11 11 2009 by Street Sense Media

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Where Your Dollar Goes:

Where the poor and homeless

earn and give their two cents

D STE GE ON G S U N AT I DO

Volume 7 Issue 1

November 11 - November 24, 2009

65 cents for the Vendor

35 cents for production of the paper

WVSA uses art as a medium for learning

See page 4

Page 6

The role smoking plays in homeless peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives Rene Moore picks out a new winter coat at the coat bazaar

$24,000

$22,000

$20,000

$18,000

$16,000

$14,000

$12,000

$10,000

$8,000

$6,000

$4,000

$2,000

Page 5

Veteran addresses the effects of PTSD Page 13

Give a Vendor a Gift that Will Last All Year, details see page 3

November 11 - November 24, 2009

1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 347–2006 Fax: (202) 347–2166 info@streetsense.org www.streetsense.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristal DeKleer Lisa Estrada Ted Henson Mary Lynn Jones Sommer Mathis Brad Scriber John Snellgrove Michael Stoops Martin Walker David Walker Kathy Whelpley EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laura Thompson Osuri INTERIM EDITOR–IN–CHIEF Lisa Gillespie VENDOR MANAGER Gregory Martin Intern J. Deveaux

Our Mission

Street Sense aims to serve as a vehicle for elevating voices and public debate on issues relating to poverty while also creating economic opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community.

The Story of Street Sense

Street Sense began in August 2003 after two volunteers, Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson, approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions about starting a street newspaper in Washington, D.C. A street paper is defined as a newspaper about poverty, homelessness and other social issues that provides an income to the homeless individuals who sell it. About 25 street papers operate in the United States and Canada in places like Seattle, Chicago, Montreal and Boston, and dozens more exist throughout the world. After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers and vendors, Street Sense came out with its first issue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies. For the next three years the paper published on a monthly basis and greatly expanded its circulation and vendor network. For the first year, Street Sense operated as a

project of the National Coalition for the Homeless, but in October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space. In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)3 status, becoming a nonprofit organization. In October 2005 Street Sense formed a full board of directors, and in November the organization hired its first employee, a fulltime executive director. A year later in November 2006 , the organization hired its first vendor coordinator, and began partnering with several service providers. In February 2007, the paper started publishing twice a month and to support the increased production, Street Sense brought on its first fulltime editor–in–chief in April. As of January 2009 the paper has 80 active vendors and prints about 30,000 issues a month.

VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Laura Arico, John Brandt, Jane Cave, Rebecca Curry, Katie Edson, Andy Freeze, Robert Fulton, Jane Goforth, Cassandra Good, Joanne Goodwin, Roberta Haber, Erica Hall, Carol Hannaford, Justin Herman, Annie Hill, Dan Horner, Phillip Hoying, Kayne Karnbach, Michael Kelly, Maurice King, Geof Koss, Brenda K. Lee-Wilson, Starlett McNeill, Kim O’Connor, Gabriel Okolski, Robert Orifici, Michael O’Neill, Katinka Podmankzy, Sarah Pope, Diane Rusignola, Cara Schmidt, Jamie Schuman, Jesse Smith, Christna Studivant, Matthew Taylor, Robert Trautman, Eugene Versluysen, Linda Wang, Denise Wilkins, Marian Wiseman, Corrine Yu, Lisa Leone, Chris Mullen, Josh Miller, Caroline Hopper, Shivan Sharna, Frank Mearns, Diana Heitz

VENDORS Michael Anderson, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Donna Barber, Kenneth Belkosky, Justin Benedict, Tommy Bennett, Patricia Bennett, Lakiesha Bennett, Phillip Black, Reginald Black, Corey Bridges, Melody Byrd, Cliff Carle, Peggy Cash, Conrad Cheek Jr., Aaron Conner, Anthony Crawford, Louise Davenport, James Davis, David Denny, Ricardo Dickerson, Alvin Dixon El, Charles Eatmon, Deana Elder, Richard Embden, Pieus Ennels, Randy Evans, Craig Fleming, Larry Garner, David Ger, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, John Harrison, Patricia Henry, Shakaye Henry, Shawn Herring, Anne-Marie Holloway, Phillip Howard, James Hughes, Patricia Jefferson, Magaret Jenkins, Jewell Johnson, Donald Johnson, Tiesha Johnson, Allen Jones, Mark Jones, DeRutter Jones, Alicia Jones, Clinton Kilpatrick, Brenda LeeWilson, Anthony Lindsey, Michael Lyons, Kina Mathis, Charlie Mayfield, Herman Mayse, Robert McCray, Marvin McFadden, Davie McInally, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffery McNeil, Frank Mearns, Kenneth Middleton, Virginia Moore, L. Morrow, Tyrone Murray, Lester Myers, Charles Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Evelyn Nnam, Moyo Onibuje, Franklin Payne, Gregory Phillips, Tracey Powell, Ash-Shaheed Rabbil, Raymond Ragland, Michael Reardon, Jeanette Richardson, Ed Ross, Jomika Roundtree, Melania Scott, Chris Shaw, Veda Simpson, Patty Smith, Yvette Smith, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, Leroy Studevant, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Eric Thompson, Deborah Tibbs, Carl Turner, Martin Walker, Joseph Walker, Robert Warren, Lawless Watson, Paul Watson, Edna Williams, Howard Williams, Brian Wills, Ivory Wilson, Charles Woods, Tina Wright

S treetS ense.org

Do you want to continue to support Street Sense throughout the year? Order a subscription today! Not only will you receive 26 issues packed with all our latest news, poetry and photography, you will also help raise awareness about poverty in the D.C. area.

___ YES! I want to subscribe to Street Sense for just $40 a year for 26 issues. ___ YES! I want to give half of the cost of a subscription to my favorite vendor: ______________________________ Name:_________________________ Address:_______________________ City:____________State:__________ Zip: ___________________________ Phone: ________________________ E-mail: ________________________ Please make checks payable to: Street Sense. Mail to: Street Sense, 1317 G St. NW,

We are proud members of:

North American Street Newspaper Association

International Network of Street Papers

Vendor Code of Conduct 1. Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $1. I agree not to ask for more than a dollar or solicit donations for Street Sense by any other means. 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 all others – customers, staff, other vendors – respectfully, and 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 the paper. 7. I will not sell Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 8. I agree to stay a block away from another vendor and respect the space of all vendors. I understand that my badge is the property of Street Sense and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers and display my badge 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.

Street Sense thanks all its donors

Washington, DC 20005.

Thank You!

