07 10 2019 by Street Sense Media

VOL. 16 ISSUE 18

JULY 10 - 23, 2019

Real Stories

“ Under Patty’s guiding light, hundreds of people found healing.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

@ STREETSENSEDC

Real People

suggested donation goes directly to your vendor

Real Change

2 // ST REET SENS E ME DI A / / JULY 1 0 - 2 3 , 2019

BUSINESS MODEL

VENDORS

How It Works

Street Sense Media publishes the newspaper

Each vendor functions as an independent contractor for Street Sense Media, managing their own business to earn an income and increase stability in their life.

$2.00 YOUR SUGGESTED

$.50 Vendors pay

DONATION

per newspaper copy

goes directly to your vendor, empowering them to overcome homelessness and poverty

NO CASH? NO PROBLEM.

Pay vendors with the Street Sense Media app!

S TREET S ENSE M EDIA . ORG /A PP

AVAI LABL E

4. 5.

Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $2.00. I agree not to ask for more than $2.00 or solicit donations for Street Sense Media by any other means. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense Media staff and volunteers and will not sell papers to other vendors. I agree to treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and other vendors, respectfully at all times. I will refrain from threatening others, pressuring customers into making a donation, or in engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices. I agree not to distribute copies of Street Sense on metro trains and buses or on private property. I agree to abide by the Street Sense Media vendor territorial policy at all times and will resolve any related disputes I have with other vendors in a professional manner.

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

I agree to sell no additional goods or products when distributing Street Sense.

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

I understand that my badge and (if applicable) vest are property of Street Sense Media, and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing Street Sense. I will always display my badge when distributing Street Sense.

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

INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR? New vendor training: every Tuesday and Thursday // 2 p.m. // 1317 G St., NW

The Cover

The Street Sense Media Story, #MoreThanANewspaper

Patty Wudel and Kurtis Lang Sr. enjoy a 2017 #DragBrunch event with the Joseph’s House community.

Originally founded as a street newspaper in 2003, Street Sense Media has evolved into a multimedia center using a range of creative platforms to spotlight solutions to homelessness and empower people in need. The men and women who work with us do much more than sell this paper: They use film, photography, theatre, illustration, and more to share their stories with our community. Our media channels elevate voices, our newspaper vendor and digital marketing programs provide economic independence. And our in-house casemanagement services move people forward along the path toward permanent supportive housing. At Street Sense Media, we define ourselves through our work, talents, and character, not through our housing situation.

FILE HOTO BY KEN MARTIN

Artist/Vendor

Mary Coller Albert, Jeremy Bratt, Brian Leonard, Jennifer Park, Dan Schwartz, John Senn, Aaron Stetter, Daniel Webber, Shari Wilson

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As self-employed contractors, our vendors follow a code of conduct.

Shuhratjon Ahamadjonov, Wanda Alexander, Charles Armstrong, Katrina Arninge, Lawrence Autry, Charlton Battle, Reginald Black, Emily Bowe, Rashawn Bowser, Debora Brantley, Andre Brinson, Laticia Brock, Donald Brown, Elizabeth Bryant, Brianna Butler, Dwayne Butler, Melody Byrd, Anthony Carney, Alice Carter, Conrad Cheek, Curtis Clark, Anthony Crawford, Kwayera Dakari, Michael Daniels, Louise Davenport, James Davis, David Denny, Reginald Denny, Ricardo Dickerson, Patricia Donaldson, Nathaniel Donaldson, Courtney Dowe, Ron Dudley, Jet Flegette, Jemel Fleming, Johnnie Ford, Cornell Ford, James Gatrell, Kidest Girma, Chon Gotti, George Gray, Marcus Green, Levester Green, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, Marion Harris, Richard Hart, Lorrie Hayes, Cheryl Hill, Ibn Hipps, James Hughes, Joseph Jackson, Chad Jackson, Henry Johnson, Mark Jones, Morgan Jones, Reggie Jones, Jewel Lewis, John Littlejohn, Scott Lovell, Michael Lyons, William Mack, Ken Martin, Marcus McCall, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffery McNeil, Angela Meeks, Ricardo Meriedy, Kenneth Middleton, Amy Modica, Richard Mooney, L. Morrow, Collins Mukasa, Evelyn Nnam, Moyo Onibuje, Earl Parker, Aida Peery, Hubert Pegues, Jacquelyn Portee, Angela Pounds, Robert Reed, Henrieese Roberts, Patty Smith, Gwynette Smith, Ronald Smoot, David Snyder, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Archie Thomas, Eric Thompson-Bey, Jacqueline Turner, Ronald Turner, Michael Warner, Robert Warren, Vincent Watts, Sheila White, Angie Whitehurst, Wendell Williams, Sasha Williams, Susan Wilshusan, Ivory Wilson, Curtis Wright, Latishia Wynn

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT 1.

streetsensemedia.org

info@streetsensemedia.org

Brian Carome

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Eric Falquero

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Jeff Gray

CO-VENDOR MANAGER Gladys Robert

CO-VENDOR MANAGER Nkechi Feaster

CASE MANAGER Colleen Cosgriff

WRITERS GROUP ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Willie Schatz

OPINION EDITORS (VOLUNTEER) Rachel Brody, Arthur Delaney, Sara Reardon

ADVISORY BOARD John McGlasson

EDITORIAL INTERNS Brianna Bilter, Maia Brown, Meena Morar, Leah Potter, Will Schick, Gabrielle Wanneh

EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS Ryan Bacic, Jason Lee Bakke, Roberta Haber, Thomas Ratliff, Mark Rose, Andrew Siddons, Sarah Tascone, Jenny-lin Smith, Jackie Thompson, KJ Ward

OFFICE SALES VOLUNTEERS Miya Abdul, Bill Butz, Jane Cave, Emma Cronenwethe, Pete Clark, Orion Donovan-Smith, Maria Esposito, Roberta Haber, Ann Herzog, Bill Magrath, Alec Merkle, Nick Nowlan, Sarah O’Connell, Leonie Peterkin, Eugene Versluysen, Natalia Warburton

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

EVENTS

// 3

NEWS IN BRIEF SHELTERS

City breaks ground on Ward 1 family shelter

Some residents say the plans for the new facility break zoning laws

City officials, including Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, Mayor Muriel Bowser, and Department of Human Services Director Laura Zelilinger dig into the construction site. PHOTO BY WILL SCHICK

Honor Those Who Died While Experiencing Homelessness in Montgomery County July 11 // 9 am 101 Monroe Street, Rockville // Executive Office Building / Circuit Court Plaza This service enables family, friends, advocates, community leaders and service providers to memorialize the valued lives of these most vulnerable residents. This event also increases the community’s urgency to end homelessness in Montgomery County.

THURSDAY, JULY 11

UPDATES ONLINE AT ICH.DC.GOV

TUESDAY, JULY 16

Barry Farm Historic Landmark Hearing

D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness Meetings

12:30 pm - 5 pm 441 4th St NW, room 220 South

Housing Solutions Committee July 15, 3 pm //1800 MLK Jr. Ave. SE

Public Hearing on May 2019 Vacant to Vibrant DC Auction Sites

A hearing with the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board to consider the Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association and Empower D.C.’s petition to designate the Barry Farm community as a historic landmark.

Strategic Planning Committee July 23, 2:30 pm // TBD * Likely 441 4th Street NW Shelter Operations Committee July 24, 1 pm // TBD * Likely 441 4th Street NW

6 pm - 8 pm DCHD // 1800 MLK Jr. Ave. SE The DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has scheduled a public hearing to consider the proposed disposition of nine properties. MORE INFO: tinyurl.com/vacant-vibrant-july19

Submit your event for publication by emailing editor@streetsensemedia.org

AUDIENCE EXCHANGE Kira Lyons Barrett @kiralbarrett

Matthew Scott Ware

.@streetsensedc’s personal stories add something important and special to their coverage. If you live in D.C., they cover solutions to homelessness and empower people at the same time.

I see you, Reggie! Keep sharing your experience brother- gotta try to let people on the other side know what it’s like and I think your poems do a great job of that.

4:08 PM - 17 JUN 2019

5:30 PM - 29 JUN 2019

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau broke ground on the city’s next family shelter on July 2 as part of the D.C. General replacement plan. A half-dozen protesters from the Residences of Columbia Heights stood outside the Rita Dove Family Center to protest during the ground-breaking ceremony. They argue the city’s construction plans violate the District’s zoning regulations that require new buildings to be set back fifteen feet from other structures. However, the protesters also say they welcome the new shelter at their site in Ward 1. City officials argue their plans do not violate zoning regulations and say they have worked with residents to develop a plan that works. Construction is expected to be completed next year. —will.schick@streetsensemedia.org JUSTICE

DC residents discuss the information gap engendered by inconsistent and discriminatory marijuana policy Marijuana use on private property has been legal in D.C. since Initiative 71 went into effect in February 2015. But marijuana is still illegal under federal law, and city residents living in federally assisted housing, public housing, and section 8 housing cannot legally use marijuana on their property. This lack of uniformity targets the District’s low-income residents and allows room for discrimination in law enforcement. Though there is little racial difference in usage rates, 86 percent of people arrested on marijuana charges in D.C. last year were Black. Even legal use of marijuana can have unanticipated consequences, as it remains at the employer’s discretion whether to conduct preemployment drug screening. —brianna.bilter@streetsensemedia.org

Read these stories in full and more at StreetSenseMedia.org/news

4 // ST REET SENSE ME DI A / / JULY 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 19

NEWS

Cheh re-introduces eviction bill hoping to seal case records and end discrimination BY MEENA MORAR meena.morar@streetsensemedia.org

Scheduled evictions in D.C. for the month of July, as of July 9.

