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Green Court, D.C.’s next men’s shelter, is set to open in 2026
TIERRA CUNNINGHAM Editorial Intern
D.C.’s next men’s shelter, Green Court, is moving forward, with the city planning to open it in 2026. The new shelter is a key part of the city’s plan to add 500 new shelter beds by the end of 2028, and would add 100 low-barrier beds for men. Representatives from D.C.’s Department of Human Services (DHS) met with community leaders at a town hall on Nov. 12 to discuss the Green Court shelter’s impact on the surrounding community. The shelter will be located near Thomas Circle in the territory of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C (ANC 2C). Due to several concerns from neighborhood residents during the last ANC meeting, DHS Chief of Staff David Ross came to answer lingering questions about the new Green Court shelter and give an update on its progress.
Although the Green Court site has been selected, Ross said the shelter is not a done deal. By December, DHS will release a design solicitation. This month DHS will release a detailed report on the feasibility of the project, including whether the city will be able to renovate the building, which used to be a gym, or will have to tear down the building and rebuild it. There’s also still a chance the city doesn’t move forward with the site, Ross said, due to potential issues of accessibility, among other things.
Once the design solicitation is released, in the next month or so, it will take another month to review. DHS will confirm the site location in February or March.
According to Ross, the search for a new shelter site between 20,000 and 40,000 square feet started in March 2020. After reviewing 15 proposals, the city narrowed the list down to eight potential sites. The Green Court location was chosen after several tours. Ross said the team was looking for a space that was already built and had the capacity DHS was looking for.
It remains to be seen if the shelter will receive as much community opposition as the latest shelter to open, The Aston, received from community members in Foggy Bottom.
Community members raised several questions at the meeting, ranging from safety concerns for both people experiencing homelessness and neighborhood residents to concerns about the location of the new shelter. One resident said he thought it was “careless” that the shelter would be situated near a liquor store. This comment received pushback from Ross and another resident attending the meeting who is currently experiencing homelessness, with Ross saying it was a “gross assumption” to think all people experiencing homelessness have a problem with alcohol.
Ross said throughout the process he and his staff will come back to ANC meetings and keep everyone updated on the latest developments.
“It is our responsibility as a District to work with our sister agencies to understand how we are showing up as a community partner and how we are not showing up,” Ross said at the meeting. “[We need] to ensure our unhoused residents have the same dignity and rights as our housed residents.”
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Encampment Updates: NoMa encampment closed after fire
TIERRA CUNNINGHAM, CAROLINA BOMENY Editorial Intern and Georgetown Contributing Writer
In November, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services (DMHHS) closed four encampment sites in D.C., displacing at least seven people experiencing homelessness.
One of the people who had to find a new place to sleep was Eric, a 45-year-old man who has lived in the DMV for the past six years. Five months ago, Eric began advocating for other vulnerable and homeless people. He said he wants to ensure they have a say in changes that affect their lives, rather than having others make decisions for them.
On Nov. 21, the city closed Eric’s encampment under the Anacostia River Walk Trail. About 20 city employees, outreach workers, and contracted bridge maintenance workers were present at the closure. After giving Eric a few minutes to collect his essentials, city workers threw away his belongings, including piles of magazines and newspapers.
Eric, who only introduced himself by his first name, sat from a few feet away, reading the Old Testament. He told Street Sense it was the first time he had experienced an encampment closure, calling it as unexpected as the COVID pandemic in 2020. He said he planned to leave the DMV after Thanksgiving due to the closure.
The largest encampment closure of the month was on Nov. 8, along the NoMa portion of the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The open space near the train tracks housed five tents, one of which burned down around two weeks before the closure.
Two of the residents, Bart and Angel, were still there before city workers arrived on the day of the closure. Other residents left behind an abandoned tent and an open tent with belongings.
Bart and Angel said they were planning on moving temporarily to somewhere on Massachusetts Avenue after the closure, although Angel told Street Sense she did not have a plan for where to go long-term.