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

An Iron Clad Anniversary T

he traditional wedding anniversary present for six years is iron. I find it fitting, relative to the traditional gifts for the first five years: paper, cotton, leather, flowers and wood (consecutively). All of these are quite destructible materials that cannot take heat or any sharp objects. Then along comes iron with a melting point of 2,800 Â°F and a hardness of 4 on Mohs scale. I guess whoever set this gift list figured that if you made it through the first six years of ups and downs, the marriage is going to last a long time, like iron. And the same is true for a business. After a lot of ups and downs over the last six years, particularly the last economically challenging year, I am confident to say that Street Sense is here to stay. I remember during the first year, after putting out about five or six issues, I hit a point where I just wanted to quit and give up the whole Street Sense

thing and move out of state (Ted Henson, the other co-founder, told me he had the same feeling around that time as well). We persevered and continued to work days recruiting vendors and tracking down sources and late nights editing and laying out the paper. Perhaps it was the handful of vendors that relied on the income from Street Sense or the occasional email from a touched reader, but something kept us going. And here we are today with three paid staff, 100 vendors and nearly 25,000 copies each month. I will move from executive director to editor in December and exit the staff of Street Sense completely in May 2010. Ted will also step down as board president next year. I am thrilled that Street Sense has come to the point where so many people are involved and the organization has become so established that we can both leave Street Sense and know everything will be fine. Two or three years ago that would not have been the case, but like iron, it will take a whole lot more energy and force to break down a six-year-old Street Sense. While I am happy to say that Street Sense is going strong, it still needs help to continue its upward trajectory. Just a like an iron (o.k., cast iron) pan

After a lot of ups and downs over the last six years, particularly the last economically challenging year, I am confident to say that Street Sense is here to stay.

needs to be seasoned every year to keep working right, so Street Sense needs support from readers like you to keep working right. So please continue to buy the paper and spread the word about Street Sense. And if you have the means, please contribute financially as well. (Please check out the new donation drive below to help support vendor improvement programs.) Thanks to everyone for your support over the past six years and thanks in advance for any â&#x20AC;&#x153;seasoningâ&#x20AC;? that is to come! - By Laura Thompson Osuri

Give a Vendor a Gift that Will Last All Year For 2010 Street Sense is making a concerted effort to better assist its vendors to help them improve their lives and get off the street. New programs include:

Â&#x2021; Sales Training Workshops: 6DOHV SURIHVVLRQDOV ZLOO KRVW ZRUNVKRSV WKDW WUDLQ YHQGRUV LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;HOG RI VDOHV DQG KHOS WKHP DFTXLUH RWKHU VDOHV jobs outside of Street Sense.

Â&#x2021; Vendor Savings Accounts: Street Sense will save 10 cents from each 35 cents it collects from each paper and set it aside in an account that vendors can access to put towards housing, education, or starting a business once they sell 3,000 papers. Â&#x2021;Serial Novel poetry book.

& Poetry Book: Street Sense plans to publish a 24-chapter novel with each chapter written by a different vendor and another

+RZHYHU ZH QHHG VXSSRUW IURP UHDGHUV OLNH \RX WR JHW WKHVH SURJUDPV XS DQG UXQQLQJ DV LW ZLOO WDNH DGGLWLRQDO UHVRXUFHV DQG VWDIĂ&#x20AC;QJ WR PDNH WKHP D VXFFHVV :H DUH DLPLQJ WR UDLVH DQ H[WUD D PRQWK WKURXJK LQGLYLGXDO GRQDWLRQV WR VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDOO\ VXSSRUW YHQGRU SURJUDPV 6R SOHDVH KHOS VXSSRUW \RXU ORFDO YHQGRU WKURXJK these programs, and give them a gift that will last all year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and many more to come!

I want to donate:

My Information:

____$60 for supplies for one sales training workshop ____$100 for the printing of 25 Poetry Books ____$300 for the vendor savings account to match the â&#x20AC;&#x153;cashoutâ&#x20AC;? level ____$500 for the printing of 125 serial novels ____$1000 for the space needed to hold a complete series of training workshops ____$1500 for one month increase in the vendor managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s salary to oversee all the new programs ____ Another amount of _________to go towards __________________________ ____The amount of _________to go directly to vendor _______________________

Name:_________________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________________ City, State, Zip:__________________________________________________ Phone:_______________________ Email:____________________________ Please make checks payable to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Street Senseâ&#x20AC;? and mail to: * 6WUHHW 1: :DVKLQJWRQ '&

Donate online at www.streetsense.org

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Policy Experts Address Smoking Rate Among Homeless Individuals By Shivan Sarna A panel of policy experts, agencies serving the homeless and those facing homelessness themselves gathered in the nation’s capital on Oct. 21to discuss the issue of tobacco usage among people of low socioeconomic status (SES). The Break Free Alliance organized the meeting, attempting to engage chief organizations that serve low SES populations in tobacco control efforts. The panel included experts Jill Jarvie, community health nurse specialist for the San Francisco Department of Public Health, and Michael Stoops, director of community organizing at the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH). Persons of low SES have low incomes, have fewer than twelve years of education, are medically underrepresented and are unemployed or comprise the working poor. There is an 18% difference in the national smoking prevalence rate between people who make less than $15,000 a year (30.6%) and those people who make over $50,000 a year (12%). College graduates have an 8.8 percent smoking rate. “Underserved populations are multi-ethnic, multi-cultural communities that have little to no resources that provide tobacco education or control services,” said Kristi Maryman, program coordinator for Break Free Alliance. “Many of these populations have been specifically targeted by the tobacco industry.” Tobacco usage is a serious issue among the homeless population, according to the Break Free Alliance. “The national smoking prevalence rate among adults is a little over 18%, while among homeless it is estimated at over 70%,” Maryman said. “The homeless experience physical Homeless man Keith Wages, who has been using tobacco for 35 years, smokes a cigaand emotional distress. They smoke rete in Georgetown. He has no intentions of quitting despite potential risks. so that they can lose weight, and to programming and peer counseling lored for the life of a person that is kill the hunger pains, as it is somehomeless, according to Jill Jarvie, a times impossible for many to get three were not offered. “People are ignorant about smok- shelter health coordinator. hot meals a day,” said Michael Stoops, “We need to follow up quit lines. director of community organizing at ing as a health issue, they simply do not know enough about it,” Stoops Each state has quit lines through the NCH. Stoops said that a study was con- said. “That is why we need one or which smokers can seek services,” ducted two years ago, in which NCH two staff members at just about every Jarvie said. “Though it is hard because wanted to discover how shelters dealt homeless program to provide counsel- people who work quit lines may not ing techniques and to dispense nico- know what it is like to live in a shelter with smokers. and may say something like ‘go take The results of the study indicate tine patches.” Programs to quit smoking that are a bubble bath,’ not realizing that the that shelters more or less overlooked the problem, and that educational available cost money and are not tai- homeless don’t have access to a bub-

ble bath.” However, there is a project under way in New York City, under Donna Shelley, director of Interdisciplinary Research and Practice at NYU, which will create services, including smokefree shelters and motivational interviewing. “This population experiences a lot of barriers to quitting, such as mental illnesses and boredom,” Shelley said. The program is conducting research on more customized approaches that will work best with the homeless population. “Essentially, we would like to see sites that treat the homeless incorporate smoking cessation services,” Shelley said. A woman who lives at the House of Ruth, and goes by the name “Butterfly” has been smoking for five years. She says that she buys a pack of cigarettes a day, at a price of $7.46 each. As a result, she smokes approximately $52 of cigarettes a week. Butterfly receives her meals from and lives at the House of Ruth, and hence her only expense is for packs of Malboros. Keith Wages, another homeless man, was startled by the proposed notion of quitting, “Quit what? Smoking? It’s a custom, a habit, my daily bread!” Wages has been smoking for 35 years, and says that he purchases as many cigarettes as he can. Instead of buying a relatively expensive pack of Marlboros, Wages purchases a four-dollar pack of forty cigarettes, known as Bugler. Wages explains that the pack is cheaper because the cigarettes are without filters. Both Butterfly and Wages are fully aware of the risks that smoking poses to their health. Funding has to be centered on low SES populations, and all communities need to have equal access to resources and information regarding tobacco use. Homeless shelters need to institute policies that would help bring about a significant change in the social norm, according to Break Free Alliance. The National Coalition for the Homeless said that the purpose of the meeting was to “get this epidemic on the radar screen, by encouraging shelters to create programs that are targeted at the reduction of smoking among the homeless.”

