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D.C. Dept of Human Services director to step down after nearly a decade
JESSICA RICH
Freelance Volunteer Reporter
Laura Zeilinger, director of D.C.’s Department of Human Services (DHS), announced that she will leave her position at the end of the year in a Nov. 1 staff email.
Zeilinger has led the agency, which is tasked with preventing and ending homelessness in the city, for nearly a decade. Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed Zeilinger to the post in 2015. Previously, Zeilinger served as executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness during the Obama administration.
“I called Laura the day after I was elected mayor to ask if she’d join my team,” Bowser wrote in a statement on Zeilinger’s departure. “I knew she was smart, passionate, and tenacious about creating better access to resources and support for our residents. Almost a decade later, I’m grateful that Laura made the decision to join the administration.”
During Zeilinger’s tenure, homelessness in the District decreased 27.5%, according to city data, though rates have ticked back up in recent years. Family homelessness especially decreased, and is about a third of what it was in 2016, according to the most recent Point in Time (PIT) Count. Zeilinger also worked to implement the city’s first plan to end homelessness, Homeward D.C., and its successor, though the city does not seem likely to succeed in its original goal of ending homelessness by 2025.
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In an Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) meeting earlier this month, Zeilinger said her time as the head of the homeless services system “has been a pleasure and an honor and a very difficult task.” While she said there are still many things to fix in the system, she’s optimistic about the future.
“I know that the commitment to that work will long outlive my tenure here,” she said.
In her time as director, Zeilinger oversaw several major initiatives, including the closure of the D.C. General Shelter and the establishment of smaller family shelters throughout different wards.
Her agency also implemented reforms to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and created Career MAP, an employment initiative that began in 2022 and was designed to help D.C. residents achieve financial independence.
“Laura has just been a great member of our team, and I don’t think you’re going to find many human services directors that have a tenure as long or as impactful as hers,” Bowser told NBC Washington.
The mayor’s office has not announced a timeline for appointing Zeilinger’s replacement. In the ICH meeting, Zeilinger said the mayor is working on a transition plan and she will remain in her position through the end of the year.
DHS manages programs addressing homelessness, food security, and poverty and provides direct support to low-income families. The agency faces increasing demands
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for services, even amidst budget cuts. The new director will inherit a backlogged voucher system, a nearly-full homeless shelter system, and underfunded rental assistance programs.
“There is no expectation that anything stops, there is a place for someone with new thinking and new energy,” Zeilinger said.
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Laura Zeilinger, director of the Department of Human Services. Photo by Orion Donovan-Smith
D.C. rental assistance programs open after rule changes
MARK ROSE, ANNEMARIE CUCCIA Freelance Volunteer Reporter, Editor-in-Chief
C.’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) reopened on Nov. 20, after being closed for nearly five months. This is the only time the program, which help renters facing housing emergencies, will be open this fiscal year.
ERAP helps low-income renters by providing a one-time subsidy to cover late rent. Applications for the program, which can be found at erap.dhs.dc.gov, will remain open until all funding is exhausted for the year.
The program is reopening just weeks after the D.C. Council passed a temporary amendment to limit protections from eviction while tenants apply for ERAP and toughen application requirements. The amendment came after landlords and housing providers said they were struggling to make ends meet as millions of dollars of rent went unpaid, jeopardizing affordable housing in the city.
Under the old regulations, families who were in the ERAP application process could not be evicted, because if they received the assistance, they might be able to pay any missed rent. Now, judges will be able to evict people with pending ERAP applications.
Applicants will also no longer be able to self-certify if they need assistance. Officials waived the requirement for applicants to provide documentation of their need — such as proof they had recently lost their job or a family member or close friend had had a medical emergency — during the pandemic. The measure passed in October reinstates this requirement.
The city also changed the application process for the program, which will now open just once a fiscal year. In the fiscal year 2024, which ran from Oct.1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024, applications for ERAP opened every three months and the
city distributed a portion of the funds each time. The last time ERAP opened just once a year, in fiscal year 2023, demand was so high all funding was exhausted in just five months. This January, over 3,500 people applied for rental assistance in just four hours.
The demand illustrates how many District residents rely on ERAP to stay stably housed through crises such as job loss and illness. Tenants also report they are increasingly burdened by the high cost of housing, meaning the program can be the difference between staying in an apartment and facing homelessness. However, Mayor Muriel Bowser insists that’s not the purpose of the program and has regularly advocated cutting funding to ERAP, alleging people who can afford to pay their rent are taking advantage of the program.
This year, the D.C. Council voted to fund ERAP at $26.7 million, a huge drop from the combined federal and local funds that made over $75 million available for aid in fiscal year 2024. Because of the low funding levels, advocates and elected officials are urging residents who think they may qualify for ERAP to apply as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the council held a hearing on Nov. 15 to hear from tenants about changes to the program. Housing Committee Chair Councilmember Robert White emphasized the October amendment is temporary in an email to Street Sense, and said he worked to add measures that increased flexibility and protection for tenants. The council now has to devise a permanent version of this bill, though White’s office said a bill isn’t likely to pass until the next council session starts in January.
White said he wants to both meet the needs of tenants and ensure the ongoing availability of affordable housing in the District. Some tenants owe much more money than ERAP can
pay, and would not be able to stay in their homes long-term even if they receive a subsidy.
“ERAP alone can’t bear the entire weight of our current housing crisis,” White wrote in an email. “For people in general need of more affordable housing, we need to look for opportunities for new housing downtown, rent subsidy programs, and other innovative ideas to help fill the gap.”
Could ERAP help me?
D.C. residents can apply online at erap.dhs.dc.gov or over the phone at 202-507-6666.
For households facing housing emergencies, homelessness, or at risk of eviction, ERAP can provide up to five months of back rent or pay the security deposit and first month’s rent for a new apartment. The program can also cover late fees and court costs, though the amount of aid available depends on a household’s income and need.
Current D.C. residents are eligible if they make no more than 40% of the area median income — putting the threshold for assistance at $42,588 for an individual or $60,840 for a family of four. Applicants have to provide several documents, including proof of residency, like a lease, photo ID, proof of income from the last 30 days, proof of any benefits received, and proof of the emergency that qualifies them, such as an unemployment statement or medical records.
According to the emergency legislation passed in October, qualifying emergencies include temporary job loss, pandemicrelated income loss, unforeseen medical expenses, reduced employment, increased expenses, or reduced income due to a death or other change in the family.
D.C.’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program application portal. Photo by Annemarie Cuccia
The Aston shelter finally welcomes its first tenants
FIONA RILEY Editorial Intern
he D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) began admitting residents into The Aston, the city’s first non-congregate shelter for medically vulnerable people and adult families, on Nov. 15. The city plans to house 50 people by Thanksgiving.
TDistrict officials initially slated the shelter’s opening for November 2023, but a series of delays, including the process of finding an organization to run the shelter, lawsuits, and a failed building inspection, pushed the opening date back a full year. The Aston — a former George Washington University dorm on New Hampshire Ave. in Northwest D.C. — opened two weeks after the start of hypothermia season, when more people experiencing homelessness seek shelter from the cold weather.
Though just 50 people are moving in this week, the city plans for the capacity to increase after District officials and Friendship Place, the shelter’s housing provider, evaluate the needs of the first cohort of residents. District officials purchased The Aston with the intent of housing 190 people, but dropped the number to 100.
As a non-congregate shelter, the building will offer privacy to co-ed families who would otherwise be separated in the shelter system. In September 2023 — two months before The Aston’s initial planned opening — Street Sense vendors said the shelter will help medically vulnerable people feel safer and urged the shelter’s provider to expand resources for people who require medical attention and care.
