09 14 2011 by Street Sense Media

donation $1 suggested

Volume 8: Issue 22 September 14 - 27, 2011

Street

sense

Read more and get involved at www.streetsense.org | The D.C. Metro Area Street Newspaper | Please buy from badged vendors

Conquering Grief with Service millions of Americans turn out to volunteer to help others pgs 6-7

Bike & count Buildâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cro s ry home plan to e s n le to D.C ssness ro d utes . pgs 8 -9

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.

SOME and Sarah’s Circle provide affordable senior housing in the District

DC Superior Court reaches out to help residents clear their records

6-7

FROM SORROW TO SERVICE: many choose to volunteer service in honor of the September 11th victims

8-9

Bike & Build: a unique movement to end homelessness

12 13

SHAW ON SPORTS debuts on our Comics & Games page! Don’t miss the end of Stacy from Malibu, by Ivory Wilson

HUGE thanks to a group of American University students for making us part of their first week of school

Cover HandsOn Greater DC Cares volunteers help prepare food at Martha’s Table. PHOTO COURTESY OF HANDSon GREATER DC CARES

A new issue comes out every two weeks, but you can stay connected to Street Sense every day! /streetsense @streetsensedc /streetsensedc

ADDRESS 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 PHONE (202) 347 - 2006 FAX (202) 347 - 2166 E-MAIL info@streetsense.org WEB streetsense.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lisa Estrada, Ted Henson, Brad Scriber, Michael Stoops, Manas Mohapatra, Sommer Mathis, Kristal Dekleer, Robin Heller, Jeffery McNeil, Yebegashet Alemayehn EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laura Thompson Osuri EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mary Otto MANAGING EDITOR Eric Falquero VENDOR AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER Allen Hoorn INTERNS Mary Clare Fischer, Sarah Hogue, Nicole M. Jones, Randy Meza, Hannah Morgan, Anna Katherine Thomas, Hannah Traverse VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Rhonda Brown, Jane Cave, Margaret Chapman, Tracie Ching, James Clarke, Nikki Conyers, Bobby Corrigan, Irene Costigan, Sara Dimmitt, Joe Duffy, Lilly Dymond, Ashley Edwards, Garrett Epps, Rachel Estabrook, Sarah Ficenec, Andrew Gena, Steve Gilberg, Jane Goforth, Jonah Goodman, Roberta Haber, Cherilyn Hansen, Elia Herman, Melissa Hough, Adam Kampe, Trisha Knisely, Vicki Ann Lancaster, Elle Leech-Black, Lisa Leona, Sean Lishansky, Elsie Oldaker, Katinka Podmaniczky, Mike Plunkett, Willie Schatz, Kate Sheppard, Jesse Smith, Lilly Smith, Kelly Stellrecht, Mandy Toomey, Brett Topping, Marian Wiseman VENDORS Michael Anderson, Charles Armstrong, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Kenneth Belkosky, Tommy Bennett, Reginald Black, Deana Black, Harmon Bracey, Debora Brantley, Andre Brinson, Floarea Caldaras, Conrad Cheek, Theresa Corbino, Avram Cornel, Anthony Crawford, Kwayera Dakari, Louise Davenport, James Davis, Charles Davis, Devon Dawkins, Michael Dawson, Chino Dean, Daivd Denny, Richardo Dickerson, Alvin Dixon El, Charles Eatmon, Richard Emden, Pieus Ennels, Betty Everett, Joshua Faison, Larry Garner, R. George, David Ger, Marcus Green, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, Lorrie Hayes, Patricia Henry, Shakaye Henry, Derian Hickman, Vennie Hill, Anne Holloway, Phillip Howard, James Hughes, Patricia Jefferson, Carlton Johnson, Donald Johnson, Mark Jones, Evanson Kamau, Mike Leach, Michael Lyons, Johnnie Malloy, Kina Mathis, John C. Matthews, Authertimer Matthews, Charlie Mayfield, Robert McGray, Marvin McFadden, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffrey McNeil, Kenneth Middleton, Gary Minter, L. Morrow, Jai Morton, Saleem Muhammad, Tyrone Murray, Darryl Neal, Charles Nelson, James Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Evelyn Nnam, Moyo Onibuje, Douglas Pangburn, Franklin Payne, Michael Pennycook, Ash-Shaheed Rabbil, Michael Reardon, Chris Shaw, Veda Simpson, J. Simpson, Patty Smith, Gwynette Smith, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, Leroy Sturdevant, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Paul Taylor, Archie Thomas, Larissa Thompson, Carl Turner, Jacqueline Turner, Joseph Walker, Martin Walker, Robert Warren, Terry Warren, Lawless Watson, Paul Watson, Wendell Williams, Edna Williams, Sherle Williams, Susan Wilshusen, Ivory Wilson, Mark Wolf, Charles Woods, Tina Wright

Provides office supplies for one month.

STREET SENSE September 14 - 27, 2011

NEWS

Monsoon Season leaves 100,000 homeless in India At least 16 are dead and nearly 100,000 people are homeless after severe flooding and heavy rains in eastern India. Rain plagued the coastal and western part of Orissa state for 10 days at the beginning of September. Some 2,800 villages are affected. The government has yet to assess the damage to crops and property. The Indian government has established about 180 relief camps, and helicopters are dropping packages of food and water to stranded villages. (Taken from the Associated Press)

Homeless Man killed by fire extinguisher in Chicago Richard Gibbons, a 60-year-old homeless man from the Chicago area, died on Sept. 4 after suffering in the hospital for nearly a month with abdominal injuries caused by a hit from a fire extinguisher. On August 11, Gibbons was sleeping next to a parking garage in Elgin, Illinois. At around 1:40 a.m. Gibbons was startled by the sound of laughter from

the top of the garage and exchanged words with those who woke him. One of those in the garage reacted by throwing a 2 1/2-foot-tall metal fire extinguisher at Gibbons from five stories up. On Sept. 7, Elgin police announced that 23-year-old Yancarlo Garcia had been charged with first-degree murder. Garcia was in the garage with several people at the time of the attack and is said to be the one who threw the fire extinguisher. Elgin Police Chief Jeff Swoboda called Garcia’s action “a senseless crime against a defenseless man.” (Taken from the Chicago Sun-Times)

Homeless man charged with vandalizing church statues Michael Taylor, 30, was charged on Sept. 12 with second degree criminal mischief for vandalizing statues outside a church in his hometown of Cheektowaga, NY. Taylor, who has been homeless for the past several months, spent the last few weeks living near the St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church. He was reading aloud from a Bible when approached by police for his potential involvement in the crime.