PHOTO by Shivan Sarna

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

By J. Devauex Last month, as winter approached, Sydni Williams, Community Outreach Coordinator for N Street Village, began to organize an event that provides coats to homeless women. On Nov. 3, the Coat Bazaar served to help homeless women feel appreciated, according to Williams. “As it gets colder, the Coat Bazaar not only offers an opportunity for each woman to find something that will keep them warm, but also something that they will be able to ‘shop’ for,” Williams said. “The N Street Village Coat Bazaar brings together staff, volunteers and clients for the very important purpose of finding a winter coat.” Williams coordinated the efforts of donors and volunteers in setting up the bazaar and also helped to ensure that the women of N Street Village had a pleasant shopping experience. The coats used in the bazaar were donated by churches, private individuals and hotels. Volunteers at N Street Village walked around with their “clients” and helped them find jackets that fit. Volunteers wanted the women to enjoy their shopping experience, and make them forget about their homeless situation for a short while, according to Cathleen Clinton, Vice President of Development and Communications at N Street Village. “There are two shifts that the women can come in,” Clinton said. “Each woman is given 10 minutes

N E W S

I N

to choose a coat with a volunteer. Then the woman has to take the coat to be checked out.” “I think it’s a good opportunity for women to have some support—to keep themselves warm,” said April Willis, case manager at N Street Village. “It gives them an opportunity to feel good about themselves. Some women don’t have the opportunity to live in the shelters and choose to live on the streets.” Willis started out as an intern and wanted to help women that needed community support. She also volunteered at the Coat Bazaar, helping homeless women choose the right coat. Shirletta Lewis chose a jacket with Willis’ help; it was red with a black trim. “My experience was great. I really appreciate what they are doing,” Lewis said. A winter coat can cost an unattainable sum at stores like Macy’s, even during their sale season. Cindy Aron volunteered at the Coat Bazaar, along with Willis. This was the first event at N Street Village that she helped out on. Aron was both excited and nervous as she assisted the women; the process involved choosing coats, watching shoppers preen in front of the mirror and finally helping them check the coat out at the table. Renee Moore was another woman that enjoyed her time at the Bazaar. “I really like this fair. N Street Village helps support a lot of women that can’t afford to support themselves. I think this coat bazaar is really awesome.”

PHOTO by J Devaux

Coat Bazaar Provides Chance of Warmth

At the advent of winter, the coat bazaar provided coats for many homeless women like Shirletta Lewis, who lives in N Street Village.

B R I E F

VA Aims to End Veteran Homelessness Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki laid out a multiyear plan to eliminate the problem of homeless veterans, CNN reports. “Our plan enlarges the scope of VA’s efforts to combat homelessness,” Shinseki said in a press release. “In the past, VA focused largely on getting homeless veterans off the streets. Our five-year plan aims also at preventing them from ever ending up homeless.” Shinseki gave details of the plan at a meeting of the National Summit on Homeless Veterans in early November. The exhaustive plan includes helping veteran-owned businesses compete for federal contracts and spending $3 billion more on medical services and homeless programs. In addition, the plan will likely expand educational grants for college and vocational training. Also, 10,000 additional vouchers for public housing will be given out by 2010. According to Veterans Affairs, there are about 131,000 homeless veterans.

NYC Shelter to Close for Public Transit Extension In New York City, the Open Door drop-in shelter will close by March, in order to make room for an addition to the No. 7 subway, according to the New York Daily News. Open Door provides showers and food for the city’s homeless and also evaluates the physical and mental health of homeless individuals, before helping them find a shelter. While the center will not re-open, city officials say that they will attempt to find a shelter for the roughly 200 people who visit Open Door daily. One of the ways the city will do this is

by adding beds to local synagogues and churches. However, not everybody is convinced that this is the best move for the city government to make. “With all-time record homelessness, this is no time for the Bloomberg administration to close the city’s largest drop-in center for homeless people,” said Patrick Markee, policy analyst for the Coalition for the Homeless.

Salvation Army Red Kettles Hit Streets on Nov. 13 Beginning Nov. 13th, Chicagoans will hear the familiar bell of Salvation Army volunteers ringing, as they collect money for the Red Kettle Campaign. With unemployment at more than 10%, the Salvation Army says that working-class families need further assistance this year. The organization is hoping to collect $12 million in the Chicago area. The campaign raised $130 million nationally in 2008. On average, the Red Kettle Campaign brings in about 70 percent of the money the organization uses year round. This year’s campaign kicks off Nov. 25.

Study: State Income Taxes Strain Working-poor Families According to a study from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the working poor in 16 states were pushed further into poverty. In 16 of the 42 states that have income taxes, families of four began being taxed at an average income of $22,017 in 2008. That was below the federal poverty line for a two-parent

family of four during that time period. The remaining states that levy an income tax did not tax the working poor. The states that taxed working-poor families in 2008 were: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and West Virginia. “Dire economic conditions are already reducing states’ tax revenue. This makes it harder for states to enact new tax cuts targeted to poor families,” said Phil Oliff, the study’s coauthor. “But doing so should still be a priority. Taxing people deeper into poverty runs counter to the goal of helping families achieve self-sufficiency.”

Almost Half of U.S. Children Have Used Food Stamps According to U.S. News & World Report, nearly half of all American children and teenagers will use food stamps at one point. The study, which analyzed data from 1968 to 1997, showed that by the time a U.S. child reached turned a year old, about 12.1% of them had lived in a home that received food stamps. By the time the child turned five, the number jumped to 26.1%; 43.6% by age 15; and 49.2% by 20.By age 20, about a third had lived in a household that had used food stamps for two years or more; 28.1% for three or more years; 26.4% for four years or more and 22.8% for five years or more, the study showed. The research was first reported in the November issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Compiled by Dianna Heitz, from previously published reports.