DATA COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF THE TENANT ADVOCATE. MAP BY MEENA MORAR.

utside the District’s one-room LandlordOften times, people are evicted without being given Tenant Court, pages of pending eviction notice because they are late on rent, according to Gabriela cases are taped to the wall, all waiting Lewis-White, managing attorney for the D.C. Bar to be heard at 9 a.m. The clerk begins to Landlord Tenant Resource Center. take a 40-minute roll call, the courtroom “Many leases in D.C. have that waiver that says if packed with people anxiously waiting to a tenant doesn’t pay rent, a landlord can immediately hear their name. file an eviction action against them without providing This month, 378 evictions are scheduled to occur them a 30-day notice,” Lewis-White said. “There’s no within the District, according to the Office of the Tenant agency in that.” Advocate. More than 4,000 evictions were carried out Under Cheh’s proposal, the 30-day notice would be in the District in 2016. According to Eviction Lab, there required and could no longer be waived. As a result, were 12.4 evictions per day throughout the year. many tenants will be able to handle the situation before The decisions made in the fast-pace of this branch of it even reaches a courtroom. D.C. Superior Court leave a lasting mark on the future Many evictions are mistakenly filed and quickly housing opportunities each tenant may seek. It is not resolved. But, the effect can still be felt. When landlords illegal for a landlord to reject a prospective tenant solely conduct a background check on a prospective tenant, every because of an eviction history. case – won, lost, or dismissed – will However, a bill re-introduced by appear in the results. Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh For example, landlords of large would change that. buildings file mass-eviction notices The Eviction Record Sealing that result in many dismissals or Authority Amendment Act of 2019 mistakes. Many cases get dismissed would create a framework for the during roll call at an initial hearing, sealing of eviction records that yet still remain on each person’s courts must follow. After three file, according to Amber Harding, years, the act would mandate that attorney at the Washington Legal all eviction records be sealed. Under Clinic for the Homeless. current law, courts are not permitted “ P a r t i c u l a r l y w i t h l a rg e to seal eviction records. While this landlords, they do mass filings step would not affect the overall rate that may include the wrong unit, of evictions in D.C., it would help or just didn’t process somebody’s Amber Harding tenants move past its effect. payment before the information Six other councilmembers are co-sponsoring the bill, got sent out,” Harding said. “By the time the court date including Ward 6 representative Charles Allen, at-large comes, the person doesn’t owe any money, there’s no representative Anita Bonds, Ward 4 representative case against them, and they get dismissed. Those cases Brandon Todd, Ward 1 representative Brianne Nadeau, stay on people’s records.” and at-large representative Elissa Silverman. On July 1, property management company Cheh says the bill represents a desire to provide Habitat America filed 20 cases at Landlord-Tenant second chances. Court against tenants of The Summit at St. Martins “You shouldn’t have this black mark on your back apartment complex. forever,” Cheh said in an interview with Street Sense Media. Of those 20 cases, 11 were dismissed at roll call. “I hope that people, if they do suffer an eviction, can get out Seven cases were processed as a default plea, meaning from under that scarlet letter and be able to move forward that an immediate decision for eviction is processed as with their lives without that hanging over their head.” the defendant did not show up to the hearing. Two cases Landlords may evict a tenant for non-payment of rent, were settled, and only one advanced to trial. violating provisions of the lease, seeking to convert or For Miracle Cross, a Summit tenant, July 1 marked demolish the rental unit, or performing an illegal act her fourth time in Landlord-Tenant Court. Since 2014, within the unit, according to the Office of the Tenant Cross found herself re-entering the court for issues of Advocate’s website. administrative errors, a change in the recertification It is illegal for a tenant to be evicted simply because the process, and non-payment. The court visits seemed property is foreclosed upon or the initial lease expired. inevitable, says Cross.

“By the time the court date comes, the person doesn’t owe any money, there’s no case against them, and they get dismissed. Those cases stay on people’s records.”

“From then on, it kind of made me be aware that you can do all the right things in D.C. and still be snagged in the system,” Cross said. “That’s how I’ve been in Landlord and Tenant court ever since then, I’ve been in the same place, keeping the same routine.” In some cases, tenants have not even realized they had a case filed against them, according to Leigh Higgins, attorney at the D.C. Tenants’ Rights Center. “We’ve had cases where someone didn’t realize the case had happened at all,” Higgins said. “Maybe something was filed and dismissed right away, and they didn’t realize until they were trying to rent again later, and they were denied or it showed on a screening.” As current law does not prohibit discrimination based on eviction history, any case on file will often negatively affect the tenant, according to Cheh. “This has had a really dramatic effect on potential tenants,” Cheh said. “Both in terms of making it more difficult for them to find an apartment, but also even if they get one, sometimes the landlord will charge them more money.” Cheh’s bill would prohibit housing discrimination on account of eviction. Even if the landlord is aware of a potential tenant’s sealed case, they are not allowed to use that against the prospective lease. Currently, the law only prohibits discrimination based upon race, gender, disability, marital and family status, political affiliation, age, and sexual orientation. The new bill would allow many people experiencing homelessness to access housing without unfair discrimination as a result, says Harding. “I think it will expand access to housing,” Harding said. “Particularly my clients, who many are homeless and have been homeless because they have lost their housing or they weren’t able to pay rent. We’re finding many, many landlords are denying our clients either for poor credit, or they don’t take vouchers, or because of these eviction records.” The Eviction Record Sealing Authority Amendment Act of 2019 is only the latest piece of legislation the Council has considered that aims to reform the effects of eviction. In the fall, the Council considered three bills that addressed the accessibility of resources to tenants facing eviction, damages landlords may face, and the storage of a tenant’s belongings. Of those, the Eviction Prevention Act of 2017 did not move past a public hearing and the Housing Conversion and Eviction Clarification Amendment Act was re-introduced in 2019 and is under Council review. The Eviction with Dignity Amendment Act, however, went into effect in March 2019.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 5

When an encampment is a single person and their stuff BY WILL SCHICK will.schick@streetsensemedia.org

n a recent morning, a man pushed a metal cart northward along the intersection of 16th and K streets NW. Pedestrians shuffled past him talking on their phones. Red city taxis idled near The Capital Hilton waiting to ferry guests. A group of people stood near the bus stop and stared past him, waiting in anticipation for the Circulator bus. For these people, June 27 was just another ordinary day. But for the man with the metal cart, June 27 was the day he had lost almost everything. A few hours earlier, sometime before 9:15 AM the man stacked an external speaker and a small black suitcase on top of the metal cart. He then rolled the cart across the intersection of 16th and K St NW, and covered the items with a white sheet. He also would have moved a small wire-framed metal chair mounted on wheels. But the chair was locked to a bike rack, and the man couldn’t find the key, a worker from the Department of Public Works (DPW) explained. “The man will be back at 10 a.m. and then someone is supposed to help him cut the lock,” the worker said. This situation could be described as ordinary if not mundane, or even benign. A person moving their belongings from one place to another is hardly something worth writing about. If it was not for a sign posted five feet from the chair that read “NOTICE. The District will conduct a general cleanup of this public space on Date: 6-27-19 Time: 10 a.m.,” the situation would indeed not be worth writing about. Notices like the one posted at 16th and K streets NW are required by law to be posted two weeks in advance at locations where the District conducts so-called “encampment clean-ups.” The term “encampment” may conjure up images of campsites, of bivouacs, of mass gatherings of tents. But in D.C., the term assumes an entirely different meaning. “Encampments” are areas where people experiencing homelessness take up temporary residence. An encampment, according to the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services (DMHHS), is “a set-up of an abode or place of residence of one or more persons on public property or an accumulation of personal belongings that is present even when the individual may not be.” The prolonged presence of a single person with belongings in a public space are all it takes for them to be stamped with the label “encampment” in D.C. On June 27, DHHS led three separate encampment cleanups in the part of downtown between Farragut Square and

9:36 AM: A man’s cart is packed and stationed on a sidewalk across a roadway from where he had been staying. PHOTO BY WILL SHICK