Notes found at the scene of the crime about the wrongs of worshiping false idols matched notes in Taylor’s possession. Taylor admitted to causing the vandalism and showed police the hammer he used to chisel the faces from the church’s statues. Taylor caused about $21,000 worth of damage. (Taken from BuffaloNews.com)

COMPILED BY HANNAH TRAVERSE FROM PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED REPORTS

Homeless World Cup changes lives in Paris The 9th annual Homeless World Cup, held in Paris from August 21 – August 28, was not just a chance for players to have fun and exhibit their skills – it was a chance for many of them to get their lives on track. Most participants in the Cup are either homeless or experienced homelessness in the last year. Other players qualify if their main income comes from selling a street newspaper, or if they experienced homelessness in the previous two years and are in rehab for substance abuse. Many players have troubled pasts. Involvement in soccer brings structure to their lives. Donning the jersey for their country’s team helps many players prove to their families and friends how far they have come.

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 with the idea to start a street paper in Washington, D.C. They saw it as a means of empowering the area’s poor and homeless and decided the paper would cover homelessness and other social issues. After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers, Street Sense published its first issue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies. About a dozen vendors sold the first issue of the paper. For the next three years, it was

YOUR DOLLAR

published monthly as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless. In October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space. In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)3 status, becoming a nonprofit organization. In October 2005, Street Sense formed a full board of directors, and in November, the organization hired its first employee, a full-time executive director. A year later, Street Sense hired its first vendor coordinator and began partnering with several service providers. In February 2007, the paper increased the frequency of publication to twice a month.

65%

Each vendor makes a personal investment in Street Sense, by purchasing is- Directly sues at a rate of 35 cents per copy. This aids the money helps cover our production and vendor printing costs for the paper, while still allowing the vendors to sell the paper at a low price and substantial profit.

Players get a chance to talk with other homeless individuals from around the world. It is an eye-opening experience for homeless people from the developed world to see how homeless people from less prosperous countries live. (Taken from Homeless Street News Service – article by Danielle Batist)

read more at www.StreetNewsService.org

Vendor Code of Conduct

In order to support the increased production, Street Sense brought on its first full-time editor-in-chief in April. Today, Street Sense has four professionals, more than 100 active vendors and nearly 30,000 copies in circulation each month. The newspaper has become a major source of news for Washingtonians, providing content on issues which often go uncovered by the mainstream media. Street Sense is a member of the National Association of Street Newspapers (NASNA).

35% Supports costs

1. I agree not to ask for more than $1 or to solicit donations for Street Sense by other means. 2. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense staff and will not sell papers to other vendors (outside of the office volunteers). 3. I agree to treat others respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten or pressure customers. 4. I agree to stay off private property when selling Street Sense. 5. I understand that I am not a legal employee of Street Sense but a contracted worker responsible for my own well–being and income. 6. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling Street Sense. 7. I will not sell Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 8. I will stay a block away from another vendor. 9. I understand that my badge is the property of Street Sense and will not deface it. I will display my badge and wear my vest when selling papers. 10. 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.

Looking for answers for the aging poor By Mary Otto Editor-in-chief The Kuehner House singers were in fine voice for their debut performance, belting out “Lord, I just want to thank you!”. Then, a few speeches and a prayer made it official. A bright new haven for the poor and elderly was opened in Anacostia. Kuehner House, a once-derelict apartment building on Good Hope Road SE stands ready to house 48 homeless and low-income seniors. Six of the neat, fully-furnished units will be dedicated to abandoned and abused elders. The project, which was dedicated Sept 7, is the latest phase in an initiative led by the interfaith nonprofit known as SOME, for So Others Might Eat, to develop 1,000 new units of affordable housing in the District.

By: Nicole Jones Editorial Intern When walking in Adams Morgan, it is hard to imagine such a lively neighborhood provides affordable housing for low-income senior citizens. Sarah’s Circle is not a typical senior citizen community: residents consider it their energy and their escape. On Sept. 10, Sarah’s Circle held an open house to show the Metropolitan area to how the organization combines affordable housing options with social activities and health promotion. “This is not just an apartment building…it is designed to enhance the standard senior community, help you feel like you belong,” said Raymond Mosley, a resident of Sarah’s Circle since 2005. Sarah’s Circle staff members say they try to create a community where everyone feels at home. Their philosophy is that “old age is alive with rich possibilities.” Residents at Sarah’s Circle live up to this motto through a variety of programs. At the Sept. 10 event, visitors toured the 34-unit building, which holds 40 low-

Through the initiative, SOME has already opened more than 200 apartments for families and single adults. However, there is a special need for housing that is tailored to the needs of the old and indigent, said John Gleason, a brother of the Holy Cross order and director of senior services at SOME. People aged 62 and older comprise more than 10 percent of the US population living in poverty, and income from pensions or social security is not always sufficient to pay for housing. Of the 1.59 million Americans who used homeless shelters from October 2009 through September 2010, 2.8 percent were over 62 years of age, according to federal data. In the District, more than 200 men and women over the age of 62 used shelters over the last fiscal year, the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness found. “The poor are forced to go into the streets and shelters,” Gleason said.

“For the aged and elderly, streets and shelters are not a suitable solution.” Kuehner House will also become the new home for SOME’s senior services, which are geared to meeting the physical, emotional and social needs of the city’s low-income seniors. “We’re gonna have exercise, we’re gonna have yoga, we’re gonna watch movies,” explained program assistant Denise Stoney to a group of smiling elders on hand for the grand opening. Kuehner House is named for Ralph Kuehner, a Catholic monsignor and cofounder of SOME. And Kuehner himself was on hand to offer a dedication prayer for the house and to reflect upon his long life, growing up during the Great Depression and attending a seminary and boarding school for poor boys where he was told to “ go out and do something to help people.” When Kuehner and other local religious leaders started SOME 42 years

ago, simply finding enough food to feed the hungry was a challenge, Kuehner recalled. “We borrowed food from the Little Sisters of the Poor. That’s when you know you are poor!” . Over the years, SOME has grown to provide medical, dental and mental health services as well. Making his way down the hall, new Kuehner House resident Mack Grimes, a Korean War veteran, said he was thankful to have an apartment in the building, and also thankful for the help he has gotten from SOME. “I got to the point where I thought it was too late. But people told me ‘it’s never too late,” said Grimes. He has learned to cope with life without needing drugs or drink. And he is even helping others now. He said his life is full in a way he would never have imagined in the old days. “I am feeling a lot better about myself.”

