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Where the Washington area's poor and homeless earn and give their two cents June15, 2006 -- July 14, 2006 • Volume 3, Issue 8
www.streetsense.org
Staff Editorial
A Global Movement
The End Game for Franklin Shelter By the Street Sense Staff
Y
The Downtown Services Center is in the church at 10th and G, but not for long.
Homeless Services Center Faces New Location, Manager
Street newspaper representatives from Namibia to Argentina to Sweden gathered in Montreal, Canada, recently to talk about poverty and how to combat it with editorial content and vendors programs offered by street papers. See story on page 9.
Inside This Issue EDITORIAL
Deputy Mayor’s Column Updates on shelters and policy, page 3
By Daniel Horner The Downtown Services Center, a Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District (BID) program that coordinates different types of assistance for homeless people in D.C.’s urban core, is facing two major changes: new management and a new home. In the next year the center will have to move, at least temporarily, from its current home in the First Congregational United Church of Christ (next to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on G Street NW ) because of redevelopment affecting the church and other buildings on its block. More immediate is the BID’s decision to subcontract operation of the center to D.C. Central Kitchen’s First Helping program. Services for homeless people
service provider executives worry about the lack of benefits offered, page 4
Shelter Shakeup Changes to mangagement proposed as renovations begin at the Federal City Shelter, page 5 REVIEWS
LOCAL
Acadiana
In the second in a three-part series,
Vendor Patty Smith visit this Cajun restaurant, page 12
Compensation Woes
account for about 6% of the BID’s budget, or roughly $600,000 a year. The BID, which covers 138 city blocks between 16th Street on the west and Union Station on the east, is the only business improvement district in the country that has a department of homeless services and a homeless services center. However, the BID is planning on taking a less active role in day-today operations of the latter. Chet Gray, BID’s director of homeless services, said that the BID is arranging for D.C. Central Kitchen, a nonprofit community kitchen that operates eight outreach initiatives in the District, to incorporate the work of the Downtown Services Center into the kitchen’s First Helping program. First Helping is a multi-partner collaboration
See
CENTER, page 7
FEATURES
Readers Survey Results Who are the readers of Street Sense? page 15
Norfolk Nightmare Vendor August Mallory witnesses brutality against the homeless during his trip to Norfolk, page 16
Service Provider Profile Charlie’s Place is more than breakfast, page 18
ears of uncertainty about the future of the Franklin School shelter at 13th and K streets, NW, may be approaching a resolution, with the Williams administration signaling that the shelter could be closed by the end of the 2006-2007 winter hypothermia season next spring. But with renovations and other issues at the few remaining downtown shelters, the fate of the 240-plus men who lay their heads at Franklin remains unknown, as does the ultimate arrangement for emergency shelter beds in the downtown D.C. area. Franklin opened as an emergency shelter four years ago, and rumors of its closing have been circulating almost since it opened. Now the rumors are becoming a reality, and how the city and its homeless people got to this point is a perfect example of how not to make decisions. For over a year, city officials have said they will only close shelters once alternative space is found. But when Randall closed in southwest, no alternative in the area was found. There are troubling signs that Franklin could end up the same way. The city says that every effort is being made to find alternative space for Franklin’s residents. It’s good to know they’re trying to head off a disaster, but it sounds like too little, too late, considering the difficulty of finding anywhere to put a shelter, even a temporary one, as city officials have often explained. Last spring we heard about plans to close Franklin and turn the building into a “hip hotel.” Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Stanley Jackson has moved ahead on this deal, while city officials responsible for helping homeless people have been playing
See
FRANKLIN, page 17
2 ALL AbOUT US
Street Sense . June/July 2006
Our Mission Street Sense aims to serve as a vehicle for elevating voices and public debate on issues relating to poverty while also creating economic opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community. 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 347-2006 Fax: (202) 347-2166 info@streetsense.org www.streetsense.org
bOARD OF DIRECTORS James Davis Robert Egger Ted Henson Barbara Kagan August Mallory David Pike John Snellgrove Michael Stoops Kathy Whelpley
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laura Thompson Osuri SENIOR EDITOR Ted Henson ASSOCIATE EDITOR David S. Hammond AD SALES MANAgERS Jake Ashford James Davis Alvin Dixon El Muriel Dixon Allen Jones Mark Jones August Mallory Brenda Wilson Wendell Williams VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Gwen Arnold, Karen Brooks, Fiona Clem, Cliff Clare, Colleen Dailey, Amy Detteriech, Alvin Dixon El, Muriel Dixon, Michelle Gaudet, Jake Geissinger, Leo Gnawa, David Harris, DeWayne Harrison, Enoka Herat, Annie Hill, Maurice King, Felica Kung, Jessica LeCompte, Brad McCormick, Jill Merselis, Mark Nablong, Amy Orndorff, Cara Santos Pianesi, Susan Pearce, Jen Pearl, David Pike, Diane Rusignola, Patty Smith, Trish Savage, Francine Triplett, Robert Trautman, Linda Wang, Jessica Weiss, Marian Wiseman, Mhairi Whitton, Mark Youssef VENDORS Sean Barbonus, Robert Beecher, Tommy Bennett, Kanon Brown, Bobby Buggs, Cliff Carle, Conrad Cheek Jr., James Chisholm, Bob Couto, James Davis, Muriel Dixon, Alvin Dixon El, Kerwin Dowell, Don L. Gardner, Kevin Garnes El, Stephanie Gooden, Leo Gnawa, David Harris, John Harrison, DeWayne Harrison, Michael Herbert, Patricia Henry, Phillip Howard, Michael Jefferson, Allen Jones, Mark Jones, Wayne Kern, David McCullough, Michelle McCullough, Jennifer McLaughlin, August Mallory, Rodney Morris, Charles Nelson, Therese Onyemenam, Tracey Powell, Patty Smith, Tom Taylor, Harvey Thomas, Francine Triplett, Paul West, Wendell Williams, Brenda Wilson
Our Editorial Policy
Editorials and features in Street Sense reflect the perspectives of the authors. We invite the submission of journalism, opinion, fiction and poetry, hoping to create a means where a multitude of perspectives on poverty and homelessness can find expression. Street Sense reserves the right to edit any material.
The Story of Street Sense Street Sense began in August 2003 after two volunteers, Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson, approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions about starting a street newspaper in Washington, D.C. A street paper is defined as a newspaper about poverty, homelessness and other social issues that provides an income to the homeless men and women who sell it. About 25 street papers operate in the United States and Canada in places like Seattle, Chicago, Montreal and Boston, and there are dozens more throughout the world. After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers and vendors,
Street Sense came out with its first issue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies. Since then, the paper has published consistently on a monthly basis and has greatly expanded its circulation and vendor network. For the first year, Street Sense operated as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless, but in October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space. In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)3 status, becoming an independent nonprofit organization. In October 2005 Street Sense formed a full board of directors and in November the organization hired its first employee, a fulltime executive director.
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OUR NEXT EDITORIAL MEETINg
July 12 at 6:00 p.m. 1317 G Street, NW (near Metro Center)
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Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $1. I agree not to ask for more than a dollar or solicit donations for Street Sense by any other means. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense staff and will not sell papers to other vendors (outside of the office volunteers). I agree to treat all others – customers, staff, other vendors – respectfully, and I will not “hard sell,” threaten or pressure customers. I agree to stay off private property when selling Street Sense. I understand that I am not a legal employee of Street Sense but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling the paper. I will not sell Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are no territories among vendors. I will respect the space of other vendors, particularly the space of vendors who have been at a spot longer. I understand that my badge is the property of Street Sense and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers and display my badge when selling papers. I understand that Street Sense strives to be a paper that covers homelessness and poverty issues while providing a source of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word.
Street Sense . June/July 2006
Let’s Talk About Homelessness By Brenda Donald Walker Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders
I
t is time to “talk about homelessness” once again. While this is a monthly effort and only my second column, I can assure you that I am dealing with homeless issues and related matters for a significant portion of time every day. This month, I want to update you briefly on the Interagency Council on Homelessness, review a few ongoing projects, recognize a fellow columnist and share some success stories. I also want to discuss the recent hearing on homeless issues held by the Committee on Human Services of the District Council. The recently established Interagency Council on Homelessness is a diverse group of stakeholders that will advise on all matters effecting the District’s homeless population. Mayor Williams called for its creation as part of Homeless No More, his 10-year plan to end homelessness, and the City
POLITICS
Council enacted a legal mandate for it as part of the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005. Among the stakeholders will be at least two homeless or formerly homeless individuals as well as a minimum of two homeless advocates. The City Administrator convened the first meeting of the Interagency Council on June 13. As the group’s work proceeds, I will have information about its activities and how those involved are working for our citizens who are homeless. In each column, I want to provide updates on projects of high importance to the homeless community, including news about facility operations and improvements. One ongoing project is the renovation of the former Gales School at Massachusetts Avenue and G Street, NW. This local historic landmark will receive new plumbing, mechanical systems and other work to make it a model for homeless services and living accommodations. When completed in September 2007, Gales will have central air conditioning, space for group activities, individual storage and a full range of services. Gales represents our commitment to serve our citizens who are homeless with appropriate living space, amenities,and services in a central location. I want to recognize a fellow columnist by making reference to Michelle McCullough’s “We Are Family” column in the March 15 to April 14 issue of Street Sense. McCullough is also involved with the Speakers’ Bureau of the National Coalition for the Homeless and, after a presentation, she was asked what she would do to help the homeless if she were in a position of power. As recounted in her column, she responded, “I would build a facility that would provide shelter, case management, mental health services, medical and dental care, legal aid, life skills and parenting classes, child and adult mentoring, substance abuse counseling, and all phases of employment preparedness including job placement services.” Michelle, we share your vision. We are moving in the direction of comprehensiveness in the delivery of homeless services with a “wrap–around services” model, now in use
at the Homelessness Assistance Center at 1355 to 1357 New York Avenue, NE. This facility for men, which opened in December 2003, offers case management, mental health services, training and employment-related activities, health screenings, substance abuse services, assistance in establishing eligibility for food stamps and other programs, rehabilitation services, and more. Since opening as a Homelessness Assistance Center, 238 persons have moved from this facility to other placements, including more permanent housing. Each placement is a success story, and we hope to be able to report many more successes in the future. On May 1, 2006, 14 representatives from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government of the Republic of Korea visited the District to learn more about human services programs. One of the sites they visited was the New York Avenue Homelessness Assistance Center, and one of the delegates termed our approach to homeless services “advanced.” The “wrap–around services” model is also in place at the 801 East facility in Southeast, and we plan to expand it by offering more services throughout the summer. I will write more about 801 East as we turn this facility into another comprehensive service center. And lastly, I wanted to point out that Kate Jesberg, interim director of the Department of Human Services, testified before the Committee on Human Services of the District Council on May 23, 2006. She told Councilmember and committee Chair Adrian Fenty that she had dedicated the majority of her time to homeless service issues since her March appointment. She spoke confidently about a wide range of topics, including new facilities, enhanced services,and monitoring to ensure quality in homeless facilities. I hope that this month’s column has enhanced your understanding of the efforts that are being made daily to serve our homeless population. See you next month when we can “talk about homelessness” again.
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LOCAL NEWS
Street Sense . June/July 2006
Highest Paid Service Provider Execs
30
Benefits Breakdown
Executive
Food&Friends
C.Shniderman
230,806
5,587,552
Unity Health Care
V.Keane
220,610
40,070,051
Housing Assistance Council
M. Loza
171,975
10,328,030
House of Ruth
C.Nichols
136,830
6,470,400
5
Covenant House
V.Gray
132,602
6,927,352
0
Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness
S.Marshall
132,363
29,345,990
Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc
R.GeidnerAntoniotti
122,961
30,089,561
Nation's Capital Child and Family Development, Inc.
T. Hardmon
113,625
10,485,909
Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc.
D.Shore
110,000
7,347,508
Capital Area Food Bank
L.Brantley
109,947
29,245,350
Green Door
J. Johnson
96,798
7,841,039
For Love of Children
L.Wright-Fuller
95,385
6,471,570
DC Coalition for the Homeless
M.Ferrell
92,606
7,982,001
Housing Counseling Services, Inc.
