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STREET SENSE June 3 - 16, 2015

Council Budget Passes Unprecedented Funding for Homeless Services

By Colleen Cosgriff Editorial Intern The May 27 budget meeting began over an hour late, as various members of the D.C. Council struggled to set priorities for the city’s fiscal 2016 budget. But it was well worth the wait because the City Council unanimously passed the District’s FY2016 budget. A second and final budget vote will occur on June 16 before it is sent to Congress for approval.

The Council budget considered “virtually all” requests in Mayor Bowser’s proposal, according to Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. It provides more money for services to the homeless than it has ever done in history. A portion of this increase will fund additional affordable housing initiatives.

The budget also preserves the revenue stream dedicated to the Housing Production Trust Fund (HPTF). Further, it increased HPTF funding to a baseline of $100 million. The Trust Fund began in 2002 as a tool to develop affordable housing in the District. The program has suffered from inconsistent funding since its creation, according to the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED). Ensuring that $100 million remains in the FY2016 budget is vital for consistency in funding development of affordable housing, the coalition claims.

The budget is an imperfect packet, according to Mendelson. Everyone can probably find something that they do not like, but everyone has something that they do like.

“Anyone can focus on the little we didn’t get and declare defeat or we can focus on the many good things in this packet and declare victory,” Mendelson said.

And victory was declared.

Before the meeting began, a main point of concern to CNHED was that approximately $9 million had been moved from

HPTF in FY2015. According to CNHED, the loss of $9 million equals the loss of 100 units of affordable housing. CNHED had organized calls to Chairman Mendelson the night of May 26 and the morning of May 27 to express its concern over the potential loss and had mobilized supporters to attend the morning Council meeting. While the room was crowded, supporters of the Coalition were easily visible to the Council, wearing the Coalition’s bright yellow shirts.

CNHED supporters arrived at the meeting unsure whether the $9 million would be restored to HPTF. But the the Council reversed the $9 million cut.

“With the last-minute amendments, which made the Trust Fund whole, we are very pleased. We think this budget comprehensively represents a huge step forward in serving our neediest residents,” said Steve Glaude, Executive Director at CNHED. In an interview with Street Sense, Council Member Elissa Silverman said Mayor Bowser set the tone with the $100 million investment in HPTF, and the Chairman was also focused on the $100 million investment.

“I do [think the budget is a victory], because I think we made key investments in areas that are priorities, not only for our residents but for our city’s future,” Council Member Silverman said, “Certain council members felt that we are in such a dire situation with our lack of affordable housing that really every dollar that could be put towards the trust fund should be. The Chairmen felt that was the right decision, so he did it. I’m very happy about it.”

Silverman was not alone in voicing her excitement over the budget. “[The budget addresses] some of the biggest issues this city currently faces: homelessness, and the creation and preservation of affordable housing,” Council Member Brianne Nadeau said.

Nadeau went on to specifically praise

the $1.8 million allocated to permanent supportive housing and the $1.7 million in targeted affordable housing.

Council Member Vincent Orange stated during the meeting that the budget was not only a victory for the legislative and executive branches, but for the citizens of the District. However, he wanted to make clear that the budget’s unanimous vote does not mean all of the District’s issues are solved.

“We have not solved the homeless program. We put some money on the table to attempt to solve the homeless problem.

We have not solved the affordable housing problem. We have put money on the table. Now we have to execute the plan,” he said.

The Council will meet for the second and final vote on the budget in just a few weeks.

“The second vote is an opportunity to correct any mistakes and to clear the language,” Kate Coventry, Policy Analyst at the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI) said in an interview with Street Sense.

Coventry does not predict any changes to funding on housing or homelessness, stating that the DCFPI is “thrilled” with the investments to those programs.

District’s Family Homeless Shelter Now Lead Free

By Ashley Strange, Editorial Intern

After a 9-month-old and a two-yearold staying at D.C. General family shelter tested positive for lead in their blood, a series of tests have been conducted at the hospital-turned-shelter. One of the children tested for lead exposure before entering the shelter, but it is unclear if the other child was exposed to lead before entering the shelter or not. The new tests discovered lead in chips of paint on a window sill in D.C. General’s second floor cafeteria, reported The Washington Post.

The area has been sealed off. The families staying in the shelter were notified immediately after the discovery and offi-

cials claim to have tested all rooms at the shelter, prioritizing rooms with children.

No other children have been contaminated, but because of D.C .General’s history of lead exposure an investigation was launched. In April of 2014, a lead inspection conducted by the Department of General Services detected lead in four residential rooms. Those four rooms were restricted and now are lead-free. Five children in the past five years have tested positive for lead exposure, according to The Washington Post. Many of the residents at the shelter have expressed their concerns about this recent discovery.

During the 2014 lead inspection, D.C. officials were aware of the hazardous lead levels at the shelter but did nothing about it. All rooms tested positive for lead, but officials claimed that the levels were not dangerous.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention there are no safe blood lead levels for children. Because it has no outstanding symptoms lead exposure usually goes unrecognized.

By next year, Mayor Muriel Bowser is committed to close down D.C. General and replace it with smaller shelters.

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NEWS IN BRIEF Congressional Caucus: No One Solution

By Dottie Kramer, Editorial Intern On May 19 the Congressional Homeless Caucus drew national grassroots organizers to a briefing about “treatment first” and “housing first” models.

“Many people don’t realize there are different reasons for Homelessness,” said Nan Roman, President and CEO of the National Alliance to End homelessness. Roman gave examples such as economic hardship and chronic disabilities.

Roman is a supporter of Housing First legislation, citing that it costs less money for the public sector. The Housing First model puts people in housing without any prerequisites. It is easier for residents to solve issues such as substance abuse or health problems once a person is consistently sheltered. This also cuts down on individuals use of crisis services, such as emergency room visits.

“We’ve really done a bad job with the crisis system in America,” Roman said.

Roman shared a story of a woman who escaped an abusive situation and took her children with her. The woman was homeless for two years, which cost the public sector $40,000 dollars, without housing first.

“In the 1980s, we tried to help people overcome their problems and then house them,” said Barbara Banaszynski, Senior Vice President for Program Operations of Volunteers of America.

Banaszynski and Volunteers of America have since come to change their minds on what people needed in order to overcome homelessness and poverty.

“What we were doing was not bad, but not very effective,” Banaszynski said.

Executive Director of Dallas LIFE Foundation (one of the largest homeless shelters nationally), Bob Sweeny, vehemently disagreed with housing first.

Sweeny designed a 10-month program, with a four phase approach to help the homeless in his shelter. The phases include volunteering while sobering up; classes with subjects such as anger management and resume building; applying for 15 jobs per week; meeting with a mentor; and applying for affordable housing and graduation.

“Over 65 percent of the homeless are struggling with alcohol and drugs,” Sweeny said, “Let’s get to the root of the problem of homelessness.”

Despite their differences, both groups agreed that more action needs to be taken to tackle the challenge of homelessness. Banaszynski compared getting help for the homeless to wearing glasses.

“It’s not a stigma to wear glasses; it just means I can’t see well. So, it shouldn’t be a stigma to ask for help,” she said.

OPINION: Ending Some Services at Martha’s Table

By Gwynette Smith Vendor Last month, Martha’s Table announced some services at its longstanding 14th Street Northwest location would end and be transferred to a new complex in Hillsdale, not far from Anacostia in Southeast.

For 35 years, Martha’s family has provided service for the poor. After the transfer, the only programs available at 14th Street would be food provision and a center for children. I think this decision should be carefully assessed because citizens need help and support for the poor and homeless in Northwest, too.

The federal government is here, as well as local government, private industry, and one of the country’s strongest tourist programs. Southeast needs services and should have them, but they should not be provided at the expense of other areas that also need them.

It might even be that Martha’s Table should have even expanded its services at the present location. I hope by 2018 when these changes are to occur, any issues needing to be resolved will have been and the poor and the homeless around 14th Street will not feel even more disenfranchised.

The present program has an impressive record. It provides education, family support services, and a thrift store serving more than 18,000 people a year.

Plans for the transfer to Hillsdale should be carefully reviewed. I often see some of the people being helped sitting in the park area in front of the church. I have been to the longest day of the year service there, and the people seemed warm and hospitable. It should be noted that a group that rates more than 8,200 charities rated this charity with a 4 out of a possible 4.

Volunteers sorting out food PHOTO BY MARTHA’S TABLE

Wall of Hope displaying Academy of Hope’s recent graduates PHOTO BY GRACE OWEN

Public Charter Funds Empower Adult Academy

By Grace Owen & Ashley Strange Editorial Interns Academy of Hope in Washington, D.C., is a public charter school that works with adults looking for another chance at a high school education. About 74% of those enrolled have been to high school but have not received their diploma, and 50% of the students are unemployed.

Many students are working toward their GEDs or similar degrees, or are planning to get college credit to ease the transition into secondary education. Zeola, a prospective student who has applied to Academy of Hope, hopes to get an education as a means to secure a job and support her daughter. Zeola smiles when talking about her four-year-old, and says she is determined to provide for her.

Besides providing for her daughter, Zeola wants to be able to “go to school for myself, to be able to say I have an education. I’m trying to find out what things I like to do, what I’m interested in.”

Zeola is not sure about her plan for the future. She wanted to do hair but is now looking forward to finding another subject that interests her. She chuckled when asked if she was looking forward to classes and said, “Sure, it’s exciting, but I’m nervous. I’m just trying to keep my faith--I want to get it right this time.”