The Aston is a specialty shelter as opposed to a low-barrier shelter, meaning people have to go through a referral process to enter the new shelter. DHS officials at an August Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) meeting said The Aston began accepting referrals into the program on Sept. 9. After officials delayed the shelter’s opening for more than a month due to a failed building inspection, a DHS spokesperson said the 50 tenants scheduled for admission in October may not be the same people who are entering in November.
People who were referred to the Aston but not included in the first 50 residents may be admitted for the next available slots, officials said at an ICH meeting on Nov. 13. The city prioritized people already matched to housing resources or subsidies but waiting to move in.
The Aston’s late opening is the second step in DHS’ timeline to add more than 500 city-
funded low-barrier and specialty beds by the end of 2028. When District officials drafted the plan this summer, they expected The Aston to open in August. In August, however, DHS announced at a Community Advisory Team (CAT) meeting that officials needed to delay the opening until October to complete plumbing work.
Then in September, District officials delayed the shelter’s opening again, a week before Friendship Place was set to admit tenants, because of a failed building inspection. At a CAT meeting in midSeptember, the body’s interim co-chair said they did not know how long it would take officials to fix the building code violations — which included insufficient fire exits and “door closers.” On Nov. 7, DHS it fixed the code violations and The Aston would admit residents the following week.
These most recent delays are two in a series of setbacks since District officials purchased The Aston from George Washington University in July 2023 and projected its opening for October 2023.
When the District purchased The Aston, West End neighbors voiced concerns about the shelter’s opening, claiming it could negatively impact their “quality of life,” after officials announced their plan to convert the building into a shelter. The West End D.C. Community Association, a group of anonymous property owners, has filed two lawsuits in an attempt to prevent The Aston from opening.
The association filed its first lawsuit in July 2023 against the District and Mayor Muriel Bowser in an attempt to prevent the city from purchasing The Aston, alleging the community wasn’t given a proper amount of time to comment on the sale. The association withdrew the lawsuit in August 2023.
In October 2023, the association filed a second lawsuit against the city and Bowser, claiming D.C. zoning laws prevent the District from implementing a facility with “medical uses” in a neighborhood. The District and Bowser twice attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, though a District judge rejected the requests and scheduled a hearing for Feb. 7, 2025.
Prompted by initial community pushback in July 2023, DHS launched the CAT to oversee the shelter’s opening and pledged to provide security at the building at all times.
CAT earlier this month finalized a good neighbor agreement, which outlines shared responsibilities for Aston tenants and neighbors after soliciting input from community members.
D.C. poised to continue self-certification for local housing vouchers
LIAM BOWMAN Volunteer Freelance Reporter
The D.C. Council voted to permanently adopt relaxed eligibility rules for local housing vouchers despite opposition from Mayor Muriel Bowser. The rules allow people experiencing homelessness to move into permanent housing faster.
In late October, the council passed legislation allowing applicants to the city’s housing voucher programs to self-certify, or vouch for, their information if they have trouble obtaining necessary documents. The legislation also prohibits the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA), which administers the District’s voucher programs, from asking about applicants’ immigration status or criminal history during the application process — until recently, the housing authority could deny someone a voucher because of arrest records.
The bill, titled “the Local Rent Supplement Program Eligibility Amendment Act of 2024,” is a permanent version of pandemic-era legislation in place since 2022.
The self-certification rules apply to the District’s Permanent Supportive Housing voucher program, which provides vouchers to people experiencing chronic homelessness, defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as people who have experienced homelessness for over a year or multiple times over three years, and have a disabling condition that makes it difficult to work full-time. It also applies to the Local Rent Subsidy Program, which provides rental subsidies to low-income households.
The District’s local voucher programs have had problems with large case backlogs, causing long delays for voucher applicants. Self-certification, lawmakers said, is intended to help undocumented applicants and people experiencing homelessness — who sometimes can’t produce required documents like a photo ID or birth certificate — be matched with housing more quickly.
“The fundamental purpose of this bill was to make sure that people can access our
local voucher programs more easily, even if they don’t initially have all of the paperwork together,” At-Large Councilmember Robert White said ahead of the council’s final vote on the bill on Oct. 29.
Under the new rules, applicants can only self-certify when they first enroll in a voucher program. Applicants have to show any documents they initially self-certified when they recertify their eligibility for the voucher program, typically after two years.
While the bill prohibits DCHA from blocking applicants with a criminal record from entering voucher programs, the final version contains an amendment enabling the housing authority to use a voucher recipient’s criminal record to evaluate whether they pose a safety threat — but only once the person is already in the local voucher program. If a voucher holder breaks the law once they move in, the government can consider past arrest records when deciding whether to remove them from the program.
At the Oct. 29 meeting, White said the amendment creates a “safety valve for the public safety concerns that we’ve heard, which we’ve tried to address in this bill.”
The council’s proposal now awaits approval by Bowser. Bowser vetoed emergency legislation renewing self-certification earlier this year— the council subsequently overrode the veto — arguing the laxer eligibility rules posed a threat to public safety.
In a letter to the council last month, Bowser reiterated her opposition to the proposal, writing that it “dilutes the authority of the District of Columbia Housing Authority from performing the public safety background checks that are crucial for creating a safe living space for all families and individuals, as well as continuing COVID-era self-attestation processes, including for identification, that are no longer necessary.”
If Bowser vetoes the new self-certification rules, the council, which passed the measure with an 11-2 margin, could override the veto. The mayor has until Nov. 25 to act on pending legislation.
Self certification forms for the voucher program. Photo by Annemarie Cuccia
D.C.’s homeless services system will be giving out many fewer housing vouchers
CAROLINA BOMENY Georgetown Contributing Writer
For the last few years, D.C.’s homeless services system has given Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) vouchers to dozens of people each month, helping them move out of shelters and off the street into apartments. But this winter, as the fiscal year 2025 budget cuts kick in, only 10 to 11 individuals experiencing homelessness will be matched with a voucher each month — the result of the lowest funding for PSH since the District passed its first strategic plan to end homelessness in 2015. Service providers expect this change to strain an already overburdened system.
Along with the beleaguered Rapid Rehousing program, permanent housing has been key in the city’s efforts to end homelessness. The PSH program is designed to provide longterm housing vouchers for those who are chronically homeless and remain at immediate risk of being unhoused. The District’s former Mayor Adrian Fenty started the program in 2008, as part of his Housing First initiative, and its availability varies each year with the D.C. Council and mayor’s willingness to fund it. The ‘housing first’ approach of programs like PSH has widely been regarded as one of the most effective ways to offer long-term housing stability nationwide.
Between April to June of this year, 5,050 of the 7,000 individual adults who accessed homeless services in D.C. were recommended for PSH according to data from the Department of Human Services (DHS) presented at an Oct. 10 Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) meeting. Almost 1,000 of those adults are chronically homeless, meaning they lived in shelters or places not meant for habitation for at least a full year or four times in three years, and have a disabling medical condition.
Though the demonstrated need is great, the city only has 148 PSH vouchers for individuals in the 2025 fiscal year, a fraction of the 1,260 vouchers advocacy groups such as the DC Fiscal Policy Institute and The Way Home Campaign pushed the city to fund. This is the third consecutive year the city has reduced the budget for PSH vouchers for individuals.
However, advocates stress voucher availability is only one challenge in an inefficient process, as long processing times delay the ability of voucher recipients to move into housing. As of October, 1,197 individuals with a PSH voucher remained unhoused, and the city still had 227 PSH vouchers left to be allocated from previous fiscal years.
What this means for the next year
Thanks to the large investment the council made in fiscal year 2022, D.C. was previously able to match as many as 100 people to housing each month. But with only 148 new vouchers, the city now expects to match just 10 to 11 people a month from October 2024 to September 2025. Thirty of the total vouchers are reserved for transfers from other programs such as Rapid Rehousing, which got cut in half for individuals this fiscal year.