M.Siegel
87,156
2,208,914
Community Family Life Services
M.L.Tietz
87,145
3,943,880
Catholic Community Services(2003 data)
J.Finn
82,653
23,720,538
Legal Aid Society of the DC
J. Smith, Esq.
82,010
1,411,354
Bright Beginnings, Inc.
B.Gaines
81,869
1,657,772
Community of Hope
K.McShane
81,606
1,796,712
Martha's Table
L.Buss
81,257
6,637,732
Bread for the City
G.Jones
80,800
3,968,941
Gospel Rescue Ministries of D.C.
D.Melvin
80,000
2,380,732
SOME
R.Gerlach
76,452
11,369,583
NSV N Street Village
M.Funke
71,416
1,713,802
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area, Inc.
D.Cooper
70,980
8,344,790
Transitional Housing Corp.
P.Donaldson
69,498
822,493
Samaritan's Ministry
D.Downes
69,386
943,758
20
Number of nonprofits
CEO Salary
Non-Profit Organization
25
15 10
0
0.1% to 4.9%
5% to 9.9%
10% to 14.9%
15% to 19.9%
Benefits as a percent of salary
20% to 24.9%
25% to 30%
Lack of Benefits Prompting Execs of DC Service Providers to Leave By Trish Savage Nationwide, many nonprofits, particularly homeless service providers, do not pay benefits. And, those that do pay at a much lower level than private or government employers. Consequently, many qualified managers are leaving the nonprofit sector and taking employment where they have more security when it comes to medical care and insurance. Mary Funke, the executive director of N Street Village, is earning no pension and said she is thankful she is well vested from previous jobs. “We could do more [in benefits] than we’re doing now, but the cost is prohibitive,” she said. A Street Sense survey of D.C. nonprofits serving the homeless showed that nearly half of 63 organizations surveyed pay no benefits, and only a handful of CEOs received any insurance or pension benefits at all. Looking at private industry, 2004 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that 21%of employees had a pension plan, 52% received some medical care benefits and 42% participated in other benefits such as life or dental insurance. Of D.C.nonprofits serving the homeless that pay benefits, the average percentage of total compensation designated for benefits was only 5.2% in 2004 – compared to 29% for all civilian employees in this country, according to the BLS. Today, many employees must pay into their benefit plans, especially if they want to raise their benefits above some meager level. According to the BLS, “The large majority of employees covered by medical care plans [are] in plans requiring employee contributions for both single coverage and family coverage.” Unfortunately, that’s just what
nonprofit CEOs cannot afford to do. “Most executives say that by choosing to run a charity they have [already] made a significant financial sacrifice,” according to Jennifer C. Berkshire, who writes about the overwhelming duties and low pay causing nonprofit CEO resignations in the June issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Employees of D.C.’s nonprofits making poor wages would have to work multiple jobs – something which is impossible given their workloads – to afford purchasing their own insurance. Those without a spouse or partner providing these benefits must risk doing with out. Scott Schenkelberg is lucky. He is executive director of Miriam’s Kitchen, which contributed 5.4% of his total 2004 compensation to benefits. While Miriam’s Kitchen pays him and other staff members benefits, the benefit rate is nowhere near that of private industry. He has a family to support and commented, “If anything, nonprofits should pay higher benefits, because the salary is so low.” Because of this problem employees cannot afford to hold on. Beth Glascock, a former top executive of N Street Village, increased her salary by 60% when she left the nonprofit world. She emphasized that fundraisers and board members “should educate their donors that the nonprofit needs to pay a fair market rate to its employees.” When a charity pays lower than this level, employees have to take multiple jobs to make ends meet. “Given their heavy workload for the nonprofit, this can lead to high turnover,” Glascock said. “Nonprofits need to offer competitive salaries – and benefits – to attract competent employees,” Glascock stressed. “The alternative is to hire employees straight out of school, who lack the experience and required skills,” Glascock said.
Further, the nonprofit supplies little training or professional development. Young employees frequently move on to more lucrative or lessstressful jobs. A March 2006 article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy (“Foundations are Burning out Charity CEOs”) talks about a recent study of 2,000 nonprofit executive directors in eight cities – primarily from small and mid-size organizations. “Threequarters of the executive directors plan to leave their jobs within the next five years, and most don’t want to be an executive director again,” the study revealed. In addition, the study reported, these CEOs “fear that the salaries and benefits their organizations offer are too meager to attract the best people to the job.” Half of these top executives “had no retirement accounts, and most believed that their organization would need to offer a higher salary to their successors. Low salaries for executive directors contribute to stress and burnout, create a low salary ceiling for other senior employees, [and] affect the caliber of applications for positions.” If the lack of benefits and low salaries are not enough to drive CEOs away, the crushing workload can bring burnout and early resignations. Andrea Morris, who left the Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place recently, said, “The compensation and benefits were okay – it was the workload that led me to leave. After eight years of being ‘on call’ 24 hours a day, I could not keep it up.” Morris has two school-age children. She felt like the Friendship Place charity was her “third child,” as demanding as her other two. Working long days, Morris had to raise funds, write contracts and grant appeals, supervise the staff, administer operations and perform other tasks that kept her away from
Budget
** Above is the list of the top half in terms of salaries for the heads of nonprofits serving the homeless in D.C. The lower half was printed in the last issue. A complete list is available at www.streetsense.org.
her family. She had to handle crises at all times of the day and night. “Running the shelter, providing food, guaranteeing safety, supporting the staff, dealing with frequent crises – even on a good day – wore me out.” Morris escaped to a 9-to-5 position in development. She is now an associate director in the dean’s office at the College of Chemical and Life Sciences at the University of Maryland. “I was proud of my CCHFP work, but to operate successfully on a 24-hour basis called
for a workload I could not maintain,” she said. The irony, Morris noted, is that to increase her salary and benefits she would have to work even harder at fundraising or grant writing. The next article in this series will discuss the emphasis on lowering the percentages of the budget spent both on management and general administration and on fundraising, as reported annually to the IRS for the nonprofit to retain its tax-exempt status.
Street Sense . June/July 2006
LOCAL NEWS
Renovations Disrupt Federal City Shelter, CCNV
Providers in Shelter Recently Proposed Overhaul of the Entire Management Structure By Fiona Clem Much of the renovations to the Federal City Shelter that began June 1 will be cosmetic, but if some of the providers in this building have their way, future changes could include an overhaul of the way the entire shelter operates. The renovations, organized in phases of 60 days, will take about 13 months. These improvements include refurbishment of the interior and the restrooms, as well as window replacement, lighting modernization, elevator replacement and installation of a new HVAC system. One of the biggest concerns over the next year will be accommodations. The shelter has stopped intakes, and is moving current residents around from one floor to another. The hypothermia unit will also be used as temporary housing during the renovations. This will eliminate 135 beds from next winter’s hypothermia plan. These changes come even though a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) expired between all the Federal City Shelter tenants – the Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV); Unity Health Care, Inc.; D.C. Central Kitchen; Clean and Sober Streets; JHP, Inc.; and The Open Door Shelter -- and the District government on Jan. 20, 2005. The MOA outlines the provisions that each Federal City Shelter provider should follow and how they will support each other. As an alternative to the MOA, six of the providers housed in the Federal City Shelter came together to create the Proposed Management Re-Structure at the Federal City Shelter. This proposal was distributed to Brenda
Renovations prevent CCNV from taking in new residents at this shelter on 2nd and D streets, NW.
Donald Walker, the Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families and Elders, and discussed at a recent hearing. CCNV was not part of this group and said that the proposal for restructuring is coming too soon. “I’m not opposed to coming together to solve some of the problems in the building,” said Adbul Nurridin, the interim director of CCNV. “But, all I’ve seen is an outline of a proposal. It’s never been presented to anyone here.” “Here’s the thing,” continued Nurridin, “Let’s do the MOA first. Why don’t we fulfill all of this first before we go changing things. If the city would do their part, if every service
provider did everything that was outlined in the MOA, this would be a better place. CCNV hasn’t done its full part either. If we all come together, let’s see how tight this gets.” Robert Egger, founder and president of the DC Central Kitchen, a tenant of the Federal City Shelter, and a proponent of the management restructuring plan, believes that now is the time to move beyond the MOA. “We believe that the proposal is a positive step, and that it is more comprehensive and less piecemeal than the MOA.” “We have made numerous proposals in the past years that were positively received, but quite frankly were viewed as too confrontational because at the time we were not as
open to a partnership with CCNV,” he added. “The times and our attitudes have changed. CCNV has made [a] really significant shift in its board and management structure in recent months and it elected a new interim executive director. We in the FCSP think this is an extremely positive step.” “I want to work with CCNV,” he continued. “I think there is opportunity here. It’s been a rough road, but I think there’s lots of opportunity here.” The proposed changes include: making CCNV a voting member of the Federal City Shelter Board; subject to negotiation and ratification by the board, allowing the FCSP to assume the management of the shelter and serve as the agent of a case management contract with the District of Columbia; allowing the FCSP Board to solicit funds to employ an executive team to manage the day-to-day operations of the Federal City Shelter; and making changes to the shelter resident manager system to allow for training and stipends for workers. Since the presentation of the proposal by Egger to the Committee on Human Services, nothing further has happened with it. “This is the third time we’ve made a proposal like this,” said Henry Pierce, vice chair of the Federal City Shelter Providers and executive director of Clean & Sober Streets, a Federal City Shelter tenant. “I’m not going to believe anything is going to happen until it does.” In the meantime, there are renovations to deal with that will impact the number of people the Federal City Shelter will be able to house and the way services are distributed in the building.
In Brief Compiled by Michael O’Neill Fire Displaces Homeless Residents Temporary space has been found for the Hermano Pedro Day Program, after the building where it was housed, the McKenna House, burned down in late May. As of June 12, the basement of the Sacred Heart Church, located across the street from McKenna House at Sacred Heart Way and Park Road in northwest, was the new home for Hermano Pedro. Luis Vasquez, Founder of Hermano Pedro said “it’s amazing how the word of mouth is with our clients, they let each other know.” He said that as of June 12, over 50 people come to their new location in the basement of the Sacred Heart Church where they have breakfast at 7:30 a.m. that includes coffee and donuts, lunch at 11:00am. Clothing and toiletries are available. There is also mental health treatment with a psychiatrist and bilingual group therapy. Mr. Vasquez is working diligently on gaining access to showers and a washer and dryer for the people who stop by Hermano Pedro. On May 29 Hermano Pedro, located at 1501 Park Road, NW, was destroyed by a fire. It will be approximately six months before the building will be repaired. Many of the 22 men who were living in the Single Room Occupancy units (SRO’s) at McKenna House lost everything as a result of the fire. Immediately after the fire they were offered space at the Transitional Recovery Program (TRP). The 15 women who were staying at the overnight shelter at Hermano Pedro were sent to Harriet Tubman Shelter. According to Chapman Todd, director of housing and support services at Catholic Community Services, the women who were displaced from Hermano Pedro have been offered daily trans-
portation to and from the Hermano Pedro Day Program. Hermano Pedro opened in December 2003. It offered showers, laundry facilities, bilingual social services, mental health treatment and clothing as well as serving breakfast and lunch. It serves on average 100 people a day and is open to anyone in need. The cause of the fire has not been determined. You can contact Hermano Pedro at 202-332-2874.
Magic in Hoops for the Homeless
“God is good!” said NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who is the honorary chairman of Freddie Mac’s Hoops for the Homeless event that raised over $900,000 for six local homeless service organizations and one national organization advocating for the homeless across the nation. The local organizations included the Coalition for the Homeless, New Hope Housing, Shelter House, Transitional Housing Corporation, Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless and Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition. At Freddie Mac’s Hoops for the Homeless on June 10, 49 teams and over 300 players participated in the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Each team raised over $1,000 and was assigned a celebrity coach. Arthur Rochee, Coalition for the Homeless’ program director, Mickey Leland House said of the day, “This is a fantastic event, I look forward to it every year. It’s a most worthwhile cause and a great benefit event for the D.C. area.” “When it comes to issues facing America, the less fortunate, that is what I’m about,” Johnson said. He follows up personally with the kids his organization awards college scholarships to. The only thing he asks for in return is for them to work
hard and to volunteer in the community. More than 14,000 individuals are homeless in the DC area and nearly half of those are families. Nearly one - third of the region’s homeless are children. Johnson added that “it shouldn’t happen in a country with the resources and the money we have, we should be able to help those who have lost their job or fell on hard times.” Magic has given over 8,000 scholarships to kids who otherwise would not have the means to go to colleges such as MIT, Cornell, Stanford and UCLA.