This combination of a drive for education and a need to provide and find a job is what is motivating most students at Academy of Hope. Vivian Brown is a current student who is self-motivated. Vivian is a mother of 10, grandmother of 29, and author of “My Life,” printed in Street Sense’s 2014 Life Stories Writing Competition. When she enrolled in Academy of Hope, she could not read well and her math skills were poor. However, with help from her teachers, she improved her reading and received a certificate for most-improved in math. Brown wants to prove to

herself that, “I can do it! Because there’s no such thing as ‘I can’t.’”

These students need marketable skills in a competitive and difficult job market.

According to the program manager, Shawn Jegede, the programs are aligned with Common Core and classes are designed to prepare students for obtaining their GED or similar diplomas. The school also offers college prep classes and computer classes, including classes that give college credit for the University of the District of Columbia.

“Many students enroll in Academy of Hope because they want to be able to help their children with homework,” Brown said. “Their children outpace them.”

Students progress through four levels based of proficiency in the core subjects, rather than going by a grade-level basis.

This way, students can schedule their own programs. Some students wanted to go through the program in three years, or as quickly as possible, so as to move into the workforce. Others knew that it would take them longer than the typical four years and appreciated the flexible schedule.

Jegede spoke on his personal connection with students, and how he is able to “motivate students to get to where they want to be.” The staff at Academy of Hope connects students with jobs and colleges, as well as more personal issues such as housing and help in class. One applicant said that the personal connections with staff who were passionate about helping their students learn was a draw in applying for the school.

Darryl Kornegay is the case manager and counselor at Academy of Hope. He is also the school’s homeless liaison. The school works with some students who are homeless, staying either in shelters or couch surfing. Kornegay says that sometimes students tell him that “Academy of Hope is the only good thing I’ve got. It’s the only safe space for me.”

Often, homelessness combines with and exacerbates other issues that affect students’ ability to study. Kornegay talks about homelessness combining with a lack of family support, lack of motivation, and other personal issues. He gives his personal cell phone number to his students in order to talk students through situations any time, day or night.

Kornegay says that his approach to counseling “is focused on casual conversations and personal connections. We try to break down the barriers of why didn’t you succeed in the first place so that you can succeed now. Sometimes students just need someone to talk to, especially if they’re in a bad housing situation, and I can be that person.”

Patricia DeFerrari, chief program officer, says that Academy of Hope became a public charter school so that they could tap into the charter school dollars. The District of Columbia is the only place that allows schools for adult to receive charter dollars, and with this, Academy of Hope can hire more full-time teachers and staff. DeFerrari hopes that students have a sense of hope, direction, and the skills they need by the time they leave Academy of Hope.

“We’ve learned a whole lot more about all of the processes, reporting, and requirements that come with public education,” says DeFerrari. “It just requires a lot.” Now that Academy of Hope is a public charter school there are things that they did not have to do before, such as verify everyone’s D.C. residency. DeFerrari says that they’ve also learned on another level the struggles that their learners face everyday.

As for future plans, DeFerrari says that Academy of Hope will continue to grow career pathways, expand into more wards, and advocate for adult education in Washington, D.C.

STREET SENSE June 3 - 16, 2015

Produce Plus is a Must

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COVER STORY

Photos of consumers and consumerable productsfrom the market on Vermont Ave NW PHOTOS BY DOTTIE KRAMER

By Dottie Kramer Editorial Intern “Rain or shine, Freshfarm markets will be open,” said senior market manager Lindsay Wallace. Freshfarm operates 13 farmers’ markets in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The markets honor many nutritional assistance programs; in the District of Columbia, Freshfarm’s eight markets participate in SNAP (Food Stamps/EBT), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), matching dollars, WIC Cash Value, Senior “Get Fresh” Checks, FVRx and, as of June 1st, Produce Plus.

Produce Plus, a District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH) program to assist low income families, runs June through September and entitles low income families to two $5 market vouchers per market day; the vouchers may be redeemed for fruit, vegetables or meat.

“It’s a really great program that’s put on

by WIC and the Department of Health and it’s for distribution at farmers’ markets only.

All of our eight farmers’ markets are Produce Plus distribution sites,” said Wallace.

One of the benefits of Produce Plus, Wallace said, is that people who might not ordinarily come to the market are drawn in. “There’s a perception that farmers’ markets are very expensive, and that they aren’t accessible to people of limited means, and we don’t want that to be the case at our markets.”

“We really want people to have access to fresh, local, healthy foods that should be universal, and not limited to people who have lots of money. We really want people to maximize the health benefits of eating locally, we want people to maximize the sustainability benefits of eating locally, and so we really want to lower as many barriers as possible,” Wallace said.

At 12 of its markets, Freshfarm has a Matching Dollars program, which provides customers who utilize nutrition assistance programs with tokens they may redeem for food items sold at the market. The Matching Dollars program is supported by tax deductible donations; Freshfarm’s goal for 2015 is $50,000. Freshfarm sponsors the Jean Wallace Douglas Farmers scholarship as well as a “gleaner” program,

“It’s a really great program that’s put on by WIC and the department of health and it’s for distribution at farmer’s markets only.”

-Lindsay Wallace Senior Market Manager

where food that is not sold on market day is donated to the homeless. The Thursday market located on Vermont Avenue, known as the market by the White House, is paired with Thrive D.C. “It’s just a gratifying experience to know that that Freshfarm market is committed through our mission of supporting sustainable agriculture and providing retail avenues for farmers and food producers, to also pair that with outreach for the food insecure populations of whatever areas the markets are in. I feel really strongly and I’m very happy about being a part of that,” said market manager Tara Boyle.

Wallace and Boyle the outcome of Produce Plus has been positive. “There is a lot of testimony of what an impact it made on peoples’ lives to have access to fresh produce all summer long; they’d write us letters and say ‘my health has improved, and I’ve lost weight and my hair is growing better, and I feel a million times better,’ and those are the real-life results we want to see,” Wallace said.

“The Produce Plus program first came into existence in the fall of 2013,” Lillie Rossen, Food Access Director of D.C. Greens said, and since its existence has helped over 15,000 people.

Rossen estimates that 90 percent of Produce Plus money is spent on items from local farms.

“We really need to encourage folks to consume more fruits and vegetables,” Paul Reichel, D.C. Regional Director of Capital Area Food Bank, said. “Fruits and vegetables are really expensive, and [might] be cut from a diet.”

“About 50 percent of the homeless have a food-related illness,” Dylan Menguy, media events coordinator of Capital Area Food Bank, said. “This program can really help heal people.”

Menguy also believes that eating fresh fruits and vegetables makes people feel valued. “For a lot of people, their eating any type of fruit or vegetable in its fresh form feels more dignified,” Menguy said.

As of May 27, the District has given Produce Plus between $350,000 and $450,000 for 2015. Menguy believes it is beneficial for Produce Plus to be at a farmers market because “it kind of de-stigmatizes food assistance.” Many market programs require only that a customer show proof of residency and proof of enrollment in the food assistance program to be eligible for additional market savings.

Emergency Response and Shelter Community Weighs in on New Plan Operations to Move D.C. Homeward to End District Homelessness

By Megan Panagopoulos Editorial Intern The District of Columbia Interagency Council on Homelessness’ Emergency Response and Shelter Operations Committee (EROS) met Wednesday, May 27, to discuss their part in the implementation of Homeward DC. Homeward D.C. is a strategic 5-year, data-driven plan that passed last month with the end goal of eradicating long-term homelessness in the District of Columbia.

It was devised after extensive review of past and existing systems, resources, and program models. The plan is threefold, built on ending homelessness among Veterans by 2015, ending long-term homelessness among both families and individuals by 2017, and rehousing those experiencing home loss in of 60 days or less by 2020.

EROS is responsible for planning shelter facility replacement and improving protocol for shelter maintenance. The committee is also mandated to coordinate with other organizations to create points of entry across the District for obtaining birth certificates and IDs. Lastly, EROS is working to increase the number of respite beds at shelters and to implement homelessness prevention programs city-wide.

The plan details three program models to be enacted that will help individuals and families before they reach the shelter while in short-term or interim housing and in permanent housing situations.

The first program model, or “Front Porch Services,” is intended to provide services to people before they reach the homeless services system. These may include, but are not limited to, street outreach or prevention services provided to residents who are in danger of losing their housing or have already lost their home.

The second model is “interim housing,” meant to provide a safe environment for residents in emergency situations while they search for more permanent solutions.

These services provide communal support for those in transition and are meant to be limited in nature.

The third model is “permanent housing,” where the resident is the primary leaseholder, able to remain as long as they chose with supportive features as intensive as necessary.

The need for a consistent, clear line of communication between clients and organizations providing services was stressed.

ERSO wants clients to be aware of not only the programs available to them, but also the logistics involved. Clients should have access to facility hours, relocation plans, and rules regarding the length of their stay.

“If you don’t know where to go, no amount of programs will help you,” said William Moore, who identified himself as a concerned citizen.

Clients also need a forum to report back on the implementation of each item, as mandated by the strategic plan.

Ideas for improving lines of communication included a monthly or weekly news-

By Reginald Black Vendor letter for those who have access to the Internet and a requirement that FAQs be posted in every shelter. The issue of respite beds in shelters also sparked debate amongst the committee. It was argued that respite beds needed to be in shelters to offer a place for the sick to go rather than expect them to walk across town to an emergency room. Respite beds also act as a failsafe for those needing stabilization after bouts in the hospital.

