12 04 2013 by Street Sense Media

$2 suggested donation

Volume 11: Issue 2 December 4 - 17, 2013

Street

sense

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

whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in a bag? getting food to people near and far

Giving Thanks for Food and Kindness:

Donors and volunteers host a holiday feast pg 5

USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Nonprofit Grocery Store:

Two hours from Washington, D.C. pg 8-9

Mour n and s ing victims av teens ing ... pg 6

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.

7 15

Central Union Mission’s new facility, new home. Read ‘Thankful for What’ by Larry Garner

North American Street Newspaper Association

How It Works ADDRESS 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 PHONE 202.347.2006 FAX 202.347.2166 E-MAIL info@streetsense.org WEB StreetSense.org

Each vendor functions as an independant contractor for Street Sense. That means he or she reinvests in the organization with every purchase.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Yebegashet Alemayehn, Margaret Chapman, Kristal DeKleer. Max Gaujean, Heidi Keller, Robyn Kerr, Reed Sandridge, Brad Scriber, Allison Sherry, Michael Stoops

Vendors purchase the paper for 50 cents/issue, which will then be sold to you for a suggested donation of $2.

COVER ART Sending guests away with warm clothing and other necessities. PHOTO BY JOHNATHAN COMER CORNER-PREVIEW PHOTO BY CLAIRE SLOAN

ADVERTISE WITH US streetsense.org/ advertise

@ STREETSENSE.ORG A new issue comes out every two weeks, but you can stay connected to Street Sense every day!

/streetsense

Street Sense publishes the newspaper.

75% 75% supports the vendors helping them overcome homelessness and poverty.

Street Sense

INTERNS Nkongho Beteck, Dennis Forster, Jenny Gudmundsen, Claire Sloan, Ashley Trick

Vendors buy the newspaper for 50 cents each.

25% 25% supports the production costs at Street Sense.

The remainder of your $2 donation directly supports the vendor.

@streetsensedc /streetsensedc OUR STORY Street Sense began in August 2003 after Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions with the idea to start a street paper in Washington, D.C. Through the work of dedicated volunteers, Street Sense published its first issue in November 2003. In 2005, Street Sense achieved 501 ( c ) 3 status as a nonprofit organization, formed a board of directors and hired a full-time executive director. Today, Street Sense is published every two weeks through the efforts of four salaried employees, more than 100 active vendors, and dozens of volunteers. Nearly 30,000 copies are in circulation each month.

1. Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $2.00, I agree not to ask for more than two dollars or solicit donations for Street Sense by any other means. 2. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense staff and volunteers and will not sell papers to other vendors. 3. I agree to treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and other vendors, respectfully at all times. I will refrain from threatening others, pressuring customers into making a donation, or in engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices. 4. I agree not to distribute copies of Street Sense on metro trains and buses or on private property. 5. I agree to abide by the Street Sense vendor territorial policy at all times and will resolve any related disputes I

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Brian Carome EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mary Otto ART DIRECTOR Eric Falquero SALES MANAGER Brandon Caudill

have with other vendors in a professional manner.

VOLUNTEERS Monica Anderson, Jane Cave, Margaret Chapman, Johnathan Comer, Julie Garel, Jeffrey Gray, Jane Goforth, Roxanne Goldberg, Marisa Grotte, Roberta Haber, Thomas Hedges, Jesse Helfrich, Maurice King, Sean Lishansky, Victoria Hatterman O’Banion, Jenny Hopkinson, Ashley Perks, David Piper Kristin Roach, Mark Rose, Willie Schatz, David Sellers, David Serota, Kate Sheppard, Ernie Smith, Lydia Stepanek, Charlotte Tucker, Bryan Watkins, Marian Wiseman, Eugene Versluysen VENDORS Clinton Allen, Gerald Anderson, Glenn Artis, Aida Basnight, Grady Baxter, Kenneth Belkosky, Reginald Black, Viktor Blokhine, John Branges, André Brinson, Donald Brown, Brianna Butler, Elijah Cornish, Anthony Crawford, Kwayera Dakari, James Davis, Charles Davis, Clifton Davis, Chino Dean, David Denny, Alvin Dixon El, Pieus Ennels, Linda Euell, Samuel Fullwood, Larry Garner, Richard Hart, Shakaye Henry, Ibn Hipps, Phillip Howard, James Huges, Leonard Hyater, Donald Johnson, Carlton Johnson, Morgan Jones, Allen Jones, Linda Jones, Mark Jones, John Littlejohn, Authertimer Matthews, John Matthews, Kina Matthis, Ashley McMullen, Jeffery McNeil, Cynthia Mewborn, Kenneth Middleton, Gary Minter, L. Morrow, Ash-shaheed Rabbil, Quentin Sanders, Chris Shaw, Veda Simpson, Gwynette Smith, Terron Solomon, Tamika Staton, Warren Stevens Jr, Tony Sutton, Sybil Taylor, O. Shernell Thomas, Eric Thompson-Bey, Sarah Turley-Colin, Jacqueline Turner, Ronald Turner, Leon Valentine, Ronald Verquer, Martin Walker, Michael Warner, Angelyn Whitehurst, Wendell Williams, Robert Young

6. I understand that I am not an employee of Street Sense, Inc. but an independent contractor. 7. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when distributing Street Sense. 8. I will not distribute Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Donate Directly To A Vendor Vendor Name

Vendor Badge #

9. I understand that my badge and (if applicable) vest are property of Street Sense, Inc. and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing Street Sense. I will always display my badge when distributing Street Sense. 10. I agree to support Street Sense’s mission statement. In doing so I will work to support the Street Sense community and uphold its values of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity.

Comments

Name Address Email Phone Number

STREET SENSE December 4 - 17, 2013

NEWS IN BRIEF Spirit of Giving Shattered by Theft

Hawaii Senator Uses Sledgehammer to Fight Homelessness Tom Brower, a five-term Democratic representative in the Aloha state, took on a new method in dealing with homelessness that turned more than just a few

YES!

“If someone is sleeping at night on the bus stop, I don’t do anything, but if they are sleeping during the day, I’ll walk up and say, ‘Get moving.’” According to thinkprogress.org, Hawaii has the highest rate of homelessness in the country. Bower’s less than

compassionate approach matches that of Hawaiian lawmakers that recently approved $100,000 over the next two years to pay for one-way flights off the islands to any of the state’s estimated 17,000 homeless persons.

Homeless Man Saves Woman’s Wallet

Upon hearing the news of the good deed, the Omni Hotel set out to get a hold of this man to personally thank him. The Huffington Post interviewed the hotel’s managing director, Scott Stuckey, who said that “Every person has a story and this person obviously has a story and did the right thing by bringing [the wallet] to try to find [its owner]. When you’re looking through food in the garbage can, it’s probably one of the toughest times of your life. But when you find somebody’s wallet and you do the right thing, I think we’d like to do the right thing by this person.” Within days, Hartman heard word of people looking for him and returned to the hotel. The hotel put up Hartman through Thanksgiving, the Huffington Post reported. He also received room service and $500 for his selfless act.