DC Food Service Contract Split Up After a brief delay the District government awarded the much anticipated food service contract, but divided it between two service providers. D.C. Central Kitchen will provide meals to the Franklin School, New York Avenue and 801 East shelters that house single men, while Nutrition Inc. will provide meals to D.C. Village, the city’s main family shelter. This is a break from the past 10 years, when D.C. Central Kitchen provided meals to all of the city’s shelters. It also comes after D.C. Central Kitchen protested the delayed contract process by refusing to serve food to the city shelters for a week while its executive director and chief financial officer held a fast. D.C. Central Kitchen is a nonprofit that provides meals to dozens of other social service agencies in the Washington area. It also has a culinary program that trains and finds living wage jobs for low-income and homeless people. Nutrition Inc. is a for-profit operation based in Pennsylvania, and is only a food service provider.
INTERVIEW
Street Sense . June/July 2006
MAYORAL FORUM
Health Care Plans for Low-Income and Homeless
In Washington, as in so many places, health care and medical insurance are things that too many people cannot afford – so they go without. And in some parts of the city, doctors, dentists, and clinics are few and far between. Homeless people are generally in poorer health than other people, and they face extraordinary challenges in getting the health care they need. And some health problems, like mental illness and addiction, contribute to homelessness. Here is what the D.C. mayoral candidates are saying about these issues. Leaving aside the question of full-service hospitals, what will you do to increase the presence of health care providers in poor parts of D.C., especially east of the Anacostia River? What are the biggest barriers to doing so, and how will you overcome them? Michael Brown: We have, as a capital city and as a major metropolitan area, some of the worst primary care facilities in America. We do not do enough preventative health care ... we need to try to prevent people from getting sick in the first place. We’re going to create community hub centers. There’s been a lot of talk about closing up some of the schools – the question is, what can we do with the buildings? Some folks want to sell them for condominiums or retail. I want to create community hub centers which will have doctors, and dentists, and maybe even library annexes and community centers, all wrapped up into one building, in folks’ communities, so they have all the resources that they need. Linda Cropp: Every neighborhood must have access to quality, affordable health care. That’s why I opposed the closing of D.C. General Hospital, as it provided access to our underinsured and uninsured population. I support adequate funding of the D.C. Health Care Alliance to focus on prevention and quality health care. Now that we have established a strong financial foundation, we can make the investments necessary to eliminate barriers to health care in our poorer neighborhoods, and I support specific initiatives to meet that goal. Among the greatest barriers to increasing the presence of health care providers in the District’s underserved areas are the lack of incentives for facilities and providers to locate in such areas and the relatively low reimbursement for services provided under public programs. To create incentives to bring health care professionals to underserved areas, I support a new recruitment program that will help repay their student loans in exchange for a commitment to work at a nonprofit health facility or District health or mental health program. As Mayor, I will make sure the Department of Health fully implements the program. As Mayor, I will create a robust system of incentives to bring access to primary and preventative health care to Far Northeast and Greater Southeast through mixed-use incentives for developers, expanding the Medical Homes programs, partnering with qualified community providers, and targeting the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses through government-sponsored programs. With the active participation of the community involved, I will seek opportunities to co-locate primary care facilities and programs within or adjacent to other District facilities like housing complexes, schools, and recreation centers.
Adrian Fenty: Nothing is more important than ensuring that our residents, including those who are poor or homeless, have access to top-quality health care. The major barriers are lack of health insurance and too few doctors who choose to practice in our underserved neighborhoods. We first must make sure that health insurance is available to all D.C. residents. The health insurance the city offers must be comprehensive; that is, it must include the full range of medical services, including mental health and substance abuse services. We have learned, however, that health insurance is not enough to provide access to medical care. Under the Fenty Administration, the city will contract with doctors and other Health care providers to work in areas of the city that lack sufficient medical services, including areas east of the Anacostia River. A major focus will be on primary care and specialty medical care, like cardiology, that can keep people healthy and extend lives. Medical care must be available where people are and be available when people need it. We need to think about mobile vans as well if that’s the best way to reach our homeless citizens. In a city with the talent and resources that we have, economic barriers should not deprive people of the best health care available to any of us. Maria Johns: Part of my plan to address the critical health care needs of D.C. residents involves increasing access to primary and preventative care by broadening the Medical Homes D.C. program. I also want to make health insurance coverage more comprehensive and continue the expanded enrollment in the Health Care Alliance. In addition, I plan to invest in a state-of-the-art urgent care center on the site of the former D.C. General Hospital to treat medical emergencies; increase funding for maternal and child health care; and increase the number of ambulances and well-trained paramedics, including an advanced life support unit staffed with skilled paramedics stationed in Wards 7 and 8, in order to shorten EMS response times. Funding will be the primary barrier to achieving these goals. However, I will overcome those barriers by finding ways to reallocate existing resources and by identifying cost savings in other budget areas. Also, my administration will advocate health, wellness and preventive care. By doing so, I hope to lessen the need for emergency medicine. Vincent Orange: As Mayor, my agenda for the next four years is to maintain and enhance a fiscally stable government. When I took the oath of office on January 2, 1999 along with Mayor Anthony Williams we took on initiatives to balance the budget and get rid of the financial control board. Today we are capable of addressing the social ills that plague the city. As Mayor, one of my top priorities is to ensure that people have access to high quality and affordable health care. Some 60,000 D.C. residents are addicted to alcohol or drugs, at a rate far above the national average. But the city’s limited supply of space for in-patient treatment for addiction means a long wait for people seeking this treatment. Why has the city not provided more treatment beds, and what will you do to provide more beds?
Brown: It’s always easier to just lock them up if people are doing wrong, rather then trying to treat them and fix the problem. If you look at the pattern of this city’s leadership over the last eight to ten years, when things start to break, you don’t fix it, you just throw it out. D.C. General Hospital is a prime example; our poorer citizens are a prime example: if you can’t fix them, just let them move to Prince George’s County. When you have folks that are sick and need help, first we have to get off of the stigma – people have to understand, these are diseases. So we need to make sure that funding is available so we can treat more people rather than just putting them in jail. Cropp: I have supported an increase in the number of treatment beds available for in-patient treatment, and we must do more. I advocated for expanding substance abuse treatment to youth and women with children. In particular, I will step up intervention during the initial stages of alcohol or drug abuse, particularly with our youth and young adults. In addition, I will renew focus on prevention services, because we know that we must invest on the front end to significantly reduce the people requiring treatment services. As Mayor, I will set up a continuum of care that is efficient, effective and accessible. I will examine the recommendations from the Mayor’s Interagency Taskforce on Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Control to incorporate them into my overall health care strategy. Fenty: Many of the city’s problems -- crime, homelessness, unemployment, the breakdown of the family, the tragic loss of human capital -are directly related to our high rates of drug addition. They cannot be solved unless we address the underlying problem. The city must fund more programs – in-patient, out-patient, clinic based, office based -- to treat drug addiction. The programs must take into account and address the range of situations our addicted citizens find themselves in -- poverty, homelessness, children. Providing more beds requires more money, and I will make the commitment to support more beds. For people in whom it is appropriate, we also must take advantage of some of the new therapies like buprenorphine, so that patients who need opiate replacement therapy are not forced to make daily trips to methadone clinics. Excellent health care, including the most effective treatment for drug addiction, will be priorities for my administration. Johns: The high rate of alcoholism and drug addiction in the District is directly related to the cutbacks made in community-based treatment programs during the financial crisis of the mid-90s. As Mayor, I will seek Federal grant dollars and partner with nonprofit organizations to increase treatment options for those who need these services. I will especially look for opportunities to create openings for residents to attend longer term programs. The seven-day detoxification program is not enough to cure addiction. Longer term treatment programs are more successful, and that is where the waiting lists are too long to be effective. Orange: An Orange administration will work with the Health Task Force and implement its recommendations. We have $212 million dollars to spend on health care and providing the right kind of trauma center east of the river. I have the resolve and will to make it happen.
Compiled by David S. Hammond, Diane Rusignola, Trish Savage, Michelle Gaudet
Street Sense . June/July 2006
CENTER, from p.1 that provides homeless people with streetlevel meal services, referrals, and counseling services. First Helping director Craig Keller said the center’s activities would join three similar programs, two in Northeast and one in Southeast, that First Helping already supports. Keller said consolidating these programs under the First Helping umbrella makes sense, in part because the merger will allow greater centralization of client files. Clients often deal with more than one provider, but too often service organizations “bump up against issues of confidentiality,” said Keller. Aggregating the programs could therefore reduce service barriers. Amidst this management change, the Downtown Services Center also has to begin searching for a new home. The First Congregational Church is negotiating with developer PN Hoffman to renovate and expand the church’s facilities. While negotiations are not yet final, John Mack, a church minister, said that the redevelopment probably will keep tenants off the premises for approximately 20 months, beginning in June 2007. Mack added that under current plans for the new structure, two floors in the renovated building would be a “state-of-the- art” homeless services facility. The first floor would house facilities for meals, laundry, showers and other necessities, while the second floor would be the site for medical services, group meetings and case work, he said. The church would be located in the front part of the property at 10th and G streets, NW, while residential properties
LOCAL NEWS 7 would be built on the part of the block of 10th Street toward H Street, he said. While the BID may seek temporary facilities to tide the center over during the redevelopment, Gray said that a permanent move from First Congregational may be a better option for the center. Because the church also houses the Dinner Program for Homeless Women, the Downtown Services Center has to stop its activities there around 2 p.m. every day. Gray added, however, that BID might still maintain a satellite office in the church. If the center could find a home that would allow it to operate for 12 hours a day, rather than the 6 hours it now can offer, the move could be “the best thing that ever happened to us,” Gray said. These changes affect an institution, Gray sai,d is unique among D.C. service providers because of its “low-barrier, high-tolerance” approach. The center accepts clients who are “drunk, sober, high, clean, or dirty,” as long as they do not provoke conflicts with others, said Gray. The center provides these clients a range of services, such as breakfasts, showers, medical treatments, and vocational rehabilitation, in one downtown location. Still, a key part of the center’s work is direct street outreach. Three workers spend roughly 11 hours per day on the street, engaging homeless people and steering them toward services. The workers’ efforts are supplemented by BID Safety and Maintenance (SAM) employees. SAMs, who are easily identified by their distinctive red uniforms, assist tourists and local law enforcement officials and, according to the BID, are “trained to be attuned to people who are homeless -- to identify their needs and be respectful of their rights.”
DC Homeless Get Voice(mail) By Jen Pearl Hundred of homeless men and women in Washington now have a way to receive messages and better communicate even though they don’t have a phone of their own. T h i s i s p o s s i b l e through Community Voice Mail, a program launched in early June that provides 350 confidential voice mailboxes to low-income and homeless Washingtonians. Community Voice Mail allows individuals to receive messages from potential employers, landlords, family, friends, doctors and others. The program is tied to local agencies to support the other goals of their clients. Participating agencies include Catholic Charities, EFFORTS, My Sister’s Place and House of Ruth. Voicemail numbers are reassigned when no longer needed. The Downtown Cluster of Congregations partnered with D.C. Central Kitchen to obtain the program’s funding. Those seeking a mailbox have to contact one of these agencies to set up one. The box can check at any time from any phone.
Community Voice Mail is a nationwide program that served 44,000 individuals last year alone in 37 cities including New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Atlanta. The program was launched in Seattle in 1992 with a donated voicemail system. In the first six months of the program, 70% of 145 voicemail recipients were able to find jobs within two months. “I’m excited,” said Terry Lynch, Executive Director of the Downtown Cluster of Congregations. “We should have had this 10 years ago. But, better late than never. There’s a real track record of success.” Coordinators note that an article in the December 2004 edition of Street Sense about the program’s launch in Richmond, Va., provided the spark for beginning this program in Washington. Initial funding was provided by St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square Park. Additional funding has come from the local government and the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District. The program is administered by the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness.