There was also a concern that there may not be enough space in shelters or money in the budget to make this a reality. Respite beds in shelters may prove to be beneficial in the short run, but the extent of the need has not yet been studied or recorded. Further research and collaboration with healthcare providers could prove beneficial, as respite beds could have adverse effects, for example the cost-to-benefit ratio could be too high or care could be inadequate, as shelter staff are not trained medical professionals.

Currently, Miriam’s Kitchen is one of the few organizations providing low-cost birth certificates and IDs. Once clients have proper identification, it removes barriers to finding housing and makes the overall process less cumbersome. Lowering or waiving the fee for a D.C. birth certificate might reduce the pressure on Miriam’s Kitchen to fill this need for so many clients. The more points of entry available to those experiencing homelessness, the less bureaucratic barriers that have to be jumped.

“If you don’t know where to go, no amount of programs will help you,” - William Moore, Concerned Citizen Contrary to past plans, this blueprint hopes to recognize the ever changing and unpredictable nature of homelessness on a case-by-case basis. The vision of ending homelessness does not mean that no one will ever experience lack of housing again, because there will always be global and local emergencies. Instead, the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) defines the end to homelessness to mean that “every community will have a systematic response in place that ensures homelessness is prevented whenever possible, or is otherwise a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience.”

Contrary to past plans, Homeward DC hopes to recognize the unpredictable nature of homelessness on a case-by-case basis. The ICH plan admits that people may still experience a lack of housing.

However, “every community will have a systematic response in place that ensures homelessness is prevented whenever possible, or is otherwise a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience.”

A new five year plan to end homelessness in Washington prepared by the District’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) developed was discussed at a meeting led by Council Chairman Phil Mendelson on May 27.

Kristy Greenwalt, Director of the ICH, stated that this year’s budget contained $18.7 million for new investments and that the city still has a gap in its efforts to house single adults. “We do want to be thoughtful of how we scale,” Greenwalt said. “We have underinvested in singles for so long and we have so many people in our systems - we want to make sure investments are used wisely.”

Laruby May, the new Ward 8 council member, asked Greenwalt about the Department of General Services budget and about the 801 East men’s facility that is on the grounds of St. Elizabeths Hospital.

“It’s an economic displacement issue,” Greenwalt said. “We need to be able to meet the needs of people in crisis.”

Someone is defined as “chronically homeless” when they experience long-term or repeated homelessness, often coupled with a disability. There are more than 1600 individuals in the District who meet that criterion, according to Greenwalt.

“We will always need shelter at some point in our communities,” Greenwalt said.

The plan puts emphasis on preventative measures, and aims to make a person’s experience with homelessness brief.

Greenwalt worried however that there are only 3774 units (OF?) as of 2014.

Mendelson briefly described a recent tour he had taken to a development in the Lincoln Heights area. He suggested that many vacant buildings could be rehabbed to house those who are homeless.

Mendelson also raised questions about employment.

“This is a Housing First plan,” Greenwalt said. “We [still] have to look at the employment piece.”

Miriam’s Kitchen Advocacy Director Kurt Runge spoke in support of the new plan, saying that the solution to homelessness is housing. According to Runge, the District is at a turning point in its ability to meet the community’s growing demand

for homeless services; he said that ending chronic homelessness is possible.

A 55 year-old District resident, Waldon Adams, shared his story of changing his life through Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)l. “I was housed and assigned case management quickly. PSH is what gave me a chance to regain life,” he said.

“PSH is a work in progress and the best plan to end homelessness in the District of Columbia.”

John Histle, executive director of FaithBased Communities, said that organization has signed a covenant to support public efforts to end homelessness. “Our greatest hope is continued support and the implementation of Homeward DC,” he said.

“If we invest wisely we can make a difference. We feel that everyone deserves a home - it is a human right.”

Robert Warren, executive director of People for Fairness Coalition, said that for a long time, targeted affordable housing (TAH) or local rent supplement program (lrsp) has been needed to address problems faced by long time residents of Washington, D.C. Warren said that for any plan to work, both renters and property owners must be part of the process. He asked that the city council acknowledge the need for both affected groups to be part of the solution.

“My sense is everybody thinks the plan is a good document, but the problem is implementation,” Mendelson said. “To me, it’s pretty clear that rapid rehousing is off the table. We went the extra mile and it was not spent...I’m not interested in putting money into strategies that are not used.”

Vince Keane, CEO of Unity Healthcare, which provides healthcare services to poor, underserved and homeless individuals in the District, said that Unity favors efforts to replace deteriorated shelters, and that without housing and support, many homeless residents don’t have adequate options upon discharge.

Anne Cardile described her experience being discharged to a shelter after an extensive hospital stay. She said there is no place where a homeless woman who is sick can rest.

STREET SENSE June 3 - 16, 2015

7

NEWS

By Megan Panagopoulos Editorial Intern On May 20th, KaBOOM!-a national nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the lives of all children, especially those growing up in or around poverty-partnered with the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) to build a playground for formerly homeless children and families in Gaithersburg, Maryland. “KaBOOM! found the Gaithersburg community to be underserved in playgrounds and decided to do something about it,” KaBOOM! Associate Project Manager, Brittany Riley, said.

According to KaBOOM!, only one in four adolescents gets the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

This statistic is even lower for children of low socioeconomic status, who may lack safe places to play or decline recess in favor of screen time. Not getting enough exercise may increase their risk of childhood obesity as well as inhibit their ability to learn basic social skills, such as collaboration or problem-solving.

In March, Riley met with the children and watched as they drew their dream play spaces. “They put swimming pools, castles, moon bounces; everything and anything you can imagine,” Riley said, “I then worked with adults to bring these kids’ dreams to life. KaBOOM! believes

Volunteers work together to construct a playground designed by and for formerly homeless children.

PHOTOS BY MEGAN PANAGOPOULOS

that play gives students and children the opportunity to thrive, both physically and socially.”

The final play space included a rock climbing wall and large slide, all suggested by children in the community.

KaBOOM! and their associates hope that this play space will also be a place for adolescents.

KaBOOM! faced challenges including the logistics to make, build, and run a play space smoothly, as the project cost roughly $100,000 and took 300 volunteers to complete.

The project took place at Seneca Heights Apartments, one of MCCH’s sup-

portive housing communities. MCCH is an organization that works to build a safe, stable community through meeting the urgent needs of people experiencing homelessness and increasing the supply of affordable housing. The organization currently serves 1,600 men, women, and children with numbers fluctuating to roughly 3,000 annually.

“We work to help create solutions and permanent housing options for members who have experienced homelessness,” said Susie Sinclair-Smith, Executive Director of the MCCH. The Marriott Foundation, established to give back to the community, specifically targeting youth to help them aspire to and achieve a promising future, has partnered with KaBOOM! ten times previously. KaBOOM! and the Marriott Foundation approached the MCCH with an interest in this site for three reasons: location, physical need, and community involvement.

The Marriott Foundation is based out of the Chesapeake Bay region and was looking to take on a project in their own backyard.

The housing development in Gaithersburg met the criteria, as it had fallen into disrepair and the surrounding community demonstrated a profound interest.

The project was funded largely by the Marriott Foundation, but other parties contributed as well.

“It was a combination of KaBOOM!, Marriott, and we ourselves providing $15,000,” Sinclair-Smith said, “clients living in the community raised $300 through penny drives and a bake sales.”

The playground equipment incorporates learning with the development of real social and physical skills to encourage enrichment.

“This is for people who deserve to ex-

perience a new and exciting fresh start,” Sinclair-Smith said.

Of the 300 volunteers present on build day, 160 were Marriott employees and the rest were MCCH volunteers and members of the local community.

Volunteers who had always wanted to get involved finally had a hands-on project opportunity, said Montgomery College student Fatu Dahn.

“All my friends keep asking me, ‘Fatu, you are so tired, you just had exams, why are you doing this?’ I’m doing this because I love to help my community and this is something that I’m very passionate about,” Dahn said.

Dahn and her friends came out to help support and give back to their community.

“I love the energy. Music is playing and everyone is excited and ready to help.

We’ve been out here for hours but it only seems like its been 30 minutes,” another local volunteer said.

The Marriott employees were serving as part of a global initiative called Spirit to Serve. Spirit to Serve is a day of service where teams of Marriott employees worldwide go out and volunteer in or serve local communities. The playground was just one of these projects taking place.

Anne Gunsteens, the Executive Director of the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, described the day of service as an integral part of the Marriott foundation, providing a way to honor their associates worldwide for their dedication and commitment.

“We hope that this can be a safe, enriching place for all ages,” Sinclair-Smith said, “I want to see everyone from infants to high schoolers coming here to form an amazing community.”

District Still Seeking “Functional Zero” for Vets

By Mark Thayer, Editorial Intern

Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring soldiers who gave their lives during various conflicts in American History. While Memorial Day has come and gone, a focus on the men and women of the United States Armed Forces is still prominent in the nation’s capital. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) held its Annual Conference last week, in the final year of the nation’s Five-Year Plan to End Veteran Homelessness.

While some cities across the nation have reached “functional zero”—when the chronically homeless veteran population has neared the zero percentile, and functional systems exist to identify, engage, and house the remaining chronically homeless veterans—Washington, D.C., has yet to reach that desired status, according to the NCHV. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ homeless census confirmed the veteran homeless population is still far from reaching functional zero. According to the 2015 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, 529 single adult homeless veterans and 31 homeless veterans in families are still within the Washington, D.C., area on any given night.

“The Zero: 2016 Campaign,” which aims to end chronic and veterans’ homelessness by the end of 2016, is serving as a hopeful goal for many jurisdictions in and around the Washington, D.C., area. Arlington County, the District of Columbia, and Montgomery County have joined the campaign.