Before the closure, Bart said he had an altercation with one of the city workers, who Bart said was not considerate of the space around his tent. According to Bart, when the city worker came to mow the grass, without prior warning to the residents, there were rocks near Bart’s tent. The lawnmower hit the rocks and they pierced several holes in the tent. Bart was very upset with the city worker, who told him to speak to the government about getting a new tent. The two had a short exchange before the city worker left.
DMHHS did not respond to a request for comment on the incident by publication.
On Nov. 6, city workers closed an encampment in the woods on a small hill by 26th Street NW in Foggy Bottom. No residents were present. DMHHS employees threw away all materials at the encampment, including framed paintings, a red suitcase, and a backpack, and crushed a pink bicycle with a bulldozer.
The following day, by the water pumping station at 27th and K Streets NW, city employees let an encampment resident move his belongings before workers threw away what was left. The resident declined to be interviewed for this article.
A fifth scheduled closure, on Nov. 13 at Souza Bridge near the DDOT underpass, was changed to a trash pickup, with no present according to DMHHS. The city also canceled a sixth scheduled closure in NoMa. DMHHS has not yet scheduled any encampment closures or clean-ups for December.
Eric reads his bible while city workers close his encampment in Anacostia. Photo by Madi Koesler
Angel holds her bonsai tree before preparing to move to a new encampment site. She loves to find special things to make her encampment more homey. Photo by Madi Koesler
How a local nonprofit empowers crime survivors
SUSANNAH BIRLE Volunteer Freelance Reporter
Content warning: This article includes content involving domestic violence and sexual assault.
fter a crime occurs, and after the survivor decides whether to seek justice through the police system or medical treatment in a hospital, they often still need to recover from the experience. In D.C., survivors can do that through the Network for Victim Recovery of D.C. (NVRDC), a resource for crime victims seeking justice in all forms.
ANVRDC serves the people of D.C. by providing 100% free resources and services to clients who have survived a crime. The nonprofit provides trauma-informed advocacy, legal, and therapeutic services to all crime victims in D.C., from survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking to those affected by hate crimes, gun violence, theft, and homicide. The organization also aids in Title IX cases by providing representation for D.C. students who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking.
People in need of the nonprofit’s services can call for intake Monday through Friday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at 202742-1727 or submit their information through an online form on the nonprofit’s website. The number is not a hotline, and if someone needs immediate help, NVRDC recommends calling the D.C. Victim Hotline at 844-443-5732.
Street Sense had the chance to sit down with Benny Del Castillo, the engagement manager at NVRDC, to learn more about the organization and its impact on the District. Del Castillo is a proud proponent of NVRDC’s ethos of survivordefined justice, which argues only survivors know what they need and how they want to define justice for themselves. She talked about the barriers domestic violence and sexual assault victims face, the correlation between domestic violence and homelessness, and what survivor-defined justice means. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
SB: How have you, through your work at NVRDC, seen domestic violence impact housing stability in the DMV?
BDC: Unfortunately, we know that it is a huge factor. In 2023, 55% of families experiencing homelessness in D.C. and 24% of unhoused single adults reported a history of domestic violence, according to the D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence. When we work with survivors of domestic violence or interpersonal violence, folks typically tell us their main concerns are around a lack of financial resources and a lack of safe and affordable housing. These are very real barriers for survivors and can play a huge role in whether someone decides it is safer to stay in their relationship or not. In 2022, a one-day census of survivors showed 78% of D.C. survivors’ unmet requests were for requests for housing. We see it play out in different ways that lead to housing instability and touch upon other areas of their lives.
For example, poor credit or rental histories — folks who abuse often take out credit cards in the survivor’s name and don’t pay their balance off, or promise to make rental payments and don’t, putting the survivor’s financial health in critical condition.
Another example is employment — some survivors are prevented from working by abusers and may not have their own money or access to childcare. Some survivors may be forced to miss work due to violence or may even be fired due
to stalking or harassment in the workplace. Lastly, housing discrimination — providers see that landlords may try to evict survivors due to repeated calls to 911 or noise complaints. This can also come from property damage connected to the violence.
What do you think the city can do better to support survivors experiencing homelessness or housing instability?