Joel Hartman, 36, brought the holiday spirit to Atlanta’s Omni Hotel in full swing last week when he found a wallet in a trash can while looking for food. Instead of using the credit cards to his benefit, Hartman went to several hotels in search of the owner. According to the Associated Press, the woman who owned the wallet had been robbed earlier that day. After the thieves took her entire purse, they discarded the remains in a garbage can nearby, which led Hartman to stumble across it when he was looking for his next meal.

t Se tree

30 ver of o

a p tion

u strib ly di h t n mo

Im ek

i-we

ab se is

t c

,000

th a

r wi

ape

LISHED REPORTS

e s i t r e v

Ad wsp ly ne

***COMPILED BY ASHLEY TRICK FROM PREVIOUSLY PUB-

with

On the very first night of December, someone broke into the Salvation Army offices in the 2300 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and stole at least $10,000 that was collected during the charity’s annual kettle drive and was intended for needy people in the Metropolitan D.C. area. According to administrators at the Southeast DC Salvation Army, a thief or pair of thieves broke in through a third floor balcony. They believe the persons responsible knew exactly what they were looking for when they broke in. The thieves systematically went from kettle to kettle taking out the paper currency. The Salvation Army reported that a security guard confronted a suspect who had a knife, but no one was injured in the event. Officials are hopeful that the money will be returned, as the funds were supposed to be donated to help local families who are struggling in southeast Washington. Neighbors like Stephanie Guion suggest that while this might have been an act of desperation, there is never a justification for taking money from an organization like the Salvation Army. As she puts it, “No one should ever steal from an organization that helps people in need.”

heads. Towards the end of November, Brower received a large amount of publicity for roaming the streets with a sledgehammer looking for homeless people in order to literally smash their possessions. According the New York Daily News, Brower was so fed up with homeless people in his district that he considered this act a “one-man crusade” to rid the district of homelessness entirely. While his crusade may now be over, the remains of shopping carts and other items used by homeless people are left in his destructive wake. As he explained to Honolulu’s Star Advertiser, he’s “disgusted” with homeless people. Brower told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser about his own personal brand of “justice”: “If I see shopping carts that I can’t identify, I will destroy them so they can’t be pushed on the streets.” As if destroying personal items were not enough, Brower was also on a mission to wake those he found sleeping and tell them to sleep somewhere else.

e copi

ble aila

128

$ for

se erti rg 6 v 0 d 0 .2 /a .o nse .org .347 202 tsense treetse s e stre rtise@ e adv ace

sp This

is av

I want to donate: My info: $1500 can cover the cost of printing an issue. $ 1500 Name $1000 can help us orient, train, and support new vendors $ 1000 Address $500 can help purchase needed software $500 $250 can provide badges for 50 vendors $250 $100 Every dollar helps us further our mission! $________ Email

DONATE ONLINE

Street Sense seeks to oﬀer economic opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in our community. Our vendors work hard as self-employed contractors distributing the newspaper, with all proots directly supporting their success.

Comments

Please make checks payable to “Street Sense” and mail to 1317 G Street NW Washington, DC 20005

Post-Shutdown, Service Providers Seek to Improve Cooperation By Dennis Forster Editorial Intern

District officials have had a chance to take stock of the local impact of the 16day shutdown of the federal government earlier this fall. In spite of the delays in Medicaid payments, a $92,000 trash collection bill, and up to $6 million of lost tax revenue (per week), they agree the fallout could have been worse. Officials say resilience and efficient management of a contingency fund helped keep city employees on the job and keep most city services operating during the Congressional deadlock over the federal budget. Ultimately, there was a silver lining for the District in the temporary deal struck by federal lawmakers to end the shutdown. While the city uses its own local funds to pay for essentials such as schools and public safety, under its home-rule charter, the District budget is normally subject to Congressional appropriation. But under the deal approved by Congress to end the shutdown, the District was granted virtual budget autonomy for Fiscal Year 2014, allowing it to spend local funds without the permission of Congress. The measure could help protect the city from some of the woes of another potential crisis on Capitol Hill in mid-January. But it was not only the officials in the Wilson Building who had to steer through the financial uncertainties created by the shutdown. Local nonprofits and service providers, who often rely on public funding also had to find ways to keep their organizations up and running. They say

the government shutdown offered useful lessons for the future: lessons that may help them provide services more efficiently – and use networking to enhance cooperation and communication. The initial chaos of the shutdown that furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal workers, shuttered federal offices and programs, interrupted federal funding to local programs and created worries about the sustainability of city government services caused a wave of deep uncertainty in the local nonprofit community. “We didn’t have any sense in the community about who was going to stay open and who was going to stay closed through the first couple of weeks of October, and we really had no idea what was going to happen if the local government shut down,” explained Susie Cambria, a consultant to nonprofits. Local food banks and community resource centers struggled to find a common response to the looming freeze of the District’s daily operations, which would have exacerbated difficulties both for the smaller service providers and the neighborhoods and individuals they serve. “The concern was that services provided by the government might have to stop if the city shut down or eliminated services,” Cambria said. Therefore, it was vital for the community to prepare for budget shortfalls, while maximizing the reach of their services for the people in need. Two meetings were convened, one ten

days into the shutdown, and a second in early November. The gatherings were organized by Strengthening Ward One Together, the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative (CHSFSC), and Bread for the City. The purpose was to address the urgent need to improve networking between local service providers. One effort they tried hinted at the core challenge for the nonprofit community to act in a concerted effort -- especially, but not only, during crises like the shutdown. “We did a map of organizations that were open, [but] we didn’t have very many who actually sent me their information to map,” Cambria says. The attempt helped enforce an important message, though. As Timothea Howard of CHSFSC said, “We have to have all the organizations plugged in, so that when the demand comes, we have infrastructure to go.” She also stated there is a need to collect as much info as possible about the individual providers, and feed it into a map or databases like 211 (www.211metrodc.org). And even if the FY 2014 budget autonomy deal offers the District the ability to conduct business as usual in the event of another federal shutdown during the current fiscal year, there are plenty of other permanent or recurring challenges local service providers are facing, including the reductions in food stamps. As of Nov. 1, the average family of three saw a drop of about $29 a month in food stamp benefits. The cut was due to the expiration of additional funding for the program provided by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The loss of assistance left families with roughly $1.40 per person to spend per meal. And more cuts may be on the horizon and federal budget battles continue.

“A lot of people are applying for eligibility status, and the food banks are packed,” said Howard. The loss has strained the budgets of already poor people to the breaking point she said. In addition to preparing for an influx of people seeking help, Howard noted, the challenge is one more reminder to service providers that they should network in order to make sure their clients get the right resources down the road, empowering them to eventually become independent again.

“We really had no idea what was going to happen if the local government shut down.” -Susie Cambria, Non-profit Consultant

“You have to get people to understand the need for capacity building,” she says. Susie Cambria singled out for praise two organizations which have been dedicated to efficient cooperation among nonprofits for years. She said the Nonprofit Roundtable and Center for Nonprofit Advancement will continue to work for better cooperation among groups in the future. “I clearly see them, both organizations, playing a role in figuring how to do this better in the future.” For now, though, a sense remains that the recent government shutdown highlighted the lack of communication between the numerous service providers, nonprofits and agencies in the DC area, making it unnecessarily complicated at times for individuals or families to receive the right service at the right time.

STREET SENSE December 4 - 17, 2013

NEWS

Gifts from the Heart Photos and Story By Johnathan Comer Volunteer On a rainy afternoon two days before Thanksgiving, dozens of local homeless individuals lined up outside of the Pepco Edison Place Gallery to be served a traditional Thanksgiving meal, care of local donors and volunteers. Catholic Charities, Pepco, and Ridgewells Catering joined forces to provide a hot meal to those who might otherwise be without one this holiday season. Complete with white tablecloths, china, and tableware, guests were served a “traditional” Thanksgiving meal – turkey, collard greens, sweet potatoes, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, rolls, pumpkin pie, and cookies. More than 100 volunteers were on-hand at the event, serving food and drinks as well as sitting down and dining with their guests. On their way out, attendees were offered a gift bag filled with warm clothing and other essential items to help them during the winter months. A guitarist and flutist performed throughout the event. Pepco Edison Place Gallery is an art gallery which offers its space to local nonprofit artists and organizations. The event was catered by Bethesda-based Ridgewells Catering as part of their 85 Days of Giving program. Catholic Charities plays a vital role in serving the area’s homeless, and each week their Dinner Van serves as many as 200 people near their headquarters on G Street, NW.