Additionally, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, and the District of Columbia have

joined the Mayors Challenge to End Veterans’ Homelessness by December 2015, initiated nationally in 2010. On June 4 2014, Michelle Obama announced that 77 mayors, 4 governors, and 4 county officials committed to the challenge.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offer support for homeless veterans through various outlets such as the Supportive Housing Program (HUDVASH) and the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development explains that the HUD-VASH program is increasing the availability of housing choice vouchers and will subsequently place more homeless veterans into permanent housing, while the Department of Veteran Affairs describe the goal of SSVF “to provide veterans and their families assistance in obtaining VA benefits, case management, and outreach.”

John Smith (not his real name) is a veteran of the war in Iraq who has been struggling with homelessness and unemployment since he returned to the United States.

Smith spoke with Street Sense under the condition of anonymity. Already contending with the difficulties that his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is causing in securing employment, Smith did not wish to publicize his name due to concerns that it may further impede future opportunities for employment.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this hard com-

ing home. [Potential employers] all say that they put veterans first, but I haven’t seen that,” said Smith. “Having been to Iraq, I am automatically associated with PTSD, and there is a stigma associated with PTSD that has kept me from getting a number of jobs.”

Smith has had experience dealing with HUD-VASH and the SSVF, but has yet to find an opportunity to improve his current living conditions.To be considered chronically homeless, one must be “an unaccompanied individual with a disabling condition that has been homeless for one continuous year or 4+ times in three years,” according to HUD-VASH. “I was denied a housing choice voucher because they didn’t consider me chronically homeless,” said Smith, who critiqued aspects of the HUD-VASH program. Smith described a friend that has been living through the HUDVASH program for nearly four years.

“I only need a few months off the street to get back on my feet,” said Smith.

David Tweedie, System Administrator for The Community Partnership, described the difficulties of obtaining a functional zero status, but remains hopeful nonetheless. Tweedie explained that finding, assessing, and prioritizing cases is a tremendous task, but not an impossible one. As the standards for assessing and prioritizing cases of homeless singles become more streamlined and standardized, it will be easier to place those homeless singles into a suitable form of housing.

“From the singles side of this issue, it’s

about “How do we find you?’” said Tweedie.

“If we’re talking about cases that are scoring 14, 15, 16, or higher, these are individuals we need to consider. It’s one thing to increase the supply of housing options, but a whole other challenge exists in finding them.”

To help assure that a functional zero state is reached in Washington, D.C., various initiatives and organizations are working hard to eliminate homelessness among veterans by the end of 2015, but as Smith’s case shows, it is an uphill battle.

The federal strategic plan for ending homelessness among veterans by the end of 2015, Opening Doors, has shown that significant progress is being made across the country, and efforts to meet the goal are ramping up in 2015. According to the nationwide PIT count that occurred in January 2015, the number of homeless veterans has declined by 24,837 people—or 33 percent— since Opening Doors was initiated in 2010.

Although tremendous progress has been made, there now exists a need to ensure that veterans such as Smith do not fall through the cracks of the system, and functional zero is truly met.

“When we’re talking about ending veteran homelessness, advocacy is a great way people can help engage the issue. Learning more about the problem, and participating in the public meetings regarding homelessness that are available, are ways to start advocating for an end to veteran homelessness,” said Tweedie.

Four Years Later, District Waits for Army to Turn Over Walter Reed

By Colleen Cosgriff, Editorial Intern

After over 100 years of operation, the land that was once the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) sits unoccupied in Ward 4. In 2011, the WRAMC merged with the National Naval Medical Center and became The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Following the closure of the WRAMC, city officials worked to find the most appropriate way to redevelop the WRAMC land, while still honoring its history. The District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, through the Walter Reed Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA), selected the Hines-Urban AtlanticTriden team to redevelop the property. The Hines-Urban Atlantic-Triden team plans to develop the land into The Parks at Walter Reed. A website for The Parks at Walter Reed describes the future uses for the space including retail shopping, a hotel, research departments for George Washington University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and twenty acres of green space. The plan also includes over 2,000 units of housing; according to the website, “20% of the total units onsite will be affordable.” The affordability of the remaining

80 percent of the units is not described.

The Ward 4 community was involved in the process of determining a redevelopment plan. In a June 2010 Public Workshop, community members and stakeholders gathered to express their goals for the land. The goals included providing a variety of housing including affordable, veteran, and senior housing.

The LRA received twelve Homeless Assistance Providers’ (HAP) proposals to use the space, and three were approved: H.E.L.P Development Corp. (HELP USA), So Others Might Eat (SOME), and Transitional Housing Corporation (THC). The plan was approved in 2014 by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“HUD determined that the Plan appropriately balances the needs of the District of Columbia for Economic redevelopment and other development with the needs of the homeless community,” the approval letter from HUD to Mayor Gray states.

HELP USA will create “no more than 75 units permanent supportive housing” for homeless veterans and their families.

HELP USA honors the military history of the WRAMC, while also working to achieve the

first goal listed in the District of Columbia Interagency Council on Homelessness Strategic Plan, 2015 – 2020, to “finish the job of ending homelessness among Veterans by the end of 2015.” According to the District of Columbia Interagency Council on Homelessness, veteran homelessness has been on the decline, both in D.C and the nation as a whole.

“Ending Veteran homelessness will serve as an important proof point that when the resources are invested in the right interventions, homelessness is solvable,” DC Interagency Council on Homelessness states in their 2015 5-year plan.

SOME will create “no more than 40 units of permanent supportive housing” for homeless individuals age 55 and above, responding to the needs of homeless seniors in the area.

THC submitted a separate proposal to create permanent supportive housing for homeless families, but the LRA chose to only approve THC’s office space proposal.

THC is well established in the District, providing permanent housing, rapid rehousing, and affordable housing to families experiencing homelessness, including veterans and their families. THC will have

6,000 square feet office space “to support its homeless activities.” “[THC] had strong qualifications and experience in developing permanent supportive housing to address the District’s homeless needs. Since HELP USA’s program in part serves homeless families through development of housing, the LRA approved of THC’s proposal for office space to provide for a mix of uses that address the District’s homeless needs,” the LRA wrote in their explanation for approving only THC’s request for office space.

Frank Demarais, Interim Executive Director at THC, in an interview with Street Sense, said THC is excited about the opportunity to have office space, although nothing is final. THC has an agreement with the city, but because the Army hasn’t turned the property over to the District yet, he does not expect the office space for another two to three years. Demarais said the District is “focused and committed” to redeveloping the land, but cannot begin to build until the Army officially turns the property over.

Demarais believes the opportunity for HAPs to be apart of the Parks at Walter Reed will be “very helpful for Ward 4.”

STREET SENSE June 3 - 16, 2015

Buffalo Soldier Makes Buffalo Thunder Ride on Memorial Day

9

VETERANS

25 Years in, National Coalition Sees End in Sight

By Dottie Kramer Editorial Intern

By Scott Lovell Vendor Buffalo Soldiers is a nickname given to units of the United States Army formed on September 21, 1866, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Through an act of Congress, legislation was adopted to create six African American Army units. The first units to be organized were the 9th and 10th Horse Cavalry, followed by the 38th, 29th, 40th, and 41st Infantry Regiment. The four infantry units were reorganized in 1968 as the 24th and 25th Infantry.

This is the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club Maryland Chapter’s 20th anniversary.

The Buffalo Soliders help to educate and support the community, provide academic scholarships to African American senior high school students, and help to support the homeless in their areas.

They rode from the Jericho Church of

Praise in Landover, MD, to the African American Civil War Memorial on Vermont Ave., N.W. This is my second story about them.

I have learned more history writing about them.

The website of Buffalo Soldiers of The American West suggests three possible reasons for the name Buffalo Soldier. “One is that it is said that the curly hair of the soldiers reminded [people] of the buffalo. The second is that they were given the name because their fierce, brave nature reminded [people] of the way the buffalo fought.

Third, it may have been because they wore thick coats made from buffalo hide during winter. Whatever the reason, the term was used respectfully and with honor.”

Veteran motorcycalists ride through the nation’s capital for Memorial Day Weekend’s Rolling Thunder PHOTO’S BY SCOTT LOVELL, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

Homeless veterans make up roughly 12 percent of the homeless population.

They are men and women of all races who served their country in numerous wars.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) held their 25th annual conference to address the needs of these men and women on May 27 - 29.

NCHV’s goal is to be a “resource and technical assistance center for a national network of community-based service providers and local, state and federal agencies that provide emergency and supportive housing, food, health services, job training and placement assistance, legal aid and case management support for hundreds of thousands of homeless veterans each year.”

Robert McDonald, Secretary of Veteran Affairs, and Christopher Lu, Deputy Secretary of Labor, were the keynote speakers.

This year’s NCHV conference included speeches, policy reform discussions, and awards. The Jerald Washington Memorial Founders’ Award (the highest honor in the homeless veteran’s assistance community) was awarded to first lady, Michelle Obama and second lady, Jill Biden, for their work with “Joining Forces,” a program launched by the White House in 2011, with the goal of ending homelessness for veterans.

This is Michelle Obama’s second time winning the Jerald Washington award. She won it previously with her husband, President Barack Obama, in 2012.

In 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) created a 5-year plan to end veteran homelessness; a new plan has since been introduced called “The Zero: 2016 Campaign,” which extends the deadline by a year.