An article in the December 2004 edition of Street Sense ... provided the spark for beginning this program in Washington.
LOCAL NEWS
Street Sense . June/July 2006
StreetPolitics By David S. Hammond
On the Hill
Reforming the Food Stamp System The Bill H.R. 5158 Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2006
Register. And Vote. And Speak Up! (Even if You’re Homeless) Street Sense vendor Muriel Dixon is running a one-woman voter-registration drive in the Dupont Circle area. Dixon says registering to vote is quick and easy. So she has been helping homeless people do just that, by getting forms at the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics at Judiciary Square and giving them to her homeless acquaintances. “The beauty of it is, you don’t need identification to get a voter’s registration card – AND you don’t need a fixed address. All you need is to be a D.C. resident, with a mailing address you can use for voting,” she said. That’s why many homeless people who reside in D.C. are able to register using service providers like soup kitchens or day programs as a mailing address. “It’s easy,” Dixon said. “You just fill out a form, and give your mailing address. A few weeks later, your voter card arrives in the mail.” Dixon said she thinks voting is important for two reasons – it gives you a voice in the process, and it gives you even more reason to raise your voice. “When people complain about things that happen to homeless people, I tell them strength comes in numbers. Then if you have a problem, you can come to the City Council member.” To help build up those numbers, Dixon has set herself a goal of registering 50 voters. “I’ve helped 15 so far. Even 25 would be pretty good.” You can register to vote at the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics, 441 4th Street, NW. The deadline for registering to vote in the September 12 primary is August 14; the deadline for registering to vote in the November 7 general election is October 10. The IACH – Open for Business. Ready to Take Charge? D.C.’s new Interagency Council on Homelessness held its first meeting June 13, and advocates and formerly homeless individuals as well as agency heads and senior agency staff were in attendance. So far, it looks like one chief concern is being met – that the IACH not be populated by lower-level staffers lacking in connectedness and juice. Here’s hoping it is able to exercise some authority, through the continued direct involvement of the people who are able to get things done. Come on, agency heads – dedicated advocates and City Administrator Robert Bobb can’t do this alone. On the Campaign Trail in Montgomery County Last year, advocates for homeless people asked Montgomery County to expand its mental health outreach and crisis intervention teams. Some of the resources and funding came through, and some did not. But the issue was revived at a May candidates forum for Democrats hoping to succeed County Executive Doug Duncan, who is running for governor this year. Ike Leggett and Steve Silverman agreed that expanded outreach teams are an idea deserving not only praise, but also the money they need to grow. Outreach teams can play a key role in helping people who are homeless or on the brink, because “the homeless system is fed by other systems – juvenile justice, criminal justice, foster care, and mental health,” said Susan Kirk, executive director of Bethesda Cares. It’s nice to know they aren’t forgotten in this election year. What’s on your mind? E-mail StreetPoliticsDC@aol.com.
Purpose Rep. Jose E. Serrano (D-N.Y.) i n t ro d u c e d t h e A n t i - h u n g e r Empowerment Act, also known as the Beyond the Soup Kitchen Grants Program Act of 2006, in the House of Representatives on April 6. If signed into law, the bill would amend the Food Stamp Act of 1977 to decrease the administrative and bureaucratic costs associated with the Food Stamp Program, while making food stamps more accessible. The Department of Agriculture, which administers the Food Stamp Program, would reimburse state agencies 75% of the costs incurred by their provision of food stamps. At the state level, this would free up resources to finance new, currently unfunded, activities with the goal of streamlining the process of applying for and collecting food stamps. The bill seeks to reduce the average wait time and number of office visits for applicants seeking benefits. It would require food stamp agencies to stay open for longer hours during nights and weekends, offer applications online and provide a clear checklist explaining the steps involved in the application process. Also, applicants would no longer have to submit fingerprints to receive food stamps. To track the success of the Anti-hunger Empowerment Act, the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture would submit an annual report to the congressional
appropriations committees. The report would include individual state agency data on the average number of days required to process an application and the quantity of office visits made by each applicant to receive benefits. Also included would be statewide negative error rates, which measure the occurrence of incorrect benefit suspension or termination and denial of applications. Additionally, the act would allow the Secretary of Agriculture to give grants to eligible community-based nonprofits to establish Beyond the Soup K itchen pilot programs that provide nutritional education to low-income groups. Background The first Food Stamp Program was implemented in the United States in 1939, with the goal of reallocating farm surpluses to Americans suffering economically because of high unemployment rates. After this program ended in 1943, there was a period of experimentation with pilot programs until 1964, when Congress established a permanent Food Stamp Program. This program established eligibility standards, prohibited discriminatory p ra c t i c e s, a l l o t t e d f u n d i n g , a n d d i v i d e d a d m i n i s t ra t i o n responsibilities between federal and local government. I n i t i a l l y, a h a l f m i l l i o n Americans sought benefits; by the mid-1970s the program had 15 million participants. The everexpanding pool of applicants aroused government concern over the program’s cost.
The American food stamp system took another turn with the creation of the Food Stamp Act of 1977. This act included anti-fraud provisions, restricted access for students and aliens and raised requirements for educational material on nutrition. In the 1980s the Food Stamp Program endured a series of cutbacks. In the 1990s, welfare reform led to a decline in participation in the program. Congress found that in 2003, according to the Department of Agriculture, only 56% of Americans eligible to receive food stamps actually did. Additionally, in 2004 the number of Americans dealing with hunger rose to 38 million, including 13 million children. Many believe this data show a renewed need to reform the system for allocating food stamps in the United States. Sponsors Rep Serrano, Jose E. (D-N.Y.) Co-sponsors R e p J o e B a c a , ( D - C a l i f . ) Rep Joseph Crowley, (D-N.Y.) Rep Raul M. Grijalva, (D-Ariz.) Rep Maurice D. Hinchey (D-N.Y.) Rep Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) Rep James P. McGovern (D-Mass.) Rep Michael R. McNulty (D-N.Y.) Rep Anthony D. Weiner (D-N.Y.) Status On April 26, the Anti-hunger Empowerment Act was referred to the House Subcommittees on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry. -Jill Merselis
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Street Sense . June/July 2006
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Homeless Soccer Players Wanted
In August, the first Homeless World Cup U.S. qualifying tournement will take place in Charlotte, N.C. The best players from here will then go on to the Homeless World Cup, which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa, in September. What is the Homeless World Cup? It’s a 4-on4 street soccer tournament that brings together currently and recently homeless individuals from across the world to compete and develop. The Homeless World Cup started in 2003 as a bet be-
tween the directors of two street newspapers and has grown into an international event with sponsors as large as Nike. The impact of the tournament has grown as well. A year after the 2004 Homeless World Cup, 78 of the 204 participants were working regular jobs, including 16 that became professional soccer players or coaches, and 95 improved their housing situation. This year the Homeless World Cup will be sponsored by the Big Issue South Africa (the street paper in Cape Town) and is expected to include 48 countries and 500 players, more than twice the size of last year. Mel Young, the director of the project just announced that Peter Gabriel will be participating as the tournament’s musical director. Before this international event, the U.S. must put together an all-star team of its own. To decide who are the best homeless and recently homeless players in the States, individuals from across the country will compete in a much smaller tournament in Charlotte. Street Sense is actively recruiting players in Washington, D.C. If you are homeless or have been homeless in the past two years, and you have an inkling of soccer experience, (and are able to travel internationally) please contact Laura Thompson Osuri at 202-347-2006 to find out more information on street soccer and participating in the tournament. For more information visit www.streetsoccer.org.
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Staff from street papers across the world look at their peers’ publications.
Global Meeting Brings Together Street Papers Thirty-seven street newspapers from 18 countries recently came together in Montreal, Canada, to discuss how to work together to fight poverty and homelessness across the world. “Street papers have the ability to end homelessness and show that poor people are victims,” said Mel Young, the honorary president of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), which sponsored this 11th annual conference. The conference, held from June 8 to 10, also brought together for the first time the INSP and the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA). Both groups provide assistance, education and a news sharing database to street newspapers in their regions. Now all 24 members of the NASNA, including Street Sense, are also members of the INSP, although NASNA will continue to exist as a separate entity. In addition, Gazetta Uliczna in Poland, Ulicia in Macedonia, Oslo in Norway, and Revista Caminantes in Colombia joined this network of 80 street papers. Many concerns were discussed at the conference, particularly how to handle the immense poverty in the countries in the southern hemisphere. “In Namibia, 65% of the residents are unemployed simply because there are no jobs. And most can’t afford the paper,” said Jo Rogge, of the Big Issue Namibia. However, many successes were also highlighted. These include: • Terre Di Mezzo in Milan, Italy, moving into a new office six times the size of its former one; • Big Issue Japan in Osaka, mov-
ing into four new cities, although with a small presence; • Surprise in Basel, Switzerland, starting a program that hires vendors as full-fledged employees with full benefits and pensions; and • Real Change in Seattle, USA, running a successful campaign to get the city of Seattle to make developers dedicate $20 per square foot towards affordable housing for an all new residential development. The organization of INSP as a whole reported that in the last year the Street News Service, which is a wire service to share stories amongst street papers, has improved in its accessibility and content. Additionally, Reuters News Service may soon be partnering with the INSP to provide street papers with access to some of Reuters’ content, according to Shane Halpin, the INSP executive director. In the last year, the INSP has also been working to start more papers in Africa and is seeking funding for programs in Ethiopia and Kenya, according to Halpin. He added that the organization has also received inquiries from as far away as Papua, New Guinea, about starting a street paper there. “For the past year, thanks to all who made it what it was,” Halpin said. “For the year ahead, I look forward to a year of even greater achievements and global solidarity against poverty and for social justice.” For more information about street newspapers across the world visit www.street-papers.org or www. nasna.org. -- Laura Thompson Osuri
10 PHOTOS & POETRY
Street Sense . June/July 2006
Love, Peace, And War
Love is a path seldom traveled by the multitudes yet the multitudes search for love while traveling on a path of war.
Moo Mir
Peace is that elusive force lost in the sauce of war, fear, envy, distrust, greed, hate, racism, and a host of other ghosts that haunts the multitudes. War is fought to achieve peace - at least on the surface, but the sauce runs deeper than still waters, abyssfully steep. The source of war of course is not love, and the only piece to be achieved is a piece of the pie-booty, the fruits of war. Some people want love, and some people want war, some people just love to make war.
The Kennedy Center at night. I love the lighting effect here, and the building looks so still and peaceful.
-- DeWayne Harrison brotherdewayne@yahoo.com
Majestic Hands They are finely carved from deep dark mahogany, their rich luster dimmed by age and long years’ labor. They’ve formed soft cradles for kittens and babies early in their life; since then, they’ve been cracked and hardened clutching handles of brooms, mops, and hammers.
Vendor Clif Carle has b dozens of ph Washington month. Thi focus was the monuments in He also exper the contrast versus mo
The Kennedy Center during the day. This perspective from the Georgetown waterfront makes the Kennedy Center look tiny against the vast Potomac.
Today, they are small brown birds dancing in midair as a story cascades from her lips; joy, rage, and laughter sing from their swift movements. In a happier year, they crafted the scarf which warms her from tangled skeins of yarn; but now, they’re knotted, twisted and worn; nimble motions locked in memory. Their long life is nearing winter; soon, they will crack and bleen from harsh breath of northern breezes. Tonight, she holds one with palm upturned awaiting coins from supple fingers of those who’ve enjoyed softer lives. - David Harris ballpointbeacon@yahoo.com This statue of Grant is great because it’s so immense, and the perspective I shot this at makes him look even grander.
These are the stat
PHOTOS & POETRY 11
Street Sense . June/July 2006 Summer City
ose’s rror
ff “the Moose” been taking hotos all over n in the last is issue his lesser known n Washington. riments with t of sunlight oonlight.
The Civil War soldiers statue during the day. The sunshine reveals the back drop of the trees, bringing the soldiers to life, as if they are back in Gettysburg.
The Civil War soldiers statue near the Capitol at night. I think it’s interesting how it looks like the soldier in the center is shielding himself from the moon’s light.
tues at the police officers memorial. I like how it appears as if the lion is instructing his cubs on something really important.