Always Thankful

By Aida Basnight-Peery, Vendor I am thankful for the new apartment that God blessed me with back in February of this year. Re c e n t l y c e l ebrated my first Thanksgiving in my new place. Dinner might have turned out better if I had stressed out a little more in advance about fixing the turkey, along with all the trimmings and a few desserts. The turkey was a donation given to me by N Street Village and I am very grateful

to have gotten it. But I had never cooked a turkey before in my entire life until this Thanksgiving. It was always another relative or friend who did the turkey thing. Well there is a first time for everything. And now I can definitely strike off the “try to cook a turkey on my own” from the bucket list. But I am definitely going to stick with what I do know how to cook on Christmas Day. And I will be sure to start a bit earlier to prepare the meal than I did on Thanksgiving Day, especially if I want to invite some friends and relatives to the house for a feast. This year has been kind of hard for me,

because my Dad who was 88 years old passed away on Oct. 18. Then, I lost my aunt. She passed away two weeks after my Dad’s passing. I miss my Dad. I wish I could have phoned him to wish him a Happy Thanksgiving. Yet I am thankful that he is no longer in pain and now is in Heaven. I am also thankful that I have some loyal and new customers who read my articles and buy the Street Sense newspaper from me. I am thankful that I have quite a few friends that are Street Sense vendors and we talk about all sorts of subjects. Some-

times our conversations can become heated but at least we are respectful to each other. I have to admit we don’t hold a grudge with each other; we pretty much let bygones be bygones. Life is too short. I am thankful that I have good health and my spirits are brightening a bit more. I know life isn’t going to be always a smooth sailing. But, at least I can say today I am thankful for everyone who has been part of my life on this journey of mine and I know there is going to be more to come before the end of this year.

Transgender Day of Remembrance By Claire Sloan Editorial Intern The African drumbeat reverberated through the place of worship as selected audience members stood one by one to speak for those being honored and remembered. “My name is Diamond. I was strangled, suffocated and beaten with a hammer to death on January 6, 2007. My case is closed. I struggled to live, but could not survive. Washington, D.C.” What was Diamond’s crime? She was a transgender woman, and someone hated her for that. Justice was served to Diamond’s murderer, but for the families of many hate crime victims, there is no closure. The Metropolitan Police Department reported seven open cases of transgender homicides since the year 2000. The Transgender Day of Remembrance has been held annually on November 20, since its founding in 1998. The LGBTQ community and supporters in the District gathered at Metropolitan Community Church to honor the deceased and celebrate their lives. D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray assured attendees that the city council is working to increase employment training for trans people and to make charter and public schools more accepting of LGBTQ young people. “The Transgender Day of Remembrance marks another year in the struggle to protect the rights of people in the District of Columbia,” Gray said. DC Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe remarked that America has progressed so far in such a short amount of time in terms of transgender rights. The Japarka “Deoni” Jones Equal-

ity Amendment Birth Certificate Act was signed in August 2013, allowing transgender people to change their names and receive a new birth certificate reflecting the gender that they identify with. “As of today, in the District of Columbia, you can walk in and request a new birth certificate,” said Ruby Corado, founder of Casa Ruby, the only bilingual LGBTQ center in the District. “You can say the old one was wrong.” This memorial was not only a chance for District government officials to affirm their support of LGBTQ rights, but also a religious service. “The Bible is often used as a weapon,” said Reverend Kim Turner Baker, canon pastor of Washington National Cathedral. “We forget the overarching words that are used to bring us all together in one community.” Reverend Baker herself has a gay son and a lesbian daughter. The choir sang gospel songs and the audience lit candles for the transgender people being honored. When Dana Beyer first attended TDOR 10 years ago, her primary emotion was aloneness, she said. But not this time. She said this time she could feel the love and support of the people in the room. Family members of the honored felt encouraged by the memorial, like Beverlyn Mack, mother of Joshua “NaNa Boo” Mack, who was killed in 2009. For some, like NaNa Boo’s father, Barry Payton, the grief was too much to bear. Payton was unable to stay until the end of the memorial, because it was like reliving the day his child was killed, Mack said. “It left all of us really bruised,” Mack said. Mack is currently seeking counseling for herself and her sons, but has not had success because she lacks insurance. She said she worries that the rest of her family is in danger. “We’re scared,” Mack said. “All Joshua’s friends who are transgenders come here.” No transgender people in Washington, D.C. have been murdered this year, said Assistant D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham. Organizations such as DC Trans Coalition are working to make “our world and our city” a safer place, said Nico Quintana, an advocate. “This is not the ending, it’s the beginning. Change is for the better. We’re getting progress done,” said Alonzo Howard, cousin of Japarka “Deoni” Jones.

Homeless Youth Vigil By Claire Sloan Editorial Intern

After his relationship with his mom became tense, Dante Davis left home. He spent a year and a half couch surfing and living on the streets. Initially, Davis admitted he shunned the Covenant House Washington Crisis Center. He knew he would have to participate in the program which, beyond shelter beds and crisis counseling, provides educational and vocational assistance for young people aged 18-21. And he felt like no one at Covenant House would really care about his situation as a homeless youth. “In reality, people really do care,” Davis testified at the second annual homeless youth vigil hosted by Covenant House Washington on November 21. At the vigil, business men and women from around the District agreed to sleep outside in the cold to raise awareness and money for youth homelessness programs, explained Cellerino Bernardino, chair of the board of Covenant House Washington, a local affiliate of Covenant House International which operates 22 “houses” in cities all over the United States, Canada and Latin America. This local Covenant House was one of 17 to host a vigil. And the local sleepers raised more than $150,000 through sponsors for homeless youth in the District, reported Reverend Kim Bookard of Covenant Baptist Church. “If we really want them to be our future, let’s make sure they have a roof over their head,” D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray said at the vigil, expressing his commitment to care for homeless youth. Mayor Gray was the founding and first executive director of Covenant House Washington. The mission of Covenant House is the same today as it was originally, Gray said: to give young people a chance to live the lives that they want to live despite adverse circumstances. Twice as many people slept outside at this year’s vigil than at last year’s, said Bernardino. “For us to sacrifice for one night in

the cold, uncomfortable, says that it’s not okay that youth have to sleep on the streets,” Diane Milan of Covenant House New York said at the District’s vigil. Jonathan Williams, 21, thanked Covenant House Washington for making him the person he is today. Formerly homeless, Williams now resides in a transitional living program. Grammy-nominated artist Carolyn Malachi performed several songs at the vigil, bringing youth from Covenant House Washington on stage with her. Her message was one of encouragement and selfempowerment, she said. “I had to stop feeling sorry for myself,” said Shay Hunt, a 19-year-old Washington youth living in the Covenant House Crisis Center. Hunt shyly told vigil participants she had come to the conclusion that if she didn’t help herself no one would. Because she was willing to change her life, Covenant House helped her find an internship, gain her citizenship, and prepare to join the workforce, she said. Ricky Harris said that he and other youths have found a sense of family and stability at Covenant House that had been previously missing from their lives. “Before I got here I used to fight. I had a lot of anger issues. When I got here, the stress levels went down,” Harris said. Harris is currently in his first year of Rights of Passage, an independent living program. He worked with Covenant House staffers and volunteers to help set up the sound system for the vigil, as he is in between school and work. The crisis of youth homelessness in the D.C. area will not go away unless advocates, clergy, and everyday Washingtonians join forces to protect and care for the young and most vulnerable in society, said Rev. Bookard. To the youth present at the vigil that night, Davis said, “Keep your head up. There’s always a better day.”