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Where the Art Is: WVSA In the heart of the city, WVSA offers a chance for continued learning through art By Robert Fulton The WVSA Arts Connection building located at the corner of 16th and L Streets in Northwest D.C. is a busy area. The building houses a number of programs, including the WVSA ARTiculate Employment Training Program, the WVSA ARTiculate Gallery and the WVSA School for ARTs in Training (SAIL), a K-through-eight charter school. The WVSA uses art as a medium for learning. “We are an organization that tries to teach through art,” said Marvin Brown, director of outreach for the various WVSA programs. “Once you get a student interested in art, it opens up their educational mind. All students learn differently, and we know that the one way to start teaching them is through art.” At any given moment, visitors find students of all ages creating art and learning. The Employment Training Program caters to teenagers and adults with learning disabilities or other disadvantages. Students create art that they can sell on-site and receive a commission from sales. The ARTiculate Employment Training and Outreach Program is billed as a “supplemental education service.” Different aspects of the program help in the development of vocational, social and life management skills. The program also assists with literacy and life skills, GED preparation and career assessment and provides feedback on resumes. “We try to give employment to those who most people think are unemployable,” said Brown, adding that the WVSA has intern programs and works with local businesses to promote education and training to acquire skills. “Broadly, our mission is to provide people with disabilities and other disadvantages with an equitable access to the arts,” said Richard Offner, WVSA president and CEO. Offner became CEO in July; however, he has been on the board for 12 years, most recently as chairman. “It provides a way in which we use art for unique instruction for students.” The WVSA receives funding not only from donations, but also from various sources, such as the Office of the State Superintendent of Education. “Programs and services are stretched,” said Offner. “The funding isn’t available.” Chenniah Randolph has been a GED teacher with WVSA for a little less than a year and sees many types of people enter the program. “Everyone is different,” Randolph said. “It’s

PHOTO by robert fulton

WVSA Arts Connection is home to a number of programs that use art as a method of learning and serve to educationally stimulate the minds of at-risk and disadvantaged students. Above, GED teacher Chenniah Randolph works with student Andre Barcus.

really fascinating. Some of the younger people were disillusioned from D.C. public schools, and thought that our educational system was horrible, and as a result they dropped out.” “A lot of the older people didn’t finish school, as they had to support their families. At one time, a high school diploma was really all you needed to get a job,” Randolph said. “You didn’t need any advanced education.” Student Andre Barcus has been involved with WVSA for 12 years. As a part of his internship, he does maintenance work in the building. Barcus is currently working towards his GED. “I can have a piece of paper for when I get a job and to better myself,” Barcus said. “They benefit me job-wise, art-wise, and also educationally.”

To get involved, applicants are advised to visit the WVSA web site, or get a referral from an agency or case worker. Visit www.wvsarts.org for more information.

Now Providing Quality Dental Services for D.C. Medically underserved and homeless persons

….We treat you well

For one of Unity Health Care’s Medical Homeless Service Sites Call (202) 255-3469 For an appointment at any of our Community Health Centers Call 1(866) 388388-6489

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Street News Service: A Homeless News Wire In Action By Eleonora Terrile Petali Rossi: What is the Street News Service and what is its purpose?

Maree Aldam describes new plans for the Street News Service to begin in 2010. Photo from SNS.

Maree Aldam: The Street News Service plays a crucial role in our work to build a strong independent media movement. It’s an alternative online news agency which brings together the best of street paper journalism from around the world. It’s a valuable editorial resource for street papers, and it helps to increase their capacity to be diverse, challenging and sustainable independent media in their local communities. The SNS is a web-based forum for street papers to exchange and circulate content. Through the service, street papers can also access news, features and photographs contributed by our external media partners Reuters and Inter Press Service (IPS). Being part of this editorial network allows their voices to be heard through wider republication throughout their own country and across the world. In the long term, the increased exposure and profile gained through use of the SNS enables street papers to gain recognition from policy makers, potential funders and local and national governing bodies. The Street News Service also aims to challenge public perspectives on poverty and injustice by offering exclusive commentary on important social issues from 37 countries around the world. The service aims to inform and educate public opinion, action and debate on development, social and cultural issues. P.R.: When was it created? M.A.: The Street News Service was initially developed and launched by the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA). NASNA and International Network of Street Papers (INSP) work very closely together – NASNA’s 25 member street papers are also members of INSP and the two organizations share the same vision and purpose in supporting and advancing the street paper movement. The Street News Service went global in 2004 and launched its first-ever newsfeed in November of that year. Since then, the service processes more than 2000 articles and pictures in over 15 languages annually. Last summer, we hired a journalism master’s student. The intern took on the day-to-day running of the service, which allowed us to invest substantial time and energy in developing the overall project. We continue to run the SNS internship program, and it

has proved to be a great way to improve and develop the service and has so far provided a fantastic work experience opportunity for three young journalists. P.R.: How much news do you receive every week from the street papers? M.A.: We receive around 15 articles each week from our papers. Street paper editors select articles which they think will be of interest to their colleagues around the world and the street paper content is also supplemented though our media partnerships with Reuters and Inter Press Service (IPS). Reuters donates two articles every week and allows us access to their fantastic database of photographs. IPS donates 15 development-related articles each week in five different languages. Last year we decided to make better use of the rich, global journalistic network and we started producing original content, too. We now produce three international columns each month with the assistance of street paper editors in every continent. All articles and pictures are collated each week into an email newsfeed, which is sent out to our members, partners and supporters in three languages. INSP actively works to maintain a volunteer bank of nearly 60 translators, many of whom are professional translators and interpreters, to ensure that more members are able to contribute to and benefit from the Street News Service. We currently offer translation services in German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Norwegian, Polish, Danish, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Swedish, Ukrainian, Hungarian and Slovak. P.R.: Thanks to this service, the street papers can get independent information from all over the world. What are the main subjects discussed on the worldwide street papers? M.A.: Street papers are all different in their capacity, style, size and editorial approach. This adds to the diversity of the Street News Service, bringing rich and colorful news, issues and information from around the world. We see articles as diverse as investigative reports, exclusive interviews, testimonies from street paper vendors, film and book reviews, and features on a variety of topics – from social issues to music. P.R.: Is it possible for external media to publish material from street papers? M.A.: At present, republication from the Street News Service website is only available to INSP street papers, as the service really started out as an editorial resource for street papers. The website is open to anyone as an information resource, however, and as it has developed a wider readership, we do receive some external requests for republication. External media

are always free to contact street papers directly, and this is usually welcomed. As we develop the service further, we will be thinking about how we might be able to utilize the popularity of the website to allow street papers to gain a greater public presence and forge stronger positions in their communities. P.R.: What will be the next step for the Street News Service? M.A.: In 2010, INSP has big development plans for the SNS. Thanks to funding from the European Union, we will work in partnership with Inter Press Service to build on the service that we offer to our street papers; and also develop it to become a valued resource for students, journalists, government and the general public. We have already started to plan a new website, which will allow our members to share content more easily and will also allow the public to access the unique perspectives of street papers. This new-look SNS will encourage individuals to communicate and participate in important social debate, using interactive features such as forums and voting. They will also be encouraged to participate in related INSP activities, such as campaigning, through the INSP and other partner websites. For the first time, we will also employ a full-time editor for the service. This will allow us to take the service to the next level and involve our whole membership in developing a really great editorial and public resource. Courtsey of Petali Rossi © Street News Service: www. streetnewsservice.org

FOUNDRY A Reconciling Congregation Invites you to join us in worship on Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 AM Homeless Outreach Hospitality: Fridays 9:00 AM

Foundry United Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 332-4010

www.foundryumc.org

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Taken near Union Station (By Chris Mullen)

By David Denny I was introduced to Street Sense on a cold winter day, when my feet and hands were nearly frostbitten. With piercing winds biting at my ears, I trudged along begging for change, with one solitary objective: to assuage my alcohol and drug addiction. I was in the Tenley-Town section of D.C. I come here often to hide this sad affair from those who knew me. A Street Sense vendor gave me a paper and told me to call. It would be months before I took him up on his offer. At that time, I looked at him and his paper, and laughed out “are you serious.” I continued my wayward path down the street, nose running, feet numb. The only thing I wanted to think about was counting my change so I could ante up for the next bottle of vodka. The crack would come later after the kitty got bigger. During my drinking, I would look back over bits and pieces of my life. I was once under contract with a military installation to hire, train and oversee baggers in their commissary.