The VA’s previous goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015 aligned with the District of Columbia Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH)’s goal of ending veteran homelessness in D.C by 2015. Other ICH goals include ending chronic homelessness by 2017, and having families rehoused within 60 days by 2020. The plans are outlined in Homeward D.C, a document created to help end homelessness in D.C. The theme of the conference was Thank you for your Service, in honor of all the veterans and the people that help them.

COMICS & GAMES

Wise Words

By Roberta Bear

INTRODUCTIONS

By Julie Ellis, Vendor

H M Q H O B E J

E O Z O A F W K

L N M B D G O N

Homeless Hope Money Street Sense

L E H E L P R E

O Y S X L W K E

T M H O P E L D

Help Needy Work DC Hello

U T E E R T S Y

D C N E S N E S

Tonight before you go to sleep, think of something that makes you smile. There is always something, no matter how bad your day has been. You will sleep better, and once you wake up you will face a new day with a positive mind. Take charge of your happiness.

Metro, Part 8

By Phillip Black

With so many incidents happening to the Metro system, more people were driving their cars to work. Some were using Uber, and even riding their bikes. But within the last week or so, people are starting to return to Metro. Myself included, I was really going to give up on Metro. And now, I’m back. In spite of everything we go through, somehow, we always forgive our Metro system. We are giving you another try. And all we need is a little upgrade to make things better. It won’t happen overnight, and we trust that things will get better. So here we go again folks, welcome back to our Metro rail system.

My Favorite Foods

By Patty Smith

When I was a student at Strayer University, my teacher asked us to write a paper. I wrote about a Chinese article I had found in our books. Here is a newer version about my favorite springtime foods.

One spring Saturday, my Uncle Willie came to visit. We got up at 8 a.m. Mom put the barbecue ribs in a big pot to cook.

Uncle Willie had started the grill. Mom told me to go out and help him. My major job was to turn the charcoal over and

make sure the fire didn’t get too high. I also had to watch the food to ensure it didn’t burn. When the charcoal looked as though it might get too hot, I tossed a little water on it. When the food was cooked just right, I took it off the grill.

We sat down to a wonderful meal of chicken, hot dogs, corn on the cob and Mom’s fabulous potato salad and greens. I will never forget eating my favorite foods while spending time with my family!

STREET SENSE June 3 - 16, 2015

The Struggle With Me, Part 1

By Jeffery McNeil, Vendor

Before I started writing I viewed myself an activist. I came from a liberal background and was three months old at the time of the Newark riots. I remember my father crying because real estate agents refused to rent to blacks.

My parents believed in integration and Civil Rights, and dreamed that one day I would follow suit fighting for the rights of the poor and oppressed.

As a youngster I never questioned whether mass movements were a good strategy. I was taught to be grateful and that I was lucky to grow up when I did.

My parents went to segregated schools and were bitter that opportunities had been denied them, while I took for granted that I didn’t experience the indignities my parents did.

Although I loved my parents, they were bitter and they supported the black agenda. I saw how my parents responded to blacks that didn’t support reparations or affirmative action. They saw black conservatives such as Thomas Sowell, Walter E. Williams and Ben Carson as Oreos; black on the outside and white in the middle. Before I started writing I would dismiss people with opposing viewpoints as crackpots. However, a customer gave me a book by Thomas Sowell, Basic Economics, and something changed in me. He explained things I knew to be true but I couldn’t articulate, such as that people should be promoted based on ability, not race. He said that minorities should be held accountable and excuses should not be made for them. He said, if you want respect, do respectable things.

While liberalism is apocalyptic and depressing, I’m an optimist. I don’t believe America is a racist society but ex-

ceptional. I was born in this country and paid my dues to be a citizen. As someone that’s been to Africa, I have no desire to find my roots. Although my ancestors came here on a slave ship, I’m grateful that they did. Blacks in America have benefited by becoming doctors, lawyers, politicians and spokesmen, so I never understood why so many blacks still feel bitter and aggrieved.

My parents saw me as someone that didn’t appreciate the struggle for equality. Civil Rights allowed them to escape the mean streets of Newark. However, my parents didn’t understand that I was introduced to the dog eat dog world of capitalism. I understood human nature and thought equality is nonsense. No one can control your destiny better than you.

When you try to be equal you have to give power to an authority that will the become your masters, making you dependent upon them for housing, jobs and food.

Liberals like determined outcomes; they want things safe and easy. I want to know where I stand. I don’t mind the marketplace. I thrive in the arena of competition. While some want doors opened for them, I thrive having them slammed in my face. I don’t want someone deciding for me what is adequate. I love challenges. If I’m bad at something I will do what it takes to be better, but please don’t give me special treatment because of past wrongs.

My parents are dead and while they dreamed of a Great Society, the truth is that there’s no such thing as paradise. The premise of waiting and hoping someone will deliver you is a fool’s errand. Rewards go to those that create a better world instead of demanding one. (to be continued)

11

OPINION

My Networking Co-Op for People Experiencing Homelessness

By Craig Thompson Vendor Homeless Stairway Networking Cooperative (HSNCoop) was founded in early March 2013 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, when I was living there and working as a Yellow Taxi driver. I had many down and out friends in Sioux Falls, and ate at the Banquet regularly (the soup kitchen for the needy). I drove a taxi there from 2004 to 2014. Losing my job in April 2014, I decided to get back to Washington D.C., one of my old stomping grounds (like Dupont Circle), and try and help with the Proposition 1 tent, among other things, as I was friends with Proposition 1 founder William Thomas. I thought to help others, too, trying to keep up my being true to true Christian Ethic, by working on HSNCoop, when I could.

I saw the newspaper Street Sense and saw how I might be able to expand my desire to make some little difference by working with and in them as well. In 2002, I discovered the East Coast’s homeless condition, learning things like how the whole country was healthy, except for St. Petersburg, Florida, where they were feeding their homeless only pasta, and they were actually dying of malnutrition.

December of that year, I hitchhiked out of D.C. with my kitten, Chrystal Betsy Ross Kitty, and was in Texas by Christmas, on my way back to L.A. Panhandling was easy when surfing faith in Christ. I used four ingredients (faith, honesty, respect, and specifics), like, “Excuse me sir, but I am $1.45 short on a hamburger, could you help me towards $1.45?” I had everything I could want but a roof over my head, as I tripped to Atlantic City twice, Florida twice.

But understanding the needs and thoughts of a homeless person is not actually helping them. Of course, the first and most important thing that any one of us can do for the homeless is to get up and out ourselves to show that it can be done, to give hope. No one, or not everyone, is stuck there. As a taxi driver in a small studio apartment for 10 years, I put a small single bed in my alcove for my homeless friends, to get them off the streets for little stints, and stowed their belongings for them, as I know how that feels to have a friend keep my stuff for me, as well. I am a Christian, but Allah said, “Thou shalt alms give,” and I thought to, when I could, kick a buck or two the way of those less fortunate.

A $20 bill is not much to most of us when we are working, but if it has not been in your hands for a few months because you are on the streets, and you get one, oh the joy! Understand? I, myself, would rather sit with my homeless friend and eat with or drink with him, to talk, learn about his or her adventures, and maybe add my two cents in at the end to help how I can. Love is the highest law, and homeless people know this truth as well as anybody does. We help each other, more than most of the cars that drive by will ever understand. And it is too bad that they won’t understand what unconditional God-like love some of us have known. So, I want to make a Co-op, and I want to have a network of people who dare to care about the needy, so I started Facebook and LinkedIn pages for the cooperative and am open to what else HSNCoop can be or become...

MOVING-UP: Will Los Angeles’ $15 per hour Victory Occur in D.C.?

By Arthur Johnson, Volunteer

In the last issue, I explained the battle by groups wanting fast food workers to receive a $15 per hour minimum wage.

Soon after, the Los Angeles City Council voted 14-1 to raise the city’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2020. The news was greeted eagerly by many, but it also has left small business owners unhappy.

There is some concern that the move will eventually drive many owners out of L.A. This change has been embraced by many, but I don’t believe the policy will be replicated in D.C. for a very long time. If the District was to increase its minimum wage to $15 per hour, many businesses would move across the river to Virginia, where the minimum wage currently is the same as the federal rate, $7.25 per hour. Plus, the District is already receiving an increase to $10.50

per hour this year and $11.50 per hour next year. It is also important to remember that the District’s budget must be approved by Congress, which is currently dominated by the Republican party, who do not desire to raise the minimum wage at all.

Only two years ago, D.C. lawmakers tried to make Wal-Mart pay a $12.50 per hour “living wage” by proposing the the Large Retailer Accountability Act. Wal-Mart was in the process of building three stores and threatened to shut them down if the City Council and Mayor passed the bill., which would require this new wage of any stores over 75,000 square feet and owned by chains with over $1 billion in sales. The bill passed the council on a 9-6 vote but was vetoed by Mayor Vincent Gray.The Current Mayor of Washington D.C. Muriel Bowser, sat on the D.C. City Council at the

time and was one of the six Council members that voted against the bill.

Los Angeles’ new minimum wage will be closely watched by both advocates and critics, as it will provide a clear picture of what a large increase in the minimum wage can bring. There is serious concern among the restaurant industry as California’s laws do not allow for their servers to be paid less than minimum wage and that will put pressure on owners. One big group that are winners will be workers who were already getting close to $15 per hour, their wages will have to rise to prevent them from leaving.