STREET SENSE December 4 - 17, 2013

Central Union Mission Reopens Near Union Station By Nkongho Beteck Editorial Intern Clean. Safe. Polite. These are the three words that come to mind for Bonnie Pritchard. She is assistant director of education at Central Union Mission and she is using the three words to describe the shelter’s new location at 65 Massachusetts Ave. NW. The facility, which just reopened in the renovated Gales School building near Union Station, now offers beds to about 150 men, and has additional space to provide everything from medical and dental care to legal and educational assistance - services geared toward helping the men rebuild their lives. It’s just the latest chapter in the story of one of the nation’s oldest social services ministries. Central Union Mission got it’s start back in 1884, helping wayward men, including many Civil War veterans, adrift on the streets of Washington, D.C. It continued to serve the poor through two world wars, and survived numerous relocations. For the past 30 years, the shelter operated on the corner of R and 14th Streets NW, but finally sold the building in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood and embarked upon a $14 million renovation of the dilapidated but historic Gales School. The District still owns the school building. Central Union Mission has a 40 year lease for which it will pay $1 a year. The move will allow Central Union Mission to be closer to many of the extremely poor people it aims to serve, ministry officials said. “We had been looking for a place to relocate, and had a desire to relocate back in the city,” said Pastor James Lewis, director of ministry at the shelter. “All 130-135 people stayed with us throughout our transition. We did not drop any of our services,” he said. These services included beds at night, breakfasts in the morning, and an 18-month addiction recovery program. Since the shelter’s 14th and R Street NW location was shuttered last summer, the services were provided at the former home of Gospel Rescue Ministries at 810 5th street. Pastor Willliam Spence, who works with shelter’s administration, calls the new facility the “safest private male shelter.” All beds and showers are partitioned for increased privacy, which the center did not have at its previous location. Some of the men enrolled in the Spiritual Transformation program live in suites with private bathrooms. Meals are prepared in a new kitchen twice the size of the old one. Alumnus and supervisor Mfreke Ekanden said the larger site means more rooms to

cover and more rounds to do during his day shift. There is typically one supervisor on duty that surveys the floor, making sure all guests shower, keep their belongings in labeled boxes, and stay in their rooms after lights out. The fourth floor includes staff offices and, a medical clinic and an office where men can receive legal help. There are also classroom spaces awaiting computers and an exercise room. When the Mission first began exploring the use of the city-owned Gales School, the plan was stalled by a lawsuit filed by civil liberties groups who asserted that such an arrangement would violate the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. They cited the Mission’s long history of requiring men to participate in religious services in exchange for help. That practice was stopped in 2007 Mission officials explained in response. The Mission continues to hold its daily church services at 7:30 pm, but men are also given the option of spending time in quiet contemplation. David Thompson, who has been staying at the shelter, said he is grateful for the Mission’s religious orientation. “The spiritual aspect of the shelter is what makes it different,” he said. Though it just reopened, the mission is already at capacity and has needed to turn some men away already due to its first-come first served policy. The new shelter is getting a guarded welcome far from others in the neighborhood. Gavin Coleman, manager of The Subliner, an Irish pub on F street, said he is a bit worried about the facility’s proximity to his business. “I try not to paint all the homeless with the same brush, but I do have some concerns.” Coleman said he feared the extra traffic to the shelter might discourage his customers. And he said he has recently had problems with panhandling near the restaurant and theft from his delivery trucks. He said a recent meeting with Pastor Lewis helped somewhat ease his mind that any further problems will be addressed. The manager at the tavern next door, Kelly’s Irish Times, was less worried. He said he does not believe Central Union Mission will change life in the neighborhood. “The homeless have been on this block for years. I’m not stressed over it,” he said.

PHOTOS BY NKONGHO BETECK

NEWS

A New Model for Food Deserts

By Brett Mohar Volunteer

The nation’s first nonprofit grocery store recently opened its doors in the struggling community of Chester, Pennsylvania. Fare & Square has a goal of providing the city’s 35,000 residents with a place to purchase healthy, locally-produced food. The town, a former shipyard and automanufacturing hub, had been without a

grocery store for more than a decade. Along with affordable fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products, the bright new store has brought a measure of hope to the small city since its grand opening in September, say patrons and employees. And its business model has the potential to eventually be replicated in other poor communities throughout the country, some say. “We came to the realization that people in economically-challenged communities have a burning desire for nor-

Bakirah Johnson (left) and Robert Davis work and shop at Fare & Square. PHOTO BY BRETT MOHAR

malcy and they want access to food like all other Americans,” said Bill Clark, who is president and executive director of Philabundance, a nonprofit hunger-relief organization, who came up with the idea for the store seven years ago. ”Getting food to the poor is the same model as getting food to the wealthy.” But Clark found some powerful nonprofit and government backers, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to help fund the $7 million project. Chester, located in the Delaware Valley, had been designated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a food desert: an area where a substantial share of residents lack access to grocery stores and other sources of healthy, affordable food. It is a lack felt in many places, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. In Washington, D.C. for instance, only a small handful of the city’s roughly 40 full-service grocery stores serve Wards 4, 7 and 8. The USDA estimates that about 13.5 million Americans live in food deserts nationwide. “Food deserts are one of the most pervasive problems plaguing cities across the country and are a large, troublesome and growing phenomenon,” said Clark. “Once we identified the areas of greatest need in the Delaware Valley, it was a meeting with Congressman Bob Brady that spurred us to select Chester as the site of the nation’s first non-profit grocery store. Chester has been without a grocery store for far too long, and we are so proud to bring the first grocery store to Chester.” The ramifications of living in an area without access to a healthy food source

negatively impacts nearly all aspects of the community as a whole. Clark said he hoped bringing a grocery store to Chester would be a major and necessary step in improving the health and living conditions for the community. The store, which boasts produce, seafood, deli, dairy and frozen food departments, accepts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits which are also known as food stamps. And while anyone can shop at the store, low-income shoppers receive special benefits. A store program called the “Carrot Club” provides members with a variety of promotions and discounts. Members whose household incomes are at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level receive seven percent credit on their purchases in the form of “Carrot Cash” which can be used toward future store purchases. Clark emphasized the fact that he did not want to give food away. “What we want to do is treat our clients with the respect and dignity of a customer and not a charity case.” Prior to September, Chester residents had little choice in where they shopped or what they ate. They either had to rely upon the narrow choices offered by small convenience stores, travel outside the city to purchase food or take what they were given at the local food bank without having any say in the types of food they received. “People pay an extremely high price for free food but the cost is not in dollars, it is in self pride and choice,” said Clark. In addition to providing the community with a place to shop, Fare & Square has also created 82 new jobs and nearly all of its employees live in Chester. To many of

STREET SENSE December 4 - 17, 2013

COVER STORY its customers and employees, the store is also much more than just a place to work and purchase food. “People in the community are really proud of this store and I’m really proud of this store,” said employee Bakirah Johnson. “In Chester, it’s the talk of the town.” According to Johnson, store employees handed out apples and oranges to the kids for Halloween and most of the children “had not seen food like that in so long that they didn’t even care about not getting candy. Little things you don’t think of are a big deal.” In fact, she said many of the kids were so excited that they wanted to eat the fruit immediately and Johnson happily obliged, cleaning the fruit upon request and helping them peel dozens of oranges in the process. The efforts made by Fare & Square to improve the lives of its customers have not gone unnoticed by shoppers. “In the end, it’s all about empowerment,” observed Chester resident Carole Burnett. As for Clark, he said he hopes the Chester Fare & Square will not remain America’s only nonprofit grocery store for long. Food deserts across the country might be transformed by similar efforts, he believes. “Its been a huge undertaking but if we can figure out how to make this work, it’s a game changer.”