Sometimes I felt that that life style was shattered into so many pieces it could never be restored. Then, I realized the only thing that comes out of that bottle is self pity and self destruction. So I took the bottle and tossed it. It lay down broken and shattered into a million pieces like my life. A month after I was introduced to Street Sense, I continued to struggle and fight the demons and darkness that pursued me, even in my dreams.

Troubled Dreams

Running fast I cannot hide The darkness still there at my side Pulling me into an ice cold kiss I can’t escape this abyss Laughter sounds from distant graves The residence of demon slaves

I’m welcomed into their hellish h Of crypts, tombs and catacombs We dine on the bread of death That robs my soul and takes my b They greet the song of distant sc And deny my soul of future dream

A couple of months later I fina the offer. My spirit was dama appearance in tatters. I was so tired. I had to get my life back

A Drug Called Crack

In the seventies we used to do sm Today we are cursed with a drug Just one hit is all it takes

S treetS ense.org

homes s

breath creams ms

ally took Street Sense up on aged, health ruined, and my o tired of being tired of being k from the drug called crack!

mack called crack

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Chris Mullen grew up around photography, working at his family’s photography business, Stewart Brothers Photographers, through out high school as well as college. He studied photography at Shepherd University and received a bachelor’s of fine arts degree. After college he worked as a TV photojournalist. Working in tv helped him hone his skills in a stressful and fast-paced environment. After five years of working in tv, he decided to start shooting on his own; In April he started a photography business based in Maryland.

Next comes paranoia, geeks, then shakes Ridiculed, scorned and shown no pity Sleeping on park benches in the capitol city Haunted with nightmares of days gone by You traded your life for a hit and a high Your only objective in life is to score And once that’s accomplished it’s time to get more It’s a cycle of madness that everyone knows Of endless rushes and tattered clothes You are headed on a course straight to hell But instead you wind up going to jail Now filled with hostility, anger and hate Not accepting that you chose your own fate Faced with what some people dread Being revealed as a stupid crack head! Three months later my healthy spirit had been restored and I had joy in experiences. It was a whole new awakening. I am

now clean and a Street Sense vendor. I must admit that Street Sense saved me in so many ways. You write Poetry according to your feelings and today I write about Love.

Love

It dwarfs all of the galaxies Shines brighter than stars above Its breadth surpasses the oceans And rivals the flight of the dove It’s the answer to all my questions The song angels sing It’s the mission of every cherub And the wafting grace of each wing It’s a mixture of bliss and happiness Added with joy from above Stirred in with truth and affection That makes up this thing called Love.

November 11 - November 24, 2009

S treetS ense.org

1][S b]USbVS` b] VSZ^ bVS V][SZSaa 8=7< CA 4=@ B63 63:> B63 6=;3:3AA E/:9/B6=< AObc`ROg <]d ' ]\ bVS <ObW]\OZ ;OZZ Â´ @SUWabS` ]\ZW\S( VSZ^bVSV][SZSaaRQ ]`U

FAN283 | HTH 2009 | Pub: Street Sense | Full Pg | Trim: 10x12.25 | 4C | Issue Date: 10/28/09

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Will write for food: Writer’s Group

Writer’s Group meets Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Street Sense office. The poetry after party is from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Writer's Group is in need of laptops; email: info@streetsense.org if you can help

Happy Anniversery Street Sense!!!!!!!! This issue marks six years of blood sweat and tears and a little hard work of people from all walks of life who have found a way for our voices to be heard by you our beloved readers. We hope you enjoy how a sixteen page newspaper has changed our lives.

PATTY SMITH

From the time I was over at Whole Foods and going to Strayer University, you readers have understood my struggle and trials. I tried to express myself in voice and dance. You all have helped me when I started going to Computer Tech Institute and selling on 13th and H street N.W. It was a scary adventure. But once again the readers that were true friends came to my aide in ways I didnt expect. One gave me bus fare subway fair and lunch another gave me an extra tip. So I just want to thank all my all of my readers of Street Sense for all of your generosity. The paper has been my friend and so have you, my readers. Patty, a veteran vendor, loves creative writing. Contact: Pattyscoffee@netzero. net.

Reggie’s Reflections-In Review by Reginald Black I’ve been writing about how homelessness affects the social scene. Here’s what I’ve covered. New day- I encountered a man who leads me to a new venture. Intruder ??- while I began taking on my new venture, I visited a friend and felt out of place. Cheating crime- While visiting a friend, I was accused of being the other guy. Good for me ??- I spent time with a friend. While there, I questioned whether I was in a good situation.

Crazy request !!!!- I was still spending time with my friend. I got asked a peculiar question. The Plan .- After some tense moments, I found myself in a romantic evening. Little Flirt ??- While helping out while my friend slept, I felt like she was drawing too close. Snatched !!- Five days into hanging with my friend, a family member takes her child. The Talk..- I tried to talk to my friend. It was hard to do but I got through it. Reggie hosts The Writers’ Group Meetings. Contact: Rblackstreetreporter@ gmail.com

Reginald Black

I started a little over a year ago. Right away Street Sense became the meat and bones of my life, or should I say: my life has become the meat and bones of Street Sense. The people I have met while selling this paper have amazed and touched me. I am blown away every week as writers like myself come from far and wide to have their voices heard. While being homeless has it downs, Street Sense has become my high. I always say Street Sense should have been called The Self-Motivatior, because it has motivated me and changed how I look at others, and our world.

David Rubin Street Sense introduced me to diplomacy. It taught me how to speak to people concerning homelessness. I eventually accomplished an understanding of the spirit of the law by Montesquieu, whose work influenced James Madison, a U.S. founding father. This was only possible through Street Sense’s Writer’s Group. If you know who you are, then you are free. David volunteers & is writing his own novel. Contact: stonepotts2000@yahoo. com.

Davie McInally I would like to thank all the members of the public who donate their hard earned money to purchase the Street Sense newspaper and help out the less fortunate they see making an effort to work instead of panhandling. Thank you for your continuing support. Davie is from Glasgow, Scotland, and is an avid supporter of the Glasgow Celtic soccer team.