income occupants. The tour gave access to the administrative offices on the first floor, apartments on higher levels, and the Ruth Sachs Wellness Center in the basement. Named after the former Executive Director of Sarah’s Circle who served from 1992-2009, the Wellness Center provides a space for residents to eat, exercise, utilize the newly renovated computer lab and attend special events and classes. “I think it’s nice that they hosted an open-house for senior citizens, since a lot of senior citizens could use an affordable place like this,” said Kenita Stewart, 16, a volunteer. On this particular afternoon, a young volunteer and several senior occupants greeted visitors with huge smiles. In the Wellness Center the Rock Creek Jazz Ensemble, a live band, entertained the audience with salsa and Caribbean music as refreshments were served. Several Sarah’s Circle occupants danced and laughed. Information tables offered details on the programs at Sarah’s Circle. Marion Werner, who runs the Meditation and Relaxation Community Center, exhibited her programs and gave advice on how

seniors can stay calm, and maintain their well-being. “This wellness program, arts, yoga, meditation, etc. are absolutely wonderful. It helps them stay young, alive and upbeat,” Werner said. “It teaches them to keep calm, relax and to cope with physical and mental stress, even if it helps them only when they’re here.” A yoga session was provided by instructor Sarah Mashburn in which she instructed participants to “relax, hear the great party but take a minute to breathe” while they sat gathered in a circle around the room. The goal at Sarah’s Circle is to have residents pay no more than 30 percent of their net household incomes, after deductions for prescription drugs and utilities, according to Vernon Catchcart, development coordinator. This rent includes breakfast and lunch. In terms of expansion, the staff at Sarah’s Circle seems content. For now they are focused on bettering Sarah’s Circle at Adams Morgan. “We apply for a lot of grants for funding. For now we are focused on

this community, having it down pat and making it the best,” Catchcart said. Founded in 1983, Sarah’s Circle is named for the Biblical Sarah who got pregnant when she was well into her nineties. She was married to a man who, in his old age, insisted they leave their home and families to go on a journey. Sarah’s Circle considers their programs and community this journey to a new land. Residents appreciate how the organization helps them save them money and provides programs to keep them youthful at heart. “D.C. housing for seniors is expensive, we couldn’t possibly live in this area and still afford other expenses like food after rent if it weren’t for places like Sarah’s Circle,” Mosley said. The emphasis of the open-house was not to get people to sign leases, but rather to introduce them to a system of love, family, support and energy. “I can honestly say that since I’ve been here, I’ve loved it,” said Rudolph Allen, a resident of Sarah’s Circle. “… and I can say deep down from my heart that we all genuinely love each other.”

STREET SENSE September 14 - 27, 2011

Second Chances I recommend that everyone come down here and get it behind them. To turn themselves in, to get it swiped off, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

D.C. Superior Court program works to help residents clean up personal records and move on with their lives

- Deron, Safe Surrender participant

By Mary Clare Fischer Editorial Intern

According to D.C. Superior Court records, Karen Evans broke the law. She was charged with failure to appear in court, in violation of probation. A bench warrant for her arrest had been issued. Yet Evans had served out her probation in the state of Ohio. She did not know that she had a warrant hanging over her head until she received a letter from Safe Surrender, a D.C. Superior Court program. With help from the program, a long August day at the Moultrie Courthouse enabled her to clear her record. She left the courthouse free of all charges and feeling relieved and grateful. “It’s like freedom,” Evans said. “It’s like something you didn’t know you had just haunting you. I’ve closed the book on this and opened up something new. I can move on with the future.” Evans is just one of about 15,000 D.C. residents with outstanding bench warrants, commonly issued when someone fails to appear for a court date, said D.C. Superior Court Spokesman Tom Feeney. Most of these people have committed relatively minor offenses. But their cases appear as blots on their records, making it hard to find work, get driver’s licenses and move on with their lives. The cases take up valuable court time needed for dealing with more serious crimes.

Safe Surrender enables those who are wanted for nonviolent felonies or misdemeanors to avoid public arrest by voluntarily surrendering to the court. In return, many charges are dropped and defendants can return home without anything holding them back. “A lot of what we have is uncertainty and a misunderstanding of the criminal justice system,” Feeney said. “We’re trying to communicate with the public and prevent unfortunate situations.” “It’s a program designed to keep everybody safe,” said D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Lee Satterfield. Safe Surrender has posted a list of defendants with outstanding bench warrants on the D.C. Superior Court website and sent letters to everyone on the list, alerting them about their violations. Many of those who attended an Aug. 20 event said that these letters were the reason that they participated. “Being a D.C. resident all my life made me want to do it this way instead of the police pulling me over and making a scene in public,” said Darren Williams, whose traffic violation and missed court date had prompted the Safe Surrender letter. “I could have saved a lot of tax dollars if they had done this sooner.” That recent event was not Safe Surrender’s first in D.C. The program began

in 2007, drawing 580 participants. This year, it spanned three consecutive Saturdays beginning Aug. 6 and attracted 764 participants, eclipsing that of the 2007 campaign. This high number is likely due to the extensive advertising devoted to the event, which included formats such as bus and Metro ads, fliers and grassroots outreach as well as Facebook and Twitter. “In terms of PR today, you really need all forms,” Feeney said. Though the high turnout is a sign of the D.C. community’s proactive thinking, it also seemed to cause some problems at the event. Reginald Dockett, who said he had been charged with a misdemeanor, said he waited for several hours for his case to come up. Charles Dykes, who was there on a heroin charge, was starting to get impatient. “I gotta get out of here,” Dykes said. “I’m getting hungry.” With a limited number of courtrooms and a lengthy processing system before participants got to see the judges, frustration was inevitable. Rainey Brandt, Judge Satterfield’s special counsel, said that some warrants dated as far back as 1978. The older the case, the more effort was needed to process it, sometimes causing names to be called out of order. Several people said that the Aug. 13

event had been slower, and the process was much smoother the second time around. “We had some logistical nooks and crannies that weren’t working,” Satterfield said. “Now it seems to be much smoother.” The courthouse’s design also proved to be challenging. Service providers such as Unity Healthcare and the Addiction Prevention and Recovery Administration set up tables in one wing of the building while the courtrooms, to which defendants were restricted once they had surrendered, were located in the opposite wing. “The layout was a bit odd,” said Todd Menhinick, a Quality Assessment Specialist for APRA. “We started distributing information in the courtrooms once they filled up. It was difficult to chat since it was a high stigma issue, and we didn’t want to make them talk about anything private, but hopefully if we can impact some lives, it’s time well spent.” For most participants, it was indeed time well spent. Deron, who arrived with his four children in tow, had a drug possession charge dismissed in a matter of minutes. “I recommend that everyone come down here and get it behind them,” he said. “To turn themselves in, to get it swiped off, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

From Sorrow To Service:

Ten years ago Sunday, the world changed forever. When Sept. 11, 2001, was over, planes had crashed, buildings had burned and America’s sense of power and security had crumbled apart. This weekend’s pivotal anniversary saw reflection on that day in numerous ways: worship services, memorial unveilings and the 9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, a threeday event sponsored in Washington, by HandsOn Greater DC Cares. Thousands of volunteers worked from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at five sites Friday and five different sites Saturday. Their projects ranged from farm maintenance to cemetery beautification to painting lockers and murals at a Southeast Washington elementary school. That school, J.C. Nalle Elementary, is nestled in the corner of Ward 7. Poverty and low levels of education and skills weigh heavily upon one-third of the ward’s residents, according to the Ward 7 Collaborative, a group of AIDS service providers. But despite the neighborhood’s challenges, J.C. Nalle has been improving. Freddie Mac Foundation grants have helped revamp school programs in recent years. And on Saturday, about 60 volunteers pitched in to give the school a bright new look to match, with freshly painted window frames, lockers and murals in the auditorium. “I know it’s something they wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise for a long time,” said project manager Pamela Clarke. Reaching out to hundreds of schools,

soup kitchens, hospitals and other nonprofits across the region to determine where the needs are greatest, HandsOn Greater DC Cares recruits volunteers and coordinates service projects throughout the year. Since Sept. 11 was designated an official day of service and remembrance two years ago, helping harness the power of volunteerism on that date has become one of the biggest events of the year for HandsOn Greater DC Cares. “It’s such an important day for our country,” volunteer Diane Holliday said. “And you want to make sure you’re not only remembering but also giving back.” Holliday is the general manager at the Sheraton Premiere Hotel at Tysons Corner, one of five hotels under the umbrella of the Starwood Hotels corporation that sent volunteers to the day of service. About 45 of the Starwood volunteers helped to beautify J.C. Nalle. “We wanted to showcase Starwood as a company and put an emphasis on the global citizenship it encourages in all kinds of facets,” said Betty Garza, Director of Human Resources at the Westin Alexandria. Another volunteer group at Nalle came from the D.C. Regional Christian Church, a non-denominational fellowship that offers a traditional service as well as a night service for campus/ young professionals. “Personally, when I grew up, I didn’t have a whole lot,” said parishioner Courtney Thomas. “It made me passionate to give more to others. And when

you start with kids early, you give them more confidence and the self-esteem to make the world a better place.” Though the volunteers from the different organizations started out the day in their own separate groups, they began to mix together as the hours passed. “It was interesting to see the different people that volunteered,” said DCRCC parishioner Yetunde Okesola. “There was a Secret Service guy working and all the people from the hotels. It was great.” College students added to the diversity of the volunteers, adding an age difference to the demographics. But they were there for the same reason as everyone else. “For me, it was about remembrance,” George Washington University sophomore and DCRCC member Maritza Sanabria said. “Living in D.C., growing up in D.C., everything that happened here that day, all the wars it’s caused—this is just commemorating and giving back.” Though each volunteer received a free t-shirt with the day of service logo on the front and the names of sponsors on the back, Sanabria and GWU junior Hannah During enhanced the shirts, decorating them with handprints on both sides and a few profound words on the back: “I have your back, girl. –Christ.” “The Bible says to serve the poor and all the others who need the help,” During said. “So it’s only right that we acknowledge God in this, and that, you know, he has our back.”

HandsOn Greater DC Cares volunteers help beautify JC Nalle Elementary. PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANDSon GREATER DC CARES

STREET SENSE September 14 - 27, 2011

Day of Service

9/11, a day to remember

Volunteers prep walls for painting by taping edges, hand-painting trim, and working together to get it all done by 1 p.m. PHOTOS BY SARAH HOGUE

Volunteer work to benefit US Vets, 525 Park Rd. By Sarah Hogue Photojournalism Intern In memory of the tragedies of September 11, more than two dozen volunteers pitched in to help spruce up a Park Road apartment complex that serves as a haven for military veterans overcoming homelessness. “I know that we’re out here for one day and I didn’t come out expecting that we’d be able to change the world or anything like that,” said volunteer Briana Webster. “But I thought that if I could just give a little of my time and help someone, whether it’s with helping to beautify their home, like this project, or brightening up their day a little bit, I thought that it was something that was important to me,” added Webster, relationship manager for the nonprofit Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The service project to help the veterans was one of many planned specifically with the tenth anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001 in mind, according to organizers at Hands On Greater DC Cares. The goal was to harness the efforts of over 10,000 volunteers at over 50 locations throughout the region including schools, nonprofits, and

community-based sites such as the U.S. Vets apartments at 525 Park Road NW. And throughout their day of freshening up the building, the volunteers didn’t forget about why they came together. “On a day where we really think about what’s happened to our country, where we’ve come, our veterans have done so much for us,” said Webster. “I thought this was a great way to honor them for their effort.” Some veterans, including those now returning from conflicts in the Middle East, are at particular risk of homelessness. About 12 percent of all Americans experiencing homelessness are veterans, while less than 8 percent of the total US population are vets, according to federal data. The District itself has over 500 homeless veterans, an annual regional count of local homeless people found. With facilities in five states and the District, U.S. Vets, also known as the United States Veterans Initiative, provides case management, employment assistance, job placement, counseling and drug and alcohol-free housing to help thousands of veterans includ-

ing the Park Road apartment building’s manager, Marvin Peasley, to stop “drifing” and return to civilian life. Peasley, a veteran of the US Army, works with his residents as a sort of community assistant, and is there to help them with personal as well as building maintenance issues. The work at the Park Road apartment complex was one of three service projects designed to help U.S. Vets programs over the weekend. Two projects focused upon housing programs. At the third, volunteers made scarves and comfort kits for homeless veterans. “All the volunteers who helped were so motivated and caring and wonderful,” said Emily Button, a U.S. Vets program director. “People really want opportunities to serve our veterans because our veterans give up a lot for us and people are proud of them and grateful to them,” added Button. “ We are working for a day we can no longer say any of our veterans are without a home and grateful for the community support we receive to help them find homes.”

STREET SENSE September 14 - 27, 2011

Alternative Volunteering Reading, Reading, PA PA

Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA PA York, York, PA PA

Frederick, Frederick, MD MD Washington, Washington, DC DC Washington, Washington, VA VA

Charlottesville, Charlottesville, VA VA Richmond, Richmond, VA VA Farmville, Farmville, VA VA

A Capital Ride participant one of their participants riding through the mountains in Pennsylvania.

A group of Capital Ride participants riding down a Northern Virginia trail.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BIKE AND BUILD

Capital Ride: By Allen Hoorn Vollunteer/Vendor Manager

Hoping to raise money and awareness for issues relating to affordable housing, a group of young adults made a stop in Washington, D.C., recently as part of their 600-mile, two week bike trip from Richmond to Philadelphia. While many college students were busy this summer with high-level internships on Capitol Hill or are taking in the rays at Virginia Beach, these men and women chose to spend part of their summer volunteering with Bike and Build to raise awareness of the issue that,together with poverty itself is a major contributing factor to homelessness in the United States. Capital Ride, as this particular tour

is called, is a regional ride designed to give participants the opportunity to contribute without being required to spend their entire summer riding in one of the longer cross-country trips sponsored by Bike and Build, a nonprofit organization based in Philadelphia. Typically, riders spend four days a week riding their bike on the tours. As part of the tour, riders also spend two days a week volunteering with organizations in the community building houses.