Getting to the true cause of violence is central. It is not more policing that ends violence. It is addressing systems of oppression. It is addressing trauma. Building trauma-informed communities, community support, safe spaces, etc. We also work to uplift the true root causes of violence — such as inequality and systems of oppression. In addition to direct services, we aim to have a cultural shift by providing education and outreach to the community — we know everyone has a role in ending all forms of violence and that it is 100% possible.
What are the biggest boundaries for those in need of help who are experiencing violence or assault? Is housing one of those barriers?
There are a variety of barriers. Some folks may not want to share what happened due to stigma and shame. This is why working toward trauma-informed communities is crucial and why educating folks on domestic violence and sexual assault is critical so we can eliminate victim blaming. Some folks do not have their basic needs met, which is critical for any other action to take place. If folks don’t have shelter or access to food — how can we expect them to begin processing trauma or their experiences?
Housing is definitely a barrier — survivors feel like they can’t leave because they have nowhere to go physically. Folks who have marginalized identities may also experience further barriers. For example, transphobia, xenophobia, poverty, racism, classism, ageism, etc. all make it that much harder for survivors to access support. And these are just a few examples of all of the systems of oppression at play. That is why we believe all systems are connected. If we want to end domestic violence or sexual violence, we need to work to end poverty, homelessness, racism, etc. It is all connected.
How many people are NVRDC able to assist with their personal needs to ensure their safety?
We have now served over 11,000 survivors since 2012 which has been an incredible privilege for us! We had over 1,100 new clients in this past fiscal year. Additionally, in the past fiscal year, NVRDC has assisted in 200 new civil protection cases, responded to 291 hospital and community in-person needs, taken on 232 new crime victims’ rights cases, and provided $79,723 in flex funds to clients with urgent needs. This type of funding covers money for groceries, transportation, clothing, and diapers, for example. We don’t have endless capacity but we always try to connect to appropriate resources no matter what.
Will you speak a bit about the Title IX representation that you all provide at NVRDC?
We are actually one of maybe five organizations in the country that provide direct representation in Title IX cases. Title IX essentially says no student should be discriminated against on the basis of sex at any school that receives funding from the federal government. Most people think of sports here
— which is true! We often work with D.C. students, high school and college, who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. NVRDC can provide information about on-campus resources and accommodations, tips for filing a student conduct complaint or a complaint against the school, and advice about the pros and cons of proceeding with Title IX action. We can also represent people who are requesting reasonable accommodations, filing Title IX complaints, or going through a student conduct process.
Will you speak more to the Victim Legal Network of D.C. (VLNDC)?
Absolutely! VLNDC is such an amazing project! It came to fruition after seeing crime survivors seeking resources and legal support being told that they couldn’t be helped. They’d be given a phone number for another organization to call for support, would inquire, and be given the same answer, thus creating a cycle that left survivors without support or a place to turn. This is incredibly frustrating, especially when we think about folks who have just experienced harm and may have additional barriers preventing them from seeking resources such as proximity to their abuser, language barriers, and many more. Thus, VLNDC was born!
If folks experience a crime and they need legal assistance due to that crime, they can call. This can be any form of legal assistance (for example, housing, immigration, custody, civil protection orders, divorce, fraud, etc.). They speak to one person and tell them what happened, what they need. And then that staff person sends this referral out to our network, currently 27 organizations, to see who can best take the case on. Through VLNDC, survivors are not forced to repeat their story and, whenever possible, are communicating with only one person. This person will take care of figuring out which organizations have the bandwidth to help, and which organizations are not able to, taking the burden off of survivors. Additionally, VLNDC has Spanish-speaking staff to reach more survivors. Those in need can call: 202-629-1788.
Survivor-defined justice is a concept that makes NVRDC stand out — how do you define this term and how have you seen it be a successful perspective to bring?
We take the concept of survivor-defined justice very seriously. We define survivor-defined justice as there being no “wrong” or “right” way to react, cope, or feel after harm. When folks go through a trauma, they experience something they have no control over. In the experiences that follow, as survivors may or may not seek out support, it is crucial for people to believe them and support whatever the survivor chooses to do or not do in the wake of a crime.