James Fethersen All my life I have loved to write about things I have seen in life. I was a paratrooper facing homelessness for a while. Now I am going to be a personal trainer and have my own buisness, a job with the F.B.I, and of course my time writing at Street Sense, so thank you Street Sense for letting me do my thing, and thank you Reggie Black for being a motivatior. James is a veteran of the U.S. Army. Contact: James_Fethersen@yahoo.com

PRODUCTION, HOSTING, LAYOUT AND SUPPORT: Patty Smith, Reginald Black

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

America’s Being Held Hostage By Jeffery McNeill

tep right up to the greatest sham on earth, two-party politics. It’s like a choice between aspirin or cod liver oil. Both are unpalatable to the stomach. America has become a side joke of gridlock, special interest groups and servants for the rich, well-connected and corporate. Independents and moderates have no place in politics anymore; we are today held hostage by the religious right, who want to spy on us and legislate morality, or the far left, who want us to hold hands and eat granola bars. From Clinton to Bush to our current president, who all ran campaigns on bipartisanship and working together by kicking lobbyists out of the room, our leaders suddenly become agents for them once they get elected. Our forefathers must be puking in their tombstones at what democracy has become. It is no longer an experiment of majority opinion and consensus. It has become a system of “robbing hood” economics by robbing the middle class and the poor and writing checks to the wealthy CEOs after they loot the till. I, as a moderate, am tired of our current mayor, who ran as a progressive and governs like an agent for the conservative right wing of the Republican

Party. To our current president, who ran on change we can believe in, to believing in Bank of America, Wells Fargo and other Fortune 500 companies, I, as an American, am tired of a political system that doesn’t speak out for the little guy. I truly believe we can save this fantasy we call democracy, where we don’t have fundamental rights like universal healthcare, a right to eat and a right to shelter. We, as Americans, have to change the way politics is done in Washington. The greatest myth is the two-party system, which I believe is corrupted by special interests, and self-serving politicians, no matter how good they babble, need to form different parties that truly adhere to the principles of democracy and that are not run by a big lobbyist. Independents and moderates need to take America back by forming new parties and sending a message to Washington that what is going on is not acceptable. We need to again go to the days when country politicians can work their way through America and bring real change. Today’s politicians behave like aristocrats and barons who have no concern for the welfare of the people whom they represent. The system is broken, but I hope in my lifetime it could be fixed.

By Tommy Bennett

y soul is lost; but by God’s grace I gained understanding when I was lost. I left God but God never left me. And then, I see more people that are just like me and sometimes their souls are lost too. If we give it all to God, our worries would be over. By God’s grace, I’m going on seven years clean. I talk to some of my associates and I noticed that they are still doing the same thing. And I have a friend that told me, “believe in God and everything will be alright.” But even though I’m still at the 801 Shelter, I’m trying to keep my spirit up stronger. When I used to hang out in the dark world, my life was miserable. But now, I just turned my life around. My life is getting better. I still have a lot to go. God have mercy on yah’ll’s souls. Tommy has been sober for seven years.

Jeffery has been a vendor for two years and recently moved into his own apartment.

Help Bring the Homeless in from the Cold

THE CALLthe Call

Shelter Hotline 1 800 535-7252 o r C a l l 3 11

Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor, Government of the District of Columbia

Lost Souls

Galler y Opening and Ar tist Reception at WVSA ART iculate Galler y: Itʼs All About the

FKQNJAU November 19, 2009 5:30pm - 7:30pm

Free Refreshments and Live Entertainment ! WVSA ARTiculate Gallery 1100 16th St. NW 202-261-0204 www.wvsarts.org

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Back to the World Debating the Effects of PTSD By James Featherson

e was a young black kid from the South who fought in a U.S. War and faced hardships on the streets (homelessness) before better times. During the war he was with the elite special operations group. On a search-and-destroy mission Blue Dog Team took fire from all sides. These young mavericks faced down the enemy. These were the worst so-called suicide bombers, those who would sacrifice themselves to kill you. The new day Japanese Kamikaze, the divine wind. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for valor in combat. It’s the second highest award in the U.S. military. The citation read: while on a secret mission, behind enemy lines, he took out four enemy fighters, two with hand-to-hand combat. It took two hours for him to regain his composure after seeing a human body ripped apart by a rocket. There was an investigative charge that the enemy forces used phosphorous shells in a way that burned civilians during the fighting, which human rights groups around the world say should be considered a war crime. Many of the villagers were wounded by burns and gas inhalation from the white phosphorous—although the use of white phosphorous weapons to light up the night or create smoke screens masking troops is permitted by International law. He was a member and paratrooper of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The war was bad on him. How can you treat wounds you can’t see, a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Can PTSD cause criminal behavior and homelessness? Yes and no. There’s no doubt that PTSD can cause a person to make bad choices that lead to antisocial behaviors. Increased use of alcohol or drugs can lead to driving while intoxicated, domestic violence or petty theft to support drug or alcohol use. Increased physiological arousal from always being on guard can lead to violent behavior that is out of proportion to a perceived threat. There are even cases in which combat veterans with PTSD were found not guilty of murder when they were put in a situation that reminded them of a nervous stressful combat experience and they felt they were defending themselves against an enemy. But those are extreme cases, particularly the last one. In most instances, PTSD does not lead to criminal behavior. Much of what is reported on this issue in the media is a result of savvy lawyers conjuring up defenses for clients who likely would have committed the crime regardless of whether they had PTSD. Lawyers know that the average juror will have a great deal of sympathy for a veteran. That may sound unsympathetic or even cynical, but excusing anti-social behavior because of PTSD can be insulting to those suffering from this disabling condition; it feeds the stigma that combat veterans with PTSD are unstable, dangerous and crazy. Let’s not make PTSD a scapegoat for crime. Instead, let’s direct our effort at better understanding this disorder and improving treatment so veterans can lead more satisfying and rewarding lives. He is now back to the world, back home, trying to forget that ruthless war— but how can we treat wounds you can’t see. Some men and women have sustained emotional trauma as well as physical injury. They are still fighting an arduous postwar battle to heal, to understand a mysterious psychological condition and re-enter civilian life. As I think about the soldiers who will be rotating back home from Iraq this summer as part of the “pause” in the surge as well as those who will stay behind, I remember some of the people I met on their long journey back home from the war. James is a former member of the U.S. Army Green Berets and author of Firebase Delta, about a remote military outpost during war. He has been selected for the Military Times hall of valor.

For the Rest of My Life By Maurice King

or months, it was as if I took a hiatus from the world of the homeless because I was working. There’s no question that I am still well within that world now. Months of fruitless job searching have turned up precious little. It can safely be said that, although studies show that the District itself has seen an improvement, the D.C. metro area is still mired in recession and needs a shot in the arm to pull out of the doldrums. I have to say that I found the transition from being a welfare recipient to a working individual a bit frightening, but the transition back has been even more frightening. I knew that if I again became unemployed, I might have trouble registering again for assistance. I am indeed facing such difficulty now. Going through it all again adds a lot of tension to my life that is of no help at all to me. My core service agency has faded out of the picture insofar as rendering assistance to me with housing. There’s nothing particularly new about that, however. The agency, so it seems, long ago adopted a policy about me that said, “He’s high functioning; he can do things on his own,” and that, therefore, was the excuse for not rendering me assistance in the same manner that other consumers at the agency received. There were a few incidents that went down in history, such as when I declined to take an apartment in a neighborhood where another consumer was shot in 2006; things like that definitely did not endear me with the agency. Such memories do not die easily. The step of finding suitable housing has remained the most challenging of all for me and is likely to remain so. Even when I was earning a salary, finding housing was not something I could easily pursue. The District of Columbia is an expensive place to live; rents are notoriously high – perhaps not as high as those in New York City, but still difficult to afford – but living in the suburbs was never an option because of transportation problems. I have credit problems that will be an obstacle as well. Also, I would need to reside in an area that made getting to a job possible, and that also affects the cost. Now that once again I am dependent on the possibility of getting some form of subsidy, all attempts at getting housing are on hold pending the receipt of such a subsidy, if indeed I should be so fortunate. Something that I said while I was working was that I will never forget where I came from. The experience of having been homeless has changed my life forever. I cannot take little things for granted any more after having lost everything. It’s an experience I shall carry with me for the rest of my life. Unfortunately, one of the problems of being homeless is that it is very difficult to come out of homelessness once a person has become homeless, and because there is no real system for solving the problem of homelessness, a person can remain in homeless limbo for years on end without seeing a solution to the problem. Today I speak with the Speakers’ Bureau of the National Coalition for the Homeless on many occasions in the D.C. metro area. In many ways, it is a therapeutic activity for me to tell about my experiences as a homeless person in the various engagements. However, my story does not really have an ending now. Audiences all like to hear happy endings. I am hoping that some day, I will have such an ending to offer. Maurice has been writing for Street Sense since the first issue and is working on publishing his own book.