The vouchers were helping more people get on the path to housing each month, but now the system will face greater challenges as demand far outweighs availability.
“The big problem is that there are more than 10 or 11 people entering homelessness or becoming chronically homeless, becoming fully eligible for a voucher on a monthly basis,” said Andy Wassenich, policy director at Miriam’s Kitchen.
Pointing to the rising homelessness rates in D.C., Wassenich noted that though rates of homelessness are lower than in the recent past, rates of unsheltered homelessness have been increasing consistently over the past two years. He’s also concerned by an expected rise in the number of people who visit drop-in centers or engage with outreach workers as they wait for housing during a year where DHS-funded outreach teams, such as Miriam’s Kitchen, have reduced their staff due to budget cuts.
“When we get to this time next year, there are going to be even more people who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness as we’re not really putting a dent into the inflow and addressing a lot of the causes that make people homeless to begin with,” said Wassenich.
Getting connected with housing resources can be a long and challenging process. The first step to housing with a PSH voucher involves undergoing a Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool assessment, to determine what resources a person is recommended for.
People with the highest scores and longest periods of confirmed homelessness are prioritized for vouchers. With fewer vouchers available, advocates say many people who desperately need housing, especially those with vulnerable health conditions, will be left out.
“There are people who are literally going to die without
housing in our system because they have diseases that are manageable and treatable if you have housing, and are not manageable and treatable if you don’t,” said Kate Coventry, deputy director of legislative strategy at the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute.
Why the process is so long
The amount of time it takes between being matched with the PSH program and moving into housing has decreased since 2022, from 506 days to 241 days on average. But hundreds of people who have vouchers are still homeless; only five people have been able to sign a lease and use their vouchers from the 150 funded vouchers for the 2023-2024 period, according to data from DHS.
This is not a new challenge for DHS and the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA). Even when the city funded a record 2,400 PSH vouchers in FY 2022, only 600 people moved into housing within the fiscal year. Out of the remaining 1,800 voucher holders, 600 were still waiting to move into housing at the start of October.
This trend has continued over the years, with hundreds or thousands of applications piled up and still waiting to be processed when newly funded vouchers become available. After someone is matched to a voucher, they still have to apply for the program, find an apartment, and have the apartment approved by the city, and delays can arise at every step.
For instance, even with a PSH subsidy, individuals are expected to pay 30% of their income towards rent. When someone applies for a voucher, DCHA requires income verification and data to not be older than 30 days. If a reviewer reaches the application more than a month later, due to the backlog, this starts a lengthy back and forth to get updated documentation, which still might not be reviewed in time.
“We’ve had situations where people have had to resubmit income information multiple times,” Wassenich said. “We had one person, I think it was 10 or 12 times.”
And there are still hiccups even after someone is approved for a voucher. Voucher holders must apply specifically to the unit they want to lease, so the apartment’s rent can be assessed as reasonable or not, and if the rent is too high, they have to start their housing search over.
Though the city has sped the process some, advocates think there is more to do.
“One thing we used to do a long time ago was to have these things called boot camps,” Coventry said. “It’d be 100 days, and you’d set a goal of like, in 100 days we’re gonna house 60 people. And then, as you did it, you identified: what were the problems that were making it so that it was taking longer than 100 days?
According to advocates, it is impossible to solve homelessness in the District without an investment in housing resources.
“The only thing that ends homelessness is housing,” Wassenich said. “We need to be better about finding ways to fund that and make that happen. I think we need to as a community, as a homeless services community, be more vocal about the fact that in a down budget year, it’s not okay to slash budgets like this, when the need is so great.”
Graph by Carolina Bomeny, data from D.C. Department of Human Services.
Lightning may not strike twice but it seems stupidity does: Into the ruins
WENDELL WILLIAMS
When we last left Wendell, he and his friend were beginning to realize their tropical vacation in Cancun could turn into a nightmare with the approach of Hurricane Milton. They’d just received a letter from their hotel warning about the approaching storm.
While I admit the letter scared the daylights out of us discount travelers, recalling our experiences with Ian, we didn’t panic. We ran possible solutions past one another, and she remembered that while wandering around the empty luxury mall, she had been given a flyer for a tour of the Mayan ruins and several towns a few hours south of our resort. Since Cancun was closed with a padlock on the front, we voted for the bus trip. In the wee hours of the morning, we reached out to Sergio, the person listed as the contact. We were told Sergio had registered us and we were good to go, just be out front at 6:30 a.m. to be picked up. We felt lucky we had at least one workable solution to focus on.
We popped up and were out front ready to go, except Sergio wasn’t. In a series of texts with delay after delay, we’d learn just how elusive Sergio was, as elusive as Big Foot. A lot of people claimed they had seen him, but no one could tell us where he was or what he looked like. Finally, the bus showed up closer to 9 a.m. and we were relieved to be on our way.
Or so we thought, as we rumbled down Cancun’s main drag, empty of any normal tourist activities, and came to a stop in a complex that reminded me of a set from a futuristic zombie apocalyptic movie. It was surreal to turn into what appeared to be a huge, abandoned mall but was actually an open-air shopping center. There were tens of buses of different kinds, sizes, and colors. It turned out this old mall was now a hub or bus terminal, and we had just been rounded up. Being an American, it’s hard to understand this kind of commerce, but I could clearly see how this approach would work for human trafficking, moving immigrants, or products. There was a fever pitch of noise, but it was all in a language we didn’t understand. And the more we tried to explain what we needed in broken Spanish, the worse the miscommunication got.
They herded us into different lines to begin the process of paying for whatever service or reason someone would find themselves there. We kept asking for Sergio, but the man felt like an urban legend. At the front, we once again dropped the name Sergio, as if we were trying to get into an Upper East Side cocktail party disguised as a speakeasy. The affordable price Sergio had quoted turned into the gringo price from hell once the taxes, fees, and other donations we didn’t understand were figured in. Looking back, this was pretty much the extent of our bilingual tour experience. Over the next day and a half, we’d repeatedly ask the different guides when the English translation would be given and would get the same answer: “At the end of the Spanish version,” which seemed to go on for hours as the bus rambled throughout the countryside. And that only happened once, and then the guide summed up the hours-long excursion in less than two minutes in English.
As we traveled south, we had no idea what was happening with Hurricane Milton. No one seemed to be in panic mode on the fully loaded bus. Like an Old Testament miracle, we made a stop somewhere and a couple with kids got on. They were from Miami and for a short time they became our translators. The funny part was, they sat us all on the last two rows of the bus. The five of them, plus the two of us, were briefly Little America.
But it was over too soon. They only joined us for the short trip to the Mayan ruins at Tulum which, lucky for us, fit our need to fill in some time away from the effects of Hurricane Milton. We made a stop at a small town before the next ruins in Coba, that family got off, and just that quick, we were back to feeling not wanted or a part of the group.
I was beginning to understand what it’s like as an immigrant more than ever. A common language spoken and understood by all is so important to one’s emotional well-being. Some of what I felt on that bus, not understanding a word of what was said, played tricks on my psyche. I believed at times the jokes they were laughing at were about me. And I was just on a bus ride where nobody spoke English. Imagine how immigrants must feel in a strange foreign land. I felt it for just a few hours, and it hurt.
At the next stop, guides and drivers changed. At the entry to the Coba ruins, a half mile away, we stood dazed when our names were called. We didn’t understand why we were the only ones getting off and we’d be alone there, unable to speak a word of Spanish. And to add insult to injury, the driver said that we only, and he repeated only several times, had one hour at the ruins and we had to be at this spot then or we’d be left.