A Growing Problem A significant portion of low-wage earners in the United States are at risk

Brandon Hall and Michael Padon measuring twice and cutting once on one of their Build Days on Capital Ride. PHOTO COURTESY OF BIKE AND BUILD

one group’s path of experiencing homelessness, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. While home values may have plummeted over the last couple of years due to the financial crisis and mortgage meltdown, actual housing costs, especially at the lower end of the spectrum, have increased while wages have dropped significantly. For an increasing number of families, one accident, unexpected bill or unforeseen circumstance can threaten the loss of housing and an episode of homelessness. The National Alliance to End Homelessness cites the lack of affordable housing for low-wage earners as one of the largest contributors to a person experiencing homelessness. Along with falling wages, the foreclosure crisis and high unemployment rates the lack of

affordable housing has contributed to rising homelessness. More families are finding themselves struggling through periodic episodes of homelessness in recent years. And many homeless people, in spite of working, cannot earn enough to rent a place to live. In a report from earlier this year, NAEH found that 72 percent of people experiencing poverty in the United States also experience severe cost burdens associated with housing. And the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in its latest report on the subject, estimated that 7.1 million households in the United States fall into the Worst Case Needs category, an increase of more than a million households over the last 5 years. Households in this category make less than half the

toward ending homelessness median income for their area and are paying more than half their monthly income on housing expenses. Those experiencing severe cost burdens as a result of housing are several times more likely to experience homelessness than those who are not experiencing severe cost burdens.

Stemming the Tide Major government programs have dedicated vast resources to addressing the issue of affordable housing. Each year, HUD allocates approximately $2 billion to more than 600 state and local jurisdictions to increase the stock

of affordable housing and to provide tenant-based rental assistance for low- and very low-income households. Through the HOME program started in 1992, affordable housing stocks have been increased by more than a million units. While that number looks large on paper, with worst case needs being 7.1 million households for a year, the problem is outpacing the governmental solution, leaving much of the work in this area to faith-based charities and individual contribution. That’s where groups such as Bike and Build and their Capital Ride come in. “Even if you don’t have a lot of money to donate, you still have your time to offer,” says Molly Jacobs, a firsttime participant in Capital Ride. Jacobs hopes that her efforts will inspire

young people to get involved now and to continue service to the community throughout their lives. In addition to raising pledges, participants in Bike and Build directly help the communities they visit by spending days on construction sites. Since its inception 8 years ago, Bike and Build volunteers have raised more than $2.7 million and donated more than 80,000 hours on construction sites, mostly through partnerships with Habitat for Humanity. More important than the amount of money raised through one event or the hours spent building houses are the lessons learned on the road as well as the people met along the way. “We met people who are weekly volunteers and it made me see how easy it is to make a difference in my community,”

Jacobs says. “The riding was spectacular, and I met people that I hope will be life-long friends.” The contributions of groups such as this cannot completely eliminate the need, but their effort illuminates a problem which is even more real to many American families than debt ceilings and tax structures: Where are we going to live next month? If you are interested in getting involved with the Bike and Build program, visit www.BikeAndBuild.org for more information.

Editorials

Street Sense

economics By Jeffery McNeil Vendor For me, selling Street Sense has provided lessons in government, finance and economics. Let’s imagine that Street Sense is our government. And let’s say that each of our vendors are corporations. Each one can do as he or she chooses as long as the rules are followed. I believe in regulation. A country with no oversight creates inequality, lawlessness and civil unrest. Regulations are set in place for a reason. The Environmental Protection Agency was established in 1970 under President Richard Nixon to help prevent more fires on the Cuyahoga River and more pollution in places like Love Canal. We have voting rights so people can vote without intimidation and a Department of Interior so we don’t have oil companies drilling in Yellowstone Park or the Grand Canyon. I can give example after example, but as long as we have humans living as a society we should protect the earth from toxins that sicken people or those who would plunder without regard for anything but profit. Once our vendors are educated on our rules and guidelines, they receive a badge. Vendors become entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are risk-takers; they innovate. And without entreprenuers we wouldn’t have the light bulb, the car or the Internet. It may be chic to bash business, but without business, we would still be living in the Dark Ages. When I speak to organizations, the question I am asked the most is about sales territories. The official Street Sense policy, which allows certain vendors to claim territories, is currently being reviewed. Designated territories are a form of protectionism, a way of protecting profits. I once was a protectionist, an America-first kind of guy, because I lost a job to foreign labor. As a vendor for Street Sense, I have developed a more nuanced view. From a business standpoint I do not want competition. Shutting out competition is lucrative. But from a consumer standpoint, protectionism binds us to the whims of business. When a company has a monopoly, it can gouge prices and create cartels to intimidate competition from coming into the market. Protectionism also risks excluding people with fresh ideas. Imagine if we closed the borders during World War II? Our country would look very different today if Albert Einstein or Walt Disney had never come. This leads me to free markets. In a utopian society, free markets make sense because everyone starts with the same advantages. Those who work hard rise to the top. In free markets, consumers can also benefit. The consumer can choose between McDonalds and Burger King or Wal-Mart and K-mart. With competition, companies stay on their toes. If a person is not happy with his current employer, he can find other employers willing to pay better or offer better working conditions. However competition can have its downsides too, in the form of price wars, oversaturation and deflated prices. Selling Street Sense has taught me that both protectionism and the free market system have pros and cons. Neither system is perfect. I see a need for both.

Man and a Dream By Veda Simpson Vendor

Here is a man who had a dream… And here is a man that made that dream a reality. There was a man in the biblical days that walked on water and fed 5,000 men, women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish. He was nailed to a cross, pierced in his side, a crown of thorns was placed on his head and he was raised from the dead three days later. He was God’s only begotten son; his name was Jesus. Then, as time passed, God sent another man that I believe was also his son: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He didn’t walk on water, but he walked miles until holes were worn in his shoes. He was trying to let people know that everyone is the same. It made no difference if one person had more than the next or was smarter or a different color. This man didn’t feed a multitude with five loaves of bread and two fish, but he fasted to make a point that men don’t live by bread alone. He wasn’t nailed to a cross, pierced in his side to die or raised from the dead in three days, but he was condemned. He was spat on, thrown in jail,

kicked and later, taken down with a bullet like a wounded horse. Just as with Jesus, what was his crime? Unconditionally doing good with no strings attached and showing the right road in life to walk? Martin Luther King Jr. had dreams he tried to pursue and live out but never got the chance to realize. His message was strong and real and he became a great leader. Now there is one man today that could make Jesus and Martin’s dream a reality. Who am I speaking of? President Obama. Dr. King dreamed that one day there would be someone to lead this country on equal terms for everyone. Not the rich getting richer because…he ain’t heavy he’s my brother…so just lean on me when you’re not strong and I’ll help you carry on because you never know when you will need somebody to lean on. No matter what color, creed, and health ability you have, America is the home of the free and equal opportunity. When you leave this earth you can’t take that money with you, so why not help somebody else less fortunate. President Obama is trying to live out the dream of everybody living life on life’s terms. If you see someone drowning would you let them drown or throw out a life preserver? Jesus died for our sins. Dr. King had a dream and President Obama is making that dream a reality.