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

VOLUNTEER VOICES:

Life as a Street Sense Office Volunteer

volunteer at Street Sense because I believe it is a wonderful paper that lets the public know what is going on in the homeless community. I have two part-time jobs cleaning offices just to survive. And I am a homeless vendor for Street Sense. I am from Donegal, Ireland, which is in the most northern part of southern Ireland. I came to Washington D.C. from Atlantic City on November 7, 2007 to look for work. But I joined a drug and alcohol program the day I came here, which helped me stay clean for two years. While I was in the program, I joined the D.C. Knights’ soccer team and played in two homeless world cup tournaments for the Washington D.C. team. Street Sense was one of the sponsors of the tournament. I have more than one memorable moment: it is when a vendor comes into the office and says that they have found an apartment or they have found full-time employment and are getting off the streets. I don’t have a favorite vendor because I think all the vendors are equally important, which is what keeps this wonderful organization going. My biggest frustration during volunteering is when I hear and see people taking Street Sense for granted, because it might not always be here forever. But I really hope it is, because this paper helps so many people get back on track in their lives. I’ve learned that all homeless people are not just bums or lazy people. We have vendors that are out there 10 hours every day just to survive. It helps them feel like normal people with normal jobs instead of being seen as bums. -Frank Mearns

olunteering for Street Sense keeps me grounded to what first brought me into the office in March 2005, homelessness and needing income to provide for my d o g a n d m y s e l f . I have a job outside of volunteering. I heard about the newspaper in October, 2004 while I was staying at the John L. Young public shelter in the District. My mind is affected by physical changes my body is going through now. I am 54 years old. And I am lucky I can remember where the office is these days. That makes every day memorable. I have never had any children but I recall what my mother used to tell me and my siblings, “I do not have a favorite child. I love you all equally and differently, as God has made each of you unique.” And that is how I feel about all of our vendors. The struggle to provide all the needs of those that enter these doors to become vendors, frustrates me the most. From volunteering at Street Sense I learned to be grateful for everything in life. Life is given to you by God. And He will provide everything you need. Keep the faith and onward through the fog. - Brenda Lee Wilson

volunteer my time and services to Street Sense because I believe in the organization and what it is doing to make a difference in the lives of many of the homeless and poor people in our community. I believe that this is one of the few organizations that works directly with the populace it serves. The overhead for Street Sense is virtually nonexistent. Most of the benefits go directly to the vendors. I work part time for a community organization called the Barney Neighborhood House and I am a member of the National Coalition for the Homeless Speakers’ Bureau. I first heard about Street Sense when I was an advocate and activist for the Committee to Save the Franklin Shelter. During a demonstration I was approached by the long-time associate editor and reporter David Hammond who suggested that we submit articles concerning our struggle and progress to keep the shelter open. In terms of naming a particular favorite vendor, they are too numerous to mention. With the exception of a few persons that come immediately to my attention such as Mark Jones, James Davis, Conrad Cheek Jr. and Jewell Johnson, I would say that every vendor is my favorite. The biggest frustration I have is to know of the problems and many services needed by many of the persons we come in contact with and to realize that we do not have the resources necessary to assist them. The biggest lesson I have learned is to be non-judgmental. We are all but a step away from being in the same situation that is common to the people we are trying to serve. - Jesse Smith

Belgian citizen, I came to DC in 1980 for a job at the World Bank. I am now a freelance writer and occasional photographer. I became a volunteer after meeting Conrad Cheek at Eastern Market. Conrad inspired me to check out Street Sense. It’s the best thing I ever did. After more than two years at Street Sense, I look at life and people differently. Better still, I now regard many vendors as friends; they are my equals in every respect. What never ceases to impress me is that individuals who are homeless, and sometimes are living on the street, deprived of privacy and shelter, manage to be cheerful, selling the paper with enthusiasm, and bringing laughter and fun to our tiny office. That makes volunteering a special part of my life. - Eugene Versluysen . volunteer for Street Sense bes a journalist, I often see the tools of our trade used to tarnish sound cause I feel I can be of use and it ideas and unleash petty ad homkeeps me from sitting around the inem attacks. I found Street Sense to be a house watching too much television. I healthy antidote for the negativity that so am currently reitired and I also enjoy often masquerades as “news.” Street Sense being around people and interacting allows people to have a direct impact on the with them. I have lived in D.C. all my community in which they live while learning life and first found out about volunteerabout a segment of our society that is all too ing from the newspaper. I talked to one often looked past or brushed aside. of the vendors, I believe, and decided to Being a part of the mission to improve the call and see if they needed help. community through citizen journalism, and My most memorable moment is gethelping others help themselves, has been a ting so much support from Greg, the rewarding experience, both personally and vendor manager, and my most memoprofessionally. rable vendor is James Hughes. He’s so - John Brandt upbeat and polite. However, my biggest frustration is dealing with certain disgruntled vendors, but I am grateful for Greg for showing me the ropes on the ne excuse people have to not volunteer their time is that one. they don’t have the time to volunteer. They’re too busy. - Jane Goforth I admit I fall into that classification, but when I was laid

love volunteering at Street Sense for a number of reasons. First, it seems to me a totally worthwhile cause. I can’t imagine how dreadful it must be to have no place of your own, nowhere to retreat from the outside world, nowhere to express your individuality. But it’s not just a good cause; it’s actually fascinating to hear the stories of Street Sense vendors, and I really enjoy getting to know them a little bit. I’m originally from London, but I’ve been living in D.C. since 1980, so I guess I’m almost a local by now. I first encountered Street Sense a couple of years ago in the form of Conrad Cheek at Eastern Market, and then Phillip Howard at Whole Foods on P Street. The biggest lesson I’ve learned here? I’m continually astonished that people can live on the street or spend the night in a shelter and still get themselves together to sell the paper, look for a job, and deal with all the other stuff of daily life. I’m also astonished that the rest of us aren’t doing more to change this situation. - Jane Cave

off in June, I had the opportunity to give back to the community. As a writer and editor, I’ve always wanted to get involved with Street Sense, and since I make my own schedule as a freelancer, volunteering in the office and writing on occasion worked out well. I first came to the D.C. area from San Diego three years ago when my wife got accepted to George Washington University School of Law. I soon saw Street Sense out in the city, and learned more from a friend who volunteered, but it wasn’t until recently that I got involved with Street Sense. My first day volunteering here was memorable--the paper was hours late. Compared to that day without an issue, everything else has been cake. I’ve learned quite a bit - mostly that the vendors in general are good people, just looking for a fair shake, and I hope I can make a difference on some level. - Robert Fulton

S treetS ense.org WASHINGTON, D.C.