As the bus full of people minus two gringos roared off down the dirt road, we stood there looking at each other like, “WTF just happened?” Ever a democratic union, by unanimous vote, we determined we may be up the creek and needed answers if we wanted to at least have a paddle. So, facing our fears we started walking around BOLDLY like Americans DO not allowing a bus ride to wash away THE USA privilege and the DEMAND for customer service. We found the only two words commonly spoken in English in that village were the infamous “tourist tax,” which seemed to be the key to any attempt at negotiations. We remembered you could rent a bike to get to the entrance of the ruins. When we tried to ask, the answer again was “tourist tax.” And on and on it went as we tried to make our way before the panic set in over trying to travel the distance and missing the bus.
Seeing an outside restaurant near the pick-up spot, we gave up on seeing Coba because of the overwhelming feeling of impending doom and just took the “L.” We said we’d demand Sergio refund a portion of our money. That seemed reasonable to us with what was going on. We were still tied to the privilege of American customer service, where the customer was always right.
In a two-zero vote, we decided “Let’s eat,” so we went inside. But before we could finish, an empty bus pulled up, the horn blew, and we were off again down an unknown dirt road, grateful we didn’t attempt to walk to those ruins and back. Otherwise, you’d be reading this in the Spanish we’d learned.
This was the second or third bus we’d been on since early that day, traveling south in a panic, but the other Spanish-speaking riders seemed to take it as just another day on their route. They seemed so laid back. I guess that comes from knowing where you’re going. With us, it was just the opposite. We were constantly trying to look out the windows for landmarks to use breadcrumbs like Hansel and Gretel to find our way back “home,” but it felt like we were going in circles. Because we were. I found out later these seemingly different buses operate like those get-on get-off tourist buses in the U.S. except multiple operators run the circuits. Very confusing for someone used to looking for the colors of DASH or Metro.
So, we sped around this unnamed lake in the middle of nowhere and headed in who knows what direction until the road started to narrow. The bus slowed and made a right turn down what I call a dirt trail. It gave me chills, then add in you couldn’t ask the driver any questions, and you’re thinking we’re on the highway to hell. Or to heaven, it turns out.
Wendell Williams is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media.
The restaurant in Copa. Photo by Wendell Williams
The ruins in Tulum. Photo by Wendell Williams
Wherever the wind blows, his ink pens follow
TIERRA CUNNINGHAM Editorial Intern
Standing on the steps of Grace Episcopal Church in Northwest D.C., Jeff watches his dogs hunt for rats. The sunny, cloudless day matches the feeling of contentment Jeff exudes — there have been many ups and downs, left and right turns in his life, but his faith and art remain constant.
Jeff, who introduced himself by only his first name, has lived in D.C. off and on throughout his adult life, experiencing homelessness throughout his time in the city. He talks about his family, his personal struggles, and most importantly, the art he has created and carried with him throughout his life.
While he’s battling his third bout with cancer, art continues to console him – it’s been his way of escaping and surviving from as early as he can remember.
Jeff grew up in Baltimore, with his stepfather, an abusive alcoholic who would sometimes beat up Jeff.
“My stepfather, when I was growing up, he would emphasize with saying, you’ll never amount to anything,” said Jeff. “I grew up my whole life trying to prove him wrong.”
When Jeff was in sixth grade, he had an unforgettable art teacher, Mr. Trattner, who believed in his abilities
Jeff with his two dogs Puppet and Luna. Photo by Madi Koesler
Jeff’s artwork of a lighthouse Photo by Madi Koesler
and encouraged him to continue drawing. This teacher’s advice pushed Jeff to start using ink pens, which initially confused him, because he could not erase his work if he made mistakes. But his teacher encouraged him to lean into his mistakes and not shy away from them — a lesson more applicable to life than any sixth grader can understand.
“You have an awesome imagination. If you mess up, incorporate your mess up, and with your shade, fix it,” Trattner said to Jeff. Ever since, Jeff has used only ink pens and colored pencils.
While Jeff dropped out of school in the ninth grade, he got his GED just six months later. He didn’t drop out because he was “stupid,” he said, it was because his teachers could not hold his attention. Although traditional schooling couldn’t keep him in its four walls, art captured his focus.
Jeff was accepted at the Maryland Institute College of Art. But his dreams of formally studying his passion would take a backseat after Jeff learned he would have a whole new set of responsibilities.
“Three months before school started, my girlfriend told me she was pregnant,” Jeff said. “My heavenly father gave me a bachelor’s degree; I didn’t need to go to art school.”
So, with colored pencils in hand, he focused on his natural gifts. And, when something didn’t work, he tried a different approach; it’s pretty much how he lives his life.
As an adult, Jeff moved from Baltimore to D.C. to live with his brother because he was on disability. He lived with his older brother for about a year until he decided to leave due to some tension. He considered moving to California and even bought a one-way ticket to San Diego, but missed his flight. Jeff saw this as a sign from God San Diego was not the right place for him.
“I’m on a spiritual walk,” Jeff said. “I’m not on a religious walk…so I’m trying to walk with Jesus. I figured Washington, D.C. is the belly of the beast.”
As a person experiencing homelessness, he said he does not like his current encampment, because there is too much traffic
and too many people around. He hopes he won’t be there much longer, as he is trying to move somewhere quieter.
Jeff’s three adult kids are currently in Maryland and West Virginia. He said he does not keep in contact with them, but remembers helping them draw a little when they were younger.
Jeff has chosen the quiet life with his dogs, Luna and Puppet. He calls them his only two loyal companions. Despite drawing every day, Jeff has not been able to make a living off his artwork. He relies on social security to get by, but still says he is more fortunate than others.
Jeff’s art and his faith sustain him. He’s an avid reader of the Bible — reading two to three times a day — and draws after he reads. It’s a form of meditation, he says. The passages inspire much of his artwork, like pieces with Jesus as a lion, lighthouses, blind justice, and Jeff walking alone down his spiritual path. But he also loves to draw portraits of celebrities, such as Jennifer Aniston and Lauren Bacall, and close friends.
Despite his self-doubt, Jeff chose to show his work to an employee at a gallery near where he spends his days. She said she had never seen art like his done with only ink. The gallery, Cabada Contemporary Art Gallery in Georgetown, displayed four pieces of his animal artwork with price tags between $200 to $250 per drawing.
Jeff said the showcase almost didn’t come to fruition because self-doubt hindered him, but in a split-second decision, he decided to show his artwork. Now that two of his art pieces have sold, he says he wants to give some of the proceeds to Miriam’s Kitchen, a local organization that does outreach to Jeff’s encampment, as a recognition of how much it has helped him and his dogs.
Jeff said having his work recognized has always been a dream because it would make him a successful artist. Now, someone has taken the time to recognize it.
One by one, Jeff can rattle off the stories behind his drawings as you sift through his stack of art, marveling at his work.
“That’s Jennifer Aniston.”
“That’s supposed to be on my walk. My spiritual walk.”
“I love drawing lighthouses.”
Lighthouses have a special meaning to Jeff. They symbolize hope, he said, because they prevent people from crashing on the rocks. As rocky as his life’s been, art is the beacon guiding him to shore.
Jeff’s collection of art.
Photo by Madi Koesler
Jeff’s dogs Puppet (front) and Luna (back).
Photo by Madi Koesler
Can America heal or will we stay divided?
JEFFERY MCNEIL
Iknow many of you have been waiting for the next chapter of my book, and I’m just as eager as my readers to see it in print. But with everything going on, I’ve been asked to pause and share some thoughts on the issue that’s on all our minds — the reelection of President Donald Trump. I know it’s a tough pill to swallow for many of you, and if you’re feeling disheartened or confused, maybe this piece can give you a fresh perspective.
