are guarantees, as we’ve seen with some of the conditions of baseline people will be on the pathway for a more thriving future. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? I believe concrete ways to get to “zero” would be to speed up the voucher pairing system, getting people into homes from there, and providing wraparound services after. We can do this by removing the barriers for access to gain a voucher, hiring more case workers and ensuring that once someone
agencies to be held accountable to conduct consistent, caredriven outreach to our unhoused neighbors in encampments. This accountability may take the form of a deadline or goal and if done right, will result in an end to the encampments, not through evictions, but through housing.
Salah Czapary Son of a Palestinian refugee and Hungarian immigrant. I rent,
hard it is to live here and want to see D.C. do more for our most vulnerable residents. Platform Summary • Improve public safety and address rising violence • Invest in education that leads to gainful employment • Support our homeless and at-risk families • Prioritize affordable housing, transit & bicycle/ pedestrian safety • Bring LGBTQ+ representation to the D.C. Council • Protect women’s rights and support family needs • Help our city to go GREEN Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Education, Racial Equity, Homelessness, Transportation, Social Safety Net, Climate Change and Environment, Access to Healthcare, Economic Development Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? I do believe that housing is a human right and hope to sponsor legislation mandating that the District of Columbia establish a comprehensive program to provide housing-for-all. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city
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need to take to get to “zero”? D.C. needs to provide housing and employment opportunities available in the neighborhoods where residents who are experiencing homelessness live. It is unfair to ask these residents to relocate far from their social ties. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street?
Phil Thomas Phil Thomas is a fourth-generation Washingtonian, former elementary school teacher, served two-terms as ANC commissioner and serves as chair of the Ward 3 Democratic Community Outreach and Relations Specialist solving issues facing Ward 3. In 2021, he served as the director of the Mayor’s
Brianne Nadaeu’s failed leadership as chair of the committee for human services has directly led to this outcome. She has known about this situation for years and has done nothing to are overly burdensome for families. The process needs to be more families who are eligible for subsidies lose them. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and
With the limited public health emergency over, the council should push the executive branch to do everything in their power to prevent evictions. The council should push the executive branch to include more money in the budget for the emergency rental assistance program (ERAP) and in the worst-case scenario use reserve funds out of the rainy-day fund. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? At the end of the day we know housing is better for an individual then a tent especially during the hypothermia season. I think the government did a poor job at execution at the start of the pilot program and didn’t realize how many obstacles they would encounter, but I applaud the mayor and the council for the idea and continuing to carry out the program. With 17 individuals still at two sites the government should continue to focus on getting those individuals housed.
environmental equity. Platform Summary: I am running on a platform called 3 S’s and an H. I am focused on seniors, schools, safety and housing. As Ward 3 Councilmember I want to bring a senior wellness center to Ward 3, reduce overcrowding in our neighborhood down crime and bring affordable housing so our teachers and Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Education, Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Climate Change and Environment, Transportation, Racial Equity, Economic Development, Social Safety Net, Access to Healthcare Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? As Ward 3 Councilmember two of my top priorities are decreasing homelessness and improving quality of life for everyone. We know the pathway to end homelessness is housing and I worked on these issues by participating in the Homeward DC Plan and I was instrumental in getting the Short Term Family Housing built in Ward 3. It is imperative we do as much as we can for the homeless community, and I will advocate for the homeless in the city’s budget. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? We know the best way to reduce homelessness is to make it rare, brief and nonrecurring. I support building more housing across the city and in Ward 3. It really comes down to working of Rock Creek Park to put deep affordable housing. However, HPTF is not the best way to achieve under 30% AMI housing, and we need to support construction of buildings utilizing other rental subsidy programs such as low-income housing tax credits and the local rental supplement program which are what really helps produce deep affordable units. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street?
Matt Frumin Matt Frumin is a husband, father and attorney with a long history of civic activism. He has served as Chair of ANC 3E and the Boards of Tenleytown Main Street and the Lisner Home and has been active and effective on many issues from education to affordable housing to seniors. Platform Summary: Make Ward 3 and the city safer, more affordable, greener and an increasingly great place to raise a family, learn and age in place. I have a long history of accomplishment working with others on these issues. On the council, I hope to have an even larger positive impact. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Education, Homelessness, Racial Equity, Social Safety Net, Climate Change and Environment, Access to Healthcare, Economic Development, Transportation Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Housing is a human right. One can sponsor legislation proclaiming that but that alone will not put a roof over anyone’s head. As chair of the Board for Lisner Home, I led in securing to build 93 units of deeply affordable senior housing. Getting to an adequate supply of housing will require that kind of patient and creative effort, and require building coalitions in support of additional housing. I am proud of my work with the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) to build support among local congregations for more housing. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions
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Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? approach to ending encampments. Council should exercise oversight to ensure the execution of the program is improved, however rather than doing this the incumbent vacated her responsibility and instead introduced emergency legislation to pause all clearings of encampments during the dead of winter.
“Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? To get to functional zero we need to build more housing and make more existing housing available. But also we need to dramatically improve our mental health services and other support services such as job training and placement. Simply We have to work with people to help them succeed, otherwise is an important concept, but it implies something follows in the form of support, and it must. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? Just to recite the question is to answer it. We cannot throw 913 families on to the street. And, while September is not yet these people housed and served and urgently work so that they can live independently without these supports. There could be an idea that we do not have the money to serve these families, but if we fail to do so and put them on the streets, the costs to them and us will be even greater. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? The concept of the program to work closely with encampment residents to support them and prepare them even as we seek to move them out of encampments and into stable housing is right. The challenge is how to get it done humanely. The episodes where encampments were bull-dozed and residents were disbursed and not all were provided stable housing was troubling. This is hard work, but we can and must do better.
Beau Finley Beau Finley was born in the District, worked as a federal auditor and then attorney, served as a union leader, and is currently chair of his Advisory Neighborhood Commission. He and his wife live in rent-stabilized housing in Cleveland Park. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Education, Homelessness, Racial Equity, Social Safety Net, Climate Change and Environment, Access to Healthcare, Economic Development, Transportation Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect?