STREET SENSE September 14 - 27, 2011

Creative Writing

GHOSTS IN GEORGETOWN By Chris Shaw Vendor/”Cowboy Poet” Trees have feelings, too. How would you like to be dead, And chopped in pieces Taken away, All but for One of your thighs and calves Stacked, Not neatly. The Hungarian breakfast place Where lots of us went to laugh And chomp on sinful Bacon(Quick responseA stripped awning is all We have to remind, That folk once ate happily here) Then there are the pointy-toed Shoe shops, and the size nineteen Grey double-knit Vested suits(With the No negotiating/No Profanity Signs to go along) Who’da thunk that This institution is to be Missed? But the hustlers are So much more colorful Than national chains of Manufactured Mush. Postscript. No more does the Duchess stroll a few yards From home, Parasol Twirled fairly hard. The Lap-dog figure languishes alone Minus his eye patch, monocle And Iron CrossYet another ‘Georgeopolitan’ Loss!

Call a Spade a Spade By David Rubin Vendor It has been a wonderful 2011 so far, considering my cry was heard by far-reaching sources. To be specific, I had no need to get into an ambulance, sick, only to my chagrin to have a doctor tell me there was nothing wrong with me, but rather, was able to call a spade a spade. Thus, I will briefly propitiate God for his divine grace when it dawns on me that a way has finally come where the use of military intelligence tools on civilians who are poor and homeless can now be better managed and controlled. I remember the days when having money for me ended with a heart attack, inflamed spleen, eye infections, migraine headaches, painful spine, and sinusitis. None of which had a cure, but rather having to find a way to ward off some wavelength which was exciting foreign organic particles lodged in our bodies. Not to be rude or crude, according to civility in the intelligence community, but the medical experience I have gained in my community service while homeless has taught me the hard lesson of how having money comes with so much pain for which either you indulge in illegal drugs or just decide to call a spade a spade.

If You See Me, Notice Me! By L Morrow Vendor (This is a response to “I Am Somebody, Too!” by Ms. Veda Simpson, vendor) If you see a homeless person in the streets across America, we don’t need your pity or your sympathy. A kind word will do, or a prayer for all of us, and if you have some cash, by all means give it from the heart, not from your pocket. If not, just smile. Remember this! At your dinner table, that food that you are about to throw away (yes, I’ve done that, too), wrap that food up and pass it on to someone who will eat it! Remember, feed the mind, the body, and the soul, and everything else will come together. Can I get an Amen? Thank you.

...

ORIGINAL TEXT (PUBLISHED AUG 17 ISSUE):

I Am Somebody, Too! By Veda Simpson Vendor Donate to the homeless, yea. Let somebody know you care. Sleeping on the sidewalk, living in the street, Help somebody get on their feet. If you don’t believe it’s true, Just ask the homeless, too. Their eyes are crying, their hearts are crying out, But do we stop to listen, no We take another route. With the way the economy is going, take time to think it might be you. Don’t be surprised this morning you’re living in a mansion and don’t have a clue, Tonight you’re living next to me in a cardboard box, too. Do you really know what you’re doing is wrong or right, That’s why Ted and Laura started Street Sense, To give the homeless another look at life!

A Partnership in Writing Street Sense and Miriam’s Kitchen have partnered together to offer the opportunity for... and meets every wednesday from 2:30 - 3:30 pm at the Street Sense Office.

SOLUTION:

SUDOKU

Courtesy of Krazydad.com

SHAW ON SPORTS:

L’CHAIM 2 NATSTOWN By Chris Shaw Vendor/”Cowboy Poet” He wears a sharp glare, He hurls, I could swear Faster than Lord Jesus, Whom if it pleases Needs not supplant the name of Stras-Mas. Please, as Davey asks Drop your Fool’s Mask, Preserve this kid’s golden lead For in interesting times Such as these, do take Heedand take whatever Salvation is available, So that “Nats Town” May continue oozing life (A body needs a safe place to enjoy chili cheese fries; A soul needs a secure Site to Yawp, in the name of--) STRAS-MAS!

STREET SENSE September 14 - 27, 2011

FICTION

e h t f o e s a C The s e i t n a P d n a a r B 0 0 $100,0 By Ivory Wilson Vendor Summary of Part 1: Stacy is in his Chinatown office at 9 a.m. with secretary Tamika when a woman named Cherry Jones calls and offers him $10,000 to provide security that night at a fashion show featuring expensive lingerie. He accepts the job, and while he’s wondering why anyone would pay that much for one night’s work, Misty, a gorgeous redhead, arrives at his office. Summary of Part 2: Misty tells Stacy she’ll be modeling an expensive bra and panty set at Cherry’s fashion show. She says she has an elaborate tattoo on her derrière, and Cherry knows about it. What Misty doesn’t mention is that she and her husband Larry have traveled to the Middle East many times and her tattoo hides the number for a Swiss bank account that currently contains about $90 million in stolen Saudi assets. She offers Stacy $10,000 to come to the show and protect her husband.

n hour later, showered and wearing his tan suit, Stacy arrives in a taxi at the Hotel Monaco. People are getting out of limos and walking slowly up the redcarpeted steps that head to the hotel lobby. Cameras flash everywhere. Many pause on the steps to wave to the crowd and get their pictures taken by the press. Stacy joins the parade entering the hotel and is immediately greeted in the lobby by Cherry Jones, dressed in a stunning low-cut evening gown. “You

must be Mr. Stacy,” she says, putting out her hand. Taking her hand warmly, Stacy smiles and says, “Yes, I am, and it’s a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Jones.” With some urgency and ignoring the crowd still entering the lobby, Cherry tells Stacy, “Please follow me. We need to talk.” She leads him backstage, where the models are getting dressed. Some are completely naked, and others are only in underwear. Some are putting on their makeup. “So where is Misty?” Stacy asks. Clearly surprised by his question, Cherry asks how he knows that a model named Misty would be there. “Actually, she came to see me today and seemed very troubled,” Stacy responds, “but I don’t think it’s appropriate to tell you any of the details.” Swallowing Stacy’s rebuff, Cherry pulls an envelope from under her gown and hands it to Stacy. “It’s ten grand, in hundreds,” she tells him. “Start earning it by making sure nothing happens to her at the fashion ball tonight.” But Cherry has no intention of seeing that nothing happens at the ball. In fact, her real name is Samareh Hashemi, and she is an investigator hired by the Saudi government to find Misty’s husband Larry and get back the stolen assets. It was no accident that she maneuvered to ensure that Misty would model the most expensive bra and panties. She had already figured out that Larry paid the tattoo artist to hide the secret account numbers in Misty’s tattoo. However, when she tracked down the artist, he was