For those who didn’t vote for Trump, this outcome may have you feeling shocked, disappointed, or even enraged and bitter. However, if you’re open to it, I invite you to pull up a chair and consider another perspective. I’m not here to deepen the division or claim that I’m right but rather to offer a viewpoint that differs from what you may watch or listen to on CNN, MSNBC, or NPR. Instead of cursing the over 75 million people who supported Trump, why not recognize that, while you are passionate about topics such as abortion, gender reassignment, free college, and inclusion, these issues were not top of mind for many at the ballot box? This will not change, even if you abandon persuasion and start labeling your opponents as racist and fascist.
The United States is a large and diverse country, and many individuals feel their everyday needs and practical concerns — such as job security, safe neighborhoods, and affordable living costs — are being overlooked. Democratic thought leaders need to recognize that while these issues may resonate with them, their approach can make many people feel unheard, even those who might agree with them on other topics. I believe most people in the U.S. are not as divided as we might think. I don’t hate my neighbors; I simply disagree with their ideas and methods. Your way isn’t the only way. Deep down, many of us still hold on to similar values and hopes. We want good lives for our families, a fair shot at opportunity, and a sense of stability. I understand the U.S. isn’t perfect and that there have been dark periods, but I’m not interested in scrapping what our founding fathers built, even if a few of them owned slaves. If you want to remake the United States, do it with the people’s consent. I’m not in favor of tearing down anything to replace it with the Democratic vision of the world.
I don’t understand how those who advocate for open borders can justify their stance. They supported fencing off the Capitol during the insurrection, yet they think it’s acceptable to open the borders, allowing everyone to enter undetected. This approach seems naive, and it raises concerns about bad intentions. I support legal immigration and the establishment of fair, reasonable borders, but the actions
of these advocates push me to a more extreme position, like calling for building a wall. It feels like they have no regard for my life and safety.
These ideas are not radical to me; they form the framework that has enabled many of us, including our families before us, to pursue the American dream. I believe many in the United States share this vision.
Let’s remember compromise has always been a crucial part of progress in our country. For instance, the Civil Rights Act was not passed solely by idealists; it resulted from leaders willing to reach across the aisle, find common ground, and make compromises. They understood that to move forward, we sometimes need to listen, compromise, and maintain a broad vision.
Today, many Democrats seem dismissive of differing opinions, often insisting their approach is the only smart one and expecting everyone to fall in line. This attitude can alienate many and lead them to say, “I will support Trump,” even if they disagree with him on certain issues.
I don’t believe that Trump supporters and progressives are enemies. Most of the Trump supporters I know are not looking to harm anyone; they just want to live in peace, make ends meet, and raise their families in a stable environment. In the end, I think we all desire similar things. However, when people feel unheard or misrepresented, they begin to search for leaders who will advocate for them — even if those leaders aren’t perfect.
If I could offer one piece of advice, it would be this: perhaps it’s time for some reflection and balance. Let’s look beyond the headlines and seek common ground, even in unexpected places. What if we shifted our focus from divisions to the shared challenges we all face? I believe there is a way forward where we might not agree on everything, yet can still respect each other’s perspectives and work together to build a better future.
So, to those who are feeling down, take heart. Our country’s been through a lot, and every challenge is a chance to grow. If there’s a lesson here, maybe it’s that Americans are looking for leaders who hear them, who value both progress and stability, and who know that listening and compromise are the foundations of real change. If we can find a way to work from this place of understanding, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. And who knows? Maybe that’s how we truly heal and move forward.
Dedicated to a chance encounter
his is a work of fiction on inner child healing incorporating Disney fairy tales.
TWe’ve all heard the story of “Beauty and the Beast,” where Belle is forced into believing she is not beautiful because of societal norms. Then, in a chance encounter, she meets a beast who is tall with luscious hair and has an inconspicuous masked persona.
The Beast built his love for Belle on the beauty in her heart. Everyone perceived her character as a problem and she couldn’t fit in with others. Disney movies typically promote the knight in shining armor, but in “Beauty and the Beast,” it is Belle who saves the Beast from himself. His tortured soul unbearably shook Belle’s innocent love.
As children, we watch movies with preposterous storylines far away from the truth that promote a false narrative. We all know the truth behind human behavior. When I learned about the psychology of movies (industrial psychology), I figured maybe there is science or research behind Disney movies. I researched government resources on the power of chance encounters and found two different perspectives and theories about how human interaction can change someone’s day. The Central Intelligence Agency has an article published as a science resource and the American Psychology Association discusses how chance encounters play a prominent role in shaping human lives. As human beings, and especially as women, we have this foolish idea chaos can be beautiful. The Beast hid his beauty, believing Belle wouldn’t love him because of his appearance and his work. I could also say men are enticed by Disney movies to live through a scripted inheritance of projected hate. I thought when a chance encounter happened to me, this could be like Belle and the Beast. Belle loved with her heart and never judged the Beast by his anger and curse. On one of my worst days, unexpectedly, a real man showed up for me and checked on my well-being. He stood next to me as a tall, muscular man inconspicuous with luscious hair. He is the only real man who has stood by my side. My love for his presence will be infinite.
When I first met him, everyone was scared of his presence. His coworkers looked at me like a deer seeing headlights because I sassed him repeatedly. He stood as a beautiful statuesque man inconspicuous with his masked “persona.” I saw him and said, “Hello, how are you?” He said nothing! I said, “Well that’s rude, you don’t have to be a jerk. It doesn’t matter if you’re working. You need wellness days from your overpowering job.” This stoic man walked over to convene with a coworker to complete his task.
I said to the coworker shaking his hand, “Thank you for treating us like we are human beings and having patience with us, unlike everyone else. I appreciate you. Always take care of your mental health because that helps with healing.”
Then the statuesque man asked my name, through his coworker. I laughed and said, “Oh, now you speak? Why not ask my name yourself?” I said, “The hello wasn’t making a pass at you. Don’t be full of yourself. Saying hello to a stranger can speak love in different ways, especially if they are having a crappy day. Check your mental health.”
I walked away without saying another word to him. I saw his friend and said your friend needs mental health days. His friend burst out laughing. I figured the laugh might have been an inside joke. All I thought about was what Belle could perceive when she had to forget all the women who do not respect themselves in a village, the women glorifying Gaston, and the pleasure men perceive as greatness-created ego. Maybe the inconspicuous man felt like the Beast when he met Belle.
That would be the end of this chance encounter. But Belle thought the same thing about the Beast. Stuck in my head during an eventful morning, the inconspicuous man with luscious hair stood by me in my moment of need. I wasn’t sure if this was the same person. Something about his movement, how he respectfully checked on my body and stood by my side, he became still.
I turned again to speak and he left and never introduced himself to me. Maybe he gave me back what I gave him at that moment when I said “hello” and checked on his mental health. I had never felt stillness from a real man and human being. He was a steeple representing my prayer to heal.
Caution fell over me as I said out loud, “This is not a Disney movie or fairy tale, and chance encounters are not real.” I never expressed the importance of his stillness in my heart. When he stood beside me, he healed my experiences. I thought, “Your Godlike presence brought safety to my breath and my growing appreciation for you is a blessing.”
Are we all hesitant to find beauty in chaos? The only thing I care about and hope for is the man with luscious hair. I hope he is more powerful than those individuals who have created chaos.
Can a chance encounter be a fairy tale or does it only exist in a cartoon script?
Invisible Prophet is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media.
Jeffery McNeil is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media.
The kindness of strangers
JET FLEGETTE Artist/Vendor
I’m often asked what I write about, and I always answer that I write stories that inspire people to treat each other better. When a person reads something I write, I want the reader to connect with the story and have empathy for the characters.
Back in 2018, I wrote a series called “Stranger Danger” and shared a couple of stories about the negative side of having strangers help you when you are vulnerable for food, money, and shelter. So now I want to share the positive side of having strangers help you.
Aug 8, 2024, was supposed to be a good day for me and my service dog Sweet Tooth, but the morning of Aug. 8, fate or destiny threw Sweet Tooth and me a curve ball.