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Yes. My housing platform begins with “housing is a human right.” I will propose legislation that backs up my fundamental belief that housing is a human right. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? Ending chronic homelessness is essential. To follow through on Built for Zero and to end chronic homelessness, I propose that we: • Collect data on the total number of unhoused on a weekly basis; • Use the federal Lifeline program to make sure our unhoused have phones; • Expand our transitional and permanent supportive housing options; • Increase our housing vouchers; • Build better medical/pharmaceutical support networks for our homeless neighbors; • Provide far more wraparound services for those in need. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? Terminations from rapid re-housing are inhumane. D.C. must bail out the program because 913 families will otherwise lose their housing. We overpromise to unhoused families and underdeliver. If we are going to rapidly re-house people, then we need to have something available — transitional housing, permanent supporting housing, vouchers, etc. — that isn’t market rate, because market-rate housing simply isn’t affordable. Over the long term, we need to build much more affordable housing across the District. We need to expand rent control. I have a comprehensive platform on my website to build more
What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? Encampments are intentional communities where people have come together for support, friendship and safety. The District needs to keep this in mind when engaging with those living in an encampment before breaking up a community across the eight wards. I support the CARE pilot’s intensive case management and behavioral health/substance use support. I do not support the traumatic and sudden clearing of encampments and coerced housing placement. We need more transitional housing and more permanent supportive housing for those for whom housing vouchers may not be the way to go.
Monte Monash A native Washingtonian and minority business owner, Monte Monash chaired the mayor-appointed board that oversees the ongoing transformation of D.C.’s 26 public libraries. She has the city’s senior residents, unhoused families and individuals, and workforce development.
Platform Summary: I am a 20-year Ward 3 resident, a civic volunteer and a Black woman business-owner. I am a strong leader with a record of building trust to get things done. My priorities: responsive constituent services and policies to address the needs of children and families, seniors and small businesses. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Racial Equity, Education, Affordable Housing, Access to Healthcare, Public Safety, Homelessness, Economic Development, Climate Change and Environment, Transportation, Social Safety Net Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Housing is a human right. Homelessness is a concern all over
places to live. My two decades of community service includes serving on the board of Friendship Place, a Ward 3-based nonprofit that shares my belief that homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring. I will support legislation to increase funding to support the JobsFirst program and to reform the failing rapid re-housing program. Job training and placement programs give light to a future. The RR program seriously needs to be reformed in order to serve its vital intent. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? On the council, I will continue to support D.C. agencies ending homelessness in our city by providing compassionate wraparound support to individuals and families. In particular, the Department of Human Services’ commitment to Built for Zero starts with real data and tracking to ensure homeless individuals are directed to appropriate services, programs and organizations to become housed. City dollars allocated for proactive programming to help housing insecure residents will prevent homeless occurrence. The District cannot do this alone. Partnerships with the community will make for true success. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? The rapid re-housing program’s failure is concerning. The District needs to reform the administration of this program in three ways. 1) Funding should be offered to individuals experiencing homelessness and transitioning from a shelter as a rent subsidy. 2) RR individuals should be offered job training and placement. 3) Extending the duration of time an RR individual can be a recipient would help, because wage increases are not always achievable in 12 months to positively change their wage-to-rent ratio. I will continue to support a case-management approach to ending homelessness by providing compassionate wraparound support to individuals and families. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? The District’s affordable housing crisis is the main driver in relation to encampments. The rising cost of housing and lack of affordable units in our housing stock is crushing. When encampments started to spring up, immediately the focus was on keeping residents safe. Living out of doors is harsh and unprotected in every way. The priority to house individuals as a right is important. I think the CARE pilot has been a reactive attempt to respond to a public safety issue. I support wraparound services and a case-management approach to housing an individual with supports and accessible resources.
Ben Bergmann I am a public school graduate, a former elementary school teacher, an attorney, an ANC commissioner, chair of ANC3D, and a dad of two small kids (5 and 2). I live with my family in an apartment off New Mexico Ave. As an ANC Commissioner, I have been a passionate advocate for affordable housing, investments in public education, improved public transit, especially for areas poorly served by Metrorail, and safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Platform Summary: I am running to make this a city where
the pandemic, the District was one of the least affordable or second for both daycare and housing costs. The pandemic has compounded many of our challenges. To bring D.C. back better, to build an inclusive and vibrant city, we need fresh perspective and representation on the council that is independent and thoughtful. I have detailed plans to make housing and childcare affordable, invest in schools, improve and expand transit and improve public safety responsibly while also following through on our commitment to criminal justice and police reform. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Affordable Housing, Racial Equity, Economic Development, Education, Public Safety, Homelessness, Social Safety Net, Transportation, Climate Change and Environment, Access to Healthcare Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Yes. Housing should be a human right, but that isn’t the case right now. Rights don’t have waiting lists, they don’t expire, or get reduced year-to-year. I am committed to continuing investment in solutions to reduce homelessness and provide unhoused Washingtonians the services they need and deserve. There are no simple solutions to homelessness. We all know this. Each individual is unique, limiting the ability to adopt a one-size approach to delivering services. Housing-first policies have proven effective at reducing homelessness. But the key is to ensure that adequate and appropriate services are delivered to address each person’s individual needs. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? In order to truly end homelessness, we must be willing to make invest sufficient resources to completely address the individual needs and circumstances of unbounded Washingtonians. Each person is unique and not everyone needs the same suite of services. In some circumstances, sustained engagement by different specialists will be necessary. In any event, this is too important to try to do it on the cheap. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? I would extend subsidies so families and individuals receiving support are no longer in limbo or at risk of being displaced. It makes no sense for us to invest in rehousing individuals in need of assistance before abruptly terminating their support.