Mugged in Chester, P.A. By Brett Mohar, Volunteer

As a former reporter and photojournalist covering the three poorest and most ethnically diverse counties in Colorado, I have done my share of social issue stories. However, doing the story on Fare & Square in Chester, Pennsylvania was by far the most challenging for me to write because of the what happened while I was walking back to the subway from the store. I was well-aware of the danger of being in Chester after dark and arrived there around 4 p.m. thinking that I would be able to do the story in a few hours and be back on the train by dusk. Because of the hospitality and enthusiasm of everyone I talked to at the store I didn’t end up leaving until close to 8 p.m. I had a bad feeling when I left with my backpack full of camera equipment. During the 5 minute walk to the subway station I heard the sound of footsteps pounding behind me and before I was able to turn around I was hit twice in the back of the head. When I did turn around I was confronted by a young man who demanded that I give him my bag. I was enraged and when I refused, the young man started walking backwards and then I saw two other young men jump from behind a set of shrubs and sprint towards me to join the ambush. Looking back, I don’t think they had anticipated a confrontation because it turned to total chaos. After dodging what seemed like fifty punches I managed to work my way into the middle of the street and they all sprinted away empty-handed. For several days following the confrontation I was extremely conflicted in writing the story. To make

matters worse, I had a major neck and shoulder surgery several years ago due to an injury I sustained during a wrestling match in high school. A few weeks before doing the story, the symptoms came back and it is still unclear whether I will need another operation. Because of being hit in the back of my neck and head it made my symptoms much worse. I had to write the story standing up and in small increments because of the pain and numbness from maintaining the same posture for any extended period of time. The discomfort served as a constant reminder of what took place in Chester that night. How could I possibly advocate for the people of such an impoverished community after being attacked by the people I was supposed to advocate for? After putting a great deal of thought into it, I finally concluded that the incident was exactly why I needed to write the story. I now realize that the attempted mugging was a direct result of the poverty and conditions in Chester and Fare & Square is a huge step towards drastically improving those conditions. I met so many great people while doing the story that are dedicated to making the city better and have a great deal of pride in their city. I now understand that I would be doing each one of them a great injustice by not telling their story. I also adamantly believe that the Fare & Square business model can and will be reproduced in many more economically-challenged cities across the country and I have no doubt that they will succeed as long as the dedication and resilience of the people in those cities are even close to that of the many amazing people in Chester.

CHILDREN’S ART: FALL TREE

Made by a 5 year old girl living at Turning Point Center for Women and Children.

Bill Clark (top) founded Fare & Square, the first non-profit grocery store in the United States. Carol Burnette (below) is a Chester resident and patron of Fare & Square. PHOTOS BY BRETT MOHAR

There are 1,868 children experiencing homelessness in the District. The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project visits 6 different transitional housing and emergency shelter programs to provide weekly activities, healthy snacks, and opportunities to play and learn to as many children as possible.

Courtesy of the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project.

COMICS & GAMES

s, Home d n ie r F & h p r a Gl Cleveland! in n o s a e S e h t for

CONSPIRACY THEORIES

By Terron Street Solomon, Vendor Conspiracy Theories

New World Order

InfoWars

Art Bell

Jeff Rense

secret society

Illuminati

Alex Jones

Antichrist

Coast to Coast AM

Nine Eleven

Burke Herbert

STREET SENSE December 4 - 17, 2013

OPINION

A Critique of Liberalism By Jeffery McNeil, Vendor

They say a conservative is a liberal that’s been robbed and a liberal is a conservative that’s been screwed. I don't what category I fall into but I sometimes cringe from some of the angry responses I receive when I don't fall in lockstep with the fringes of the Democratic Party. I’ve had a fascination to the point of obsession about why African-Americans support liberal positions even though many minorities are further to the right on many issues than their Tea Party counterparts. According to a Pew research poll, 40 percent of African Americans oppose marriage equality, 52 percent believe abortion is morally wrong and many believe in a tighter border security on illegal immigration, along with stronger law enforcement regarding crime. Truth is, a conservative vein runs deep in the black community. Auditoriums are packed when Bill Cosby and Ben Carson preach the wisdom of personal responsibility and accountability instead of the liberal government rhetoric spewed by Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. As a minority, I yearn for a new black leader to emerge, someone who will inspire a new generation of black men and women to be independent and self-reliant. That was the message preached by Booker T Washington, Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X. The liberal DC Council and The Black

Caucus are as far on the fringe as their Tea Party counterparts. Many minorities don't believe in the victim rhetoric spouted by these groups. Nor do they believe these groups represent the views of the black community. These groups are more interested in making money off their rhetoric than in equal justice. Being critical of the left can bring the ire of many liberals. Those who disagree or oppose what they say will be rendered heartless or racist. Someone who disagrees with their viewpoints can be branded as an Uncle Tom or a race traitor. What turned me off from liberalism isn't the cause but the partisans of the left. Many are sincere in their convictions; however, there are countless others that I feel are latte liberals. They champion the little people up until it’s time to punch off from work and then go off to their suburban homes pontificating about what others ought to do for humanity.

Their views are not based on realities or altruism but social theories that border on arrogance. They believe they are the anointed who are morally superior and through their wisdom they can improve and correct humanity. This put me at conflict with those I once agreed with. What I learned being homeless was that while everyone needs help, many don't understand the best way to truly help. Giving someone a hot meal or a pair of socks is feel good liberalism. A better approach to helping the truly needy is to give them the ingredients to cook their own food so they won't have to rely on someone to feed them. That would help them not become dependent on others and will also teach them to trust their God given ability rather than rely on others to provide for them. Giving them the gift of responsibility would teach

them the skills to become producers, which will create opportunities in their community instead of encouraging dependence on someone else. I grew up in some the worst projects and crack houses in New Jersey and Philadelphia. I saw the miracles: single mothers, junkies and criminals changed their lives when they gave up their dependency to Uncle Sam and educated themselves, started businesses and became successful. They will tell you that they encountered the same pathologies of the hood that hindered many but followed their dreams and got out of the projects. These are my heroes. It was their example that got me off drugs and off the streets. If I had kept listening to the victim philosophy that is perpetually trumpeted by the left, I still would be homeless. I believe that although free enterprise is harsh and cruel, it is the ticket out of poverty. The best approach is not to teach people they are victims therefore should be compensated. The free markets give the poor choices that government programs don’t provide. I believe liberals have a hard time grasping that the best way to end inequality is not to have everyone share in equal poverty, but to embrace the free markets and the satisfaction of making and keep-

don’t pay rent, most actually pay onethird of their income as rent. Another myth is that public housing residents are criminals. False, said Pondexter-Moore, a background check is required before moving and the resident faces eviction if anyone in the individuals’ unit is arrested. In the last decade, the District has lost 40,000 of its native born population; most were living in low-income areas, according to Empower DC. The empowerment circle featured four women who are in threat of or have been moved by HOPE VI or other renewal efforts. Elaine Carter a community activist of forty years was philosophical about being required to leave her unit. “God places me where I need to be,” she said. “I was one of the last ones to leave my community.” Carter said she was waiting for something in writing saying that she would be able to return. Another public housing resident, Michelle L. Hamilton-Agytong, lived on the street and in shelters for 14 years before her name came up on the waiting list for public housing. She now lives at the Barry Farm housing project which was targeted in 2005 for redevelopment under the city’s New Communities Initiative (NCI.)