It was a rainy morning, but I decided I would take Sweet Tooth on our regular dog and coffee walk. When Sweet Tooth and I made it to the avenue, I noticed this guy I never noticed before while doing my coffee walk routine. He was dancing half-dressed in front of the post office. It was still raining, just not as hard. I thought that was weird, but I’ve seen stranger in D.C.
My dog and I proceeded to go into the store. Unfortunately, coming out of the store was a different story altogether. Part of me and my dog’s routine is to sit at the bus stop or talk with a neighbor, but the guy who was dancing around was not dancing alone. He was dancing with his pitbull on a leash, and before I knew it, the pitbull got one whiff of my small service dog and went straight for the throat.
I don’t know what made the dog stop his attack. I was yelling and screaming for the dog to let Sweet Tooth go, and by some divine miracle, he stopped attacking. Sweet Tooth took it like a big dog and seemed unfazed, but that was not the case. I called the police but the guy with the pitbull ran away. He did not want to deal with the police and, like I said, Sweet Tooth seemed fine at the time. The officer said he would look out for the guy.
Sweet Tooth started to bleed nonstop at about 2 p.m. We were at the library and he was in real pain. I was at a complete loss until I remembered a woman destiny had brought into my life. She happened to work at an animal clinic and helped get Sweet Tooth’s procedure for his neck bite done for free. It would have cost over $2,000 if not done for free. Neighbors also helped us get food as I could not work.
Strangers can be helpers and giving. Just last week a homeless man who sleeps in his car got me hot tomato soup and helped me out with $5.00 so I could get more food.
A place to visit
SURYAKANTI BEHERA
Artist/Vendor
The lake’s name is Chilika. It’s located on the east coast of India, near Bhubaneswar in Odisha state. It is the largest coastal lagoon in the world. The Chilika lake is visited by several species of migratory birds. The lake also supports other animals such as dolphins, turtles, birds, and fish. Odisha is famous for flamingos. The winter months of October to March are the best time to visit Chilika Lake, the most popular destination for tourism.
Life on the edge
FREDRICK WALKER
Artist/Vendor
I am homeless. I have slept outside for the last eight years. I need help from the D.C. government, but its case management system has not found me housing. But D.C.’s mental health people have been very helpful, so I thank them and Mayor Muriel Bowser.
My opinion of the election
LADY SASHA
Artist/Vendor
No matter who you or anyone else voted for, we will have a new president, so now we’re off to the races in 2024.
President Donald Trump won the election for 2024 after midnight on Nov. 6.
It was a tug of war on Nov.5... As they did the counting process, I was watching while eating chicken and sweet potato pie. I drank some cranberry juice cause Vitamin C is very important in all seasons. I got frustrated watching Channel 4. I can do without the anxiety. But after the 11 p.m. news, I went on to watch Channel 7 on YouTube. The numbers were very interesting on both channels but it was more intriguing to be able to tune into ABC cause it was very nice and easy. I tracked the numbers throughout the night until 2:30 a.m. So what if Trump won in 2024? It won’t be his first time in office. I guess the next election will be between the Republican and Independent Party cause they making it seem like the Democratic Party is ruined. Anyhow, we shall see.
The propensity of “Powerhouse Johnson”
FREDERIC JOHN
Artist/Vendor
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines the word “propensity” as a “strong natural tendency for doing something.” Well, well, well, as sister Dorothy Norwood used to sing in one of her stirring gospel hymns.
Robert Johnson Jr. (no relation to the tragic blues hero of the “Crossroads of Mississippi,” of whom he frequently reminded me) traveled a parallel track alongside that of John Frederic: a boyhood as a rosy-cheeked Anglican Church choir boy that morphed quickly into an obsessive quest for perfect harmony in the bright sounds of the Beach Boys, Beatles, and beyond.
Our mothers sang alto in the legendary Natural Cathedral Choral Society. My mom infused little ol’ me with the majestic sweep of opera (often heard on Saturdays “live from the Met”). Rob’s ebullient mama stoked the family piano with rousing choruses from Rogers and Hammerstein’s “great American” musicals.
by Frederic John
Rob, with the help of buddies from Bethesda’s Walter Johnson High, began deejaying neighborhood parties with his stack of 45 rpm records. Around 1975, at age 15, he accepted his first gleaming drum kit.
Meanwhile, yours truly dutifully began keyboard training with Mother Ruth, around 1958. I sang in the junior choir of the Cathedral from 1965 to early ‘68. By now, I was avidly following anything remotely “blues,” be it Hemduit, Paul Butterfield, Son House, or John Fahey (who was said to be influenced by the voices of turtles in Takoma Park!)
Rob and I crossed paths often over a pitcher of Coca-Cola at a well-attended jam for local players at the nexus of Old Georgetown Road and Wisconsin Avenue. The venue? “Uncle Jed’s Road Home.” Thus began a strong friendship that lasted right through to his death in August.
(Long live, may you rest in peace and power, Rob “Powerhouse” Johnson!)
Illustration
Florida in my future
DARLESHA JOYNER Artist/Vendor
I’m excited about moving back to West Palm Beach. I’ll move up to a three-bedroom from the two-bedroom I usually have. It will be my first opportunity to decorate my daughter’s room. I think I’ll make it beautiful with pink paint, flowers, and palm trees. My boys’ room will have bunk beds and football wallpaper. It’s always been my dream to live in Florida and get married on Miami Beach. Best of all, when I was 5, I wished I could go to Disney World. And...I did!
My tented summer
LATICIA BROCK
Artist/Vendor
Dedicated to all my tent family who died and are still struggling with housing
As the heat hit my tent, the steam started to rise
Lord, please let me get housing before this heat be my demise
Buildings are coming up. My tent family is melting slow.
Do I take a bath in my sweat? The world will never know. Every once in a while I hear, are they living and breathing?
I am not alone.
Tent city may still love us even without a home. Summer tents can be a bummer.
I remember dreaming of cookouts in my tented summer.
The message
CARLOS CAROLINA Artist/Vendor
We in “TIMES,” see the signs?
Then take heed to what you see
Because everything is everything
But everything ain’t what it seems
Do your best to be your best
And stay focused on your dreams
Never settle for the lesser
When you pick, pick the better
Keep your eyes on the prize
It’s how you see the bigger picture
Always strive, and when you strive
Only strive for perfection
Put your all into your passion
Turn your hobbies into habits
Know your purpose, how you SURFACE
And maneuver through the madness
Just imagine all the magic we can really make happen
With a little understanding, might make the world better
It’s an honor
It’s a privilege
Better yet, it’s a blessing
To be in times and see the signs
And receive it as a message
Making a good way of life
SAUL PRESA Artist/Vendor
Be grateful to everyone, be patient
All activities should be done with one intention: The right one
All people can agree on one point: How you conduct yourself is important
Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing your way of living
Take on the three principal causes, train in the three difficulties:
Don’t act with a twist, don’t be frivolous, don’t malign others
Correct all wrongs with one intention and train wholeheartedly
Always maintain a joyful mind
Don’t seek others’ pain as the limbs of your happiness
Train without bias in all areas. It is crucial to always do this wholeheartedly
Don’t vacillate, begging the sequence of sending and taking with yourself
Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment, change your attitude but remain natural
Don’t wallow in self-pity, practice even when distracted, and do it right
Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with prayer and meditation
When the world is filled with evil, transform all mishaps into the path of virtue
Don’t be swayed by external circumstances, do not expect applause
Three objects, three poisons, and three seeds of virtue. Keep the three inseparable
Pay heed that the three never wane, drive all into one
It’s Thanksgiving time
EVELYN NNAM Artist/Vendor
Oh, Thanksgiving! The time we all come together as one to give thanks and show gratitude for everything we experienced and shared throughout the year. This year has honestly gone pretty fast, don’t you think? We’ve been through victories and failures, but all that matters is we are still here living and breathing. We have a purpose to fulfill and Thanksgiving reminds us of that. There are times we feel like we have been knocked down and have just given up, but I love the way that through it all, I’m still waking up every morning experiencing another day of life. Oh, Thanksgiving, the time that reveals to us what life is really all about. It doesn’t matter the things that we have lost in life, but our loved ones and that we get to live another day.