Dupont Circle. The first two clean-ups on the list went smoothly. An elderly woman on 19th Street NW between L and M moved her bulky possessions to the other end of the street. A block south, at 19th and K streets NW, a person with an “encampment” had disappeared by 9:30 a.m. The person had taken all their things to another location much farther away. In comparison, the man with the cart was in the wrong place at the wrong time. At 10 a.m., on the other end of the intersection of 16th and K streets NW, a team of three workers from DMHHS gathered around the area where the man from earlier had moved his metal cart. A white and orange city dump truck, a green recycling semi-truck, and a police squad car were on scene. After nine minutes, one of the three DMHHS representatives asked about the man’s whereabouts. She then asked where the Department of Human Services (DHS) representatives were. “They usually are supposed to be here,” she said. A minute later, the senior representative from DHHS, issued the order to toss the man’s belongings into the back of the garbage truck. “All of this?” the DPW worker asked. “Everything,” the DHHS representative said. “You sure?” the DPW worker asked again. “Yes, all of it,” the DHHS representative replied. The DPW worker slowly removed the white blanket from atop the metal cart and then dragged the small black suitcase and tossed it into the garbage truck. He then proceeded to move the external speaker and placed it inside the mouth of truck’s compactor. The machine hummed and hissed as it ate the speaker, and popped it into pieces. The owner of the now-trashed belongings arrived on scene exactly four minutes later, at 10:13 AM. He sprang off a red Jump bicycle, and launched a flurry of questions. At first, he asked what time it was. He then said he thought someone was going to help him cut the lock for his chair on the other side of the street. He asked what was happening. “I had already moved my stuff,” he said. The man had assumed his belongings were safe, since they had been moved approximately 100 feet away from the sign with the posted notice. He had moved them across a crosswalk, and covered them with a white sheet. “We said 10:00 a.m.. It’s 10:13 now” one of the DMHHS representatives said. “Did you not check the time?” another DMHHS representative asked. Within two minutes two additional police squad cars pulled

10:18 AM: The man pieces through what’s left of his cart and possessions. PHOTO BY WILL SHICK

over on the intersection. The total number of officers on scene went from two to five. The man’s initial confusion and trepidation gave way to anger. “Go back to China, miss!” he shouted at the DHHS representative. The man took aim at the senior DHHS representative’s ethnicity and let loose a burst of racially charged verbal insults. If the insults caused her any harm, the representative did not let it show. She stood her ground and said nothing in response. “I want to press charges,” the man said to one of the police officers. “There are no charges to press,” the officer replied. “It’s violating and entering, I need a lawyer,” the man said. The officer said it was not violating and entering. “They broke my artwork,” the man said to the group of police officers standing around him now. No one said anything in return. The man then panicked as he tried to reach inside the dump truck to recover the remnants of his speaker. “I had a couple hundred-dollar bills hidden inside the speaker!” the man, turning around, had said. The police officers and a DPW worker joined him in his search of the back of the truck to see if they could help him find his money. “It’s embarrassing, disrespectful, and degrading. That’s an Asian lady. I’m an African American man,” he said, after recovering a small shopping bag from the back of the truck. The man jingled the bag to show it was filled with coins and paper bills. He said he kept his money hidden inside the speaker, because no one would ever think to look for money hidden there. The DMHHS team asked the man if he needed assistance with storage or social services, but he said he wanted to be left alone with what remained of his stuff. The DMHHS team asked the same on 19th Street NW with the old woman who had moved her belongings. They also reached out to other homeless residents they happened to find on the street offering to help them into transitional housing if they wanted it. A representative from Pathways to Housing was also present on 19th St, but he declined to identify himself or be interviewed for this article. The man with the metal cart also declined to be interviewed for this article. He said he felt like he was being targeted, but declined to elaborate. He said he was too angry to talk. Efforts to reach him later via e-mail were unsuccessful. DPW and DMHHS workers also declined to be interviewed or offer their names. “Okay, let’s go up to the next one” the senior DHHS representative said to the team of DPW workers and police officers. They left the scene.

6 // ST REET SENSE ME DI A / / JULY 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 19

NEWS

Councilmember Grosso makes a second bid to expand anti-discrimination protections to people experiencing homelessness BY BRIANNA BILTER // brianna.bilter@streetsensemedia.org

Street Sense artist/vendor Reginald Black wears his Street Sense Media vest. PHOTO BY BRIANNA BILTER

Grosso confirmed the bill includes the “right to rest” — Grosso does not expect it to take place before the fall. porting his Street Sense Media vest, Reginald or the right to use public spaces — but Deputy Mayor for Grosso said the bill, if implemented, would affect a wide Black walked up to a downtown D.C. restaurant Health and Human Services Wayne Turnage does not believe range of issues, including housing, employment, health care, counter in 2016 to order a meal. Before he had the legislation, as introduced, would alter the District’s current and transportation. even ordered, he was informed he would have encampment sweeping practices. “It will definitely have an impact around MPD interactions, 30 minutes to eat. Bans on the use of public spaces are only one indication which I think is important,” Grosso said. “And it will also have Black was perplexed. Why was he allowed that the criminalization of homelessness is on the rise. In an impact, I think, with the way businesses are interacting with only 30 minutes when other customers had a 2017 analysis of the criminalization of homelessness by the homeless.” clearly been there for longer? governments worldwide, Amnesty International wrote, Of the five councilmembers on the Committee on “I figured it was the vest,” Black said, as the logo affiliates “Whether through anti-vagrancy laws, policies which block Government Operations, Brandon Todd, Brianne Nadeau, and him with a homelessness organization. “I still ordered my homeless access to essential services, or punitive measures and Grosso co-introduced the Stoops Act. Though the bill has the food and I tried to kind of just brush it off, but I don’t know, sweeping operations to force them out of the city, authorities backing of two additional councilmembers plus one co-sponsor, I just couldn’t.” are trampling on the rights of homeless people.” Grosso said some of his colleagues and their staff don’t believe So he asked for a supervisor. But after conversing with the The Stoops Act would not only make it illegal for businesses homeless status should be elevated to greater protection. employee whose seemingly arbitrary conduct Black was calling to refuse service to somebody who appears homeless. It would Grosso disagrees. “I think while some people believe that into question, the supervisor dialed the police. Black said he also provide a medium for people to redress malpractice in homelessness is protected by other parts of the Human Rights didn’t yell or cause a scene, but promptly found himself with hiring processes. Most people experiencing homelessness Act, we don’t think it’s gone far enough. We believe it has to a barring notice. interviewed for a study published by Yale Law Journal in 2017 be explicitly stated and singled out,” he said. “The police actually should have been able to provide me a “referred to discrimination during the job application process as The Office of Human Rights may require additional staffing, human rights form,” Black said. “But they couldn’t.” the most significant problem facing the homeless community.” though the amount of funding necessary will remain unclear Black’s story is a familiar one. In a 2014 survey of 142 The majority of homeless people are situationally homeless until the chief financial officer releases a fiscal impact statement people experiencing homelessness in D.C., around 93 percent and have marketable skills and experience in the workforce, for the bill. OHR Director Monica Palacio said she is confident of respondents reported experiencing discrimination on account according to Shelters to Shutters CEO Andy Helmer. His OHR would see a “significant increase” in cases filed under of their housing status, primarily from private businesses and organization works in the apartment industry to connect the D.C. Human Rights Act if the bill is passed. law enforcement. people experiencing homelessness, referred The D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977 protects by nonprofits, to jobs in maintenance tech, individuals from discrimination based on groundskeeping, and lease consulting. 20 distinct traits, from race and sex to credit “If you have a population within your information and political affiliation. However, community that actually has the skills that although the law includes “place of residence you’re looking for, but you’re overlooking them, or business” as a protected trait, D.C.’s antithen the community suffers,” Helmer said. discrimination policy does not specifically Helmer works in an optimal sector to address protect homeless people. While Black could have housing and employment simultaneously. But ostensibly filed a human rights complaint under his team is considering expanding this model another trait, such as “personal appearance” or to other industries, such as capitalizing on the “place of residence,” it could be difficult to prove. shortage of long-haul commercial truckers At-Large Councilmember David Grosso or establishing a temp agency to give people sought to rectify this shortcoming in July 2017 practical experience in new fields. Shelters to by introducing the Michael A. Stoops AntiShutters recently established a City Advisory Discrimination Amendment Act, named for a Board in D.C. to build partnerships with other man who helped found the National Coalition 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 local industries. for the Homeless and dedicated his life to “I think there’s overall a tremendous sense of advocacy. The bill never received a hearing people wanting to help,” Helmer said. “So that is after being referred to the Committee on the not something unique to the apartment industry.” Judiciary and Public Safety, chaired by Ward 6 OHR’s caseload has been increasing steadily each year. An increase as a result of new protections According to the National Law Center, Councilmember Charles Allen. under the bill, however, would indicate that many voices are not protected under the current law. Data the barriers to employment are furthered by Black has been campaigning for this bill since Courtesy of the D.C. Office of Human Rights. CHART CREATED BY BRIANNA BILTER WITH INFOGRAM. criminalization strategies. And the line between its inception. Since Grosso reintroduced the bill source of income discrimination and racial discrimination is Anti-discrimination legislation will not end the in March, he has been urging the Council to set a hearing date often blurred. criminalization of homelessness, but the affirmative protections before the summer recess begins on July 15. Both the National Law Center and the National Coalition for outlined in the Stoops Act are a step the National Law Center The bill stagnated in 2017, according to Grosso, because the Homeless urged D.C. to pass a Homeless Bill of Rights in deems necessary. The center found that citywide bans on the D.C. Council “just hadn’t built enough momentum.” As a response to discrimination. The Stoops Act only provides for camping in public increased by 60 percent between 2011 and result of the Council’s biennial restructuring of its committees some of the protections provided in homeless bills of rights 2014, according to a report released in February. Seventyin January, the latest version of the bill was referred to the passed in other U.S. jurisdictions. four percent of people surveyed in a study of 1,600 people Committee on Government Operations, chaired by Ward experiencing homelessness could not identify a place where 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd. The committee chair did it is safe and legal to sleep. not respond to questions about when to expect a hearing, but