Laborers who were already struggling to find work, such as people with low education or skills, or people re-entering society after being incarcerated, will have even more difficulty finding employment in Los Angeles’

higher-paid market. Another group that will struggle is teenagers. They may be able to find work with nonprofits who were one of the groups exempted from the requirements. Another area that will be looked at closely is how immigration will affect the legislation. Los Angeles has a large population of undocumented workers from Mexico who will find themselves even more desired by business owners looking to avoid paying U.S. workers the legally mandated minimum wage.

This is an important developing issue.

People want the ability to be self-sufficient and have minimal or no reliance on government help to survive. Business owners want to make a decent profit, and that is understandable. But the desire for profits has to be balanced against the measures taken to generate them. Stay tuned.

The Street Sense Writers’ Group is led by writing professionals and meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The group’s goal is to develop ideas and collaborate on the next great issue of Street Sense.

Cyber Security

By Gwynette Smith,Vendor

Instead

By Roberta Bear, Vendor

The computer is a helpful invention. The professor at the University of Pennsylvania, who was an early developer of a computer, probably never imagined how vast the possibilities of the machine would be. On the television show “Person of Interest,” the machine’s brain is likened to that of a human one, and upon receiving certain stimuli, the machine can alert the person who programmed it, somewhat like an instant messaging chat alert.

However, the technology has certain security risks. I have used a computer that was provided for the public, and brought up another person’s social media, but without the password I was not able to enter the site. Imagine what could have happened if I had known the person and he had used a weak password like his birthdate which I could have known?

On another relatively public computer, I actually pulled up a person’s email. I needed no password. The individual, apparently, did not log off. Experts think that logging off is a good idea, but shutting down is even better.

Viruses are a problem and having security software that is reputable is important. It is recommended that pop-ups in a site, which come up automatically, should never be clicked on. Many have viruses in them. They could re-enter your site, or maybe figure out your password and change or delete your information stored there, or do something even more fraudulent like steal your identity.

Try not to put your personal information on the computer. Maybe you can submit a paper form or application if you call a contact and request to do so.

The more recommended websites use “https” instead of “http” as the entity in their domain address. It is better to use those sites since your information should be more protected.

Be careful of an administrator’s computer, used by a government or private employee who is somewhat in charge. Using them raises the possibility of a hard drive being changed, your files being deleted, or your password being changed.

A question that often arises in some public computer labs is what happens when a computer can be temporarily shut down for public and reserved for an administrator?

While the computer helps our lives and makes many activities we used to do more simple, it should be used with prudence. Also, could this man made brain start modifying or expanding programs on its own?

The computer, like a lot of technological inventions, has had its functions and capacities extended. Apparently, you can now send a game to another computer. Both players can put on headphones that are plugged into each computer, and they can then play the game. Does this go through their email? However it is done, it is probably a good idea to pull off the headphones, unplug them and shut down the computer for a while.

Instead of being ashamed of what happened to me and what I went through, I am proud of what I have overcome. The day came when I realized that turning the page is the best feeling in the world, because I realized there is so much more to the book than the page I was stuck on.

The Eyes of Change

By Robert Warren, Vendor

Mothers and fathers never wanted their young to know their color, that black spot on themselves.

Your eyes moving…

Weary mad days as life as we know it changes.

Old eyes see and don’t say a thing.

Same old song as our days move along.

When the victim is the reason for his fate/ That line is not racism or hate.

The stories we tell: Is there really a Hell for those who don’t cry but only give reason to old lies?

Everything is change, you see.

My people believe in standing up, dancing, and singing between the protests.

Those other sad eyes, the fire inside burning once again to see what is in motion.

You must move with the change.

Lynch Me Not

By Angie Whitehurst, Vendor

Blank By the Anti-Apathetic, Vendor

Remember me?

I died yesterday, in 1870, and over and over again until 1950.

Surprised?

Don’t be. The number is surely higher than 4,000 if you count the family secrets, the unwritten records, and the folklore.

Remember me. Do not forget me. Etch me in your moral mind. Don’t go back to hate, fear, ignorance, and bigotry.

Respecting humans, regardless of race, religion, or creed, is society’s greatest accomplishment.

Please support the Equal Justice Initiative’s movement to create public memorials and monuments to commemorate the lynched, the disappeared, the tortured, and the uncounted. The website is www. eji.org. Visit it to remember and to honor.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR PXL EYES

One of the nicest guys I know is losing his patience. He says he’s tired. Probably true. He has only been in a bed four nights since August. And a virus prompted that!

He burns the candle at both ends, most likely because he has no housing.

Estranged from the ones he loves, he focuses his compassion on a community that consistently denies him. He finds it emotionally draining.

This man took pride in his patience, tolerance, and people skills. Last night, in a moment of frustration, he posted that he was not “feeling social” and deactivated his Facebook account.

This homeless man knows only one letter separates him from becoming a hopeless man. When he sought much-needed encouragement from a support professional, a woman of letters, she shot down his dream.

No wonder he’s tired. But he isn’t apathetic.

Relief

By Elizabeth Bryant, Vendor My name is Elizabeth Bryant. My high point this week was that I went back to church. It fed my soul. It was at 10 a.m. and I can get there by then because it’s right down the street from my house. It was two Sundays that I went. I am going to try to go every Sunday. I do not go there to see people, but I like giving God and the Holy Spirit in Jesus Christ’s name their credit for blessing me. I’m happy God woke me up, and started me on my way, with a right mind, clothes on my back, and so many more things. They were talking about Jesus dying on the cross and that He is coming back. He loves us and He didn’t die for us to stay sick, poor, and have no joy. He died to save us.

Is It Over a Cigarette?

By Patty Smith, Vendor

I left the shelter at 2 a.m. and I went to Chinatown. Used McDonald’s restaurant. Went outside and bought, I think it was about $4 in cigarettes. I left Chinatown and walked to 13th and G Street, N.W., I was heading to my job. Three hours later, it was around 5 a.m. and I ran out of cigarettes. Now what do I do? Okay, sell my papers. I just for the life of me, can’t get a sale. But I need money. I want to buy cigarettes. A little while later, by a fluke and some good old conning, someone gave me money. I catch my bus. It took forever for it to come, every Joe was on it too.

STREET SENSE June 3 - 16, 2015

AFTER KATRINA: A Ten-Year Roller Coaster, Part 1

13

VENDOR WRITING

By Gerald Anderson, Vendor

After helping to rescue Hurricane Katrina victims, I got flown on a Delta airplane from New Orleans to Washington, D.C. After we landed we got crammed into busses that took us straight to the DC Armory. I didn’t know what a armory was.

It like a big auditorium.

At the armory they had bed cots. They separate some of us by family, like the Johnson family, the Williams family, the Smith family. They also had an aisle of single cots, which is where I slept. It was like a big, ol’ dormitory in that auditorium.

They had all kind of computers and phones we could use. Nice clean bathrooms. We go out in a trailer to shower.

When we sit outside of the armory, celebrity people drop by in limousine, ask if we want to go out to eat somewhere. Shaq came and I sit next to him and compare my shoes to his shoes. Man, his feet look like it

make four of my feet. Shaq wear size 23!

I told him he was one of my best basketball players. The feeling of seeing Shaq and I never been that close to a basketball player before, it made me feel real good.

They have barber shop people and beauty salon too; a bus come to take us to get our hair cut. You got a log book for us to sign in and out every time we leave the armory.

And there was so much donation of food right there by different people. You eat duck, deer sausage, grits, eggs. You could go any time at night to eat. It was like a restaurant but with volunteers serving the food and no bill at the end of the meal. It smell like a soul food place all the time.

I help them carry food in and I always ask, “You got chicken?” Food was coming in around the clock and I was always searching the platter plates for chicken.

When I’m Low

Girl, when I’m down You always come around.

You know just what to say.

Love lifts me off the ground.

You take me to a place That’s deeper than a space shuttle in the sky.

Girl you got a brother high And I don’t want to land.

Baby talk my hand, cause I just wanna fly.

Baby love me in the sky Cause I want you to feel everything I feel.

We can take a trip to the moon cause you’re real.

You never had a bad night, even on a bad night.

We believe in sunshine; we believe in daylight And had a lot of cold nights where you have been my whole life.

I’m just glad you are here now baby girl.

We are so right for each other; I’m more than just your lover.

I die for you, protect you like your brother, So call me when you need me baby.

I’ll be around. Baby girl you got me.

Love lifts me off the ground.

By Moyo Onibuje, Vendor Leisure, slowness, contemplation, in an age of perfused efficiency and correctness, (not for the public I might add), but they explain the greatest joys of gardening and of life. If my words can take you into the area where you can say “I’m a gardener,” then these words count for something.

Well, it’s Spring and everything is growing. Sometimes gardens grow for years, and sometimes they remain dead for years.

Think of the peonies coming into bloom.

It is high Spring. Remember, the garden is chiefly a place to sit in the sun or doze in the shade, or to be the background setting

posed to be stay at?” He say maybe a hotel room.

They even offered us baseball tickets.

Once we settle in, they let us go outside and we could see the stadium right there.

They told us we can’t go out until we have our ID, because if you get lost out there, no one know who you are. But with the green and white ID’s people would know that you was a Katrina victim.

So after two days, we got our ID made— me and one of my new little friends got restless. I said, “We gotta find somewhere to go.”

I had been without drugs during Katrina, but now would I just go back to my old ways? (to be continued) Coming soon on Amazon: My Katrina story.

#34: HOW DO YA LIKE ME NOW, DOWN HERE ON THE GROUND

By Ronald Dudley, Vendor

Gardening

TV stars visited; politicians and regular church members came too. People that own big, nice restaurants took us out to eat.