already dead—probably at the hands of Larry. So she has turned to Plan B, which is to trap Larry and Misty in their room after the fashion ball. Meanwhile, Larry has been following Misty, worried about this Saudi-sponsored fashion show. The fashion show is underway, and Misty walks out on stage looking glamorous in the most expensive bra and panties ever seen. The show is a great success, and everything appears to be going without a hitch. But Cherry is waiting patiently in Misty and Larry’s room at the Monaco. Misty and Larry walk in, and Cherry points a gun directly at Larry. She says, “OK, Larry. Where are the bonds? I know you’ve stashed them in a Swiss bank, I know the account number is hidden in Misty’s tattoo, but I don’t know which Swiss bank. Tell me now, or I’m going to kill Misty.” Larry calmly replies that he has no idea what Cherry is talking about. He then makes the serious mistake of leaping toward the gun. Cherry shoots him once in the head and Larry falls to the floor, dead. Before Misty can even get out a scream, Cherry grabs her and starts walking out the door with her hand covering Misty’s mouth. Misty staggers as Cherry walks her down the stairs to the street, heading straight to a waiting limo with two men inside it: the driver and a passenger in the back. As the passenger opens the door and reaches for Misty, Cherry pushes her into the car. The fashion show has ended, leaving Stacy in front of the hotel, pondering the

day’s events. He is there when Cherry walks an apparently reluctant Misty out the front door and down the stairs, then pushes her into a limo. While Stacy is watching, the driver exits the front seat, pulls out a silenced pistol, shoots Cherry three times, races back into the driver’s seat, and starts to drive away. Acting on instinct, Stacy pulls out his Colt, aims for the driver, and hits him in the temple. The limo surges out of control and smashes into the corner of the Spy Museum. The passenger door opens, and a man emerges with his arm tightly around Misty, just as Stacy arrives at the limo. Stacy dives for the passenger and knocks him to the ground, knocking the man out with his Colt. He reaches for Misty and asks if she is OK. She starts to cry and tells him Cherry has killed her husband. By now, the police have arrived. Stacy explains to them what he saw and did. The police cuff the man on the sidewalk and confirm that the driver, slumped in the front seat, is dead. Stacy explains that they should find another body in room 217. The police tell Stacy and Misty that they will have to be interviewed at the station. Misty realizes that now the stolen bonds are all hers. She says, “Thank you, Stacy. You saved my life. You earned your money.” With a curious wink, she adds, “…and a lot more. From me.”

THE END

Our Page

Thank you American University students!

Street Sense wishes to thank our corporate sponsor

Dedicated to improving the health and well-being of communities worldwide.

CAMRIS is a dynamic international development consulting firm with more than 50 years of experience designing and managing complex, large-scale projects in all regions of the world. 6931 Arlington Road | Suite 575 | Bethesda, MD 20814 | camris.com

By Allen Hoorn Vendor/Volunteer Manager What a first week of college a select group of students at American University must have had! During the course of their first week, before classes even started, they spent two full days helping Street Sense move their offices within the Church of the Epiphany. Of course, the week they came to help us was bookended by the “Great Quake of 2011” and Hurricane Irene. Hopefully, they don’t expect every week in D.C. to be as action-packed and exciting. In between the two greatest disasters to hit D.C. this month, these freshmen participated in the Freshmen Service Experience at AU. A group of young men and women showed up at our offices to help us lug desks and chairs from our second floor home to a temporary shelter on the third floor in the gymnasium. They busted up furniture to be discarded, sorted through filing cabinets, tagged computer cords, cleaned out refrigerators, packed boxes and did just about everything else asked of them. And, in their spare time, they helped to move the offices of a couple of different organizations and people in our building. At first, I thought I was going to have too much for them to possibly accom-

plish in the two days they were volunteering. But by noon on the second day, I was racking my brain to come up with something else for them to do. “Whirling dervishes” was the first phrase that came to mind. Two minutes after I assigned a project to them, they were done and ready for something new. Of course, the purpose of their volunteering wasn’t just to pack us up and move us. The students showed a keen interest in our organization and what we do on a daily basis when we are not dealing with earthquakes, hurricanes and moving mountains. Several of the students helped with our normal tasks like distributing papers to our vendors and operating as a functioning office. And, at the end of the second day, the whole group competed to see how difficult it really is for our vendors to sell the newspaper on the streets of D.C. amongst throngs of people too busy or too antipathetic to even cast a glance in their direction. With all of their energy expended for everything they did, I am confident they slept pretty well. Well, they slept as well as anyone in the area amidst all of the fire alarms, weather sirens and evacuation orders.

Would you like to continue support of Street Sense throughout the year?

Order a subscription today!

Not only will you recieve 26 issues with all our latest news, poetry and photography, you will also help raise awareness about poverty in the D.C. area.

all people Not areonly will you recieve 26 issues with all our latest news, poetry and Welcome photography, you will also help raise here awareness about poverty in the D.C. Join us in worship on Sundays area. at

____ YES! I want to subscribe to Street Sense for just $40 a year (26 issues).

9:30 am, 11:00 am, 5:30 pm

Homeless Outreach Hospitality Fridays ____at 9:00 I want to subscribe _____________________________

YES!

to Street Sense for just $40 a year (26 Methodist issues). Foundry United Church A Reconciling Congregation

____ I would also like to give half the cost of my subscription to my favorite vendor: _____________________________

1500 16th Street NW | Washington DC | 20036 202.332.4010 | foundryumc.@foundryumc.org

www.foundryumc.org

STREET SENSE September 14 - 27, 2011

Unity Health Care, Inc.

Community Services

By Mary Clare Fischer Editorial Intern Unity Health Care’s vision was to “become the preeminent health care delivery system for the medically underserved of Washington, D.C., [and to] be recognized by them as the provider of choice.” With 29 locations in the District and more than 82,000 clients, the company seems to have achieved that goal. Originally known as Health Care for the Homeless Project, Unity expanded to treat the underserved, uninsured and working poor as well as the homeless in 1996. Patients receive services as diverse as dental care and gastroenterology, or stomach and intestinal problems. Unity still works in conjunction with homeless shelters in the region, including 801 East, Friendship Place and N Street Village. Through this care, patients opt to address their

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS HOTLINE 1-888-7WE HELP (1-888-793-4357) www.dcfoodfinder.org

SHELTER Calvary Women’s Services 110 Maryland Avenue, NE (202) 289-0596 (office) (202) 289-2111 (shelter) www.calvaryservices.org Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW (202) 745–7118, www.missiondc.org Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393–1909 www.newhopeministriesdc.org/id3.html Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232–7356,www.communityofhopedc.org Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE (202) 610–9600, www.covenanthousedc.org John Young Center (Women) 119 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469, www.catholiccharitiesdc.org

problems rather than ignore them due to lack of aid. In April, Unity announced a collaboration with Health Works!, a program started by Pathways to Housing DC that will provide special care to homeless patients with “severe psychiatric disorders and/or a history of substance abuse,” according to a press release. Located in Suite G of 101 Q Street NE, patients will see one qualified doctor and nurse until they have formed a relationship where they will then be transferred to Unity’s Walker-Jones Health Center at 40 Patterson Street. After this transition, patients will still see the same team of medical professionals in order to ensure trust and recuperation. To contact Unity, call (202) 7454300 or visit www.unityhealthcare.org.