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

ART

How it feels to be an adult and get hassled for your lunch money

EDITOR’S NOTE: When we shared “discrimination” as a prompt for our Monday illustration group to solicit art for this story, it happened to be June 24, the day after a Metro Transit Police Department officer shoved and tased a man who was trying to advocate for a couple of young handcuffed boys in the U Street Metro station. Every submission from our artists that day included a metro car, an officer, and pain. (tinyurl. com/u-st-taser)

BY ANDRE BRINSON Artist/Vendor

I smile to make humor out of ignorance. And that’s all I could do one day at Subway. I wanted a sandwich, so I walked in with a smile on my face and said, “Hello.” I ordered my sandwich, and the guy behind the counter said I’d have to pay first. Now, anyone that’s been to a Subway sandwich shop knows they ask you what you want — starting with the bread and going down the line with the meat, cheese and other toppings — and make the sandwich behind the glass as you watch. When it is finished, they bag it up and ring you up for the purchase. Needless to say, I couldn’t believe this guy! Why should I be treated differently than any other customer? Obviously, he must have thought I looked like I couldn’t or wouldn’t pay for my meal. And sadly, my first thought was, “Not again.” I’ve known the long-term employees at this particular store a long time. They’ve never had any problems with me. But the new people always seem to present me with problems. I stayed cool, not wanting to wake my temper. As I talked with the guy behind the counter, another came from the back and whispered something to the worker about me. This tells me that the managers need to train their people better – especially when it comes to discrimination. I just wanted to buy a sandwich.

Discrimination

ILLUSTRATIONS BY AYUB ABDUL AND QUEENIE L. FEATHERSTONE, ARTISTS/VENDORS

BY KEN MARTIN Artist/Vendor

I am actively and passively discriminated against daily. That is one thing that I anticipate as part of “my life’s auto challenge.” Since age 4 (kindegarten), there has not been a day to my recollection without a reminder of my hue. Some days more than others. When I vend this paper, I am frequently prejudged by passersby, assuming I am soliciting paper sales (there is a difference). Quite often, the response to a “good morning” greeting with a friendly tip of my cap or hat is “No. Thank you!” Imagine preferring NOT to have a good morning. Now that’s a discriminating extreme if there ever was one!

PHOTO BY ANGIE WHITEHURST, ARTIST/VENDOR

“Warren Stevens in the heat on his job on Connecticut Ave., selling valuable information about ending homelessness.” Angie Whitehurst Artist/Vendor

Come enjoy a FREE meal and conversation with our volunteers!

In March, Andre wrote about a similar experience at a Potbelly restaurant. Read it at www.tinyurl.com/potbellydiscrimination.

// 7

The first 40 guests will be served.

UPCOMING DINNERS: Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 Tuesday, July 16th, 2019 Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019 Doors open at 6:00pm. Dinner is served at 6:30pm. 1317 G Street - Church of the Epiphany

Questions about our dinners or interested in group volunteer opportunities? Call 202-347-2525, or, check us out at ysop.org.

BIRTHDAYS Vennie Hill July 4 ARTIST/VENDOR

Michael Warner July 11 ARTIST/VENDOR

Our stories, straight to your inbox Street Sense Media provides a vehicle through which all of us can learn about homelessness from those who have experienced it. Sign up for our newsletter to get our vendors' stories in your inbox.

www.StreetSenseMedia.org/newsletter

8 // ST REET SENSE ME DI A / / JULY 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 0 19

NEWS

Hospice for people experiencing homelessness says farewell to executive director of 21 years BY LEAH POTTER // Editorial Intern

hen Patty Wudel first arrived at Joseph’s House nearly 30 years ago, she relished the warmth and love she felt from the people who immediately welcomed her into their community. As she prepares to leave her longtime post as executive director of the D.C. nonprofit, Wudel explains that Joseph’s House — a home for men and women with HIV and AIDS as well as cancer — has always been a place where residents, staff, and volunteers feel like family. She first came to know Joseph’s House in 1990 after a man named Ron, who attended the same Sunday morning church service she did at Christ House — a 24-hour medical facility in Adams Morgan for people experiencing homelessness — asked if she would like to meet his family. While Wudel thought Ron might take her down the street to a McDonald’s to meet his wife and children, she said he led her to a nearby house tucked away on the corner of Ontario Road and Lanier Place NW: Joseph’s House. Wudel said Ron ushered her inside where the smell of coffee, bacon, and eggs wafted toward them. The dining room was full of all different kinds of people — some of whom looked healthy and some of whom did not. She remembers seeing one man who was very skinny and in a wheelchair. Sitting next to him was a man who was feeding him in a way that did not “diminish” him and instead “honored” and “respected” him. “I sat down and I thought to myself, ‘Wow, I’ve been waiting to get to this table all my life,’” Wudel said in a recent interview. She still recalls what Ron told her after they ate breakfast with the group: “I don’t know if you know where you are, but this place is called Joseph’s House. It’s a home for men who are homeless and have AIDS and I live here.” “The way he said that, I fell in love with the mission of Joseph’s House forever because what was in his voice was pride and warmth and welcome and belonging,” Wudel said. She returned to Joseph’s House the very next day and started making frequent visits. Soon, a nurse who lived in the house asked

Wudel to move in and help her keep the community “knitted together.” In 1998 — about eight years after her arrival — Wudel became executive director. Later this month, she’ll leave the position to be with her mother in Canada. A large community gathering in early June celebrated her legacy at Joseph’s House with live music from the group Recovering Angels and food from vendors such as Swizzler, CapMac, and Ben & Jerry’s. Friends and family delivered farewell messages to Wudel and blessings to the incoming executive director — Kowshara Thomas, who has been a nurse at Joseph’s House.

Combating an epidemic Wudel started working at Joseph’s House near the height of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the District. She said she remembers it as a “tragic” and “terrifying” time, when medications were only just becoming available in the United States and people died quickly and “unpredictably.” Cases of HIV and AIDS were first documented in the United States in 1981, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Following its first documentation, the prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the United States continued to grow. In 2003, there were more than 1 million cases of HIV in the United States. Medications like AZT — the first drug approved for use to fight AIDS, having been originally developed in the 1960s to fight cancer — became available starting in 1987, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It was later discovered that treatment solely with AZT could lead some patients to quickly develop a resistance to the drug. As more medications were developed, it became the standard to use combinations of various medications. Ten years later, highly active antiretroviral therapy took AZT’s place as the new treatment standard and drastically reduced the number of AIDS-related deaths. Amid an ongoing search for a cure, efforts to improve health care surrounding HIV also continue, with the development of prevention medication for people at substantial risk

of HIV infection; the availability of faster and more reliable diagnosis and screening options; and approval of generic drugs that are more affordable. In 2017, there were 17,217 documented HIV cases in D.C., according to D.C. Appleseed’s “Ending the HIV Epidemic in DC: 2018 Progress Report,” with the number of new infections in the District down by more than 70 percent since 2005. Yet the report highlighted concern over who experienced this progress, noting disparities by age, race, sex, and gender. Wudel said there’s no question that medication has vastly improved the lives of people living with HIV. She added, however, that people who are experiencing homelessness and who have a limited income are not always able to obtain medication or stick to a medication schedule. Additionally, a person experiencing homelessness doesn’t have consistent access to “ordinary things that promote health, like nutritious food, clean sheets, and a place to rest,” she said. “It’s just a disease of poverty now,” she said. “People who are poor are worst hit by AIDS. People still come to Joseph’s House and still die of AIDS.” Aside from the cost of the medication, other factors can also impede proper treatment for people with HIV and AIDS who are experiencing homelessness or in danger of losing their homes. Health-related absences and discrimination, for instance, can put jobs in jeopardy. In all, about half of the people who are living with HIV in the United States are at risk of becoming homeless, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Despite the obstacles, Wudel said the staff at Joseph’s House is able to help most individuals with HIV become healthier so they can move out and live independently. “That’s a beautiful thing to see a person get their health and their life together,” she said. “It’s a beautiful thing to still know that person, who wants to stay connected, who wants to stay a part of this community.”

The door is always open Earl McMillan, a former resident of Joseph’s House who is HIV-positive, arrived about three years ago in grave condition. He said his experience there was “healing” and gave him a sense of community. “I was sick, knocking on death’s door,” McMillan said. “It’s a miracle to be alive.” Kurtis Lang Sr. said he arrived at Joseph’s House almost three years ago on crutches due to severe tendinitis. He said he had been living in a shelter until his physician connected him with the staff at Joseph’s House, who found him to be a “perfect candidate” for residency. “The smile that they had on my face lifted my spirits,” Lang said. “It was like an angel had come to the door and had saved me from what I was about to go through. Because I was headed for self-destruction.” Wudel was one of the first people he encountered at Joseph’s House, and Lang said

he will hate to see her leave. “She touched a lot of hearts,” he said. Lang said living at Joseph’s House “saved my life.” Inspired by his time there, Lang is working hard to stay healthy, noting that he currently has an undetectable viral load — the amount of the virus in his body is low enough that his immune system keeps him from getting sick, and there is effectively no risk of sexual transmission of the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He now visits Joseph’s House every day or every other day to share a meal and catch up with friends. Lang describes it as a place with a lot of love — and food that is “out of this world.” Robert Ramsey, another former resident of Joseph’s House who has HIV, also stops by Joseph’s House frequently to visit. “You’re always welcome,” Ramsey said. “It’s unconditional love.”