NCI is another revitalization model similar in some ways to HOPE VI in that it rebuilds old public housing projects as mixed-income communities . Unlike HOPE VI, it promises one-to-one replacement of old units. But the work at Barry Farms has languished for years. Little has been done and residents say the buildings are becoming increasingly unlivable, yet they are afraid to leave for fear of losing their units. The same concerns were brought to city officials at an Oct. 22 oversight hearing on NCI. At the hearing, Pondexter-Moore said she was wary of NCI, saying “dispersion is not an antipoverty policy. “The driving force behind these programs is to deconcentrate poverty,” she continued. But she asserted that such programs do not “do anything to effectively defeat poverty but to just spread us out.” Pondexter-Moore also testified that public housing is needed and that residents can’t afford to lose any more. When she finished her testimony the crowd erupted in applause. In other news, the CCNV Task Force has continued discussions about the future of the historic Federal City Shelter. The federal agreement that helped to make the building

into a shelter is set to expire in 2016. The 1350 bed shelter is located on Second and D Streets NW, in a rapidly gentrifying area, and homeless activists are paying close attention to the workings of the task force. So far discussions have centered on whether the current building should be renovated or a new facility should be built. The Oct. 31 meeting was held in the shelter’s community room. Much of the meeting focused on the legal restrictions that may apply to the uses of the property. In addition, questions were raised about the future of the adjacent Mitch Snyder Arts and Education Center. CCNV’s Rico Harris told the crowd that CCNV hopes to continue the work started there in the eighties to promote art and to educate homeless individuals. Homeless activist David Pirtle spoke of the continuing need for shelter beds. He reflected on the persistence of homelessness. “We housed 1,000 people last year but we are not reducing homelessness in the district,” he said. Other advocates stressed the need to have the homeless community involved in any final decision about the CCNV property. It it the hope of all that there will be some sort of agreement that everybody can live with.

Advocacy Update By Reginald Black Vendor, “Da’ Street Reportin’ Artist” Troubles with public housing dominated the discussion at a recent empowerment circle held by the community organizers of Empower DC. Schyla Pondexter-Moore, an affordable housing organizer for the group, helped get the conversation started. “In our communities there are no resources, so if you have nothing nobody does anything,” Pondexter-Moore said. As a tenant of the Highland Dwellings public housing project, Pondexter-Moore led her neighbors in a successful legal fight against a HOPE VI renovation effort that they feared would displace them and privatize their housing project. HOPE VI uses federal and private money to rebuild severely distressed public housing projects but offers residents no guarantee they will be able to return once the work has been done. After organizing her own neighbors, Pondexter-Moore has been encouraging other public housing residents to fight for better living conditions in their communities. At the empowerment circle, held in October, Pondexter-Moore made it her business to dispel myths about public housing. While many believe residents

The Street Sense Writers’ Group is led by two writing professionals and meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The group’s goal is to develop ideas and collaborate on the next great issue of Street Sense.

McPherson Square

[untitled]

By Robert Warren, Vendor I never see a face, Only lines of men in time Frozen in my mind.

By Chris Shaw, “The Cowboy Poet”

I wonder why year in and year out they are left to die. No one takes the time to look into their eyes. They only hurry hurry, pass them by.

People just have learned not to care for the homeless at McPherson Square. Twelve o’clock is near. They will all have to go. But where? The White House is two blocks to your right on a cold, cold night in a line of despair.

On their way home the homeless are left all alone to set in their line of despair.

The Lord’s hand is there with a rope. Hold on, my brother — hold on.

Relaxation

Illuminating Compassions

Laying warm by the fire Laying in the cool white sand at the beach, on an island Lying in a hot steamy room with rose petals in bubbling tub With candles burning Lying under a shady tree in the park All this you can do with the one you love.

Illuminating, comprehensive, and Amazing compassion, Life’s mysteries, freedom, justice, Equality, self-preservation, The understanding of intellectual faculties.

By Brianna Butler, Vendor

By Carlton “Inkflow” Johnson, Vendor

Once more, old friend May we come to the table While we’re still able. So much stream of life Has passed us by, Thank heaven We can yet laugh, or cry! So long have we faced Each other, in gain And in loss, Afore Turning away now; To seek our separate interests Alone. Then, as time will allow, Should we not again Hitch the heart’s plough And ride that brief path To the common table, While we are able In experiencing genuine Agape, I mean, Love!

Pain in the Heart By Jacqueline Turner, Vendor

Somebody broke my heart. Tore it into pieces, Relieved me of emotions and opinions. Stole my heart in a flash of time Finding it hard to do on each day. The only hope is God Will show the way. You think the hurt will go away But sometimes you have to live with the pain. Grow to understand that life is not just love But beauty, invention, creativity, building and growth.“We are one.” You’re my precious jewel, “My treasure of perfection.”

Dexter Manley Aims To Make His Ancestors Proud By Henrieese Roberts, Vendor

September was National Recovery Month and a positive message is that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. Dexter Manley, nicknamed the “Secretary of Defense”, is a former football defensive end in the National Football League who played mostly for the Washington Redskins, Phoenix Cardinals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an elevenyear career from 1981 to 1991. He was permanently banned from the National Football League in 1991 after he failed his fourth drug test. Manley had 97.5 sacks or 103.5 sacks in his career, according to how they are counted. He was rewarded monetarily to complete sacks. Sacks are a little difficult to comprehend. In 2002, Manley

became one of the greatest Redskins of all times and was placed in the Hall of Rings of Fame. Manley was the keynote speaker for the Annapolis Recovery Walk, and he greeted us with the assertion that he wanted to make his ancestors proud and wanted everyone to know his name. I took copious notes as Manley spoke and approached him after he sat down to sign autographs. As I walked up to him, I informed him I liked his life story. I later gave him a picture of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial located here in Washington at the Tidal Basin. And I continued to mull on his story – especially since I am a visually impaired person with similar learning challenges as he has had. There were some of us in our school when I grew up who had learning disabilities that were passed along just as Manley had. What I admire about Manley is the fact that he LIVES. He overcame the drugs and crimes that pervaded his community as he grew up. His brother, Gregory was a drug addict. Becoming a drug addict was what Dexter Manley fought, with the help of his church, Progressive New Hope Baptist Church in Houston, TX. While attending Douglas Elementary school he was placed in a special education class. His peers PHOTO COURTESY OF FORT GEORGE G. MEADE OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS teased him a lot, and he learned to

deal with it. His asset was his size. He was the first picked for sports. Little Dexter repeated second grade where he was called “retarded” and “handicapped”. But he managed to stay FOCUSED, attending church as he forged ahead. He did not concentrate on his learning disabilities. His dream lived in his heart and he kept his eyes on the Green Bay Championship. Today he says what one man can do, so can another. When he got older, his friends were stealing bicycles, smoking, and drinking MD 20-20. Several of his friends died. Young Dexter Manley did not want to die. He said his commitment brought his passion to a purpose. He walked 15 miles to the Miami Dolphins Super Bowl game. He wanted to see the team get off the bus. Seeing the team get off the bus gave him hope. He sneaked into the game. After completing high school and enrolling in college, Manley started experimenting with drugs, emulating others’ behavior. For awhile he lost his Christian values. He ran his whole life to escape it but drug use caught up with him. Football players live with lots of pain. In 2006 he was using drugs in Washington, D.C. and suddenly, police appeared all around him. The police took him to Washington Hospital Center. Manley had a colloid cyst that was like an overflowing bathtub in his brain. The doctor there told him he was really sick. Manley went to Georgetown