At NVRDC, no one is judging them for how they feel or don’t feel. Often people have their own opinions of what people should or shouldn’t do after they experience harm, which often causes further harm. I have worked with many survivors and how each defines justice has looked completely different. I have worked with folks who tell me all they want is a safe place to sleep. I had a survivor tell me that they wanted to get medication after a sexual assault and then she wanted to leave and forget what happened. We have also had survivors engage in our Restorative Justice Program as they don’t want to engage in the criminal legal system. Options are crucial and truly believing that people are the experts of their own lives makes the difference!
A legacy of care: Remembering Dr. Janelle Goetcheus
CAROLINA BOMENY Georgetown Contributing Writer
When Ray Maun was released from the hospital just five days after an overdose, he had nowhere to go. It was a cold December morning in 2022, and Maun was experiencing homelessness for the second time in D.C. He walked to Christ House, a 24-hour medical facility for people experiencing homelessness, and knocked on the door. Maun had first been a patient at Christ House six months earlier after Dr. Janelle Goetcheus met him and offered to take him there for diabetes treatment.
At the clinic, Maun got a heart stent and brought his sugar levels under control. He attended Christ House’s intensive substance use recovery program and church services. After seven months, he was offered membership to the Kairos longterm recovery and housing program, through which he now lives in his apartment. He still volunteers at Christ House every day.
Maun credits his recovery to Dr. Goetcheus, who not only brought him to Christ House but also founded the program in 1985.
“If it hadn’t been for her and the first time, I might not be alive today,” Maun said. “Oh my God, she was just so loving.”
Dr. Goetcheus, a physician who profoundly shaped health care for people experiencing homelessness in the District, passed away on Oct. 26 at 84 years old. During her decades of service, Dr. Goetcheus revolutionized the city’s health resources for low-income residents and showed compassion and care to all her patients.
The D.C. Council was expected to pass a ceremonial resolution in honor of Dr. Goetcheus on Dec. 3, but had not voted by publication.
After earning her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1965, Dr. Goetcheus planned to become a missionary and move to Pakistan with her husband and children. While waiting for her visa in Washington, Dr. Goetcheus visited the first low-income Jubilee Housing building. When residents told her about the lack of health care available to them, she decided her impact could be made much closer to home and moved to the District in 1976.
From 1977 to 1981, Dr. Goetcheus founded or helped found several health clinics for poor and homeless District residents, including Crossroad Health Ministry, Community of Hope, Columbia Road Health Services, and SOME (So Others Might Eat).
While treating patients, Dr. Goetcheus realized people experiencing homelessness had more complex needs than could be addressed by clinics alone. After she saw hospitals discharged uninsured patients more quickly than others, she grasped the importance of offering homeless patients a space to rest, live, and recover from procedures or illnesses.
With this vision, Dr. Goetcheus founded Christ House, the first live-in medical facility in the nation where homeless people could recover from their medical ailments, in 1985. In the last 40 years, over 10,000 patients have been admitted.
Lawrence Bush knew Dr. Goetcheus for 16 years and said she made everyone feel seen and cared for. He first came to Christ House in 2008 when he was experiencing homelessness and skin cancer. He later joined the Kairos program and met Dr. Goetcheus at one of the program’s group meetings, and then again during his work as a homeless care provider with patients at Christ House.
“She loved everybody, she cared for people. Addicted, incarcerated, whatever, her legacy was that she cared,” Bush said.
The same year Christ House opened, Dr. Goetcheus co-founded and became the first medical director of D.C.’s then-new Health Care for the Homeless project. The project provided primary health care services to unhoused families and individuals from a small room in a local shelter. Thirteen years later, the program was renamed Unity Health Care as it expanded to serve all District residents regardless of ability to pay. Today, it is the District’s largest community health center network, with more than 20 units across seven wards.
Brian Carome, Street Sense’s CEO, met Dr. Goetcheus several times in the mid-1980s while working in social services and homeless services. He said she transformed the services available to the homeless community in D.C.
“It’s hard to overstate how much of a difference Christ House made back then and continues to make,” Carome said. “Prior
to its opening, a lot of people just died because they were released from the hospital, and their living conditions didn’t permit them to get better.”