Kowshara Thomas, a nurse at Joseph’s House, will become the new executive director. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN

Spending several months at Joseph’s House gave Ramsey a “new life.” At one point during his stay, he had to be hospitalized after becoming extremely sick. When he woke up in the hospital, Wudel was at his bedside. “She’s been there for me when I needed her,” he said. “When she leaves here, it’s going to be like part of me is missing.” Ramsey said that after about 25 years of experiencing homelessness, he thanks God, Wudel, and the staff at Joseph’s House for the fact that he is now drug-free and has his own place to live. He said the best part of his time at Joseph’s House was being reunited with his family — including his seven children — after 18 years.

Welcoming a new leader As Kowshara Thomas undertakes the transition from nurse to executive director, Wudel said she’s leaving her “true love” — Joseph’s House — in good hands. It was her confidence in Thomas’s ability to keep things running smoothly that made Wudel comfortable with her need to depart.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

“[Kowshara] was such a capable nurse, such a compassionate teacher, such a healer by her spirit, and a natural born leader,” Wudel said. David Hilfiker, the founder of Joseph’s House, addressed Thomas during the June 15 celebration. Hilfiker said Thomas has “big shoes to fill” as she takes the reins. But he said he expects Thomas to bring her own vision for Joseph’s House to “create something new” as the group’s leader. Thomas said she feels fortunate to work at Joseph’s House and looks forward to the staff and residents of Joseph’s House continuing to work together as a community, providing quality care through hospitality and spiritual companionship. “As a leader we are always facing challenges. The biggest challenge is how to be a great leader,” Thomas said at the celebration. “I will embrace these challenges with no fear, because I know firsthand that the love we give is from the heart. It shows in our relationships; it shows in our community; it shows in our workplace.”

A legacy of service Scott Sanders, the deputy director of Joseph’s House, said Wudel built a community at Joseph’s House during her 29 years there that reflects what the world would look like if “love” and “radical hospitality” were at the center of everyday life. “Under Patty’s guiding light, hundreds of people found healing — some healing into life, and others healing into death,” he said. Board president William Burns said he has always been amazed by Wudel’s energy and her optimism, even amid great challenges. “While Patty can move from this neighborhood, she will never be absent from it,” Burns said. “Her spirit and all she has contributed for so long will remain as reminders of how we ought to continue to live each day, how we are to serve each new

to turn to foundation grants and individual donations to cover expenses, and they continue to push private fundraising efforts. That hasn’t diminished the focus on community-building. Heidi Mills, a volunteer who started in August 2018, said the volunteers at Joseph’s House are cared for just as much as the residents. “This place over a short amount of time has Community becomes family become a second family,” Mills said. “I’ve learned so much about myself, like what it Working at Joseph’s House is like joining a means to engage with people that I might not family, according to longtime volunteers. have ever interacted with.” Helen Tanay, a veteran of about 20 years, said Mills said activities like a daily communal she enjoys the companionship and community breakfast where residents and staff talk that is felt by residents and volunteers alike. about their days — as “Everyone does their well as community part,” she said. outings to places like the During her tenure, National Zoo each week Tanay said, Joseph’s — make Joseph’s House House has transitioned feel like home. from admitting only She plans on continuing men as residents to on at Joseph’s House for at admitting women as least the next year. Mills well. She added that said it will be important to Joseph’s House has also have staff members who moved toward providing are familiar with the house more respite care — and its procedures during planned or emergency this period of transition. medical assistance that Akanksha Nalatwad, is temporary — while William Burns Board President another volunteer who continuing to offer started in August 2018, hospice care for those at said she has assembled the end of their life. an “entire family” since moving to D.C. by Another change over the past decade has working at Joseph’s House. She noted the been the source of funding — about $1.4 plethora of photographs of former residents million in 2018, according to Guidestar. displayed throughout the house, saying the Joseph’s House received 75 percent of pictures — which depict those who died as its budget from government grants and well as those who were able to move into contributions until 2009. Following the their homes — help current staff and residents recession, government assistance for the remember and honor people who were like nonprofit shrunk to support about half of the their own family. organization’s expenses, which still held true “These pictures are a really great way in 2018. for us to remember all of the memories of As a result, the nonprofit’s leaders had resident, and how we are to welcome each person who finds their way to Joseph’s House for whatever reason draws them here.” Burns said the fact that so many volunteers return to Joseph’s House year after year is a testament to the impact that Wudel has had on the Joseph’s House community.

“While Patty can move from this neighborhood, she will never be absent from it.”

// 9

people who lived here — it’s a huge part of this house,” Nalatwad said.

Gratitude from the city The sense of community extends beyond those who live and work at Joseph’s House. Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau said she sees the Adams Morgan neighborhood as lucky to host a refuge where people who have nowhere else to go can find “love and healing.” Few places in D.C. provide the services available at Joseph’s House, making it an important resource, Nadeau said. At the celebration, she recalled Wudel’s warm welcome when Nadeau first became the Ward 1 representative. It included an invitation to share a meal at Joseph’s House, where she felt “enveloped” by love and warmth. “We are going to miss Patty tremendously,” Nadeau said in an interview. “It was a real turning point when she came on full-time and eventually became director, and everything about this place has Patty’s touch.” At the ceremony, Nadeau — who says she feels privileged to have Joseph’s House in her ward — presented Wudel with a farewell letter. “Thank you for your many years of providing care for our neighbors who had fallen on tough times,” the letter reads. “Your work helping others is an inspiration to many and your leadership has meant countless neighbors remain so connected and dedicated to Joseph’s House that they know it as their home.” For her part, Wudel said she hopes to see Joseph’s House nurture its spirit and remain a “real home” as well as a place to get quality care after she leaves. “I still can’t quite understand how I got to be so blessed — for every lesson, every moment, every heartbreak,” Wudel said. Co-published with the TheDCLine.org.

FAR LEFT: Patty Wudel at the celebration of her farewell after 21 years as executive director of Joseph’s House. ABOVE: The Recovering Angels, a gospel a cappella group, performed at the event. LEFT: Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau presented Patty Wudel with a letter thanking her for her commitment to the community. PHOTOS BY KEN MARTIN

1 0 // S T REET SENSE ME DI A / / JULY 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 019

OPINION

Humans or Trash? BY BRIAN CAROME

nlike some news outlets, at Street Sense Media we do not generally spend our limited capacity trying to verify or refute the many factually-disconnected statements that come out of the mouth of U.S. President Donald Trump. We did however take note of comments he recently made in an interview about the state of homelessness in and around Washington, D.C. In fact, we took note of his comments with a degree of alarm and horror because he was perhaps talking about some of our newsroom colleagues and others we care about and love. I first heard about the president’s interview from our colleagues at DCist, who reported on an interview the President did with Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson during the June 28-29 G20 Osaka summit – an annual gathering of world leaders on the topic of the economy. According to the DCist report, during that interview, President Trump referred to homelessness as “a phenomenon that started two-years ago.”

“You know, I had a situation when I first became president,” he said. “We had certain areas of Washington, D.C., where that was starting to happen, and I ended it very quickly. I said you can’t do that. When we have leaders of the world coming in to see the President of the United States and they’re riding down the highway, they can’t be looking at that. I really believe that it hurts our country. They can’t be looking at scenes like you see in Los Angeles and San Francisco.” I wanted to believe that the President was talking about litter, waste debris on the streets. We can all agree that we should be cleaning up the trash. Right? Unless of course you consider some human beings to be trash. That is a different case altogether. I realize this is a strong insinuation to be making about anyone, including the president. Again, from the DCist report: “It’s very different from our cities … they’ve got a major problem with filth,” Carlson said. Trump agreed, lamenting to Carlson that police officers in some cities get sick walking the streets, and that “the

The credit belongs to the community BY REGINALD BLACK

At the beginning of this month, while visiting another country, our president of the United States and Fox News talking head Tucker Carlson referred to people living on the street as “filth.” Trump went on to say homelessness became a problem in the District of Columbia when he got here two years ago, before rambling that he had done something to end homelessness. The District of Columbia is a place where the layman cannot afford housing. Communities have been battling social issues like homelessness since the 1980s, and it is wrong to think that an average of about 40 deaths a year due to homelessness — in D.C. alone — started a few weeks ago. On Thanksgiving Day in 1981, activists from the Community for Creative Nonviolence occupied Lafayette Park — calling it Reaganville — to draw attention to the growing plight of people experiencing homelessness across the country. Free markets aren’t inclusive. They are “free” to exclusively benefit the wealthy and capitalize on the most vulnerable. For some companies and people to have more than enough, others must go without. The homeless cannot influence the market; at most they are given the chance to complain on websites. As for the president’s claim that there were “certain areas of Washington, D.C. where that was starting to happen, and I ended it very quickly” -- no one can take credit for the community’s work. And homelessness is not yet ended in the nation’s capital. We counted 6,500 experiencing homelessness in one night this January. So that means we have a lot of work to do. Reginald Black is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media. He is also a consumer representative on the D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

people living there [are] living in hell, some of our colleagues are indeed filthy. too. Although some of them have mental Let me be honest, after a day of working problems where they don’t even know in my yard in the rain, I am filthy, too. they’re living that way. But none of us are filth. In fact, perhaps they I want to give the “When we have like living that way.” President the benefit of leaders of the world the doubt here. Perhaps Fact: homelessness in its current chronic form he was having a bad day coming in to see started decades ago. and misspoke. Perhaps Fact: in a January 2019 the President of the I am getting it wrong. If one-night count, census so, I urge him to clarify United States and takers counted 6,521 his statements from that people experiencing interview to assure us they’re riding down the that he believes in the homelessness in D.C. Fact: despite their highway, they can’t be inalienable dignity and housing condition, worth of every human persons who are homeless being whether or not looking at that.” are human. they are as well-housed At Street Sense Media, and cared for by the we have the privilege U.S. President Donald Trump taxpayers as he and his of working with and family. alongside persons of great strength, Brian Carome has served as executive director resiliency, leadership, and humanity. of Street Sense Media since 2011. He has Some of us are well-housed. Some of us worked at organizations committed to ending live outside or in other places not fit for homelessness since 1985, in D.C. and in human habitation. Like anyone who has Fairfax and Arlington Counties in Virginia. limited access to showers and bathrooms,