All of our thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ. With all of what we have done, he still shows us mercy and grace and that’s what it’s all about; showing gratitude to Him, so that we can effortlessly show gratitude to all. Sometimes we don’t show enough gratitude to those who really helped us and gave us opportunities to move forward and experience life the way we need to, but it’s never too late to let them know. No matter how great or small the situation is, saying thank you means a lot to someone and that will always be important. Even though Thanksgiving Day comes once a year, the meaning of Thanksgiving should be expressed every day. The care, gratitude, selflessness, love, and grace should be displayed. That makes us all better as one.
What do you think Thanksgiving is all about? Everyone should self-reflect and take a moment to understand what Thanksgiving is, discuss it, and make sure we do better and show gratitude as much as we can in our lives. It’s also a good time to set goals for the remaining two months we have left in the year and finish off the year with a bang! Expressing gratitude, enjoying life, and being happy is what I want for each and every person reading this.
Who’s ready for the food? Who’s ready to be stuffed? I know I am! The big baked juicy turkey and ham, with the macaroni and cheese, potato salad, greens, yams, and the list goes on and on! Especially the desserts! Those famous pies and cakes that are made during this time. My favorite is apple pie! What are your favorites? Favorite pies? Favorite sweets? I hope everyone has an amazing Thanksgiving! Make your Thanksgiving a memorable one and enjoy it to the fullest!
Artist/Vendor
Thanksgiving is an American holiday. Here’s the definition: The fourth Thursday in November in the U.S. or the second Monday in October in Canada. It is celebrated as a legal holiday for people to be thankful for what they have, and people traditionally eat a large meal with family or friends on Thanksgiving.
Thank you and happy Thanksgiving to you. I hope you enjoy a wonderful time with your family and friends.
How do you say happy Thanksgiving without offending anyone?
I’m wishing you a harvest blessing, good health, and good times. Here’s to the company of good friends and family. The happiest of people. May you and yours have even more blessings to be thankful for this coming year.
The holidays
PHILLIP BLACK
Artist/Vendor
It’s the holidays again. And you best believe my holidays will not be at my house. Before my family buys food, we buy drinks. We start off with six cases of beer and 10 bottles of wine. And let’s not forget the six bottles of Jack Daniels. By the time we start the food, people want a drink. And so do I.
Damages: drinks $540; food $237. My great-uncle never wants to take home a plate. He would rather take a case of beer or a bottle of wine. But, what can you say? It’s holiday time at the Blacks’ house. So stop in any time you want. You’ll have a great time!
What I love about Thanksgiving
MARC GRIER
Artist/Vendor
It’s a time for giving. It’s a time you share what you have with other people. Most of all, it’s about food: the mashed potatoes, the macaroni and cheese, the turkey, the sweet potato pie. We also cook prime rib in my family. But besides all of that, the greatest thing is to give thanks to God for his bounty and, most of all, to see a family you haven’t seen all year.
Thanksgiving
GRETA CHRISTIAN Artist/Vendor
When I have Thanksgiving, I have no one on Earth to eat with. I eat by myself, but that is okay with me. It doesn’t bother me at all. When I ask someone to come over, they say they rather be with their family. Now I have a cat and I eat with my cat now. It’s going to be a good Thanksgiving. I still use pumpkin candies on my tables every year. I have two little hens and cornbread. I make two sweet potato pies and I have soda.
Thanksgiving is loving and sharing. Help people in the shelter. They need help too. They need food and to be blessed. Say your grace for the holidays. Thank you for looking out for me during the holidays. Look out for people in the shelter, not just for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or the new year. Help people, all over the world! They need help too. Help shelter people, don’t look down on them. Help them have heat.
Autumn love
BRIANNA BUTLER Artist/Vendor
That’s a picture of bright colors, a perfect dream. Piles of leaves to garden. Raking all the compost in. It’s easy and fun to play toss the leaves, bob for apples, and propel pumpkins like rockets. There’s energy to get up and out for fitness! Zip up your jackets against the wind that gives you a pinch.
There are edible and incredible sweet orchards of apples and pumpkin patches to explore. Taste samples of amazing different dishes you can cook.
Don’t forget, it is the giving season for all people to pass some sweets and cheer to each other. Let’s run and jump up and down on the bleachers. Do the wave in a large crowd. Let your loudness flow from your chest because it is time for fun in the best game, football. See you there!
Thanksgiving is being thankful
Thanksgiving is being grateful
Thanksgiving is loving
Thanksgiving is happiness
Thanksgiving is caring
Thanksgiving is sharing
Thanksgiving is forgiving
Thanksgiving is giving Thanksgiving is a blessing Thanksgiving is peace
PATRICIA DONALDSON
TONYA WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor
FUN & GAMES
1. “The ____ Express” (beloved Disney Christmas classic) (2004)
6 .Yoga needs
10. Entertainer’s routines (Yiddishism)
14. “If you ____” (“Okay, then”) (2 wds.) (3,2)
15. Capital of Italy
16. Brazilian soccer legend
17. Couple of one-syllable grunts that typically signal trouble ahead (2 wds.) (2,3)
18. Elvis ___ Presley
19. Utah city
20. Things we know that we don’t know (TRUST IN A NIECE anagram)
23. Onetime White House nickname
24. Take your choice: Navy commando; aquarium favorite; or a four-time Grammywinning singer
25. Next-to-best grades (1-7) (MAIN USES anagram)
30. Stereo knob or kind of clef
34. After-tax amount
35. Pours, as from a carafe
37. Deck out
38. Growl like an angry dog (RANG anagram)
40. “Now ____ have your attention,...” (2 wds.) (4,1)
42. Skins, or potato skins
43. ___ Island National Monument
45. St. Joan ____ (2 wds.) (2,3)
47. Want ad inits.(abbr./initialism)
48. Common reason for buckets in an attic (2 wds.)
50. Swashbuckling leading man of Hollywood’s Golden Age (first & last names)
52. Ticket info, maybe
54. Charlotte-to-Raleigh dir.(abbr./initialism)
55. Tiny pests...or a hint to the circled creatures infesting this puzzle (2 wds.) (6,7)
61. Reebok rival
62. Italian automaker with many models having 500 in their names
63. What anyone at the back of a long line must look ahead to? (2 wds.) (1,4)
65. Not of the clergy
66. About, on a memo (2 wds.) (2,2) (incls abbr.)
67. Parsonage
68. Done for, as a torpedoed ship
69. Guesses (abbr.)
70. Singer Gorme, of “Blame it on the Bossa Nova” fame”
Down
1. The Nittany Lions’ sch. (abbr./inits)
2. Diamond Head locale
3. Capital of Rhône
4. Large metal container used for refuse, familiarly
5. Charles Foster Kane’s dying word
6. Cold cuts, e.g.
7. Emanation
8. Number of mousquetaires Fr.)
9. Any one of Shakespeare’s 154
10. Answer (or movie endings) giveaways
11. “Present!”