They had a van to take us out on medical trips to clinics. I had to go, because I’m diabetic. Some rich folks had private doctors. We were a mixed group. We might have been on the plane with some millionaire people.

After a few days there, they started interviewing us. FEMA people asked what all we need help with. They said they would do this and that for us and we might not be in the Armory too long. Maybe three weeks or a month.

One of the FEMA workers interviewed me and then saidt it might be hard to get a place of my own. I asked, “How is that?”

He say ‘cause of my history of being in jail a lot.

So that’s when I asked, “Where I sup-

By Chris Shaw, “The Cowboy Poet” Marsh's florid face exploded in sweat.

He didn't very well take to the hard, un-padded prison bench in the holding area under the DC Central Court House, south of Judiciary Square. Billy and Skipper eyed the disgraced senator through a double thick security peephole in the massive basement entry hatch.

From their point of view the befuddled big shot looked puny indeed-- absolutely ant-like!

He got up and began pacing aimlessly, back and forth, back and forth. He was muttering, rather-- Blubbering-- quite unintelligibly. "Doesn't look good, Billy, you know?", whispered Skipper Marsh, almost exuding a whiff of concern, in view of the husky legislator's looming predicament.

"Not good at all..," Billy concurred, then added, "I'm no legal 'iggle,' but I get a s-t-r-a-a-nge feeling that some heav-

for the house or to have cocktail parties in.

A small place, up to an acre, the gardener is usually tempted to have a border of flowers, a few roses, a bit of lawn, a small greenhouse, perhaps a small swimming pool, a badminton court, and Lord knows what else. How do you know which plant to place where? That is the big question in gardening.

Gardening always depends on what color there is, and how much color there is in relation. To others, how much color there is hardly makes sense when there are so many. A good tip is: in general, the more brilliant the color, the less you need.

In colors, as in humans, we learn there is much to be said for the modest, the pure,

vy indictments may be going down."

"Well, they can save a ream of paper off your-- Apache, don't you think--?"

"FERRET, you're thinking. He was known as the Ferret. But yeah, no paper on him, happy to say...and I'm saying, let's go easy on that pore flunkey, what's his name--?--" Skipper barely recalled, "B-Ben!! Yes, go easy on poor Ben.."

The newly recharged pair of lovebirds sauntered out into the blazing midday, and eventually found Skipper's rather dusty Buick Electra convertible, stashed in a service bay of "DAVE'S SANDWICH SHOP and CAR REPAIR," beneath the serpentine orange colored Old Atlas Hotel at Sixth and D Streets. Skipper cackled with delight. "Nothing like your own curbside, hustler valet parkers!!"

Skipper revved the engine, depressed the parking brake as Billy slid in beside her, and swung the car leftward onto Pennsylvania Avenue, with the Capitol

and God save by all, the relatively dull.

The greatest kindness you can do a plant is to leave it alone and give it nature. A chance, give the plant a fighting chance.

When you are not sure what to do in the garden, it is better to leave it alone.

Remember it is important to keep garden records forever. You can derive so much pleasure from it. When in doubt, plant the color of your choice and remember when they emerge. Remember what feels best for choosing roses. And remember the greatest pleasures and the happiest discoveries are not necessarily the first ones you see.

And remember your garden assistant, the toad that eats bugs and slugs--hundreds

Dome looming dead ahead of them.

"Geez, the carnival wheel is still," she observed, a bit spooked.

"Yep," Billy offered. In all he excitement, it looks to be Box 's southward creep outta town."

"Too bad," offered Skipper, drily. "Sois it on to the Hill," she wondered.

"Naw, Skipper," retorted Billy,adjusting his stove-in sombrero. "We got much more pressin' business back at the Mission." He adjusted himself a bit in the seat, groped for the seat belt, then abandoned his brief search. "Think I need t'make sure someone will remain in charge, that is-- Someone who gives A HOT DAMN---" Skipper leaned in with a stage smile, as they turned north on Fourth Street, in the direction of the shabby little Mission of Last Resort (aka 'Macedonia Green's Paradise'). "Not the worse for wear, are ya Billy? (to be continued)

a year. The true gardener is not intimidated by life, the true gardener must go his way trusting his faith, righteousness, and good judgement, helping others may soon see the light, knowing that the true beauty of the garden is proportion, balance, luxuriance, and repose, and sometimes putting a sculpture in it does not work.

So, I close by saying that daffodils and lilies, tulips, peonies, roses, figs, camellias, viburnums, lilacs, rue, basil, box, yew, magnolias, oaks, and irises, too. If there is room, the true things will grow in your garden. Remember, nothing survives without sunlight. I hope you found this soul-satisfying.

Community Author: Tammy Rice

By Grace Owen Editorial Intern When Tammy Rice was twelve years old, she started writing gospel and R&B songs.

She has always loved music; it is one of her driving passions. She started writing poetry after the death of her daughter, who passed away due to leukemia. Though Tammy has been through many tragedies in her life, she has worked through all of them and come away from them stronger.

Tammy’s attitude is strong and upbeat.

She laughs when recounting moments of disappointment, such as when Prince did not accept her as a backup singer. She is able to laugh now, she says, because she has come to understand that setbacks are only temporary.

When she recounts the words her psychiatrist told her years ago, her voice is firm and full of conviction: “He told me, ‘Tammy, if you don’t remember anything else, remember this always: you’re going to get rejected in life.’”

Right now, Tammy writes a lot about African Americans and African American history. She also loves writing about celebrities. But she got her start in writing poetry because of the personal tragedy of her daughter’s death at only seventeen.

Though she was visiting regularly with a therapist, she said that the only thing that truly made her feel better was writing poetry.

She says, “It’s comforted me. It was the only comfort zone I had then. It made me feel peaceful, to write poetry about her.

It lifted my spirit up.”

Tammy’s other passion, besides writing poetry, is music. She collects vinyls and when she was employed she would go to the record store “almost every day - it was my treat to myself, the music.”

When Tammy would drop her kids off at school in the morning, she would always make sure to come back home and spend some time with her albums and her keyboard. She would listen to her favorites – Michael Jackson and Prince, especially – and “start gliding my fingers through the keys,” teaching herself each of the songs.

“I have an ear for music,” Tammy explains. “I would sit down at that keyboard every day and listen to my favorite song, Billy Jean, until I had learned the whole thing.”

Tammy has been shaped positively by everything negative in her life. She learned through a missed opportunity at an amateur singing night at Triples nightclub that she must “always do what you want to do – you don’t always have to listen to what other people say.”

PHOTO BY GRACE OWEN

Poems by Tammy Michele Rice Rags to Riches Don’t know what you’re missin Holes in your shoes With nothing to lose Possibilities with something nice Champagne on ice Playing the numbers To keep from going down under Taking a second job Because things are hard Went from a Chevette To a Corvette Rags to Riches Don’t know what you’re missin

DRAWING BY DORIS ROBINSON

2015 Have a nice house No more cats and no more mouse No more small rooms No more raggedy brooms Went from beans To caviar Sitting and relaxing at the bar Rags to Riches Don’t know what you’re missin

All good things in 2015.

In 2015 all the women adore with diamond rings.

In 2015 a change is going to come.

To all Americans everyone.

In 2015 will be the year of our Lord, and everyone will be able to afford.

In 2015 dreams will come true, there will be lots of babies in blue.

All good things in 2015.

In 2015 things will get better. We all will be climbing the ladder.

It would be a whole new year, without any fear.

All good things in 2015.

All good things in 2015.

All good things in 2015.

The Jackson Sisters Janet, Rebe and Latoya the boys are for you’re singing with beautiful voices making all the right choices The Jackson Sisters are fine and they drink the finest wine.

The Jackson sisters is tight and they sing with

all their might.

They belong to Joe and Katherine Jackson and they wear the latest fashion.

Their brothers were the Jackson Five and they step and strive.

DRAWING BY ANGIE WHITEHURST

15

STREET SENSE June 3 - 16, 2015

COMMUNITY SERVICES Housing/Shelter

Food

Clothing

Showers

Outreach

Medical/Healthcare

Transportation

Laundry

Education

Employment Assistance

Legal Assistance

Academy of Hope: 269-6623 601 Edgewood St, NE aohdc.org

Bread for the City: 265-2400 (NW) | 561-8587 (SE) 1525 7th St, NW | 1640 Good Hope Rd, SE breadforthecity.org

Community of Hope: 232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

Jobs Have Priority: 544-9128 425 Snd St, NW jobshavepriority.org

Covenant House Washington: 610-9600 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE covenanthousedc.org

John Young Center: 639-8569 119 D Street, NW

Calvary Women’s Services: 678-2341 1217 Good Hope Road, SE calvaryservices.org

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

Catholic Charities: 772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

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

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

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

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

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

Community Family Life Services: 347-0511 | 305 E St, NW cflsdc.org

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

Foundry Methodist Church: 332-4010 1500 16th St, NW foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities ID (FRIDAY 9-12 ONLY)

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

Gospel Rescue Ministries: 842-1731 810 5th St, NW grm.org

Samaritan Ministries: 1516 Hamilton Street NW | 722-2280 1345 U Street SE | 889-7702 samaritanministry.org

Martha’s Table: 328-6608 2114 14th St, NW marthastable.org

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

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

St. Luke’s Mission Center: 333-4949 3655 Calvert St. NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

My Sister’s Place: 529-5991 (24-hour hotline) mysistersplacedc.org

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

N Street Village: 939-2060 1333 N Street, NW nstreetvillage.org

New York Ave Shelter: 832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave, NE

Open Door Shelter: 639-8093 425 2nd St, NW newhopeministriesdc.org/id3.html

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

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

Unity Health Care: 745-4300 3020 14th St, NW unityhealthcare.org

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

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

Sense CELEBRATING SUCCESS! Street

By Sashsa Williams, Vendor Jackie Turner obtained a job serving meals to seniors!