A restless city smolders, inches away from hellish flames We sweat in our tenements, on our bread lines and along our broiling streets as we wait for a strong and unifying voice to call us to march and storm a palace filled with the icy air of comfort. In countries with unending summer where black & brown backs perspire over cane knives, revolutions happen every day. The soup-thick air of the summer city roasts our brains until our eyes see only the crimson of glowing coals. Relief comes only from bitter bubbling fluids flooded down parched throats while sweat-slick hands grasp shiny death machines and keen blades; heat-addled minds search vainly for potions to slake the dull ache of the summer city. Stalwart troops swelter in their uniforms, crushed by the weight of body armor and soup-thick air, waiting for a chance to numb their torment with cooling geysers of flowing blood. They and we stand still in the chilling silence of the moment before the crack of the opening shot, which will carry us to a country of everlasting summer where revolution happens every day. -- David Harris ballpointbeacon@yahoo.com Gratitude Street Sense, I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me right now I have a place to live with my own mailbox key. Because I sell the paper I network every day and every time I make a sale to me, I’ve earned my pay. I also give our readers all the credit that they’re due acknowledging that they’re supportive today and all year through. There’s one more thing I want to say in hopes you’ll understand – “Homeless” is an adjective not the essence of the man. – Alvin Dixon El alvindixonel@yahoo.com
Street Sense . June/July 2006
12 FOOD & FINANCE
My Turn At the Table By Patty Smith
Cajun Perfection at Acadiana I went to Acadiana Louisiana Fish House. First of all I did not have a reservation, but that did not seem to matter. Once inside the restaurant the atmosphere was casual elegance. The hostess seated me and Brenda in six minutes. Our table was near the window and I could look outside in the garden where people were eating and drinking. That was nice. The inside was also bright and sunny. The servers were Howard and Ian, and they were very kind and explained everything clearly. Soon after sitting down biscuits were brought to the table. The butter and jelly Vendor Patty Smith (left) sits with vendor Brenda Wilson (right) at Acadiana. was really great. In fact, the jelly had cream cheese and black said. pepper in it and that was really delicious. For dessert I ordered Lemon Doberge Cake, and When the server came to take my order, I ordered it looked good and there was mousse on the platter, coffee, and appetizers of fried green tomatoes Za- but tasted a bit too lemony. Brenda had a warm bittarins and spiced boiled Gulf Shrimp Remoulade. ter-sweet chocolate bread pudding. She said it was When this arrived, I tasted it and it was great. There a bit “jello-y” but I really liked the rich taste. were not that many shrimp, but they were cooked So all in all I had a great time at this restaurant. to perfection. Everyone I met in the restaurant was friendly and Next was the main course, and we waited in an- trying the best that they could to please. The other ticipation. The servers were very friendly, one took customers seemed to be enjoying themselves too. The food was also wonderful and I left quite full a picture and later on I found the other server, and and happy. he took a picture of me. This is definitely a must-go-to place, and I would Now to the main course. That also came in a timely matter, and more coffee came to me as well. definitely go again. The main course was a Barbeque Shrimp Po-Boy, with garlic butter, black pepper and Worcestershire Acadiana Louisiana Fish House is located at 901 sauce. This tasted delicious as well. Boy oh boy it New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 202-408-8848. was good. My lunch partner Brenda ordered chicken and Patty Smith has been a vendor for the last 10 smoked andouille sausage jambalaya. The sausage months and also works in the office. She is looking was great but the rest of it was kind of dry, Brenda to go back to school to start her own business.
Saving for Change
Cook’s Corner
Snickerdoodles Ingredients • • • • • • • • • •
1 1/2 c. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 eggs 1/4 c. milk 2 Tbls. cinnamon 3 1/2 c. flour 1/2 c. finely chopped walnuts 1 tsp. baking soda 5 Tbls. sugar 2 Tbls. cinnamon
Preparation • • • • • • • • • • •
Preheat oven to 375 degrees With an electric mixer, beat butter until light and creamy Add sugar and vanilla and continue beating until fluffy Beat in eggs and then milk Sift in the flour, cinnamon and baking soda and stir to blend Stir in nuts Refrigerate for 15 minutes Combine remaining cinnamon and sugar Roll walnut size balls of dough in sugar mixture Place balls on a greased baking sheet and flatten slightly Bake 10 minutes until golden brown This Recipe was created and prepared by Sharina Blake. Her recipe tied with Diane Lloyd’s chocolate chip cookies. Sharina (right) and Diane (left) is a student at Community Family Life Services culinary arts training program. These students work at Third and Eats Restaurant and at the U.S. Tax Court cafeteria. Many also work for New Course Catering. New Course caters all events from corporate lunches to weddings to 500-person galas. For more info visit www.newcoursecatering.com or call (202) 347-7035.
Shining a Light on Credit Scores
Like your shadow, your credit score – also known as a FICO score – goes everywhere you go. Landlords use it to judge whether or not you’ll be a good tenant. Banks use it to approve or deny loan and credit card applications. Insurance companies need it to determine your insurance rates. More and more potential employers now look at it to determine whether or not you’ll be a good and reliable employee. Given how important a credit score is to our financial lives, one would think we’d know more about this mystery number that ranges between 300 and 850. Yet, a recent survey by the Opinion Research Corporation found that nearly half of all Americans have very little idea what their credit score measures or how it’s used. Here’s some valuable information that can help you save thousands, maybe even tens or hundreds of thousands, of dollars over your lifetime. How can you get your credit score? You can get your credit score by ordering your credit report directly from any one of the 3 major credit bureaus: Equifax (1-800-865-1111), Experian (1-888-397-3742), or TransUnion (1-800-888-4213). The cheapest option for getting all 3 scores is to order them online at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1–877–322–8228. Note: You are entitled to one free annual copy of each credit report, but the free copy does not include your credit score. For a small additional fee (between $4.95 and $6.95), you can add
your score to each report. It’s a good idea to review your credit report from each bureau at least once a year, especially given the rise in identity theft. If you find errors on your credit report, the report will include clear instructions on how to correct the information or report identity theft. What is a good credit score? Many lenders use 720 or 700 as the cutoff for giving borrowers their best available interest rate. About 60% of the US population has a credit score of 700 or above. Some lenders use 620 as the cutoff point for lending at any rate so those with scores below 620 will be denied loans. About 15% of the U.S. population has a score between 300 and 620. Companies that deal with borrowers in this low range are known as “subprime lenders” because they take on higher risk and charge higher interest rates. Here’s an example of what a good credit score can save you: A person with a score of 760 or better will pay $260 less per month for a $216,000 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage than a person with a score below 620. That’s a savings of more than $3,000 a year or $93,600 over 30 years. (Source: www.myfico. com) What goes into a credit score? According to Fair Isaacs Corp., the company that developed
the FICO scores used by Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, there are 5 main ingredients in a score: 35% - payment history 30% - amounts you owe to creditors 15% - length of credit history 10% - types of credit you use 10% - new credit Contrary to what many people think, race, age, gender, and education level are not factored into a credit score. How can you improve your credit score? Basically by improving any of the factors listed above, starting with ones at the top which carry more weight. For example, paying your bills on time and paying down old debts are two of the most common ways to improve a credit score. Paying the full balance on your credit cards each month is another way. If you can’t pay the full balance on your credit cards right now, then you’re buying too much on credit and need to reduce your spending.
The regular financial column is presented by Capital Area Asset Building Corporation. Send your questions or thoughts on this topic to saving@caab.org and we’ll publish a few of the best. Visit www.caab.org for information on our financial education and savings programs
LITERATURE
Street Sense . June/July 2006
Marvin Hammerman A mystery novel in parts BOOK 3, PART 6
By August Mallory As late afternoon rolls around, a ghostly figure lurks about in the alleyways and pulls out a wallet that he stole from Billy Joe Biddle. He still has the $35 that he stole off Biddle’s body. He goes to the McDonald’s on Ponce de Leon Avenue. As he enters, he notices two Atlanta police officers at a table. The man gets very nervous and cautiously walks up to the counter. He orders two cheeseburgers and immediately runs out the door and down the street. He heads toward downtown Atlanta, running to the nearest MARTA railway station and hopping a train to the city of Doraville. As he arrives in Doraville, he finds the labor hiring hall and hangs out there until all job assignments have been given out. Having not received a job assignment, he walks around Doraville until he finds a park to sit in for a while. He then sees a liquor store and buys a couple of beers to drink while eating his burgers. Suddenly, another homeless man comes along and offers to buy the man more alcohol. Soon enough, they are both drinking and talking. The person who murdered Biddle tells the stranger everything that happened and how he killed Biddle. The stranger asks the man where he placed the body. He tells the stranger about one of the alleys in downtown Atlanta. In the meantime, back at the D. Morgan Slater office, Marvin Hammerman and Russell Jamison are meeting with Patricia Ramsey, attorney Whitman Jordan and Robert Biddle, the brother of Billy Joe Biddle. As information is passed along, Jamison realizes it is up to him to conduct a thorough investigation into the disappearance of Biddle. Jamison calls the Atlanta Police Department. The on-duty desk officer answers. “Atlanta Police Department, may I help you?” “Yes, may I speak with the duty watch commander, please?” Jamison asks. “May I have your name, please?” “My name is Russell Jamison. I am a private investigator.” “One moment, please.” Jamison waits. “This is Chadwell, yeah,” says a voice in the background. “Captain, there’s a private eye on the line for you.” “Put him through.” The captain picks up his phone. “This is Captain Chadwell.” “Hi, Captain. My name is Russell Jamison. I am a private investigator in Atlanta to work on a missing person’s case,” Jamison says. “I am calling your department to check in on the case.” “Very well, Jamison. Stop by in the morning to check in with the desk sergeant, and we can get going on this thing.” “Thank you, Captain. I will see you then.” Jamison hangs up and gets back with the group. “All right, here’s the deal,” he announces. “I just got in contact with a Captain Chadwell at the Atlanta Police Department. It’s standard procedure for a private eye to do this when he handles cases in other cities. Marvin, I think it would be appropriate to do a little more digging into Mr. Biddle’s past.” Jamison turns to Biddle’s brother. “Now, Mr. Robert Biddle, I need to ask you some questions concerning your brother.” “Well, Mr. Jamison, I don’t know where to start. But sure, ask away.” “My first question is, when did you last see your brother?” “Well, it’s been several years, but I had last heard that he did some time in prison for the murder of one of his employees,” Robert Biddle begins. “I don’t know. William was always the one who was a take-charge type person, a real go-getter. But, for some reason, things began to go completely downhill for him. It began with losing clientele, and then it was having disputes and arguments with his wife. And then the Internal Revenue Service shut him down for illegal gun running and illegal moonshine running, and then he wound up with a murder rap. “The next thing I knew, he was in prison. He was able to get his sentence cut short through some sort of plea deal. After that, the family lost contact with him. I didn’t even know he was in Atlanta until Ms. Ramsey contacted me. I am sorry, Mr. Jamison, but that’s about all that I can tell you. William just would not stay in touch with us. Even as we speak, I don’t know where he is.” Jamison thinks everything over. “I think this information will be sufficient for now. I’ll contact the IRS to speak with one of the agents. Maybe there’s a way that they can assist us. I need to know exactly what dealings that your brother had with hard gun runners and moonshine runners and if they had any involvement in your brother’s disappearance.” Jamison turns to Hammerman. “Marvin, I am going to take to the streets again after I check in with Captain Chadwell.” “Russell, we are both taking to the streets,” Hammerman announces. “Last time, you were the lone wolf. But not this time. I am working with you, because if you go down, I am going down, too.” “Both of you, please be careful,” says attorney Whitman Jordan. Next month: Hammerman and Jamison hit the streets of Atlanta and are in search of Billy Joe Biddle. Biddle’s killer is in nearby Doraville and keeps getting more intoxicated and spilling his guts on Biddle’s disappearance.