12. What the red Elmo doll first released in
19. 96 responds to
13. Place for a father-to-be? (abbr.)
21. Change, as a clock
22. “Gone With the Wind” plantation
25. A deadly sin (RANGE anagram)
26. ___ Park, N.J. (site of Thomas Edison’s laboratory)
27. Italian writer and journalist Calvino known for the “Our Ancestors trilogy” (1952-
59)
28. Feature of an empty room, perhaps
29. Land of Enchantment capital (2 wds.)
31. In short order
32. Heavily ____ (burdened with weight, as a transport vessel)
33. “Keep your ____ the prize” (2 wds.) (3,2)
36. Night sky twinkler
39. An individual infantryman typically participates in one of these (2 wds.) (TACKIER FLAT anagram)
41. Like some vbs. (abbr.)
44. “Laugh-In” segment
46. Flimflam played on an unfortunate mark (2 wds.) (3,4)
49. Pic people click with a stick
51. Maneuvering room you might ask to be left or given
53. Checks that Santa Claus handles?
55. Waikiki wingding
56. Poker declaration (2wds.) (2,2) (MINI anagram)
57. One of TV’s Simpsons
58. Salt Lake City collegians
59. “The Fountainhead” author Ayn ____
60. Emphatic assent in Acapulco (2 wds.) (2,2) (Sp.)
61. Tks’s counterpart, in textese
64. Fifth of Wild Turkey?
This crossword puzzle is the original work of Patrick “Mac”McIntyre. It is provided to us courtesy of Real Change News, a street paper based in Seattle, Washington. Learn more about Real Change News and the International Network of Street Papers at realchangenews.org and insp.ngo.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento Case Management Coordinación de Servicios
Academy of Hope Public Charter School
202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Pl. NE
202-373-0246 // 421 Alabama Ave. SE aohdc.org
Bread for the City 1525 7th St., NW // 202-265-2400 1700 Marion Barry Ave., SE // 202-561-8587 breadforthecity.org
Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Marion Barry Ave., SE calvaryservices.org
Catholic Charities // 202-772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp
Central Union Mission // 202-745-7118 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW missiondc.org
Charlie’s Place // 202-929-0100 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW charliesplacedc.org
Christ House // 202-328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd., NW christhouse.org
Church of the Pilgrims // 202-387-6612 2201 P St., NW (1-1:30 on Sundays only) churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach
Community Family Life Services 202-347-0511 // 305 E St., NW cflsdc.org
Community of Hope // 202-232-7356 4 Atlantic St., NW communityofhopedc.org
Covenant House Washington 202-610-9600 // 2001 Mississippi Ave., SE covenanthousedc.org
D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 202-347-8870 // 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW dccfh.org
Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 North Capitol St., NW fathermckennacenter.org
Food and Friends // 202-269-2277
(home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc) 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org
Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW foundryumc.org/idministry
Identification services
Friendship Place // 202-364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW friendshipplace.org
Georgetown Ministry Center // 202-338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave., NW georgetownministrycenter.org
Jobs Have Priority // 202-544-9096 1526 Pennslyvania Ave., SE jobshavepriority.org
Loaves & Fishes // 202-232-0900 1525 Newton St., NW loavesandfishesdc.org
Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org 2375 Elvans Rd, SE
2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE
Miriam’s Kitchen // 202-452-8926 2401 Virginia Ave., NW miriamskitchen.org
My Sister’s Place // 202-529-5991 (24-hr hotline) mysistersplacedc.org
N Street Village // 202-939-2076 1333 N St., NW nstreetvillage.org
New York Avenue Shelter // 202-832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave., NE
Patricia Handy Place for Women 202-733-5378 // 810 5th St., NW
Samaritan Inns // 202-667-8831 2523 14th St., NW samaritaninns.org
Samaritan Ministry 202-722-2280 // 1516 Hamilton St., NW 202-889-7702 // 1345 U St., SE samaritanministry.org
Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org
So Others Might Eat (SOME) // 202-797-8806 71 O St., NW some.org
St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-363-4900 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org
Thrive DC // 202-737-9311 1525 Newton St., NW thrivedc.org
Unity Health Care unityhealthcare.org - Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500 - Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699
1500 Galen Street SE, 1251-B Saratoga Ave NE, 1660 Columbia Road NW, 4414 Benning Road NE, 3924 Minnesota Avenue NE, 765 Kenilworth Terrace NE, 850 Delaware Ave., SW, 3240 Stanton Road SE, 3020 14th Street NW, 425 2nd Street NW, 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 1333 N Street NW, 1355 New York Avenue NE, 1151 Bladensburg Rd., NE, 4515 Edson Pl., NE
Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U St., NW // 202-328-5500 legalclinic.org
The Welcome Table // 202-347-2635 1317 G St., NW. epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable
Whitman-Walker Health 1525 14th St., NW // 202-745-7000 1201 Sycamore Dr., SE whitman-walker.org
Woodley House // 202-830-3508 2711 Connecticut Ave., NW
For further information and listings, visit our online service guide at StreetSenseMedia.org/service-guide
Cashier
Raising Cane’s // 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE Washington
Full-time, Part-time
Restaurant crewmembers at Raising Cane’s will wear many hats (including a Raising Cane’s hat) while working hard and having fun as a critical part of the restaurant team. We are hiring immediately for restaurant crew to work all shifts: opening shifts, closing shifts and everything in between.
REQUIRED: N/A
APPLY: tinyurl.com/raisingcanesDCcashier
Dishwasher
Ruth’s Chris Steak House // Washington D.C.
Full-time
Looking for people to wash, store, and stock dishes. Employees that would thrive are those that demonstrate attention to detail when assisting in spot cleaning floors, carpeting, walls, and other furnishing. They will also maintain a safe and pleasing environment for team members and guests, communicate effectively with others, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
REQUIRED: N/A
APPLY: tinyurl.com/RuthsChrisDCdishwasher
Valet Clerk
U Street Parking // Washington D.C.
Full-time
The job includes directing traffic in the parking area as needed and assisting guests in entering and leaving the parking lot; answering guests’ questions regarding local attractions, hotel amenities, and other available services; collecting and accurately labeling keys belonging to guests to ensure their proper return.
REQUIRED: Proven work experience as a valet.
APPLY: tinyurl.com/bddmtdvc
Dear friends of Street Sense Media,
This is the fourteenth time I have written to our donors asking for their year end support. In December 2011, I learned for the first time just how generous and loyal our donors could be. And over the years, your support has transformed both Street Sense Media and the vendors we care for and serve together.
Your past support has doubled the size of our newsroom and fueled reporting that is annually recognized with awards for excellence. In a time of drastic cuts to local news, you make possible our efforts to report on the impact of homelessness and to hold locally elected officials accountable.
Your generosity created our case management program when there was none – providing our vendors with a supportive conduit to housing, health and mental health care, public benefits, and support for those in recovery from substance use disorders. Your dollars provide emergency rental, utility, and food assistance for vendors experiencing an acute crisis.
Your generosity ended homelessness for 70 of our vendors. While once these men and women we love slept in tents or waited nightly in the cold for a shelter to open, they now slip a key into their apartment door every night after a day of selling our newspaper. You made this happen.
More than anything, your support builds community. There is simply no way to overstate the impact community and its sense of belonging has on the lives of our vendors. Built in writing, theater, employment, photography, and illustration workshops – all of which unleash the transformative power of story-telling – it is this community that propels our vendors forward in their lives towards greater stability and well-being.
A year ago, when I wrote to you, we were deep in crisis. We’d cut nearly half of our staff, reduced the frequency with which we published the paper, and reduced our office space. You responded to that appeal with record-breaking generosity for which we are forever grateful. I am pleased to report that 2024 has been a year of stability only possible because of your support. Renewing your support with a gift today will help to ensure that this stability continues. You have always been the driver of our success. Your generosity has changed lives. We hope that we can count on your continued partnership through a generous year-end gift by going online at www.streetsensemedia.org or by mailing a check to Street Sense Media, 1317 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20005.
We thank you for your support and wish you the very best this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Brian Carome CEO
ROCHELLE WALKER