Ken Martin is celebrating 35 years sober!

Sasha Williams received a federal housing voucher!

Patty Smith has been approved for housing!

I love the support from everyone and it is going on a year for me at Street Sense. I love the fact that we [Street Sense] are able to produce as a whole. I know the main thing now is ending HOMELESSNESS, but can there be a way to reach out to a [re]branding consultant? Or maybe have a search for information? Because where I am actually going with this is, can we keep the enterprise spirit going and maybe come up with an economic blueprint that we can call something else--but establish Street Sense to birth many more things [after homelessness ends]? Because I know this organization’s history and where we are working hard on the mileage, metaphorically speaking. The workshops are amazing and I am so

excited that Street Sense is a multimedia center.

Street Sense has birthed so much as a foundation that what it defines for me is Personal Development. Ending homelessness is not, and should never be, ending Street Sense. I just wanted to write and to maybe get a additional feedback from the Street Sense community. I think to End Homelessness, we need to educate all Street Sense vendors and staff on real estate and possibly have a building created, and keep the entrepreneurs going. I know it can be a lot more sad, and basically better points in going another direction, but I just know that compassion and whatever it should be put as to each his or her own, is to not the do away motto “ Economic Opportunities.”

LAST WORD: DEPRESSION IS A MEDICAL ILLNESS

VENDOR PROFILE: KEN MARTIN

By Charles McCain, Volunteer

Ken Martin began his journey with Street Sense speaking to teenagers about homelessness, alcoholism, drugs, being a teen, and having dreams. During the first hour of his first day vending the newspaper, a teacher from Wilson High School had found Martin and asked him to share his story.

He’s certain that more than one of those kids will make a difference in the world.

Speaking to Wilson High students may be old hat for Martin, who worked as a “youth prevention counselor” through AmeriCorps VISTA in the 80s.

“That was just after alcoholism was first classified as a disease,” Martin explained.

While he set out to steer young people away from alcoholism -- a personal demon from his own early year -- Martin found himself more often helping them get into college, obtain GEDs and apply for food stamps. Being able to give something back to a community which Martin felt he had taken from as a recovering alcoholic, meant a lot.

He went on to work for Marion Barry’s Youth Pride Inc, training unemployed or unemployable youth for jobs. Martin also became the youngest board member for the Northeast Community Improvement Corporation, resigning soon after to work for the group as a crisis intervention counselor.

Coming up in community work gave Martin a front row seat to both ocal politics and national civil rights actions. One of his supervisors was good friends with John A. WIlson. Reverends Jesse Jackson and Joe Lowery passed through frequently.

“I may have been a gopher, but I got the experience of being a part of it all -from the ground up,” Martin said with pride.

He believes many people today read about the civil rights movement without comprehending it.

“It was about upward mobility for all.

Literally, justice for all. Total empowerment,” Martin reflected.

He eventually wound up managing a 750-person homeless shelter with the D.C. Coalition for the Homeless. Martin left the Coalition to manage the area’s first transitional housing program - which he claims was his favorite place to be employed, ever. Ironically, he was working on a volunteer basis.

“Today, they think that is the end of the housing crisis: when you get to a Single Room Occupancy the job is done.” Martin said. “That couldn’t be more wrong, it’s the beginning. We saw that as the beginning of life.”

A natural entrepreneur, Martin found so much time to volunteer-manage shelters by running a successful business on K Street with his wife. Martin traces his inner-capitalist back to age three, when he and his brothers would pull a wagon full of empty bottles through the street to sell for $2 each. Since then, Martin has profited from all manner self-employment: shoe shining, grocery delivery, custom greeting cards, real-estate...

He stepped down from shelter man-

WHICH CAN KILL YOU. IT ALMOST KILLED ME

I face a brick wall. It is two inches from my nose. I cannot see around it. I cannot see over it. My life has stopped.

While I have scaled many obstacles in my life, confidence and strength have deserted me. Thinking is difficult. And I am so weary. Sleeping twelve hours a day does nothing to alleviate this. As a younger man, I had always been able to fight off these feelings. Yet in my late 40s, the emotional strength to do this has vanished.

I desperately try to recapture that sense of optimism which I used to break through similar walls in the past. But I cannot. Why? Because I am depressed.

Clinically depressed.

This isn’t the “blues.” I’m not feeling “down.” This is medical depression — a disease of the body. Not an illness of the spirit. It saps my strength. I resign my position as a bigshot corporate consultant.

All I have the strength to do is stay in my apartment and struggle with the storm waves of unrelenting despair.

Often I think: if life hurts this much, why not end it permanently? Suicide begins to seem a rational option. Looking back, I can remember the very worst day, the absolute bottom: I have gone into the kitchen to try and do something productive. In this case, I attempt to organize a dozen bottles of wine on a high shelf. One bottle slipps from my hand and shatters on the floor.

Red wine. A large, dark pool stains the white tile of the kitchen floor. It was a calamity. What to do? The solution is beyond my grasp.

Me. A man who has had a successful life, now living in a beautiful apartment I had bought in Northwest. Me. A senior vice president of a huge bank by the time I was thirty-eight. Me, a consultant who had sat in boardrooms in New York and advised banks.

I sink to the floor and weep for what seems an hour. This can’t go on. If it does, I will kill myself. I consult a psychologist.

After a few months he insists I consult a psycho-pharmacologist. This is a psychiatrist who is a medical doctor and only treats depression with medication. Finding the right “drug cocktail” is both an art and a science. He is good at this. I begin taking the pills.

Over the next months I start to feel better. Better than I can remember feeling since I was a kid, before anxiety and depression periodically descended on me.

The pharmaceuticals save my life because constant depression is a medical illness which must be treated by a physician.

No longer do I have the terrifying mood swings which had disrupted my life. Despair is now held in check. My mood and my life have become stable. This gives me the energy to re-write a novel I first wrote as a younger man. I achieve my life’s dream: my novel is published in hardback by a major New York publisher.

On the title page of my novel I give to my psychopharmacologist, I write: “to the genius who created the drug cocktail which got me off the floor and allowed me to rediscover the poet within, which I thought was gone forever.”

Charles McCain is a corporate consultant, speaker, published novelist and freelance writer. He is the author of The Frat House Fire Escape Plan: Sigma Nu, Tulane and the 1970s, a memoir recently published as an ebook. His first book, a novel titled An Honorable German, was published by Hachette in 2009. It is a World War Two naval epic. He is an expert on the military and maritime history of Europe in World War Two. You can learn more about him and read his blog on World War Two military history here: www. charlesmccain.com. Prior to writing full time, he spent 22 years in the financial services industry. Charles survived cancer six years ago which gave him a new appreciation of the difficulties each person must face in life no matter who they are

June 3 - 16, 2015 • Volume 12 • Issue 15

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC

Washington, DC 20005

Mail To:

Permit #568

Remember, buy only from badged vendors and do not give to those panhandling with one paper.

Interested in a subscription? Go to page 15 for more information.

By Samia El Khodary and Eric Falquero, Staff

agement when time and relationships became strained at home. Eventually his marriage snapped.

“We couldn’t handle living AND working together,” Martin assessed.

Above all, he considers himself a father for “two beautiful kids:” Justice, 12, and Ronald, 17. When Martin was diagnosed with heart disease, everything really collapsed. Martin’s medication caused symptoms of depression, and in 2009 he found himself homeless.

Drifting down the East Coast, Martin began to get back on his feet in Atlanta, Georgia, but returned to the streets of D.C. to be close to his children.

Determined, Martin turned to his strengths and approached Life Asset for a small business loan to pull himself back up. Unfortunately, repeated health setbacks did not make him an optimal candidate. Martin has survived three heart attacks and is in need of serious dental and vein surgery. He already had the vein surgery once in 2010, but had nowhere to rest and recuperate properly.

“I know I’m blessed. I have purpose. If I wasn’t’, I wouldn’t still be here,” Martin assured. “You get back up and keep on living.”

The director of Life Asset did not turn Martin away, but instead referred him to Street Sense for his immediate needs.

Martin was not interested. He had been a paperboy at age eleven and wasn’t keen on regressing, now almost 60.

But his opinion of Street Sense changed.

“I didn’t expect to see people in the middle of the mucking mire produce as well as these people did. They were very productive and original and I am proud and honored to be part of it,” Martin said.

“I thought it would take away my self respect and dignity, but it enabled me to remember who I once was.”

Martin utilizes his skills and expresses his views through some of the workshops at Street Sense. He writes, takes photos, blogs, and is involved in forums that address the issue of homelessness. He appreciates the FACE group (Focus Attitude Commitment to Excellence) the most. It gathers homeless people and allows them to build community. And from his point of view , it shows the world that homeless individuals’ lack of a roof doesn’t make them less than anybody else.

Now approved for his Life Asset loan, Martin seeks to outfit all of his customers in the perfect hat for their personality.

His new hat business is a means to an end.

Martin aspires to start a foundation for children with dyslexia and selective mutism. He believes that those children don’t have a voice and that they need someone to take the initiative to lend them a hand.

“I am a homeless guy trying to do better,” Martin said.

To support Ken Martin’s dreams or add style to your wardrobe, you may learn more at: www.Brims4you.com.