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What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? We need better oversight to ensure that unhoused residents are truly being offered permanent housing and sufficient wrap
around services. We also must make sure that there is real engagement with encampment residents for a sustained period of time. Violent evictions are a sign of failure and indicate that engagement was not as robust as it should be. I do believe that public space belongs to everyone and we cannot tolerate permanent encampments on public parks, particularly if there
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are safety concerns. But we also must ensure through effective oversight that we are actually addressing root causes rather than clearing encampments and pushing issues out of view of the nightly news.
the family’s needs. The District government and small business sectors need employees, for example. The city can help skill-up those receiving re-housing subsidies and funnel them to job
Kathy Henderson Kathy Henderson is a “SHERO,” has won numerous awards for serving the public; featured in People and Essence magazines; previously endorsed by Washington Post, AfroAmerican Newspaper, DOCPAC, others; is endorsed by past MPD Assistant Police Chief Diane Groomes, Police Chief Platform Summary: I am a "powerful voice for the community" and award-winning ten-term Advisory Neighborhood commissioner. I will assess every Ward 5
Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Public Safety, Education, Homelessness, Affordable Housing, Racial Equity, Climate Change and Environment, Access to Healthcare, Economic Development, Transportation, Social Safety Net Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Yes, there is enough money in the budget to house every homeless person in D.C. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? Pass emergency legislation to authorize funding to get every person into clean and safe housing without delay. We have the resources. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? Intensive case-management can help transition recipients the District. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? No. Removing someone's belongings with or without notice is inappropriate. We have the resources to house our homeless individuals and should do so with fairness and dignity.
Gordon Fletcher Gordon Fletcher is a three-term Advisory Neighborhood commissioner for Single Member District 5A08, representing North Michigan Park and Fort Totten. He is vice chair of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 5A, and chairman of Ward 5 Democrats. Professionally, he is an adjunct professor of justice and public policy at American University. Platform Summary: The focus of my platform includes gun and violent crime reduction; increasing community-led safety addressing the needs of seniors. We also need to increase the amount of truly affordable housing and address environmental and air quality issues across Ward 5. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Education, Homelessness, Transportation, Economic Development, Access to Healthcare, Climate Change and Environment, Racial Equity, Social Safety Net Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Yes, I believe housing is a human right. I would propose legislation to that effect, codify minimum health and safety standards and call for a comprehensive quality assessment of all public housing in Ward 5. We have the largest proportion of seniors in public housing. Having toured several properties, some of the conditions Washingtonians are forced to live in are unacceptable. The District cannot be complicit in perpetuating substandard housing. The city must commit to ensuring every resident of the District of Columbia has access to clean, safe, high-quality housing options for housing. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? I am a proponent of permanent supportive housing that offers wrap-around services to the unhoused. Simply putting a roof over someone’s head isn’t enough. We must address the root causes of homelessness if we are to reach “functional zero.”
we have the potential to provide housing to more people than ever before. That said, we must address the cost of real estate, cost of conversion to residential housing and zoning if we ever expect to make headway on homelessness. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? While things are improving in the District, the socioeconomic impact of the COVID pandemic is still being felt and will continue for years to come. Terminating the subsidies seems shortsighted. If elected, I would advocate to keep the subsidies in place temporarily, while working on addressing
promotes employment and spurs economic growth. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? It is important to note that CARE is a pilot program. While the premise of CARE is laudable and to an extent it has been effective, there is always room for improvement. If the objective is to reduce homelessness to “functionally zero” we need to answer several questions (a.) how many homeless people are on the streets and what proportion want housing; across the city to meet the need; (c.) do we have the service providers available to scale up and address the root causes of homelessness?
Zachary Parker I’m an educator and public servant. I was elected in 2018 to represent Ward 5 on the DC State Board of Education, and colleagues selected me to be President in 2021. After college, I taught 7th-grade math in New Orleans, and I’ve spent the last decade supporting D.C. school administrators. Platform Summary: I’ve dedicated my life’s work to transforming systems that are failing D.C. families. We must emerge from the pandemic without repeating cycles of violence, displacement and corruption. Together we can connect city services to people’s real lives, build healthy communities, and make it easier to stay and thrive in D.C. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Education, Homelessness, Racial Equity, Social Safety Net, Climate Change and Environment, Access to Healthcare, Economic Development, Transportation Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Yes. Stable housing is the foundation of stable families and communities. So much of the well-being and success of Ward 5 residents depends on having a secure place to call home. We must build housing for those in most need: low-income families, seniors, LGBTQ+ youth, and returning citizens. That starts with declaring housing as a human right. We must build much more deeply affordable housing throughout D.C., with binding targets. And we should expand permanently affordable housing models, including community land trusts and limited equity co-ops, while increasing our Housing Production Trust Fund, Local Rent Supplement and more.
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VOTER GUIDE
In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? Housing our neighbors must be a top priority. I’m encouraged that DC has made progress to expand permanent supportive housing, but investments to end homelessness will not be sustained without adequate emergency rental assistance and without creating much more deeply affordable housing. Housing ends homelessness. Yet the just-passed FY 2023 budget falls $100 million short of what is needed for emergency rental aid and includes almost no new vouchers to help the 30,000 very low income households that need them. Beyond housing, we must ensure everyone has a basic income to afford necessities. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? Rapid re-housing for D.C. families needs improvement, as 90% of families won’t be able to afford their rent if these shortterm subsidies end. That is no surprise, given D.C.’s rapid to provide ongoing help to 400 families in RRH, but we must help the remaining 513. In the long-term, we must reform rapid re-housing so that no one is cut-off due to a time limit if they are unable to afford rent. I support transitioning families in rapid re-housing to permanently affordable housing, like land trusts and social housing. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? The city promised that it would expedite housing for unhoused neighbors through the Rapid Rehousing Program, and then it would clear encampments. Unfortunately, what ended up happening is that before some unhoused neighbors received housing, the government took bulldozers to encampments to destroy the few belongings some of our most vulnerable neighbors possessed. We need to secure permanent supportive housing for our unhoused neighbors so that we aren’t just moving people around. After we do that, I support clearing tent encampments. It is important to note that this is not what happened in D.C.