the next day and surgery was performed. The next day the Georgetown doctor talked with Manley about his lifestyle and what needed to change and what would happen to him if he did not change. This doctor scared Manley into recovery. On June 26, 2006 Manley became sober. Manley thanks God for his life, asserts that he is here by Amazing Grace and that he wants to make his ancestors proud. I am proud of Manley’s ability to forge ahead with his life. He lives in the Washington area with his family and appears to be dealing with recurring issues with cyst growths. He works and volunteers with learning disabilities folks and others and Manley loves to be with his wife. I am proud I met Dexter Manley. I like his life story, a story that I can mull over when I am in corners, not being committed when energy ebbs low, I can draw upon him up walking 1 5 miles. I will always remember so many of his friends and that his brother died. I know he lives. I know that moments appear in our lives about sex and drugs and our ignorance of these subjects inflict harm upon ourselves and the very ones that we love. I am sure Manley will strive to make these aspects of greyness clear for some of us. Thanks Dexter Manley!

STREET SENSE December 4 - 17, 2013

VENDOR WRITING

The Mysterious Masonic Ring By: John “Mick” Matthews Vendor After Dickerson figured out that Bowler wanted him to be at the Franklin statue the next night at 8 o’clock, he and Kittie went back to the hotel and ordered dinner from a carryout menu. While they waited for their meal to arrive they talked about more clues and concluded that the mysterious message was packed with hints about Benjamin Franklin, his famous kite flying experiment during a thunderstorm, and the shriners. Then Kittie said there was something she needed to talk about. The food arrived from the carry-out in about 45 minutes, and soon Kittie and I were merrily munching on sweet and sour chicken, jumbo chicken wings, steak-andcheese egg rolls, and a huge order of fries drizzled in mumbo sauce. As we finished our main courses, still nibbling on the fries, Kittie spoke up. “Bill, I really didn’t have an appointment to see my aunt today,” she confessed. “I know,” I responded. My body language must have screamed ‘guarded’ at that point. My mind raced at about a billion miles an hours, preparing myself for the worst. “Now before you go thinking that I just abandoned you today,” she began, “I want you to know that I did go my aunt this afternoon, I just didn’t have an appointment”. “Really now,” I said. A level of irritation finding its way into my voice, “so you decided in the middle of everything that’s going on, to just up and walk out on me

and just go and visit your aunt in the spur of the moment?! And what, pray tell, inspired you to do that?!” “The guy, with the bowler hat”, she said flatly. “Yeah, the guy you said was British but you’ve never seen him before in your life!” I responded maybe a little more hotly than I intended. “I never said I never saw him before!” she yelled back at me. And then the world in all its glory stood absolutely still for me. In all my self-proclaimed genius and knowledge, that was the one conclusion I had never even considered reaching. “Huh?!” was all I could get out, emotionally deflated, and confused as all hell. “I said ‘I never said I never saw him before’” she repeated softly, and more slowly. I took a few deep breaths and completely out of instinct, reached over and lit a cigarette. “Ok” I said, as if those were the first intelligent letters I ever spoke, “so. . .you know the guy?” “Not exactly, but I’m getting ahead of myself,” she began. “First, let me tell you something. I’m a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.” I waited for a loud thump signifying my jaw hitting the floor. The Order of the Eastern Star is the sororal organization formed to be a sister group to the Freemasons, emulating the feminine heroes of the Bible like Esther and Ruth, the way the Masons emulated men like Hiram. They had avoided a lot of the controversies that had formed around their Masonic brethren, so a lot less was written about them, hence I didn’t know nearly as much about them as I did the Masons. “OK,” I responded, “and you didn’t

Where Do We Go When We Die? By Ivory Wilson, Vendor

The Bible was written by man. We all believe there is a Heaven and Hell although no one has ever come back from de a t h a n d t o l d u s that either one exists. I am a very witty person - I solve my own life problems. I know if I see or hear something that’s not real or true my mind will recognize its deceit. On Sunday, November 17, 2013 I saw something my mind could not solve. At 1:45 AM, while I was at home in Wash-

ington, DC, I saw my dad in his hospital bed in Texas with his eyes closed and his mouth open - he was dead. How did I get there? At 1:55 AM my brother called with news that my Dad was dead. Before he could speak I told him that I already knew Dad was dead. My mind still cannot solve what saw. It was the damnedest thing. I now believe that whatever puts us all on this planet lives in all of us, and when we die it’s not going to put a part of itself into a pit of fire to burn for all of eternity. Before you say “No!” just remember it made all of us out of its image.

Chapter 7: Secrets

think to tell me this when a mysterious ring of Masonic origin gets plopped right into my lap?” I tried to keep my tone of voice lowered as I spoke. “Until today, I haven’t even set foot in the old lodge for over a decade”, she

said. “But I saw a picture of the guy back when I was a lot more active, and he was described to me as someone dangerous, someone to avoid.” (to be continued)

e1 d o s epi 6 pg

From left: Street Sense writers Robert Warren, Chris Shaw, Reginald Black, Cynthia Mewborn and Carlton Johnson perform “Straight Talk From the Streets” at The George Washington University’s Marvin Center. PHOTO BY NKONGHO BETECK

You Too Can Wear the Homeless Shoes By Veda Simpson, Vendor

Street Sense Players Take to the Stage By Nkongho Beteck, Editorial Intern

Street Sense vendors shared songs and monologues expressing the challenges of trusting others and facing homelessness at a November 13 event held on The George Washington University campus. “It is through art that we can learn empathy which may stir action,” said GWU professor Leslie Jacobson before the start of the performance. For weeks, vendors Reggie Black, Chris Shaw, Carlton Johnson, Cynthia Mewborn, and Robert Warren wrote scripts for skits and practiced musical numbers to show their side of living with homelessness. “Though tarnished and stained by lies, deceit, jealousy, hate, prejudice, cruelty… my experience with these evil emotions has given me an understanding and the strength to continuously say to myself, ‘I will NOT become like you,” said Mewborn. “I’ve been blessed by many people. If you know about my history, you’d know I haven’t fallen,” said Black in a monologue about regaining his confidence. “Just to show you how close you are to being homeless, if the bank foreclosed

on you today and sent a marshal for you to get out, where would you go?” Johnson asked a man in the audience - part of “Carlton’s Quiz.” “Hmm…good question,” the man replied. “Wow, you’re starting to look homeless now,” Johnson replied as the crowd laughed along. The last part of the performance was a mock meeting with the mayor about affordable housing titled “How I would change the world.” The vendors then had the opportunity to talk to the audience about specific factors they faced, predominantly about individual discrimination and affordable housing. “I wish we would treat homelessness like a natural disaster…Americans have allowed it to grow,” said Black. The vendors also expressed frustration at being able to work, but still not being able to afford housing and the hidden issue of race and discrimination. They agreed that the solution to homelessness is a “social issue, not a charity issue.”