Trump has done nothing for homeless people BY AIDA PEERY

It is simply untrue that people are no longer living on the streets in D.C. like the president claimed in his July 1 interview with Tucker Carlson on Fox News. Where is Trump getting his information? Trump has done nothing for the local homeless community since he took office more than two years ago. He can’t take credit from the Obama administration, which crafted the country’s first comprehensive strategy for ending homelessness. Trump’s Hotel, which used to be the Old Post Office, had a lot of people that were homeless near the building. But, Trump didn’t

take care of the problem of homelessness around the building. What he did was to have police make sure that homeless people weren’t sleeping on nearby benches. Many of the people we are seeing on the street in D.C. are from other states. I met someone from Florida earlier this year! Isn’t that Trump’s favorite state to play golf and vacation in? One county there, southeast of Orlando, spent $5 million of taxpayer funds in 10 years to repeatedly jail 37 homeless individuals for offenses such as sleeping in public and panhandling. Some cities in Florida even outlaw giving food to homeless people! People come to D.C. for services not offered elsewhere and because we don’t criminalize daily life as badly as other places do. Trump could learn from us. But he hasn’t done anything for the homeless in Washington, D.C.. Aida Peery is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media. Her opinion writing was recognized with the Best Commentary and Criticism for a Weekly Newspaper award by the D.C. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Street Sense readers: What do you think of the president’s remarks? Let us know -- email submissions to opinion@streetsensemedia.org -- and we’ll consider running your response in the next edition of the Street Sense Media newspaper. —The Opinion Editors

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

/ / 11

The cure for homelessness is a home BY AMANDA MISIKO ANDERE AND NAN ROMAN

This commentary was first published by TheDCLine.org.

n recent months, cities across the country have shared results of their annual homeless census, a one-day snapshot of residents experiencing homelessness that captures trends, guides strategic planning efforts and informs federal funding decisions. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, for instance, revealed a 13.7 percent reduction in chronic homelessness for single adults in D.C. since 2015. Behind this promising statistic is a highly effective approach called “Housing First,” first introduced in the District 15 years ago by Pathways to Housing D.C. The revolutionary model is based on a surprisingly simple premise: The cure for homelessness is a home. Communities throughout the region and around the country have enthusiastically embraced this bold model, which permanently ends homelessness for nine out of 10 people — in contrast to a 45 percent success rate for programs that require individuals to be sober and take psychiatric medications prior to receiving housing. Housing First is the rare example of a program that has enjoyed strong bipartisan support. Not only is it effective, but it also saves taxpayer money that would otherwise be spent on shelters, emergency rooms and the criminal justice system. Private philanthropy is eager to invest in proven solutions to end homelessness, and Housing First is a model that

funders continue to support time and time again because of its effectiveness and its ability to stop the cycle of homelessness. Despite clear evidence that Housing First works, the model has come under attack in recent months for being a “one-sizefits-all” approach. Nothing could be further from the truth. At its core, Housing First demands that we embrace customized person-centered solutions that meet each individual’s unique needs. Just as no two people experience chronic homelessness in the same way, no two people will exit homelessness on the same path. Some may experience mental health challenges; others may deal with addiction, or frankly may just need an affordable place to live. Once placed in a home, some may go back to school or re-enter the workforce. While every person’s journey is different, the one thing they have in common is that each first receives the stability of housing; then, working with a team of trained professionals, they begin to address their underlying issues to help them integrate back into the community. We’re thinking of District resident Waldon Adams, one of countless veterans who have benefited from Housing First over the past three decades. (Housing First has actually reduced veteran homelessness by nearly 50 percent.) Waldon was homeless for 30 years, spending nights hiding out in laundry rooms, hospital waiting areas and bus terminals. He’d stay awake for days at a time – afraid that a rat would bite him or someone would beat him up. They did anyway. He had rocks thrown at him and his jaw broken. He was in and out of psychiatric wards, nursing homes, and day programs for people with HIV.

Outside, inside another territory BY ANGIE WHITEHURST

Taxation without representation. Opulence amid abject poverty. No, I’m not talking about D.C. but rather Puerto Rico. However, it all sounds so familiar. The issues of housing, food and basic survival are dire in both. We’re trying to survive beyond poverty and lack of empathy in our two societies. Our issues are the same. The lack of care or urgency is the same. We’re all trying to move forward and make things better without success. We’re surrounded by listening yet uncaring ears with no action. Last month, I met two powerful women who sponsored a discussion at The Phillips Collection focused on these issues. These “AMIGAS, ” a global women’s group by Friends of Puerto Rico, came together to talk about what is being done, what still needs to be done, and solutions to help Puerto Rico in the aftermath and devastation of the last hurricane. They said they had asked for help from our government and didn’t get it. They know help is not coming. Yet the empty promises, the budget restraints, the pretty painted press releases, the tweets, the low-priority news coverage, and the skewed data has not crushed their spirit. If anything, it has given them the ardor and inspiration to do what they can, alone if necessary. That night, we talked about philanthropy and how to build a future

Angie Whitehurst stands with the Turner Elementary school students’ art about going to The Phillips Collection. COURTESY OF ANGIE WHITEHURST

in the recovery of the island. They’re not waiting for a law to change. They’re not waiting for government to change. They’re not going to sit and talk about it. These dynamic women are leading the way, from the community and in partnership with the private sector, on their own steam. This strength comes from a long tradition of being ignored, despite being a part of this country. Like the Virgin Islands, like Haiti, like Barbuda, this island community has long been left to erode. There are thousands of U.S. citizens that have not been able to repair their homes yet in Puerto Rico. They are still homeless and being sheltered with family and friends as they try to rebuild their infrastructures.

Ten years ago, Waldon was offered Housing First. On his first day in the apartment, he was still using drugs. Much to his surprise, when he woke up the next day, no one came to evict him. That’s a marked change from past protocols: “If they even suspected you of using, you’d be evicted,” he says. Today, Waldon is sober, continues to see the therapist he has been visiting for a decade, and pays his bills just like his neighbors do. Five years ago, Pathways to Housing offered him a job as a street outreach worker, using his lived experience to connect other homeless people to services. Simply put, he says, “Housing First saved my life.” Organizations faithful to the Housing First model have successfully ended homelessness for clients with the highest needs. Organizations fail when they provide housing only and don’t offer services that prevent a return to homelessness. Our task as a nation is to ensure that all organizations do both and are well-funded. Not long ago, Waldon and people in similar situations had little hope of living independently or having a job. Today, thanks to the leadership of government officials, service providers, community advocates, the business community and private funders, ending chronic homelessness is within our grasp. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it should be that Housing First makes that possible. Amanda Misiko Andere is CEO of Funders Together to End Homelessness. Nan Roman is president and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

The grassroots people and organizations and socially responsible corporations are the ones that persist to push the buttons that bring change, sometimes. As I listened to the panel, it sounded just like our flight to end homelessness, poverty, and joblessness here in Washington, D.C., and improve viable education with jobs readiness. This is clearly a worldwide issue Angelique Sina, president of the Friends of Puerto Rico and a commissioner for the Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs, and Izmira Santiago-Mikel, an associate program officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, went one-on-one in dialogue on philanthropy and the not-for-profit community. Their call is for the communities, churches and organizations to work together and as, Santiago-Mikel said. The institutions — not just the students, parents and communities — must take a social responsibility to assist and endure the development and training of our youth. Does this conversation not sound familiar in many other places around the world trying to close the gap of human hardships without political clout? The shame is that we are not unique. The good point is that through open conversation, we can share , experiences and information to make change. Everyone in attendance was invited to view the Phillips exhibit The Warmth of Other Suns: Stories of Global Displacement.” Also on display was the artwork of students from Turner Elementary School. The students

looked at the style of local African American artist Sam Gilliam and in turn they produced a college map of their visit from Anacostia across the bridge to the Phillips, near Dupont circle. With this art, the AMIGAS wanted to remind all of us to work together and make our way to a better society through education, business, and opportunity. As you know, poverty, lack of 100 percent health care, housing, lack of enough power, and the brain drain of the islands migration to Miami, New York, et al. needs all the exposure to stimulate and move people to help. And we need to do the same thing here in the District of Columbia. What we are given to help our sisters and brothers is not enough. It does not alleviate the pain. We have to band together to create and rebuild our own community. One penny at a time, one hand at a time, with any of those who have enough decency and social responsibility to help. Congress isn’t going to give us our budget money. The mayor is only going to give us but so much. Every year I rally with The Way Home Campaign for more money in our budget to end homelessness. In recent years, we have gotten millions. But it is never enough. We need to figure out how to end homelessness, how to provide housing and health care as human rights, and how to help empower people to thrive and be productive above day-to-day survival. Angie Whitehurst is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