Faith Gibson Hubbard Faith Gibson Hubbard is an advocate, educator, wife, mother and public servant with a history of service to D.C. Faith has served in many roles inside and outside of government. She has a track record of building coalitions, trusting and leaning into the lived experiences of neighbors, to solve the most pressing issues facing our community. Platform Summary: As a community is the driving force behind equitable growth to preserve and build a community where everyone can thrive. Building a stronger Ward 5 requires all of us at the table to create and foster the kind of investments, sustainable growth, safety, and overall quality of life we need and deserve. Together we can! Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Education,
Homelessness, Racial Equity, Social Safety Net, Climate Change and Environment, Access to Healthcare, Economic Development, Transportation Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? I do believe that housing is a human right, I would support legislation to that effect, but it would need to tie directly to resources that support production and affordability. As councilmember I would start by taking the following steps: • Increase funding to prioritize the creation of local rent supplement housing vouchers. • Expand the partnering agencies and non-governmental organizations that are a part of the Interagency Council on Homelessness. • Create annual benchmarks to assess the annual milestones of the Homeward DC plan • Increase funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) to meet the actual need; following the community-based partnership model established through the STAY DC funding. • Increase programmatic funding for resource supports for residents who are exiting housing insecurity and homelessness; creating stronger linkages between housing programs and streamlined, cross-agency case management process to navigate the city’s systems. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? While the District has made measurable strides in reducing instances of family homelessness, more action is needed to fund local housing vouchers for families timing out of temporary placements. Similarly, the city must fund more local housing vouchers and must fund the production of more PSH units for individuals experiencing homelessness. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? I support the current budget actions pending before the Council to fund several hundred new local rent vouchers to support these residents. I will work to ensure that enough reoccurring funding is placed in the budget in future years to create enough vouchers to cover every family facing this situation. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? All neighbors deserve access to safe housing. I do believe the current process is working and is designed as a method of providing intensive onsite service delivery to meet our unhoused neighbors where they are. I appreciate the programmatic focus of connecting our unhoused neighbors to housing and services and supports. While progress has been made, we must continue to do more to ensure housing access for our neighbors is longterm and permanent and inclusive of the wraparound supports many neighbors desperately need. As a councilmember, I would be a champion for ensuring the process takes place in partnership with more of our community-based organizations that are trusted resources within the community; their presence will allow us to reach more unhoused neighbors and ensure we are able support their unique needs and support their ability to permanently exit homelessness.
Vincent Orange Vincent Orange is an attorney and certified public accountant. Vincent Orange is the former two-term Ward 5 councilmember, at-large councilmember and DC Democratic National committeeman. Vincent Orange jumped started economic development, school modernization and recreational centers renovations in Ward 5 and the City followed. Vincent Orange championed the $15 per hour minimum wage, sick leave pay for tipped wage workers, wage theft legislation, discrimination laws protecting women and transgender people in the workplace and created D.C. Emancipation Day Holiday. Platform Summary: I’m running to represent Ward 5 on the D.C. Council to continue providing for the general welfare of my constituents. I provide leadership, experience, maturity and proven results to address crime, public safety, affordable housing, education, homelessness and mental health services for my constituents. With the ensuing end of best choice to seamlessly assume his position as Chairman of the Committee on Business and Economic Development, and keeping Ward 5 at the table of leadership. Please visit orangeward5.com for more information. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Public Safety, Affordable Housing, Education, Access to Healthcare, Homelessness, Economic Development, Transportation, Social Safety Net, Racial Equity, Climate Change and Environment. Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? Housing is crucial to every individual and/or family having a good quality of life. I would sponsor legislation that does the following; First, I would provide mobile shower buses and personal hygiene products to the homeless on a daily basis while conducting intake to ascertain the problems of the individual or family in order to provide a housing solution. I would guarantee the six month housing voucher with renewal for another six months while working out a permanent solution for permanent housing. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? Last year D.C. reduced homelessness by 17%. We should double our efforts this year to continue reducing homelessness until we reach the “functional zero” goal. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? Now that the 913 families have been identified, I would hold extremely aggressive oversight hearings every other month to stay on top of finding permanent housing solutions for this population. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? The city must operate a very efficient and effective intake process of individuals or families in the encampments to determine the needs to transition this population to permanent
at - large
housing. The six month housing vouchers with renewal for another six months is the starting point to address the needs
Lisa Gore Lisa is recognized nationally for her work on investigating some of the most challenging housing issues. She’s led efforts in identifying weaknesses and vulnerabilities in housing and community development programs and developed Congressional testimony on housing matters, highlighting taxpayer dollars. Platform Summary: I’m a proud DCPS mom, a retired federal investigator with decades of experience investigating housing frauds and overseeing housing programs, and an ANC Commissioner serving Wards 3 and 4. I believe in communityRank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Social Safety Net, Racial Equity, Affordable Housing, Education, Public Safety, Homelessness, Access to Healthcare, Climate Change and Environment, Transportation, Economic Development Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect?
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for a permanent housing solution. It must be more efficient and effective, utilize all the available federal funding available. It
is extremely unacceptable to have federal funding available and not use it to reduce homelessness.
Affordable, decent housing is a fundamental human right and is the foundation of every system we need for individuals and families to thrive. Every Washingtonian should have the security of stable housing, and we must protect our residents from the threat of displacement as we reach our housing goals, provide communities with meaningful engagement in the development process, and immediately address the housing needs of extremely low income people and marginalized groups. As the main focus of my campaign, I will support legislation that fosters equitable development, strong tenant rights, expanded rent stabilization laws, and enacting antidisplacement legislation. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? I believe one of the causes of homelessness is the lack of affordable housing in the rental and homeownership markets. Thus, we need to heavily invest in more housing units in the 0%-30% income range, including public housing. We must invest in our voucher programs and prevent the revolving doors policies that place unhoused residents in a cycle of homelessness. We can develop affordable housing using social and community land trust models, and use public land to help mitigate development costs. By September, the Department of Human Services will terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? I support fully funding and expanding the voucher eligibility
program. I believe we should be funding Targeted Affordable Housing vouchers, which can also be used to help families who cannot avail themselves to D.C.’s Rapid Rehousing Program. I also support funding Local Rent Supplement Program vouchers to ensure those who urgently need permanent rental assistance can access housing. Finally, these resources should be available for both single adults and families. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective?