13
bOOK rEVIEW “You Can’t Even Pretend To Be Free Without Money” Following the 1960s civil rights demonstrations, a black woman named Corine Canon started a job in a North Carolina textile mill and exclaimed: “The best thing that has ever happened to black women in the south in my lifetime is a chance to be full-fledged citizens. And that comes from their work. You can’t even pretend to be free without money.” Over the years, civil rights bills, initially written to right the wrongs of slavery, were gradually expanded to include not just blacks, but other oppressed groups -- women, Mexican-Americans and other hyphenated Americans. These groups expanded the employment field creating new opportunities like those described by Canon. These stories of the changing offices and factories in America are told with a broad sweep and a wealth of detail by Nancy MacLean in “Freedom Is Not Enough, The Opening of the American Workplace.” But, as MacLean points out, all was not won. Some 40 years ago, in Natchez, Mississippi, Wharlest Jackson was promoted from a “blacks only” to a previously “white” job of mixing chemicals after working for 11 years at a tire company. It meant more money to Jackson, but it meant a great deal more to other local blacks. However, for others who were critical of the advances of the civil rights movement, it meant something far different A bomb was hidden in his pickup truck,. It exploded, ripped open the truck’s cab and killed Jackson instantly. “Yet somehow, Natchez did eventually change,” Ms MacLean writes, and so did the country as a whole. “Indeed, a profound alteration has occurred in American workplaces over the last fifty years. Whereas in 1950, it was rare to see black professionals, or even skilled bluecollar or white-collar workers employed outside the black community, today such sights are commonplace. The change is wider and deeper than the prominence of a few individual men and women of color, such as Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice.” There is yet more to be done, she says, but the nation’s “common sense” has shifted dramatically, constituting a kind of “cultural transformation.” How did this change occur? One of the reasons, says MacLean, was a shift in positions of the minorities themselves and their uniting. At one point, Mexican-Americans, the largest minority after African-Americans, tried to distance themselves from blacks and gain recognition as being “white.” But still they often found themselves alone. A saying in the barrio went, “There are only two kinds of Anglos who are interested in us -- the sociologists and the police.” Women were, generally, alone, too. But then both groups realized where their best interests were, and began to follow the lead of the various black civil
Freedom Is Not Enough By Nancy MacLean (Publisher, Russell Sage Foundation and the Harvard University Press)
rights organizations. Labor unions also joined the fight, if late and reluctantly, in some cases. This unity strengthened the forces fighting for employment inclusion. Some businesses broke ranks, on moral grounds, but also for business reasons, to back affirmative action and to extol diversity in the workplace. Giving support to these forces, MacLean writes, was the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC), led during some of its critical years by Eleanor Holmes Norton, now the District of Columbia’s non-voting member in the House of Representatives. Another factor was the courts that backed many EEOC complaints. The change was brought home when southern white conservatives said the civil rights laws were “destroying the very essence of life” lived since the Constitution was written, and they were right, says MacLean. “Something fundamental had changed. The culture of exclusion was no longer secure.” But equality is still far off, McLean points out, and by many reckonings, the situation is worsening in recent years. Some low-paying jobs previously filled by minorities have migrated overseas to countries where labor is cheaper, and the education needed to help lift minorities is still found wanting. MacLean says that “the nation’s wage-earners, a group that includes most men of color and the majority of women, today take home less in real wages than they did at the peak of the struggles recounted here, and many have less secure employment, benefits and old-age provisions.” Some activists and intellectuals, she adds, wonder what the next phase of the struggle might be, but most likely it will be solved through unity and creativity, as it has in past years. “Freedom Is Not Enough” is sometimes repetitious in its story-telling and its summations and analyses, but these faults do not distract from the book’s overall worth. It is likely to be considered a textbook for future students of American civil rights history. - Robert Trautman
14 PUZZLES
Street Sense . June/July 2006
Cryptogram
Leo’s Planet Puzzler
Solve the message below to discover a famous, meaningful quote on poverty and homelessness.
Fill in the blank spaces in the grid so that every vertical column, horizontal row and every 3x3 box contains the name of each of the 9 planets in the solar system.
HNFHXN CMF KSN MFTNXNBB
Leo has been a vendor since November 2004 and also writes editorials on occassion.
KSN LFO BFPAKX ALKJNIDKONB.
Saturn
OMNG KSN HNFHXN CAOMFDO
Pluto
U
J
P
Ma
Me
S
E
Me
Ma
P
N
E
S
V
U
J
S
E
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Me
U
Ma
P
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Ma
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J
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Me
P
N
Me
Ma
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J
U
U
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S
N
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Ma
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M
Jupiter Jupiter
Mercury
Pluto
Uranus Earth
Mercury
-- BMNAXK TPRNPMLAN Venus
Hint: M = H
V
Mars
Earth
MFTNB.
N
Pluto
Pluto
Mars
Earth
Neptune
Saturn
Mercury
Venus
Saturn
Neptune Jupiter Uranus
Last Month’s Answer: “All you have shall some day be given; Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors.” -- Kahlil Gibran
Jupiter
Mercury
Uranus
Earth
Mars
Neptune
Jupiter
June Crossword 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
23
24
21
33
34
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42
44
45
47
54
59
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55
56
61
62 65
66
67
68
www.CrosswordWeaver.com
A D A M
52
50
64
A E O N
51
46
63
Last Month’s Answer Key
28
43
49
H R S A
27
40
53
N A U G A S S U P L E A M A F C B E A T A N D E S T R E E Y E A S H I P C O N R A H A D O N S S E
26
37
48
58
12
32
39
41
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31
36
38
11
22 25
29
10
T E E N O F E F N T R A Y B S D A L L O E W
R E D R A F T L O R R I E S
I O T D G E A R E E M D O R T Z A R L O L Y D Y O E E K L I A W N I
A P R P I A L S A U D S I S O S S N D A K G G
T I A R A
E G G E R
B E N D S
C R E S T
E N E N L E
ACROSS 1 Head of BID homeless outreach 5 Pastor at First Congregational 9 Syllables used in songs (2 wds.) 13 Split 14 Soon 15 Helper 16 Notion 17 Scoff 18 Housekeeper’s tool 19 Food Stamp bill sponsor
21 Tails 23 Test 24 Heat giver 25 Time of year 29 Dickens’Tiny __ 30 __ and span 32 Cow speak 33 Athletic field 36 Leg extension 37 Downtown services center manager 38 Montana (abbr.) 39 Female horses 40 Shekel 41 Long time 42 Spanish coins 43 Hz 44 Heat unit 45 International Network of Street Papers (abbr.) 46 Extinguished 47 Side notes 49 New name for Catholic Charities (abbr.) 50 American College of Physicians (abbr.) 53 Epochs 55 Alcohol 57 Hoops for Homeless Celeb 60 Young Women’s Christian Association 62 Average % benefits to salary for DC nonprofits 63 Charlie’s _____________ 64 Sentence part 65 At sea 66 Well 67 Arrive 68 Tear DOWN 1 Cereal 2 Traveler
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 15 20 22 26 27 28 29 30 31 33
All 365 days Large wine bottle Negatively charged particle Harness horse Joint ______ Helping Hoopla MGM’s Lion Fortify Kidnap Land mass Arrests Deep brown Slightly damp Caffeine pill brand Explosive Razor sharpener Filled crusts One-celled animal
We
care.
We
help.
34 Shorty’s favorite book 35 Listlessness 36 Talk back 39 Elite intellectuals’ society 40 Kitten 42 Head of Clean and Sober Streets 43 Quiet 46 Type of gasoline 48 Keep free of ice 49 Caecum 50 Seasoning 51 Assembly of witches 52 Offer as a plea 54 In __ (together) 56 Far away 57 Car speed 58 Wing 59 Young lady 61 Court
We
heal.
Quality Primary Care Services for D.C. Medically Underserved and homeless Individuals……
For information on medical services in homeless shelters call 202-255-3469. For an appointment at any of our community health centers call 1-866-388-6489
We want to help. We want to help you.
FEATURES 15
Street Sense . June/July 2006
First Annual Readers Survey Results
Age?
What sector do you work in?
a. Government
10%
a. under 25
20%
b. Legal
b. 26 to 35
30%
c. 36 to 50
29%
c. Media
5%
b. $20,000 to $39,999
g. Education
7%
h. Unemployed
d. $80,000 to $119,999
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
6%
e. $120,000 to 199,999
0%
5%
b. Poetry
15%
20%
25%
30%
0%
55%
b. Mostly the news
7% 5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
How long have you been a Street Sense customer?
a. Nearly everything
13%
c. Editorials
10%
What do you read in the paper? 31%
16%
f. more than $200,000
19%
What is your favorite section? a. Local News
25%
3%
k. Other 10%
32%
1%
j. Student
5%
14%
c. $40,000 to $79,999
4%
i. Retired
0%
6%
25%
f. Retail/Food Service
4%
a. Under $20,000
10%
e. Nonprofit
27%
d. 51 to 65
e. 66 and above
Household income?
a. 2 years or more
13%
29%
33%
b. 1 year to 23 months
9% c. Mostly the features
d. Vendor Profile
c. 6 months to 11 months
16%
13%
17% d. I usually glance at it
e. Games
15%
d. Under 5 months
1%
f. Other
e. I usually just throw it away
6% 0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
1%
0%
11%
e. This is my first issue 10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
14%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
**For a complete list of the survey results you can visit www.streetsense.org and click on the survey link.
Vendor on the STreet By John Harrison
What our REaders are Saying...
Question of the Month: What is the definition of homelessness and how would you distinguish chronic homelessness? “When you don’t have a place to live. When you’ve got all your belongings with you. Especially when you don’t have shelter. The rest you can get anywhere. You know clothes, stuff to eat, like that.” – Esther
Vendor John Harrison questions readers.
“That’s easy. Homelessness is not having a home. Oh, and any homelessness is a situation where people are facing more uncertainty than most of us ever do.” – Bill
“Some people are able to pull themselves up while others, for various reasons, have slipped too far to be able to. But I also think that chronic homelessness is a condition of the city to some degree. There are situations that exist in urban areas that contribute to it.” – Steve “I would say that chronic homelessness is really primarily a failure of the services in this city that are supposed to be there for people and not a reflection of the person, the individual.” -- Kate
Answer of the Month: A person who is homeless “lacks a fixed, regular night-time residence and is living on the street, in a car, abandoned building, etc., in a shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing for homeless people, or he/she is seven days from eviction or exit from a short-term institution (less than 30 days) with no resources and nowhere to go.” A person who is chronically homeless is an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless -- living on the streets on in a shelter -- for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness inthree years. Source: Department of Housing and urban development
“I love the local news section - nothing feels as grass roots as this!” “Keep up the great work! The unique perspective of your contributors is so different from the mainstream media.” “Vendor 23 [Conrad Cheek Jr.] is a bright spot in my day each time I see him. I will miss him when I move to a new area.” “I love Street Sense. It’s the only paper I read consistently. I especially like Alvin Dixon’s poetry.” “I would be more likely to patronize businesses and restaurants that support the efforts of Street Sense and its vendors than ones that do not. Keep up the good work.” “The vendors are so nice and friendly. This has helped me think differently about people who are homeless. Thanks.” “Street Sense is a great read and a fantastic source of information. It does a great service to the community.” “Vendor 14 [Phillip Howard] just shines with professionalism and enthusiasm.” “New design looks good! Keep up with the hard news articles though I like the profiles too!” “Thank you for raising the awareness with regard to homelessness. You actually put a name and face to the cause.” **All of these comments come from our readers survey, which brought in 805 responses. Thanks to all the readers who replied to the survey and sent in their comments!