1 2 // S T REET SENSE ME DI A / / JULY 1 0 - 2 3 , 2 019

ART

Treading the Waters, Pt. 18 BY GERALD ANDERSON // Artist/Vendor

When we were last with Gerald in his hometown of New Orleans, he was trying to keep track of his crew, including his best friend, Greg, as they got by in prison... Greg was on A2. Our jail go by alphabetical — A2, B2, B3. A2 was a dangerous floor. It’s crazy, the system, how it be ran. I don’t care who you are, how you built — somebody gonna come at you. They ain’t gonna come at you like "Blam!" They gonna play games with you. Some of them might feed you. Some of them might tell you, “Sit down…” You don’t ever want to sit on no other man’s bed. Now, you my man? We cool, we don’t look at it. But you can’t just go in that penitentiary and sit on nobody’s bed. They got some funny jokers play mind games with you in there. The s*** is not a joke, but when I look back at the time of being into

this life... It’s why I love the hustle of the game. Bum was locked up too. Bum was fighting an armed robbery charge. I heard him and Greg was beefing. Which mean they was going at each other. Greg, Mazio Davis — they all in the same penitentiary, but they not hooked together. The penitentiary is 25,000 acres. So you can be in the prison, it don’t mean I’m gonna see you. That’s how big the prison was. But I can see you at the saw mill. It ain’t like we gonna bump up in the hospital. But I know you there. There’s ten of us there, but we don’t see each other. Nobody. Might catch one of ‘em. Except the rat… You gonna make sure you separate the rat. He gonna have problems in the penitentiary. Because the news don’t lie. To be continued. Gerald’s ﬁrst book, “Still Standing: how an ex-con found salvation in the ﬂoodwaters of Katrina,” is available on Amazon.com

Mac & Jenny: The Quiet Room BY IBN HIPPS Artist/Vendor

PREVIOUSLY: After learning that his son had gotten in trouble for ﬁghting at school again, Mr. Johnson forced Mac to box up all his electronics and remove them from his room. Mac feels like he’s going nowhere, like his parents are trying to actually help with the problems he’s going through. They had just set down to eat... During dinner, Mac’s father drilled him about how important education is. Mr. Johnson: ….Every battle isn’t won by violence. Not listening closely, Mac looks at his plate. He’d devoured the homemade macaroni and cheese, collard greens and fried chicken it used to hold. Mac: Thank you for dinner, mom. Mrs. Johnson: You are welcome son. Now, back to your room.

Mac leaves the dinner table but stops and turns after taking a few steps toward the stairs. Mac: Mom, Dad, I am sorry. Mr. Johnson: You are not sorry, son. That’s what you don’t understand. You are not a sorry child. Not my son, Boy! Go to your room. I’ll be there to talk to you later Mac: Yes, sir. Mac sits in his room, feeling like the children at school hate him and he is misunderstood by his parents. Looking around his room, all he sees are his books and all he hears is silence. “Damn I can’t even play Monster War Zone or Zombie Apocalypse,” he thinks to himself. Mr. Johnson heads up the stairs and knocks on Mac’s door. To be continued in part 3, “Father 2 Son.”

Income Poop BY JAMES DAVIS Artist/Vendor

HE wants to change the formula To determine the poverty level. HE wants to end the SNAP Program; that's just like that devil. Unemployment for African Americans “has never been this low.” Super! Not taking into account They’re now drivers for Uber. Waiting on the Federal Reserve to crunch the good numbers While income equality for women still slumbers. The rich keep getting richer And the poor keep getting poorer While HE wants to build golf courses in Bora Bora. Illegal aliens removed by the millions using ICE. Let’s start Impeachment Proceedings: ‘roll the dice!” How much lower will HE stoop? It’s all income-poop By a nincompoop! Illustrations by Reginald Black and Ibn Hipps, Artists/Vendors

Thanks for supporting me, now let's support democracy BY MICHAEL WARNER // Artist/Vendor

Thank you for being a part of my quest to help communities get out the vote. To get what we want and need from government, we must be organized and purposeful. So, please register more people and then get them out to vote. My public interest work over the past several years has included time working at Planned Parenthood, the Kentucky Democratic Party, the Virginia Democratic Party, and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. I also organized similar campaigns in Wisconsin and New Hampshire. I look forward to my next step in this exciting time leading up to the 2020 election. I also want to thank Surburban Hospital for inviting me to their summer picnic last month. At the picnic I met many wonderful people and helped serve elderly members of our community.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

Georgia-based digital artist Davian Chester created this graphic on June 19, 2019. “So I noticed @google didn’t create a doodle for Juneteenth. SO I decided to help out,” he wrote when posting it on his Instagram account: @real_toons. Juneteenth commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery. One week later, Google offered Chester a job. ILLUSTRATION USED WITH PERMISSION

Who pays the price? BY REGINALD BLACK // Artist/Vendor

July Fourth, what for? What about Juneteenth? The freedom a race. What does that mean to the mass? Who pays the price for the infestations, the mice? Getting shuttled around from complex to complex Public housing in disrepair $2.2 billion. Who pays the price for the infestations, the mice? A place to live, grow under plans of redevelopment. We shall rise. Who pays the price for the infestations, the mice? Confined to high-rise, mixed-use buildings Yet the poor peoples in they feelings back door dealings hidden driveways and weapons. Who pays the price for the infestations, the mice? Once redlined now make over $40,000 or get to steppin’ reppin’ our standards for fair housing while the costs keep rising. Who pays the price for the infestations, the mice? Why are we compromising health for someone else's wealth? Fund the repairs, or else. Who pays the price for the infestations, the mice?

// 13

Such a mighty Fourth of July BY ROBERT WARREN // Artist/Vendor

Thunder clouds rumble as I look over yonder to a clear blue sky. The biggest raindrops I've ever seen falling from that July sky. And I wonder why the tanks rolled this recent Fourth of July. Another one of those wannabe dictators trying to show might another mighty mighty mighty lie. Black folks were slaves, once upon a time, on the Fourth of July.

I remember those days gone by, back in '68, when they tried to murder the dream. At seven years old, the ﬁrst time I'd seen my mother cry. Army tanks and the white man; I wondered why. Tanks and airplanes and helicopters ﬂying by, on the Mall, on the Fourth of July. A military parade and the dictator. "America the Great." What else is there to celebrate?

CODE RED, PT 2: Hotter BY RON DUDLEY, A.K.A. “POOKANU” // Artist/Vendor

Code red! It's hotter than the Fourth of July Code red! I seen the fireworks burn in the sky Code red! I seen the monument melt like a candle Code red! Even my door knob was too hot to handle Code red! They say the rivers are turning to lava Code red! The weather man said we won't see tommara’ Code red! I still can't believe what I saw Code red! it's too hot to be breaking the law Code red!

Yes, Trump has made America great, in the worst kind of way. That's what some people say. I always wonder, who are they? A Black man like me, what do I see? A Black woman who knows Amoroso is not a dog.

No Mexicans or Puerto Ricans to be seen anywhere. The U.S. Army has taken control of the Senate and the People's House. Secret police within the CIA and the FBI. And all our "leaders" follow Trump's right-out lies. Wow.

How long ago was it? In '68, D.C. was a police state. Can you imagine, fully, armed police everywhere? Black men walking in a straight line with their hands in the air?

Tanks, on the Mall, this past Fourth of July. Photo credit: “D.C. riot scenes - aftermath.” By Marion S. Trikosko on April 8, 1968 for U.S. News & World Report. Courtesy of the Library of Congress.

than the Fourth of July

I seen a fire truck burn like a leaf Code red! They suffocated and it was too hot to grieve Code red! Even the dogs and cats are dying Code red! It’s so hot that they’re deep frying Code red! The Titanic didn't sink, it burned Code red! But it don't matter, it's too hot to learn Code red! While I'm writing, my hands are on fire Code red! Stop talking, ‘cause you’s a liar Code red! Even the truth will burn today Code red!

Even the truth will burn away Code red! it don't matter when it's a thousand degrees Code red! The forest fires just killed thousands of trees Code red! The oceans just evaporated Code red! Most of my city is decapitated Code red! It's hotter than the Fourth of July Code red! I even seen the devil burn in the sky Code red! Now Jupiter and Mars is turning Code red! As the universe, and world, keeps BURNING.

1 4 // ST REET SEN S E ME DI A / / JULY 1 0 - 2 3 , 2019

FUN & GAMES

Sudoku #4 7

Tough Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 1, Book 1

9 1

Holding On

scratch area

SUDOKU: Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1-9.

LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION >>

Sudoku #3 2 4 8 3 3 6 1 5 7 9 5 2 8 7 4 1 6 1 9 4 5 3 2 8 4 5 3 7 1 2 6 9 9 8 7 6 Sudoku #5 2 1 5 4 9 8 6 3 4 3 7 1 6 2 3 9 8 5 9 7 1 7 4 6 5 6 2 8 3 4 8 5 7 9 1 2 Sudoku #7 1 5 7 3 8 2 4 6 6 3 9 8 4 6 1 9 9 8 5 7 2 7 3 1 3 4 2 5 7 1 8 2 5 9 6 4

6 9 1 4 7 9 8 1 3 9 5 2 3 2 7 7 6 4 2 8 6 5 4 8 1 3 5

9 8 7 7 2 1 6 5 9 8 4 5 2 1 4 5 3 2 4 9 3 1 7 6 3 6 8

9 7 4 8 2 5 1 6 3

2 8 5 1 1 5 3 7 4 6 6 4 8 9 9 3 7 2

5 7 2 8 6 4 3 6 8 5 9 1 1 9 7 4

You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think. -- Dorothy Parker

3 1 Answers2 5 4 5 Sudoku 3 #1 9 4 8 5 1 2 7 2 2 344 1 5 5 8 1 6 2 9 3 4 1 9 7 83 59 2 6 8 6 4 5 8 4 1 19 2 7 5 1 6 3 9 3 6 1 8 4 7 2 7 4 8 3 7 9 9 1 7 2 4 639 8 5

Tough Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 1, Book 1

Sybil Taylor (center), Sudoku #2 her father (top8 2 9 1 3 6 5 7 4 center), their family, a U.S. Army 1 7 5 8 9 4 2 6 3 and teddy bear received by her father. 6 3 4 5 2 7 8 1 9 COLLAGE BY SYBIL TAYLOR 5 9 1 3 7 8 6 4 2 2 6 3 4 5 1 7 9 8 BY SYBIL TAYLOR 4 8 //7 Artist/Vendor 2 6 9 1 3 5 3 birthday 9 Fourth 4 We’ll 8 7visit you at the cemetery 5 6 and 1 2 Happy heavenly of July! on July 22 when We’re still sorry you left 9 you 1 were 8 born. 7 4What 3 joy! 5 great 2 6 us on February 20, 2015 before you made it to your 77th birthday. 7 4 2 6 8 3 9 5 1

Happy Birthday, Dad!

The family still celebrates every year for you, Dad, with great honor, love, and joy from us to you. We hope you are enjoying yourself with our other loved ones and your angel friends in Heaven. I imagine the Sudoku #4 biggest bow ribbons in lovely gold and silver, sparkling balloons, gift 2 6and7 the3biggest 5 9cake1 with 8 ice 4 cream like you loved. boxes of all colors, I can still see your smile. You were the best 5 9 8 7 4 1 2 6 3 dad. I miss the many little things that made up that man you were: how you worked in the 3 1 4 6 2 8 7 5 9 garden and always cooked everything homemade and tasty. Your bread 9 4were 8 favorite. 1 how 7 you would drift off 5 my 3 2 6 and butter pickles I miss and fall asleep1in 8 your2favorite 9 7 recliner. 6 4 3 5 And I love that mom was always there for you when you were sick, 6 7 3 5 1 4 8 9 2 making sure you had a healthy diet, kept your sugar up, and took the meds 7 2 out, 9 always 8 3 4 1 there. She took care of for your diabetes. If5you6passed she was you the same way 8 you 3 took 1 4care9of us7 when 5 she 2 got 6 sick, with special love. Dad, you are treasured and honored above for your strong love and 4 2 9 1 6 5 3 7 8 care. One day, we all will be reunited again and have much to share.

9 5

Sudoku #6 3 2 9 4 8 5 7 9 1 6 4 8 9 1 8 5 2 3 5 1 7 4 6 2 4 9 3 7 6 8 1 3 5 7 2 6

4 6 3 9 7 2 2 5 1 3 9 8 6 7 5 4 8 1

Sudoku #8 6 2 3 7 4 5 7 1 1 9 8 4 5 3 1 8 2 8 9 6 7 6 4 3 9 1 5 2 3 4 6 5 8 7 2 9

6 5 8 7 3 9 1 2 4

4 2 1 6 8 7

BY REGINALD DENNY Artist/Vendor

5 7 8 6 1 4 3 2 5 7 3 2 4 6 7 9 8 1 1 5 6 2 4 9 8 9 3

6 2 3 7 9 6 4 9 8 3 5 8 2 5 7 4 1

9 1 6 3 5 7 7 9 1 4 2 8 3 6 8 2 4 5

3 6 2 4 2 6 7 5 3 9 1 5 8 4 7 1 7 9 6 3 1

Feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders and I’m about to break. When it seems like there’s no way out and the road ahead is blocked by all this past failure and uncertainty before me, which path will I take? Life for me has been with a great amount of devastation and destruction at times knocked me off my square. Now it’s time for reconstruction; starting over; to begin again. This needs to take place. I plan to be successful and remove myself from this rat race. There’s nowhere to hide. Heard it said, ‘the battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s.’ But while you are on this roller coaster ride, that’s the last think you believe because of what you feel. I recognize now in my life I need to change lanes and get some type of relief. I heard it said, ‘you yet holding on’? Then keep on keeping on!!!” Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Don’t you worry. With God you’re in real good hands.

Author Gene Weingarten is a college dropout and a nationally syndicated humor columnist for The Washington Post. Author Dan Weingarten is a former college dropout and a current college student majoring in information technology. Many thanks to Gene Weingarten and The Washington Post Writers Group for allowing Street Sense to run Barney & Clyde.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

COMMUNITY SERVICES

SHELTER HOTLINE Línea directa de alojamiento

(202) 399-7093

YOUTH HOTLINE Línea de juventud

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE Línea directa de violencia doméstica

(202) 547-7777

Education Educación

Health Care Seguro

Clothing Ropa

Legal Assistance Assistencia Legal

Case Management Coordinación de Servicios

Food Comida

Employment Assistance Assitencia con Empleo

Transportation Transportación

Showers Duchas

All services listed are referral-free Academy of Hope Public Charter School 202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Place NE aohdc.org

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW ID (Friday 9am–12pm only) foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 2114 14th St., NW marthastable.org

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

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

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

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

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

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento

1-800-799-7233

Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento

1-888-793-4357 Laundry Lavandería

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Unity Health Care // 202-745-4300 3020 14th St., NW unityhealthcare.org

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

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

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

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

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

// 15

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

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

HELP! WE’RE LOOKING FOR

volunteers Become a Street Sense Media volunteer and help further our mission to empower people experiencing homelessness. Get to know the vendors and make a difference in their lives and yours! You’ll support our hard-working vendors by volunteering your time, four hours a week, distributing newspapers at the Street Sense Media office. If interested, please contact Gladys Robert gladys@streetsensemedia.org 202-347-2006 (x10)

Meet some of DC’s cutest kids! BY ERIC FALQUERO ericf@streetsensemedia.org

too do we know that homelessness and poverty do not define a person, a family, or a child’s cuteness. There is no clearer way to see this than to read these mother’s answers to Washingtonian’s question below. Special thanks to Samaritan Inns and House of Ruth for helping us connect with them. Washingtonian received 444 entries for the contest, according to a staff member. They were finalizing the donation for Children’s National when Street Sense went to press and unable to comment on the amount of money raised. The Judge’s Pick and People’s Choice awards for the contest are expected to be announced Friday, July 12. Both will be printed in an upcoming issue of the magazine.

Leah Potter contributed to this project leah.potter@streetsensemedia.org

M’Ryha

Photography by Rodney Choice www.choicephotography.com

“Just look at him! I think he’s the cutest because he has a nice little sense of humor. He wakes up in the morning and gives mommy kisses and hugs. He’s really protective of mommy – I think that’s just so adorable. He’s the baby of four kids. He’s my little miracle child because I didn’t find out I was pregnant until I was 6-months. When he was literally moving in my stomach, that’s when I found out I was pregnant.”

“She’s very bright, she has bright eyes, she’s very smart, she’s unique, she’s photogenic, she likes to have fun, she has a great personality – she’s just perfect. She is just everything, she is life.”

“M’Ryha is the perfect child inside and out. She has an adventurous spirit and bright personality that lights up any room or environment. She’s extremely loving and affectionate, always showering me with hugs and kisses. She can be caught singing and dancing in her own lil world. M’Ryha is my best friend and has brought so much joy and peace into my life. She’s truly everything and the best daughter in the world.”

Thank you for reading Street Sense! From your vendor

Wynter’Rose

JULY 10 - 23, 2019 | VOLUME 16 ISSUE 18

WWW.INSP.NGO

Demarco

ashingtonian magazine recently solicited entries from residents of the D.C. Metro Area for its annual Cutest Baby contest for children ages 0 to 3. The contest — a fundraiser to benefit Children’s National Health System — promised two winners, one determined by a panel of judges and one People’s Choice Award determined by online voting from the public. Street Sense Media covered the entry fee and provided a photographer for four formerly homeless mothers to enter their children. (One family we worked with did not want their experience with homelessness publicized here) The children in these families’ circumstances are as beautiful as any other baby. The nomination form asked only one thing: “Tell us why your baby is the cutest!” And at Street Sense Media, in the same way we know talent and creativity are distributed equally without regard to income or housing status, so

5.5 million READERS

9,000 VENDORS

100+

STREET PAPERS

COUNTRIES

LANGUAGES