How does it feel to almost wear the homeless shoes, Never say never somewhere in life we all have to pay our dues. Don’t put all your faith in man but in the man upstairs Because, as you can see, man just don’t play fair! Nose in the air at the man sleeping on the ground, Now how did it feel next to him you were bound? Not knowing where your next meal would be, Ha, Ha, now who’s being me? You’re building a cardboard box next to the man in the park, I ask: who is now asking for help when it gets dark? If it’s only a penny, give it to the homeless man, Your eyes are now open and we’re all the same in this barren land. Pan handlers and Street Sense vendors are entirely two different folks, Five Street Sense vendors, we’re on a mission, it’s not a joke. After going through this ordeal, this test Lord has put us through, There is a next time, and this person on the ground… It could be YOU! God bless and welcome back government workers.

Lest Not Ye Forget By Eli Cornish, Vendor 467

As we approach the advent season, in which we receive presents from families, friends, customers and supporters, let’s remember first the presence of God and that we are receiving the most important present. That is God’s present of his love for all of us. It’s through his

spiritual presence that we receive our earthly, material presents. Happy holidays to all my customers and supporters, co-vendors and Street Sense in its entirety. Love ‘n Peace, Eli Cornish

Citizens Unite to Support Rehabilitation By Gwynette Smith, Vendor

CURE stands for Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants. The national office is in Washington, D.C. and there are chapters in all 50 states. The D.C. chapter states, “Our goal is to reduce the use of prisons to only those who must be confined and to seek opportunities and treatment to allow those in prison to turn their lives around.” The Texas Mission Statement gives its view of the purpose in a more amplified statement that says, “Texas CURE monitors and interacts with elected officials

and political candidates to raise their awareness of the value of preventive rehabilitation, restorative policies, and programs that prevent crime. We advocate for laws that demand safe and healthy prison units, with qualified wardens and officers. We encourage prisoners and their families to participate in efforts to educate the public and politicians regarding prison conditions. We inform prisoners, prisoner’s families, victims’ families, and other interested persons about the resources available to those undergoing the effects of crime and violence. As membership grows, our voices become stronger.” “We encourage respect for, and un-

derstanding of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (It) has many good administrators who want to operate a humane and constitutional institution. TDC administrators do not want “loose cannons” or corrupt officers (in these institutions) any more than we do. Administrators appreciate our reporting employees who violate prison policies. We strive to work with the system, not against it.” They then quote Dostoyevsky, “The degree of a civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons.” The CURE chapters are made up of social workers, former prisoners and other interested persons, some who work for

law enforcement. The Texas chapter was founded by Charles and Pauline Sullivan, who are now based here in Washington, D.C. and head up National CURE and International CURE. The group addresses concerns such as loss of civil rights and treatment of sex offenders. Washington, for example, does not allow felons to vote. In some states sexual offenders who need treatment but are required, in some states, to serve their sentence before they can be civilly committed. Their situation seems to present a plethora of legal issues. The purpose of this group is commendable.

COMMUNITY SERVICES

By Larry Garner, Vendor

It’s hard to be thankful when you have nothing It’s hard to keep smiling when life seems to fight against you I was born a burden My dependency seems predestined

Dying seems like the easiest road to take I have tried that before and I even failed at that I seek my relief in anything that will take the pain away I ride that high of hopeless bliss until my pain turns into passion

When I stand, I am pushed down When I scream, I am restrained When I fight, I am cuffed

Love is an emotion, one I’m not sure I’ve met I’ve imagined what she looks like If I’ve ever felt her touch I didn’t know what it was I probably shied away from her and pissed her off

My smiles are only met with daggers My laughter is spit on in the wind

Bread for the City: 265-2400 (NW) | 561-8587 (SE) 1525 7th St, NW | 1640 Good Hope Rd, SE breadforthecity.org Calvary Women’s Services: 678-2341 1217 Good Hope Road, SE calvaryservices.org

Catholic Charities: 772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

Charlie’s Place: 232-3066 1830 Connecticut Ave, NW charliesplacedc.org Christ House: 328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd, NW christhouse.org Church of the Pilgrims: 387-6612 2201 P St, NW churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach food (1 - 1:30 on Sundays only)

Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place: 364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave, NW cchfp.org Community Family Life Services: 347-0511 305 E St, NW cflsdc.org

Clothing

Outreach

Transportation

Education

Legal Assistance

Food

Showers

Medical/Healthcare

Laundry

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

SHELTER HOTLINE: 1–800–535–7252

If there is a joy, a happiness or a peace It’s surely not in me.

Covenant House Washington: 610-9600 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE covenanthousedc.org

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

St. Luke’s Mission Center: 333-4949 3655 Calvert St. NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

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

My Sister’s Place: 529-5991 (24-hour hotline) mysistersplacedc.org

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

N Street Village: 939-2060 1333 N Street, NW nstreetvillage.org

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

New York Ave Shelter: 832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave, NE

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

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

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

Foundry Methodist Church: 332-4010 1500 16th St, NW foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities ID (FRIDAY 9-12 ONLY)

Georgetown Ministry Center: 338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave, NW georgetownministrycenter.org Gospel Rescue Ministries: 842-1731 810 5th St, NW grm.org

Jobs Have Priority: 544-9128 425 Snd St, NW jobshavepriority.org John Young Center: 639-8569 119 D Street, NW

Community of Hope: 232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

Housing/Shelter

Employment Assistance

Yes, I am here, the dirt to your success The pain to your joy The high to your sober The cold to your warm The starvation to your gluttony

He said we play the hand that life deals us But I never asked to play this game I’m no good at it and I want out Who is this God that thinks this is fun Let’s switch places and then play at strife

Academy of Hope: 269-6623 601 Edgewood St, NE aohdc.org

STREET SENSE December 4 - 12, 2013

Thankful for What...

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

Open Door Shelter: 639-8093 425 2nd St, NW newhopeministriesdc.org/id3.html

Rachel’s Women’s Center: 682-1005 1222 11th St, NW rachaels.org

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

Samaritan Inns: 667-8831 2523 14th St, NW samaritaninns.org Samaritan Ministries: 1516 Hamilton Street NW | 722-2280 1345 U Street SE | 889-7702 samaritanministry.org

Subscribe to Street Sense 1 Year: $40 2 Years: $80 3 Years: $120 I want half of my purchase to benefit a vendor directly Vendor Name

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

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

Vendor Badge # Name

Address Phone

Consider Contributing to Street Sense!

# 28233

United Way of the National Capital Area

Never Forgetting By Barron Hall Vendor I never forget where I have come from. It’s still fresh in my mind when I used to sleep on the street or in an alley or under a bridge, in the most important city in the free world and my home town. I never thought this would happen to me: a Vietnam War veteran, sleeping anywhere he could lay his head in the city of his birth. It makes me think about Jesus Christ. When his mother, Mary, was unable to find a place to have her baby all she could find was a manger in a city called Bethlehem, in the Province of Palestine. In other words, Jesus was born homeless even though his father, God, owned the whole world. As a people, we need to be careful how we treat each other because one day, God says we will be held accountable. I believe we need to study and learn the real meaning and reason for Christmas. I believe that no one should be left out – not one person. God called this nation to be like no other one on Earth. I think if we don’t be about his business, we are in for a rude awakening. God Bless and Happy Holiday!

PHOTO BY HENRIEESE ROBERTS

Happy Birthday to our Vendors!!! Shernell Thomas | 12/1 Wendell Williams | 12/4 PHOTO BY JOHNATHAN COMER

December 4 - 17, 2013 • Volume 11 • Issue 2

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC

Washington, DC 20005

Mail To:

Permit #568

Remember, buy only from badged vendors and do not give to those panhandling with one paper.

Interested in a subscription? Go to page 15 for more information. PHOTOS BY BARRON HALL

United Way NCA Designation Code

# 8871