16 EDITORIALS
Street Sense . June/July 2006
On the Road By August Mallory
Homeless Beating in Norfolk
A
s I begin this story, I wish to apologize to all of my readers. I had to stop short in my planned visit to Montgomery, Ala., because this story demanded my immediate attention. I was summoned to Norfolk, Va., to cover the story of Jorge Morales, a Hispanic homeless man who was severely attacked and beaten by five young toughs who wanted to whip-up on a homeless person. Jorge Morales now is lying in the local hospital in Norfolk near death. Around 10 p.m. on Friday, June 9, Jorge Morales was asleep in a park when the young thugs started kicking him and beating him with large sticks and bricks. They broke several bones in his hands and legs, and they fractured his skull. Attacks such as these are common when it comes to homeless people who live on the streets. Even the shelters are really no safer. There are problems in many of the shelters across America. The homeless are never safe, no matter where they turn. If they stay on the street they face problems, and if they go to shelters, they face even bigger problems. It has been some 30 years since I last saw Norfolk, Va., where I met my first Navy ship. It was the USS Saratoga, an aircraft carrier. As I look at Norfolk now compared to the way it was 30 years ago, I have to honestly say I am not pleased with it. Street crime has risen to enormous heights. Even military personnel are targets of attacks while they are out on the town. Things have gotten so bad in Norfolk that criminals are coming right up to people’s driveways and shooting them down. It is not only the homeless who are the target nowadays. Anyone who appears to be vulnerable is a target for an assault. As I made my way to the Union Mission Ministries in downtown Norfolk, I had some conversations with a few homeless men. And while standing outside, at 130 Brooke Ave., another homeless man told me how he had been the victim of a random attack. Three people jumped him and, although he was able to fight them off, he was still no match for what was coming next. As he was making an escape, he was kicked in the ribcage and struck in the head with a glass bottle. When incidents like these are reported to the police, the response is very slow, because the police feel that dealing with homeless people is a waste of their time. I think this type of attitude needs to change. And if more laws aren’t passed to protect the homeless, there are going to be more dead bodies popping up everywhere you turn. As I walked at night down Granby Street, which is a long strip in downtown Norfolk, there were college kids out, military people out. I also saw a few homeless men and women sitting along the walls of buildings. But I didn’t see any of the many criminal acts that take place in nearby alleys and in the parks. One young woman had her purse snatched several blocks away. A Navy crewman had his wallet taken at gunpoint. On the weekends along Granby Street, crime seems to just wait on its next victim. And even though there were dozens of police officers out, they could not keep up with all that was happening that night. When I arrived in town, I asked several people if they lived in Norfolk, and the responses were that you could not pay them to live in Norfolk. And even though I understand how they feel, there are cities far worse than Norfolk. I think that when you put yourself in a certain situation, there can be harmful results. However, I did manage to enjoy Norfolk on Sunday afternoon. In Harbor Park, the smooth rhythm-and-blues group The Commodores and their mentor, Lionel Ritchie, performed a free concert. And then I sat on the Chesapeake Bay and looked at three very large warships docked in port. The powerful ships, the USS Carl Vinson, the USS George Washington and the USS Abraham Lincoln, had just returned from Iraq. So my stay in Norfolk wasn’t all bad. As I look back on my days in the Navy, I often ask myself why didn’t I stay in. I am a little too old to re-enlist in the Navy, although I often laugh about my days as a seafaring sailor and about the many days, weeks and months that I spent at sea. Well, that’s my story from Norfolk. Again, I want to apologize to my readers for not reporting from Montgomery, Ala., as planned. But I do promise that my column in the July/August issue of Street Sense will be from Montgomery. Until then, take care. August Mallory has been selling Street Sense since it first appeared in November 2003, and he now serves on the board of directors. Please e-mail August Mallory comments at carriergroup2009@yahho.com, and please tune in to the More Betterman Show on WOL-AM 1450.
S
The Whys and Hows of Shelter Rules
helter rules and relations with staff are common sources of friction in homeless programs nationwide, and as one of the D.C. area’s larger service providers, Catholic Community Services (CCS), formerly Catholic Charities, has plenty of experience with this concern, operating some 1,200 beds in 15 programs. As division director for CCS’s housing and support services, Chapman Todd works with staff and clients at every level. He spoke with Street Sense Associate Editor David Hammond. Street Sense: How do shelter rules get written? Chapman Todd: We have universal program rules, which we’re currently rewriting under the city’s new Homeless Services Reform Act, and we also have program-specific rules at all our facilities. For everything in there, we could look at the rule and tell you why that exists. Like, why can’t you dry your clothes on a rack on the side of your bunk? Because the person on the lower bed gets dripped on. Or if the lights go out at 10 o’clock, that may be difficult for someone who is used to going to sleep at 8, or later than 10. But we try to reach a median. SS: What do you do when a resident has a complaint? CT: We have a grievance process where it goes up the chain. Typical of a grievance might be, someone will fill out a form because their belongings got thrown away, or they feel they were treated disrespectfully by a staff member. There’s an external process, and an internal one where it goes past the program director, then to me, then to the president of CCS. SS: What about complaints that focus on CCS policies, not specific incidents? CT: If someone brings an issue to us that is either personal or program-wide, we owe them either an explanation of why we do it the way we do it now, and why we don’t think
we should change it, or why maybe we should change it based on their input. For example, we sometimes hear concerns about personal hygiene in our shelters. But we cannot by law require clients to take showers when they come in. So if you have a client that is unwilling to shower – what do you do about that? You have a rule that you may ask someone to take a shower, but you can’t make them take a shower. SS: What other opportunities do clients have to give their views on the rules, and enforcement? CT: We aim to have the type of environment where any client would feel comfortable as an individual bringing concerns to our staff. In addition we have house meetings where clients can bring up concerns or opinions in a session with the staff. SS: How do you train your shelter staff? CT: We have a regular set of staff trainings. We have ongoing trainings that all staff are required to take, that range from CPR, to nonviolent crisis prevention, to food handling. It’s an ongoing training throughout someone’s employment with us. SS: What do you look at when you hire staff, and how do you respond when a staffer doesn’t seem to be doing well? CT: The challenges can be great in serving people that will sometimes come with nothing but the clothes on their back, and can bring any variety of issues into the building. So it really requires folks with some degree of compassion and understanding. What we tell people interested in working here is, it’s not for everyone. We are very conscious about that. I personally feel that when there is a not a fit – when there is a staff person who cannot bring the compassion to this challenging job – we will make a move, and have that person find a role that is a better fit for their skills. If you can’t do this, there’s no shame in you and us realizing that you can’t do that.
CONVERSATIONS By Phil Stead
www.philipstead.com
EDITORIALS 17
Street Sense . June/July 2006
We Are Family By Michelle McCullough
MAURICE SPEAKS
The Trauma of Displacement
A
s I write this m o n t h’s e d i t o rial, I am working in overdrive. Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) staff members who reside in the 3-North section of the Federal City Shelter building have been required to relocate for the next 60 days while renovations are underway. That has meant packing all my belongings that I will not need now, putting them into storage, and going to live elsewhere within the complex. As much as that may sound like a minor operation and interruption, it most assuredly is not. It is a major upheaval for me, especially because I have health conditions that must be addressed in such a move. Moreover, since my arrival at CCNV, I have been displaced three times. Two of those displacements were done in a rather abrupt manner, so reliving the trauma brings back horrible memories for me. To be fair, I must say that the powers-that-be at CCNV have done their utmost to cushion the blow as much as possible during this current displacement, and they have made every effort to accommodate the situation, wherever possible. Even in the best of circumstances, however, displacement is traumatic for anyone who must undergo it. It is very frightening to be displaced. Every homeless person wears the trauma of being displaced like an open wound that never heals. Many homeless people wander the streets of Washington every day with their belongings, wondering where they will spend the night, worrying about how they will get their next meal, hoping they will find a spot in one of the city’s day shelters. CCNV is the only shelter in Washington that actually gives homeless persons an address they can call a residence during their stay. Unlike most shelters, CCNV does not displace its residents and all their belongings at 7 a.m. every morning. They are, therefore, lucky not to relive the
trauma of displacement on a daily basis. Those persons not fortunate enough to find lodging at CCNV are forced to wander like vagabonds every day, carrying everything they own plus the demoralizing trauma of having to do so. It would be safe to say that most homeless people suffer some level of traumatic disorder from having been displaced. Of course, the more frequent the displacement, the more severe the trauma. Those persons who have to roll out of a shelter every day suffer a daily trauma. Those persons who live on the streets live in perpetual trauma. The only way to eliminate this trauma is to reinstate some level of permanence into homeless persons’ lives by providing them with a stable environment. Ideally, this would mean making available some kind of long-term housing. But even transitional housing is better than being forced to live like vagabonds day in and day out. To date, only one shelter in the District of Columbia provides housing on a residential basis throughout the year. Its residents are able to leave belongings there from one day to the next, so that people going to job interviews need not carry all their belongings with them to the interview — something that would surely torpedo any chance of getting the job. One would think that other shelters would follow suit, as the only sensible way to rehabilitate the homeless is to enable them to rebuild their lives without constantly reliving the trauma of displacement. Yet so far, none of the other providers in the city have seen fit to do so. For the moment, while CCNV undergoes renovations, its doors will be closed to new intakes. For those newly homeless persons seeking to escape the cycle of trauma, it is a major loss, indeed. There’s nothing trivial about the need to be located in one stable residence –- any person who has been displaced can confirm its true significance. The need for more residential shelters in our nation’s capital is grave and immediate. The time for action is more pressing now than ever. Maurice King has been writing editorials for Street Sense since January 2004, and is also in the process of publishing his own book. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail him at benadam@cyberdude.com.
FRANKLIN, from p.1 catch-up. And there is still no plan for replacement beds. This couldn’t come at a worse time. The Federal City Shelter at 2nd and D, NW is starting renovations, so it will not be taking in new residents, and its 135 hypothermia beds will be dedicated for regular residents next winter. The Hermano Pedro Shelter on Park Road, NW burned down two weeks ago, putting new stress on the shelter system. The Banneker Recreation Center near Howard University will not be used for shelter this winter. La Casa shelter in Columbia Heights is set to close for rebuilding in a few weeks, with alternative arrangements still in limbo. Central Union Mission is planning to leave downtown for Georgia Avenue. And the most obvious place for these men to go, the Gales School shelter near Union Station, which is currently undergoing renovations, won’t be open until fall of 2007. On top of all this, many shelters citywide are running at or above capacity – even since warm weather arrived. And a late-night tour of downtown D.C. will reveal scores of people sleeping in parks and doorways. So the loss of Franklin’s 240plus beds, without a replacement nearby, would make this bad situation far, far worse. The business community supports shelters downtown, just like the homeless advocates who work on this issue full-time. In fact, the Downtown BID, D.C.’s core business improvement district, has long supported homeless services and emergency shelter beds downtown, because these give homeless people an alternative to the streets. So it is wrong for city officials to take on the same fatalistic attitude that, sadly, many of our homeless friends have adopted.
That’s why saying “we can’t find the space” won’t do. And neither will replacement beds east of the Anacostia, or in trailers parked in a vacant lot. All those options would take us back to the days when the District government, broke and overwhelmed, warehoused homeless people in unused school buildings, trailers, and the lobbies of government buildings. The living space was sometimes unhealthy, the locations were determined by happenstance, and the stopgap character of such arrangements (even when they lasted for decades, as they did in several cases) reflected our collective failure to grapple with both the root causes of homelessness, and the immediate needs of people caught up in it.
F
The Family of the Streets
irst, I’d like to apologize for not submitting my column last month. Life has been rather challenging for us since we lost our place at the end of April. We are back on the streets and I miss my computer. If you have emailed me and I have not responded, I’m sorry but life without a place takes more time. As you know, my column is about homeless families and they come in all shapes and sizes. David and I have been adopted into a close-knit, loving, and yet somewhat unconventional family. At night everyone splits off and goes their own way, but during the day the family gathers in a place so familiar it’s like home. A core group of about a dozen guys look out for each other by sharing food and friendship, beer and brotherhood, stories and stogies. Their reasons for being here may be different, but they share a common bond that goes deeper than some “real” families. No one goes without if another one has, everything is shared and no one is left out. As I write this some of the guys are working, a couple have appointments, a few are napping or just hanging out in the park, and of course, one is on a supply run to the store. Like any family there are frustrations, rivalries, jealousies, joy, laughter, tears, and sometimes, little victories. Personally, I am honored to have been welcomed into a family that existed for years before I came along. Once again God has blessed us with an experience that we couldn’t have had any other way. I will always be grateful to my friend, Ishmael, for inviting us in and for giving me the most beautiful nickname—Michella. I’d like to thank all the guys for welcoming us into their home. In a very short time, I have grown to love this colorful group: Spaz, Lil’ Chuck, Six-pack Jack, Kamil, Jae, Francisco, especially Ishmael, and others who choose to remain unnamed. To thank them, I’d like to put before you a wish list, a list of little things that would make life nicer for a family fallen on hard times—here goes: sleeping bags, socks, Burger King or McDonalds gift cards, Metro cards or bus tokens, backpacks, OFF (bug spray), men’s shoes (sizes 9-12), phone cards, tents, and of course, your prayers. If you can help with any of these items please contact me at 202-615-4134. I will update you periodically and maybe even get some of the guys to share their stories. Thank you sincerely in advance for your help and may God bless us all. Now is the time for all that to end. We have to do better. The city has money to spend, there is citywide turnover in real estate, we have a new deputy mayor overseeing homeless policy, and the mayor’s 10-year plan to end homelessness is nearly two years old. The City Council can do their part by slowing the loss of shelter space until new beds are found, and by paying for them. And Mayor Williams must surely be looking to his legacy – a revitalized District with a hot real estate market is something to be proud of. Don’t let that legacy be marred by a failure to solve this old problem of where to put emergency shelter beds. Give the Office of Property Management an unmistakable mandate to find shelter space downtown. Give Deputy Mayor Brenda Donald Walker, who oversees DHS and homeless services, the authority to protect shelter space – citywide. Give DHS the money to make this happen. Give our homeless neighbors the sustained, dependable help that can become part of their own plans to work their way home again. Be creative. For example, Randall School, which was closed in fall 2004 and has sat idle since then with the Corcoran’s plans on hold, could be turned into one of the housing assistance centers envisioned in the mayor’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. Putting that plan together with the physical resources that are currently available is exactly what the city should be doing. And hold the line on the most critical issues: Don’t close Franklin – don’t even make a move towards doing so – until an equal number of permanent emergency shelter beds has been found, paid for, and opened for use in downtown D.C.