Do you believe that housing is a human right? Are you willing to propose or sponsor legislation to that effect? I believe housing is a human right and all D.C. residents are entitled to safe, stable, and secure housing. My beliefs are rooted in my personal experience: my biological father died on the street while homeless. It’s a constant reminder that there
terminate rapid re-housing subsidies for 913 families. If elected, how will you ensure that families connected with housing subsidies don’t end up on the street? Community members, advocates, and Councilmembers alike have decried the rapid rehousing program as a shortterm band aid that creates a cliff that pushes families back
we can to provide everyone the dignity of a home. Valuesbased leadership can drive all Council action, from the budget to legislation to day-to-day oversight. And I’m committed to taking every action necessary to provide D.C. residents the dignity of a home. In January, 2015, D.C. joined the Community Solutions “Built for Zero” campaign to reduce homelessness in the city to “functional zero.” What concrete steps does the city need to take to get to “zero”? D.C. must fully invest in housing as a right to end homelessness. This means building our budget to address housing needs and fully funding those needs through programs like permanent supportive housing. It is important to remember that meeting needs is not necessarily just physical housing but also the support services needed to transition from homelessness. As we’ve seen through the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program, a key component of providing housing and support services is building trust and relationships with our unhoused neighbors. By September, the Department of Human Services will
terms of progress made toward addressing homelessness. Like so many other programs, we’ve seen piecemeal responses to
The preliminary rollout of the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments Pilot Program demonstrates that unhoused D.C. residents are best served when housing and support services are offered without the threat of removal. As a sustaining permanent shelter for unhoused residents currently living in encampments on public property. Affordable, decent housing is a fundamental human right and is the foundation of every system we need for individuals and families to thrive. Every Washingtonian should have the security of stable housing, and we must protect our residents from the threat of displacement as we reach our housing goals, provide communities with meaningful engagement in the development process, and immediately address the housing needs of extremely low income people and marginalized groups. As the main focus of my campaign, I will support legislation that fosters equitable development, strong tenant rights, expanded rent stabilization laws, and enacting anti-
council chair
Erin Palmer: I’m a mom, an ethics lawyer, and a dedicated public servant. Before this campaign, I worked for the federal judiciary, where I specialized in workplace accountability. I currently serve as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, where I’ve led education, and community safety. Platform Summary: I’m running to be D.C. Council Chairwoman to bring new energy, vision, and compassion to the D.C .Council. Every person in D.C. deserves affordable housing, high-quality schools, and accessible healthcare. I’m dedicated to values-based leadership that can correct for chronic disinvestment and build safe, stable, and secure communities. Rank the following issues in terms of importance to your platform: Homelessness, Affordable Housing, Education, Social Safety Net, Access to Healthcare, Racial Equity, Climate Change and Environment, Transportation, Public Safety, Economic Development
and services based on needs. Rapid re-housing should either additional permanent supportive housing. What is your stance on the city’s encampment engagement policy? Do you think the Coordinated Assistance and Resources for Encampments (CARE) pilot program is effective? I believe in a housing-first, compassionate approach to my opponent. Our unhoused neighbors deserve to be treated with dignity, support, and respect. We have unprecedented resources to provide housing and support for our neighbors. Forcibly removing our unhoused neighbors is not necessary if you build trust without traumatizing evictions, displacement, and destruction of personal belongings. Permanent, safe, and supportive housing solves homelessness without displacement and is more successful long-term.
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OPINION
People need more help accessing job training programs RONALD SMOOT
W
hen I got released from jail back into the community, a job training program was a great step for me, because it takes a long time to get a job if you don’t have job experience. Some people don’t have work experience. I’ve been working since I was 17 years
department, and I had a one year contract to work with them. After that, I had other jobs in my life. For example, I used to work for an employment program during the administration of former Mayor Marion Barry. I think that they should have more programs like this, because they can help you build a better life. Sometimes you can get out of jail and be working in two weeks. That's good for people like me, because if you have a job, you can be a better person to deal with. You can have a better conversation with coworkers, friends and family. You also can focus on your personal life. I think that we should have more help accessing job training programs, which would be good for the entire Washington, D.C. community. Having a job will change your life, and you won’t be homeless or unemployed. Job training programs will show the employer that you are ready to do this job to the very best of your ability, because you want a better future and want to obtain a better-paying job. Now, I think that I don’t need a job training program. I've been working all my life off and on, so I have some skills to work different jobs. At my last job, I had a job specialist. It because I know that when I work I will get a nice paycheck. I am 55 years old and can work for about 10 more years. That’s also up to God’s will. But I want to work that long, because I still have my health. I think if I get another job specialist, I will get a job faster than if I were to try just by myself. That’s because he or she Public domain photo // Nappy.co
to earn money, which would give me a chance to pay my bills and to stay in my housing program. Ronald Smoot is a vendor with Street Sense Media.
The job market today is strong JACQUELINE TURNER
I
wonder about that, because everywhere I look there are advertisements for companies that are hiring day and night. You can look on Google, job sites like Indeed, and on windows at department stores. Just go in and ask. I believe it when the news says the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in years. I think that if people want to work, but there are lots of new ones opening. So many companies are willing to train new employees. There are technical jobs available because the world is changing fast. There are science jobs that give scholarships. Johns Hopkins Hospital offers in-house education free including college classes with degrees. There are restaurant jobs, clothing stores advertise openings of mouth. Workers who are just starting out may not have the best
experience sometimes, but if it doesn't work out, keep what you got until you get what you need. Go to companies and ask about internship and apprenticeship programs. The new companies are willing to train workers up to what they want, so you can get in with less education. If you are willing to train, you might get less pay for a while. But it’s a better opportunity because after a training period you may be able to get promoted The minimum wage in D.C. is more than $15.00 an hour! I never dreamed of that much pay. When I started working, the minimum wage was $3.75 an hour. Now many jobs also have health care plans. sometimes people don’t want to work because they have fatter to being able to be with their children and enjoy their homes. They want to have a rest for a change. Additionally, the price of day care has increased and it takes a big piece of people’s
paychecks. Transportation can also be a problem. Because of the shortage of bus drivers, parents sometimes have to carry and pick up their own children. This type of problem can make a person not want to work. Of course, work is important beyond just pay; it’s important for socialization. When you’re not around other people and don’t have a social life, sometimes it can lead to depression or feelings of being left out. People need the work environment be missing out on friendship, and this can have tremendous effects on your personality. Work is very therapeutic. Jacqueline Turner is a vendor with Street Sense Media.