My Sister’s Place PO Box 29596, Washington, DC 20017 (202) 529-5261 (office) (202) 529-5991 (24-hour hotline)

St. Stephens Parish Church 1525 Newton St, NW (202) 737–9311, www.thrivedc.org

Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328–6608, www.marthastable.org

Food and Friends 219 Riggs Road, NE (202) 269–2277, www.foodandfriends.org

Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW (202) 682–1005, www.ccdsd.org/howorwc.php

Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW (202) 452–8089, www.miriamskitchen.org

Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675–9340, www.sashabruce.org

The Welcome Table Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW (202) 347–2635, http://www.epiphanydc. org/ministry/welcometbl.htm

So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW (202) 797–8806; www.some.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES

Academy of Hope GED Center 601 Edgewood Street, NE (202) 269-6623, www.aohdc.org

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

OUTREACH CENTERS N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060, www.nstreetvillage.org Samaritan Inns 2523 14th St., NW (202) 667 - 8831 http://www.samaritaninns.org/home/ New York Ave Shelter (Men 18+) 1355–57 New York Avenue, NE (202) 832–2359

FOOD

Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW (202) 265–2400 1640 Good Hope Road, SE (202) 561–8587, www.breadforthecity.org Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW (202) 364–1419, www.cchfp.org Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060, www.nstreetvillage.org

Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232–3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplac

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

Church of the Pilgrims (Sundays only) 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387–6612, www.churchofthepilgrims.org

Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050, www.friendshiphouse.net

Thrive DC Breakfast served Mon.-Fri., 9:30-11 a.m. Dinner for women and children, Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m.

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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Catholic Community Services 924 G Street, NW (202) 772–4300, www.ccs–dc.org D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW (202) 347–8870, www.dccfh.org Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW (202) 347–0511, www.cflsdc.org Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010, www.foundryumc.org Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731, www.grm.org Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332–2874 www.ccs–dc.org/find/services/ JHP, Inc. 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 544–9126, www.jobshavepriority.org Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202) 889–7702, www.samaritanministry.org

SHELTER HOTLINE: 1–800–535–7252

VENDOR PROFILE: DERUTTER JONES

THE LAST WORD: THINK ABOUT THE STATE OF HOMELESSNESS

By Hannah Morgan Editorial Intern

By Robert Weaver Vendor/Volunteer Manager

At 61, DeRutter Jones has tried a little of everything. Born and raised in the District, Jones graduated from Dematha High School and at 19 years old moved out west. After dabbling in painting, theatre, reading, film, radio and writing, Jones graduated with a degree in English from the University of New Mexico in Santa Fe. “I had a chance to experience the beauty of the Southwest,” he said, and he landed a job as one of the only African American DJs at a country western radio station in New Mexico. Jones also found time to work as an assistant to a daily news columnist and write his first novel, side pursuits that “hooked me on writing forever and ever.” Following a tip from a local friend, Jones literally walked on set of a movie one day and was given a production job. He worked on four movies, including, “Bobbie Jo and the Outlaw” and “Thomasine and Bushrod.” Jones worked with Lynda Carter, who went on to play Wonder Woman. He then followed his movie production passion to Los Angeles, where he worked as an assistant to an old Hollywood director, John Harkrider. Jones worked on various movie sets. Unfortunately, “the party just ended,” due to personal issues, Jones said. In 1978, Jones moved back to the District’s Petworth neighborhood and lived with family in the same home where he grew up. He continued to work as a film producer, video editor, camera operator and a voiceover artist for channel 20, My20DC. In 1995, Jones began working

as a database manager for the AFL-CIO while pursuing a paralegal degree from the University of Maryland. Jones became a master at searching the Internet. These days, Jones keeps himself busy working not only as a Street Sense vendor, but as a freelance journalist for various publications. He has had two of his poems published in recent issues of Street Sense. He discovers what his mysterious poems are going to say through the act of writing them. “I plan my work, but when I’m writing, I’m not really sure how certain things come together anymore.” With stories and poems currently in the works, Jones is hoping to move into a house in the near future. Ultimately, Jones would like to get a scholarship in order to go back to school and study creative writing and english. For more information, questions or comments, please contact Jones at: DeRutterJ@hotmail.com. Favorite food: shellfish , especially lobster. Favorite movies: Citizen Cane/Avatar Favorite Book(s): The works of John Updike Hobbies: Kittens, writing, reading, movies

September 14 - 27, 2011• Volume 8 • Issue 22 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005

Permit #568

Mail To: Remember, only buy from badged

vendors and do not give to those panhandling with one paper. Interested in a subscription? Go to page 14 for more information.

Some of our Street Sense vendors do a lot more than sell papers. Tommy Bennett leads and advises fellow vendors and staff. Martin Walker reaches out to community groups through speaking engagements. Robert Warren strongly advocates for the men and women experiencing homelessness while working hard to set an example for his two amazing kids. Jeffery McNeil has published a book of some of his articles that first appeared in Street Sense. These vendors are few of the hardworking, creative and caring men and women who advocate for the larger community of men and women experiencing homelessness. I had the pleasure of getting to know them all over the past few months, as I served as Vendor and Volunteer Manager. I am an Army Reservist and I recently received orders to attend training until the end of January. Street Sense is in excellent hands and will move forward with the strength of some incredible and dedicated volunteers. I am forever grateful for the volunteers, the vendors and the organization as a whole for providing me with so much support. I leave much unfinished business. Above all, I leave behind the opportunity to advocate for people who are part of a community that is so often misunderstood. Therefore, I wish to use this column to convey an important message. When I first got here to Street Sense, former executive director Doug Knight explained the phrase “men and women experiencing homelessness” to me. Simply speaking of “the homeless”

suggests that homelessness is the complete identity of a group of people. However, the phrase “men and women experiencing homelessness” implies these individuals are passing through a stage in their lives. This is a stage that any one of us in the world can experience. Men and women experiencing homelessness are people like you and I. They have children. They have husbands and wives. They have parents and siblings. They experience happiness. They experience depression. They care for their neighbors. They care for their own well being. The only difference is, they are experiencing a stage of homelessness today that any one of us can experience tomorrow. When I sent groups of volunteers out for our Vendor-For-A-Day program, I often heard back from them about the judgments passersby made about the men and women experiencing homelessness. So many people believe that “the homeless” are homeless because they are too fond of drinking, or using drugs, or too lazy to work. But our volunteers can tell you, as I can tell you now, the vast majority of men and women experiencing homelessness that we have encountered, are hard-working and loving individuals—ready and willing to do what it takes to move on to the next stage in their lives. It is not easy, but they will not give up soon. Please help them by showing your respect and support. Our vendors and others experiencing homelessness are not physically a part of the buildings they stand in front of. Yet they are often ignored. A polite acknowledgement goes a long way after facing hours of adversity. And please try thinking about homelessness as a stage in life, not a permanent identity. After a natural disaster, Americans are quick to rally behind the affected community. But after time passes and the headlines subside, they may forget the needs that persist. Homelessness is like that: a disaster without a headline to draw a nation’s support. So don’t forget about the men and women experiencing homelessness and never let others forget its ever-growing presence. Remember, any day, any one of us can experience homelessness. So let’s get each other’s back starting today. Thank you.