Street Sense . June/July 2006
18 COMMUNITY PAGE
Provider Profile
Charlie’s Place: More Than Just Breakfast
Jessica Weiss
Street Sense is extremely happy to report that Muriel Dixon is now working as a barista at Starbucks in Dupont Circle. For the past seven months she has been selling papers near the CVS store on Dupont Circle, and the friendliness and professionalism that she has displayed there helped her to get a job at the Starbucks across the circle. Muriel works most mornings but still plans on vending the paper often.
Linda Wang
Every Tuesday through Friday mornings, at an hour when most people are waking up for the day, the St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Northwest is already bustling with people. Volunteers arrive at 6:00 a.m. to begin cooking and preparing food for the nearly 90 Charlie’s Place participants that gather to eat breakfast each morning. According to program manager Elisabeth Heckmann, Charlie’s Place has been serving breakfast to the homeless and low-income in Washington, D.C. since 1990. In its sixteen years of service, it has grown to not only provide hot meals four days a week, but also to offer social services to its participants. Many people are attracted to Charlie’s Place because of its hot breakfast; after coming once many continue to attend day after day. In fact, Heckmann said, the organization has seen a steady increase in participants recently, averaging about 5 new faces per morning, with the majority being men. Those that participate in the program use it not only as a place to get a hot meal, but also as a place to relax, socialize and get ready for the day. On any given morning, you can see participants talking with one another or with volunteers or reading the newspaper before trying to find day work. Charlie’s Place has provided many people with a place to feel accepted and to feel that they are part of a group that cares about them. Heckmann credits a core group of about 30 volunteers and three full and part-time employees that keep Charlie’s Place running. Every Tuesday through Friday morning, the group works together to serve the homeless
Vendor Notes
Men enjoy breakfast at Charlie’s Place housed in St. Margaret’s Church.
a nutritious breakfast. Volunteers go on “bread runs” in which they collect breads and pastries that have not sold from local bakeries and stores. These are then served along with coffee, tea and juice from 6:30-7:30 a.m. All leftover bread is then given to other organizations, such as the DC Central Kitchen. After announcements and/or a special presentation at 7:30 a.m., the volunteers serve a hot meal, which is provided by DC Central Kitchen. Some of the additional side dishes are made by volunteers each morning. The St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church also provides some important funding to keep the program running, as well as providing their facilities for the breakfast. Heckmann stated that extra services are provided whenever volunteers are available to offer their expertise in a given field. Currently, a retired registered nurse is on hand Tuesdays and Fridays to hand out basic medications
and toiletries, and free haircuts are offered every other Tuesday. Clients can often find government or social workers that stop in to talk with participants. Charlie’s Place is often also able to provide a clothes closet. Because Charlie’s Place is a small organization, there are still many services that it can not provide. If Charlie’s Place cannot provide its participants with the service they need, they are referred to these other agencies. In the future, Charlie’s Place hopes to expand its services; it looks forward to serving breakfast on Monday mornings in the future. The organization also would like to have more social workers available, so that it can branch out with other services, and not have to refer people to other organizations as much.
Fortunately, we have even more job news to report. Don Gardner, who has been a vendor for two months and was featured on the back of the last issue, has landed himself a full-time position. He recently started as an outreach coordinator at ROOT – Reaching Out to Others Together. This Washingtonbased organization serves individuals and families affected by gun violence and homicides and works to prevent future gun violence. Don is very excited to help ROOT further its mission. On the health front, Jim Chisholm is doing much better. After some time off from vending because of health problems, Jim is back selling Street Sense at 18th and K streets and elsewhere and is feeling healthier than ever. As he said, “I feel like I could do back flips, if I was just a little younger.” Street Sense would like to congratulate Tommy Bennett on the anniversary of his second year of sobriety on June 1. Tommy became a Street Sense vendor in September 2004 and credits Street Sense and selling the paper for helping him stay sober and “keeping his mind and body occupied with positive things.”
For more information or to volunteer for Charlie’s Place please visit their web site at www.charliesplacedc.org.
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Tommy: two years of sobriety and going strong.
On a sadder note, we unfortunately have to report that Brenda Wilson, the vendor who penned the column about the problems at shelters run by Catholic Community Services (CCS) last month has lost her bed at a CCS-run shelter on June 12 after staying there for more than two years. She is now living on the streets, and looking for a place to stay. Meanwhile she is still persuing her claims against CCS and hopes to write a follow up article next month. In this column you are updated every month on the accomplishments of many of our vendors. Though many of our vendors have achieved new jobs or have overcome the adversities of drugs and alcohol, most of them, unfortunately, still lack housing. That’s where you can help out. If you have a small apartment or private room that you rent out, please consider offering it to a Street Sense vendor for a reasonable price. If you are interested, please contact Laura Thompson Osuri at laura@streetsense.org or 202-347-2006.
Street Sense . June/July 2006
Community Service Index SHELTERS
SOUP KITCHENS
Calvary Women’s Services 928 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 783-6651
10th Street Baptist Church 1000 R Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-232-1685
Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 745-7118
Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-3066
CCNV 425 Mitch Snyder Place, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 393-1909
Church of the Pilgrims 2201 P Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 387-6612
Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-7356
Dinner Program for Homeless Women 945 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 737-9311
Dorothy Day Catholic Worker (Family) 503 Rock Creek Church Road, NW Washington, DC 20010 (202) 882-9649
Eofula-Spanish Senior Center 1842 Calvert Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 483-5800
Franklin School (Men) 13th and K streets, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 638-7424
McKenna’s Wagon 2114 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-6608
Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 842-1731
Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Ave, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 452-8926
House of Imagene Shelter 214 P Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 518-8488
So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 797-8806
House of Ruth: Madison Emergency Shelter (Women) 651 10th Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 547-2600
Washington City Church of the Brethren 337 North Carolina Ave, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 547-5924
John Young Center (Women) 117 D Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 639-8469
The Welcome Table Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-2635
La Casa Bilingual Shelter (Men) 1436 Irving Street, NW Washington, DC 20010 (202) 673-3592
Zacchaeus Community Kitchen 10th and G Streets, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 393-9144
N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 939-2060
EMERGENCY FOOD
SERVICE PROVIDERS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 19
Shelter Hotline for Cooling Centers: 1- 800-535-7252 Food and Friends 219 Riggs Road, NE Washington, DC 20011 (202) 269-2277 The Welcome Table Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-2635 MEDICAL RESOURCES Christ House 1717 Columbia Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-1100 Community of Hope 2250 Champlain Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-9022 Unity Health Care, Inc. 3020 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 745-4300 Whitman-Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 797-3500 OUTREACH CENTERS Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 939-2060 Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20007 (202) 338-8301 Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-6608 Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 682-1005 Sasha Bruce Youth Work 741 8th Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 675-9340
New Endeavors by Women 611 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 682-5825
Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 265-2400 AND 1640 Good Hope Road, SE Washington, DC 20020 (202) 561-8587
New York Ave Shelter (Men) 1355-57 New York Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 832-2359
Covenant House of Washington 3400 Martin Luther Ave., SE Washington, DC 20032 (202) 610-9630
Byte Back (computer training) 815 Monroe Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 (202) 529-3395
Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 Mitch Snyder Place, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 639-8093
Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 842-1112
Capital Area Food Bank 645 Taylor Street, NE Washington, DC 20017 (202) 526-5344 x223
Friendship House 619 D Street, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 675-9050 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Catholic Charities Homeless Services of Washington, DC 924 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 772-4300 Catholic Charities Emergency Center 1438 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 526-4100 Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-8870 Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness 801 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 543-5298 Downtown Services Center 945 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 393-5400 Catholic Charities NE Community Services 1438 Rhode Island Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20018 (202) 526-4100 Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 347-0511 Hermano Pedro Center 1501 Park Road, NW Washington, DC 20010 (202) 332-2874 JHP, Inc. (Jobs and Housing) 1526 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003 (202) 544-5300 Jubilee Jobs 1640 Columbia Road, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 667-8970 Samaritan Ministry (job training & support services) 1345 U Street, SE Washington, DC 20020 AND 1516 Hamilton Street, NW Washington, DC 20011 202-889-7702 Travelers Aid Union Station (train level) 50 Mass. Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 371-1937 Virginia Williams Family Resource Center 25 M Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 (202) 724-3932 Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 328-5500
PHOTO FINISH
VENDOR PROFILE
The Heat Is On
Michael Herbert Michael, a.ka. “Downtown Shorty,” Herbert was born on January 30, 1965 in Baltimore and has lived there ever since. He was raised with his three brothers and loved to play football and baseball with them. He graduated from Edmondson High School and earned his associate’s degree from Essex Community College. Michael had worked at Camden Yards, home of the Orioles, for one year and had worked for a temp service prior to that. Michael loves to play the drums, and also enjoys volleyball, billiards, and swimming. He is also a spiritual person who likes to attend church and has been writing poetry for the last 10 years. He has two daughters. He is one of the first Street Sense vendors to begin distribution in the Baltimore area and views it as a way to improve his situation.
By Linda Wang
How did you become homeless? I had an argument with my mom and dad and they put me out on the streets. That was 19 months ago. I have not talked to them since, although I did try to call a couple of times. I stay on Pratt St. in downtown Baltimore, near Camden Yards, or behind the convention center. I don’t have the finances and resources to support myself. I have good friends but a lot of them are in the same predicament as me.
A homeless man cools himself during one of the first hot days of the summer. For this day and other hot ones -- when the heat index rises above 95 degrees -- cooling centers will be open around the city. Call the shelter hotline: **1- 800-535-7252** for the exact locations.
StreetFact There are more than 70 papers that operate on the same model as Street Sense, written in 17 languages, in 28 countries throughout the world. Source: The International Network of STreetPapers
June/July 2006 • Volume 3 • Issue 8
Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Mail To:
Interested in a subscription? Go to page 18 for more information.
Why do you sell Street Sense? It’s a story about homelessness. Homelessness isn’t a joke. Selling Street Sense helps me and it helps everybody else that sells it. I see myself going a long way with it. What advice would you give someone who is homeless? This ain’t the way for a person to live; these aren’t the conditions people should live in. You have to ask people for money, go to soup kitchens, and try to have a lot of friends around to help you out. These are hard times people are living in. I would tell people to clean up their appearance, look for employment, then a car, a place to live, and [use] social services like SSI. Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself as an entrepreneur and advocate for the homeless. In five years, I’d like to be handing out food to people, educating them, and writing poetry about homelessness issues. Favorite Music? Oldies but goodies Favorite food? Spaghetti Favorite movie? “Scarface” Favorite book? Roots by Alex Haley
Downtown Shorty reminds customers to only buy from badged vendors and not to give to those panhandling with one paper.
Stay tuned for more info on the Street Sense Benefit Concert happening in mid-August. Go to www.streetsense.org for updates on location and bands.