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FREDERIC JOHN Artist/Vendor
S
o after many a fortnight, the pandemic rages on. This month, the experts have dubbed it “B.A.2.12.1,” but regardless lots of humans are falling ill. Maybe not dying, but who wants Covid-19 in any form? Thus, Philadelphia should reinstate compulsory wearing of masks; who’s to cry foul? What other American metropolis more than 400 years running goes by the “City of Brotherly Love”? Not Gotham (NYC),certainly not Providence (“Cthulha,” “Lovecraft Town”). And D.C.? (“City of Magnificent Distances?” “Mudhole?” “Swamp”)? In a more bucolic chapter, under the capable draftsman pen of Frank Furness and James Frazer, Philadelphia grabbed onto a unique and cryptic handle, “Red City.” Circa 1876-1881, when still fresh lay the team of America’s Centennial Exposition rising out of Fairmont Park on the Schuykill’s broad banks, the land of Ben Franklin was awash in Colonial Period russet brick. Hence, “Red City.” No throwback to cobbled crudity were these brick walls, however. Their sculpted swaths were trimmed in yawning dog friezes, evoking the splendor of Nero’s Rome, not to mention Photo by Frederic John
Photo by Frederic John
Irishmen on tour this side of “the pond,” Oscar Wilde! Overly boyish, as some of you may have already gathered, ornaments though my moment of discovering them. August, 1970, the filigree and gingerbread of old Philly was well concealed beneath a century of neglect, spawned soot. How had I landed such a funky time-capsule of a place? I wanted moment, foot-loose and fancy free. My Instamatic was fully loaded, but I began my midday trek on Market Street, where proud black street sounds framed in
and bell-bottom pants were the rule from every music and variety store, the undulating beat of Gamble, Huff and Barry I took careful note of the abandonment of the sprawling Erlanger movie palace, dating back to Gloria Swanson’s time. Well aware was I that by now this tiny screen queen was no longer a household name, nor did the wealthy Biddles, Girards, and Wanamakers stow their gilded treasures behind the granite
drapes of dust on the glass. The Market Street Bridge leading me over to spooky Filbert Street and the looming Reading Terminal Market had been crimson ran the jagged capital letters. Soon I realized the “T” was a crude rendering of a “saber” sword. Glad, I inhaled with the gratitude of not having encountered these particular artists.
The Book
Weather
The chosen one
KYM PARKER Artist/Vendor
RITA SAULS Artist/Vendor
ABEL PUTU Artist/Vendor
One thing that makes us bend a knee, One thing that makes us cry, One thing that makes us love one another, Blessings that make us. When we pray, It’s the way we talk to God, It’s the way we talk to, and understand, others. Her words tell us, Love one another, Have compassion for one another, Love one another unconditionally. Respect when she tells us what to do – It is law. The Book, once you understand it, You understand her The Book, the Bible Shows us all how to live. The Book
learn that the weather does its own thing, like snowing in one state or place and not the other, or freezing rain called hail blanketing the ground like a cover. Then I discovered that it was raining on one side of the street as the sun hovered over the other. I’ve seen it hot tornadoes and thunder. Then, lightning strikes that lit up the nights.
I’m special to everybody, and everybody is special to me. I found a cell phone yesterday. I found it on my way to Street Sense. My aide and I were on the train, and it was just sitting there. When I took it to the train they helped me. We found the owner, and I am trying to get them to pick it up at Street Sense. Thomas is helping me return it. I always return people’s stuff, and I will always help people. I will not let my disability hold me down. I will help you, no matter who you are. We are all one. I pray the person will come to meet me at Street Sense. I want to help people around the world. Everywhere I go, I inspire people. I share my food with the people sleeping outside. It’s tough living on the street. When I win the lottery, I am going to give back.
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ART
Dear Street Sense Media WARREN STEVENS Artist/Vendor
ROCHELLE WALKER Artist/Vendor
The weather is getting warm and nice to get out and ride bikes and sit at the park. Mother’s Day was beautiful. My mother passed away in February 2009. She is in heaven in God’s care. I loved her very much. She taught me to
the guitar when I was young. Both of our parents did. They were good parents. I had dinner with my girlfriend on Mother’s Day. At home in our apartment. Summer is around the corner. Stay safe wearing face coverings.
ANTHONY CARNEY Artist/Vendor
Let’s take a cup of strawberry cider and watch the grass grow. The children are jumping rope and playing hide and go seek. I love watching the band play their songs,
what a wonderful thing. It’s time to spring forward and do the two-step, so enjoy sunlight in the springtime. Spread love
Water is clearly a mystery to me. We need water to survive and to live. Water is a clear picture to me. It sounds like the raindrops falling on my head – a mystery to me a liquid a solid It’s all three to me– freeze it warm it heart it we need it
JEFFERY MCNEIL Artist/Vendor
W
hen you overcome obstacles and achieve success, you’ll be gravely disappointed if you’re looking for congratulations. Even accomplished athletes such as Lebron James and Tom Brady face criticism from experts who never made their high school football team. Over the years, I’ve faced criticism from people that couldn’t write a sentence or sell newspapers. I used to be angry and respond to them. Today, I treat them like gnats, although some break through and sting you. In order to deal with critics, you have to understand their motivation to bring you down to their level. You broke through the doomsayers and found happiness while they were still on the wall waiting for someone to ask them to dance. You realize to accomplish anything, you need to focus, be disciplined and wait for nothing. Always force the action, and be relentless in whatever you do. One of the reasons I’m successful in selling papers is that I don’t have a jealousy button. If someone buys the paper from someone else and they give that person an envelope full of money, it’s good for them. Unfortunately, haters have a different mindset because they don’t have communication skills. They see people buy from you, so they get up the next morning trying to block you because they are jealous and envious that you got it and they don’t.