November 11 - November 24, 2009 (202) 387–6612 www.churchofthepilgrims.org

housing, job training, supportive mental health services

Calvary Women’s Services 928 5th Street, NW (202) 783–6651 www.calvaryservices.org

Dinner Program for Homeless Women AND the “9:30 Club” Breakfast 309 E Street, NW (202) 737–9311 www.dphw.org

Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050 www.friendshiphouse.net counseling, mentoring, education, youth services, clothing

Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW (202) 745–7118 www.missiondc.org

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

CCNV (Men and Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393–1909 users.erols.com/ccnv/

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

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

Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232–7356 www.communityofhopedc.org

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

SHELTER

Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Ave SE (202) 610–9600 www.covenanthousedc.org Housing, education, job prep Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731 www.grm.org John Young Center (Women) 119 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469 www,catholiccharitiesdc.org My Sister’s Place PO Box 29596 Washington, DC 20017 office (202) 529-5261 24-hour hotline (202)-529-5991 shelter and other services for domestic violence victims N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060 www.nstreetvillage.org 801 East, St. Elizabeths Hospital (Men) 2700 MLK Avenue, SE (202) 561–4014 New York Ave Shelter (Men 18+) 1355–57 New York Avenue, NE (202) 832–2359 Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 Mitch Snyder Place, NW (202) 639–8093

FOOD Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232–3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplace Church of the Pilgrims (Sundays only) 2201 P Street, NW

MEDICAL RESOURCES 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 Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW (202) 265–2400 AND 1640 Good Hope Road, SE (202) 561–8587 www.breadforthecity.org food pantry, clothing, legal and social services, medical clinic Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW (202) 364–1419; www.cchfp.org housing, medical and psych care, substance abuse and job counseling Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060 http://www.nstreetvillage.org meals, hygiene, laundry, social activities, substance abuse treatment Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112 Green Door (202) 464–9200 1221 Taylor Street NW www.greendoor.org

Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328–6608 www.marthastable.org dinner, education, recreation, clothing, child and family services Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW (202) 682–1005 http://www.ccdsd.org/howorwc. php hygiene, laundry, lunch, phone and mail, clothing, social events Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675–9340 www.sashabruce.org counseling, housing, family services So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW (202) 797–8806; www.some.org lunch, medical and dental, job and housing counseling

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Academy of Hope GED Center 601 Edgewood St NE 202-269-6623 www.aohdc.org Bright Beginnings Inc. 128 M Street NW, Suite 150 Washington DC 20001 (202) 842–9090 www.brightbeginningsinc.org Child care, family services Catholic Community Services 924 G Street, NW (202) 772–4300 www.ccs–dc.org umbrella for a variety of services D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW (202) 347–8870; www.dccfh.org housing, substance abuse treatment, employment assistance DC Food Finder Interactive online map of free and low cost resources. www.dcfoodfinder.org Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW

(202) 347–0511 www.cflsdc.org housing, job and substance abuse counseling, clothes closet Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010 www.foundryumc.org ESL, lunch, clothing, IDs Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332–2874 http://www.ccs–dc.org/find/ services/ meals, hygiene, laundry, clothing JHP, Inc. 1526 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (202) 544–9126 www.jobshavepriority.org training and employment Jubilee Jobs 1640 Columbia Road, NW (202) 667–8970 www.jubileejobs.org job preparation and placement National Coalition for the Homeless 2201 P Street, NW (202) 462–4822 www.nationalhomeless.org activists, speakers bureau National Student Partnerships (NSP) 128 M Street NW, Suite 320 (202) 289–2525 washingtondc@nspnet.org Job resource and referral agency Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE , AND 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202)889–7702 www.samaritanministry.org HIV support, employment, drug/ alcohol addiction, healthcare St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 1514 15th Street, NW (202) 667–4394 http://stlukesdc.edow.org food, counseling St. Matthew’s Cathedral 1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW (202) 347–3215 ext. 552 breakfast, clothing, hygiene Travelers Aid, Union Station 50 Mass. Avenue, NE (202) 371–1937 www.travelersaid.org/ta/ dc.html emergency travel assistance Wash. Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U Street, NW (202) 328–5500 www.legalclinic.org

MARYLAND

VIRGINIA

SHELTER

Comm. Ministry of Montgomery Co. 114 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville (301) 762–8682 www.communityministrymc. org

Alexandria Community Shelter 2355 B-Mill Road, Alexandria (703) 838–4239

The Samaritan Group Inc. P.O. Box 934, Chestertown (443) 480–3564 Warm Night Shelter 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499–2319 www.cmpgc.org

FOOD Bethesda Cares 7728 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda (301) 907–9244 www.bethesdacares.com Community Place Café 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499–2319 www.cmpgc.org Manna Food Center 614–618 Lofstrand Lane, Rockville (301) 424–1130 www.mannafood.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES Community Clinic, Inc. 8210 Colonial Lane, Silver Spring (301) 585–1250 www.cciweb.org Mobile Medical Care, Inc. 9309 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda (301) 493–2400 www.mobilemedicalcare.org

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Catholic Charities, Maryland 12247 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring (301) 942–1790 www.catholiccharitiesdc.org shelter, substance abuse treatment, variety of other services Mission of Love 6180 Old Central Avenue, Capitol Heights (301)333–4440 www.molinc.org life skills classes, clothing, housewares Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless 600–B East Gude Drive, Rockville (301) 217–0314; www.mcch.net emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive services

Carpenter’s Shelter 930 N. Henry Street, Alexandria (703) 548–7500 www.carpentersshelter.org The Arlington–Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless 3103 9th Road, North, Arlington (703) 525–7177 www.aachhomeless.org

FOOD ALIVE!, Inc. 2723 King Street, Alexandria (703) 836–2723 www.alive–inc.org Our Daily Bread 10777 Main Street #320, Fairfax (703) 273–8829 www.our–daily–bread.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES Arlington Free Clinic 3833 N Fairfax Drive, #400, Arlington (703) 979–1400 www.arlingtonfreeclinic.org

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Abundant Life Christian Outreach, 5154 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria (703) 823–4100 www.anchor–of–hope.net food, clothing, youth development, and medicines David’s Place Day Shelter 930 North Henry Street, Alexandria (703) 548–7500 www.carpentersshelter.org laundry, shower, workshops, hypothermia shelter Legal Services of Northern Virginia 6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500, Falls Church (703) 778–6800; www.lsnv.org civil legal services only

Shelter Hotline: 1–800– 535–7252

S treetS ense.org

November 11 - November 24, 2009

Vendors Thank Readers For Supporting Street Sense For Six Years

CFC# 28233

caramel