Truth hurts. It can make you quit or be more determined in making $40 and waiting for a roach-infested apartment in a bad neighborhood. I’ve been to the mountain and was determined to get out of my situation. I heard people complain that $20 wasn’t hygiene products, and that small investment made my sales grow exponentially.
While selling newspapers, someone offered me an odd job that paid $100. Instead of looking for a raise, I watched others until they said, “Step-in” and that $100 job led me to full-time employment.
While others complain, I see opportunities I worked a job where I thought I was irreplaceable and got replaced. I deserved it and had to humble myself to be hired back as a waiter/bartender. It was cutthroat, and I would do slow shifts where I was Waiters make $5 an hour, and I pay for the screwups, which meant I was working for free. Some would have quit, but I got better, my tips got larger, sure everyone that sees me has a great experience, and the tips will come for great service.
Take advantage of free classes
Be grateful! It’s not as if you are being printed in the New York Times or the Washington Post.
Just write, and you’ll be surprised who takes an interest The selling mindset; getting your hustle on. Days I sell my newspapers, I get in the selling mindset. Early morning I do a morning jog, eat breakfast and make sure my clothes are ironed and pressed. Eighty percent of sales are based on appearance. Would you see a doctor that is disheveled and hasn’t shaved? We all start somewhere, but change shows that Street Sense works. So appearance should be a top priority. The next step is presentation and delivery. I try making my on you, so getting clean clothes may be hard but having clean papers is something you can control.
When you inspire and make an impact people will reward you Negative emotions like loneliness, envy, and guilt have an
One of the things I never could understand is vendors complaining about others people’s columns. One vendor said he couldn’t sell papers because of what I’ve written. It’s not complicated. If I write something you don’t like, there’s a writers group if you can’t write, there are art groups, poetry, or water coloring.
Don’t take it personally If you don’t get published, ask why? Maybe something it’s untimely. Nobody likes being edited but humble yourself. If you don’t like the edits, you can shop your column for other newspapers.
something needs to change. I’m blessed that I’m content with what I have and have no desire trying to covet others. Jealousy is a terrible emotion, and it’s destructive. If you sell papers to make money, maybe you should do an emotional housecleaning. I sell because I have fun and enjoy meeting and getting to know people. Making money is the result of being able to put smiles on faces. Being mean and nasty results from no one paying attention to you. When anger rises, think of the consequences. I will close with a quote by the French author Victor Hugo. “The wicked envy and hate; it is their way of admiring.”
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Now and then ROBERT WARREN Artist/Vendor
Now and then, I wonder, as a brother once said, when will people start getting together again? Now and then, I think of these days. I know my life will never be the same, so many tears I’ve cried, after all the people I knew who have died in such a short period of time. Just like now, just like back then, I wonder when will this justice department speak to the loner guy? I can't help but think my mother would still be alive, like many others, who died of COVID-19, after all of the lies. I’ve lived here, in Washington, all my life. I marched with Dr. King as a very young boy for civil rights. Who could ever have imagined the sight of Jan. 6? Maybe Roger the Dodger and that vampire-looking guy. I was so mad to see a
Confederate Flag in our Capitol building. I could have cried; those who died, rest in peace. Like now and back then, they have always been lying, trying to help hide the price and corporate greed. Who would believe they would get paid?. Got to keep your eyes on the gauge; gas is almost $4 a gallon now, and it might get higher before it’s all over. Now and then I wonder, is it true what Bible people preach to you, are we living in the last days? A war in Ukraine, during a pandemic: women and children whose lives will never be the same. Can one man be the blame? And should we allow him to be? Now and then I wonder, will
True likeness REGGIE JONES Artist/Vendor
on Georgia Ave. NW. I got to know them by speaking to them on a daily basis, or when I saw them, and I admired their personality, and smile, and the way they make me feel or treat me as a person. And when they made the greatest impression on me is when they showed me they were very and making me pay attention to things in my surroundings. And I don’t
occasions JUSTIN BLAKEY Artist/Vendor
It doesn’t have to be a holiday, birthday or any type of reunion. The date, time, place or setting does not make every event special. Not even the people. Above all, a special occasion is first identified once it is “received” by you. There are many times that I created a special time while in a thought space. To be special is to be of “the importance.” Special: is not good or bad, happy nor sad, festive nor positive. It is all that your mind, body and soul have collected within a specified time of essence. This forms the occasion and the importance of the most lasting impressions. So, all occasions of special nature derive from the measurements between peace, safety and danger. Any “special time” of my life, circled around these three energetic elements, and they were all angelic, prophetic or absolutely organic. None are prosthetic!
there be a World War III? Let’s all send a prayer out to the Lord to help our people, please. Prayer without work, so let peace, like now and then. They have always planned, and my Lord plans, and my Lord is always the best of planners. Now, now, now moving on from then.
REDBOOK MANGO Artist/Vendor
If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will. You gotta love yourself before you can climb over the hill. They say over the hills, well what age is that? They claim over 50, you can’t beat that with a bat? I’m almost there, and I’m still wet behind the ears; I haven’t learned nothing yet God is the only man I fear. You have to know when to hold and when to fold; the battle’s not ours, that’s the way the story is told. Give it to God and your angels will slide through, Be grateful for what you have, because life is “Too Short”– Blow the whistle, you’re a piece of work, don’t cry over spilled milk, try to be a good sport. You are the cow, your cup is always full of joy and love, So, no matter what you’re going through, you know he will always guide you, protect you, lead you, and never let you go. God loves us so much, you have to let it show. Love God and love your enemies; The next DMV idol - that’s me. He’s been watching you, you’re highly favored. You’ve already won the competition. Don’t be scared of the haters. LionBlak Entertainment presents, we did them a big favor. Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words will never hurt me I’m a survivor of police brutality, say her name. No, that’s not me. Cross your T’s and dot your I’s, so you can improve your behavior God is our bestieLove yourself like you love your neighbor, You’re not a test tube baby. That’s right, you never made the navy. God gives you insight, that’s why you slide through the gravy.
1 4 // ST REET SENS E ME DI A / / MAY 2 5 -3 1 , 2 022
FUN & GAMES
>> This crossword puzzle’s answers: https://tinyurl.com/SSMcross-05-25-2022
<< LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION
1. Main artery 6. Fishing need 10. Mental image 14. Cloudless 15. Ancient Peruvian 16. Void’s partner 17. Principal 19. Inform 20. ____ Kippur 21. Reed instruments 22. Flag-maker ____ Ross 23. Legal claim 24. Potter’s need 26. Behind 29. Utopia 33. Scheduled 35. Western state 36. Tuna container 37. Male cats 38. Small landmass 40. Roll of cloth 41. Lyrical “before” 42. Beams 43. Moneymaker 45. Brightness 47. Coward 48. Citi Field predecessor 49. Smelling organ 51. Singes 54. Actor Roger ____ 56. Tango need 59. Space gp. 60. Radio ad 62. Psychic’s phrase (2 wds.) 63. Realm 64. High-strung 65. Resound 66. Minister to 67. Leaks slowly
Down 1. Painful 2. Butter substitute
© ONLINECROSSWORDS.NET
Across
3. 500 sheets 4. Tiny bit 5. Clothes cabinet 6. Buffalo 7. Poker fee 8. Michelle Kwan’s “shoe” (2 wds.) 9. Road material 10. Mean 11. Song for two 12. Building extensions 13. Friend 18. Pres. Lincoln 22. Humdrum 23. Rents out 25. Incensed 26. Daisy’s kin 27. ____ and fauna 28. Made docile 29. Throb 30. Sacred images
31. ____ tax 32. Way in 34. Actress ____ Keaton 39. Shade tree 40. Soft cheese 42. Football cheers 44. Maintains 46. Tel Aviv’s country 49. Roaming tribesman 50. Lode yield 51. Cut off 52. Comfort 53. On a cruise 55. Warning sign 56. Fork feature 57. Bee’s relative 58. Spanish cheers 60. Feline 61. Middling grade
Author Gene Weingarten is a college dropout and a nationally syndicated humor columnist for The Washington Post. Author Dan Weingarten is a former college dropout and a current college student majoring in information technology. Many thanks to Gene Weingarten and The Washington Post Writers Group for allowing Street Sense to run Barney & Clyde.
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All services listed are referral-free 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
cancer, etc) 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org
Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW ID (Friday 9am–12pm only) foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities
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 Charlie’s Place // 202-232-3066 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW charliesplacedc.org Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org Christ House // 202-328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd., NW christhouse.org
2375 Elvans Road SE
2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE 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
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 Food and Friends // 202-269-2277 (home delivery for those suffering from HIV,
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
Laundry Lavandería
JOB BOARD
samaritanministry.org
Crew Member Five Guys // 808 H St NW
Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org
Part-time Work the register, prepare food, and sanitize the restaurant.
So Others Might Eat (SOME) // 202-797-8806 71 O St., NW some.org
REQUIRED: N/A
St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-333-4949 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org
Team Member Smoothie King // 1001 Connecticut Ave NW
A
Part-time Thrive DC // 202-737-9311 1525 Newton St., NW thrivedc.org
Prepare fresh produce, greet guests, take customer orders, and blend smoothies.
REQUIRED: 16+ 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
APPLY: https://tinyurl.com/smoothie-king-team
Busser Cheesecake Factory // 1426 H St NW
Full-time/Part-time Clean dining rooms, bring bread to guests, REQUIRED: Able to lift up to 50lbs and continuously bend, reach, and twist
APPLY: https://tinyurl.com/cheesecake-factory Pizza cook Wegmans // 41 Ridge Sq. NW
Part-time Take and prepare customer orders, answer
The Welcome Table // 202-347-2635 1317 G St., NW. epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable
customer questions, and maintain kitchen cleanliness.
REQUIRED: Must possess basic food safety knowledge and knife skills.
Whitman-Walker Health 1701 14th St., NW // 202-745-7000 2301 MLK Jr. Ave., SE // 202-797-3567 whitman-walker.org
APPLY: https://tinyurl.com/wegmans-pizza
Patricia Handy Place for Women 202-733-5378 // 810 5th St., NW
Samaritan Inns // 202-667-8831 2523 14th St., NW samaritaninns.org Samaritan Ministry 202-722-2280 // 1516 Hamilton St., NW 202-889-7702 // 1345 U St., SE
// 15
For further information and listings, gs, visit our online service guide at StreetSenseMedia.org/service-guide
Hiring? Send your job postings to editor@StreetSenseMedia.org
scavenger hunt Your next clue: Next door to fame WENDELL WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor
This plain and unassuming three-block-long street of three-story row houses could be any street in Washington D.C., but it isn't. I called this a two-way street home for a few years in the nineties. It was actually a privately run transitional home for homeless men in personal recovery, and I was its live-in manager. It was located near an intersection of two of the most traveled avenues in the old Black community of D.C. Years later, I learned that I was only two doors away from greatness, the boyhood home of one of the city's internationally famous sons. The house was recently up for sale at $1.2 million. And it’s just a block or so away from one of the District's favorite historic gathering places. Okay, detectives, where is it? And who grew up there? Editor’s note: Wendell Williams has an encyclopedic knowledge of D.C. This summer, he will be producing a series of photos and clues to spotlight hidden gems across the region.
Do you know where this photo is taken? What famous person grew up near here? Email us at editor@streetsensemedia.org. Photo by Wendell Williams
Thank you for reading Street Sense! From your vendor, MAY 25-31, 2022 | VOLUME 19 ISSUE 27 NO CASH? NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE AN APP! SEARCH “STREET SENSE” IN THE APP STORE
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