A celebration of life was held for Dr. Goetcheus on Nov. 16 at Trinity University’s Notre Dame Chapel. Born on Sept. 19, 1940, in Indianapolis, Dr. Goetcheus was a mother of three and grandma of eight. She is survived by all her children and grandchildren and her husband of 59 years, Rev. Allen Goetcheus.
Her daughter, Anne Goetcheus, said at the service her mother “would have hated all of this fuss about her. But she would have loved that it brought so many people from different facets of her life together in community.”
Also a physician, Anne Goetcheus said she tries to instill the compassion her mom taught her in the residents she teaches.
“Mom taught us, by example, to be prayerful, work hard, and be servant leaders, to be humble. And that we are all children of God and to love each other unconditionally,” she said.
Anne Goetcheus was able to see her mom in action because Christ House wasn’t just a home for patients; Dr. Goetcheus and her family purposefully lived in the same building as the people she cared for. At the memorial, Mary Jordan, Christ House’s chief nursing officer who knew Dr. Goetcheus for 38 years, said she had always wanted to be close to those she cared for, showing everyone they were equal members of the same community.
“She wanted to be present to the pain,” Jordan said. “This is also Janelle’s work, to break down the barriers that separate us.”
Dr. Janelle Goetcheus examines a patient in 2002. Photo courtsey of Christ House
Dr. Janelle Goetcheus died in October after decades of providing healthcare for people experiencing homelessness.
Photo courtsey of Christ House
Up high with the Science Guy: Can science save the world?
ANGIE WHITEHURST AND LISA BLACKBURN-ULLVEN
We watched from our balcony view as Emmy Award Winner Bill Nye, the Science Guy, charismatically walked onto the stage; the nonstop cheering reminded us of the stomping at a Taylor Swift concert, so thunderous it registered on the Richter scale.
As the crescendo of clapping grew, Bill acted like the sound waves propelled him back into his seat. His welcoming personality made it feel like a living room chat — only he did all the talking. It makes sense he had one of the most-watched educational TV shows in the U.S. and is still popular. It was a two-person panel where Bill co-presented with investigative journalist and author Michael Shellenberger. The fun rivalry launched right away as Michael joked he thought the endless clapping was for him. At least, we thought he was joking. Michael, a bit of a rebel, wrote “San Francisco: Why Progressives Ruin Cities.”
Let’s think about it.
Bill and Michael shared opposing views but agreed on a need for us to do more critical thinking. They prompted us to think from different perspectives as Michael asked the audience, “How many of you got the Covid vaccine?” When nearly every hand went up, he asked them to keep their hands up if they answered yes to the question, “How many of you got Covid?” Nearly all hands stayed up.
Bill’s comeback, “How many of you died from Covid?” was admittedly based on a false assumption that Michael’s point was to support an anti-vaccine view. The two agreed and supported vaccines.
Next, Bill reluctantly leaped into the topic of UFOs (unidentified flying objects) as Michael referenced UAPs (unidentified aerial phenomena), stating the “government withheld information.” To illustrate another view, Bill shared how the government maintains security by compartmentalizing knowledge, sharing how even the military branches do not know all that other branches are doing.
Bill’s comment prompted us to think that when the military reports a UFO sighting, many view it as an expert testimony as they comment on how the object's movement and materials do not exist on Earth. Bill’s point challenges us to think the object may exist, but expert may not have seen it yet.
Audience members took a survey on their phones to answer the question, “Can science save the world?” The yes vote was 86% at the beginning and 84% at the end. With the response defaulting to “yes,” critical minds may wonder if the results have an element of survey or acquiescence bias.
Interdependence is key.
We were thrilled to hear about Bill’s compassion related to interdependence. It’s great to know he understands science can give us answers, but people are key to bringing the solutions to fruition.
“We did not ask for this gig to be in charge of this whole planet, but we are. Humankind is in charge of it. It is up to people to decide…”
“We are much more alike than we are different. This business of altruism – what is moral? First of all, it comes from deep within us –look out for your family, your tribe. And then, as the world has gotten more connected, we realize that we are all in this together.” – Bill Nye.
Hoping the Aston helps
On Nov. 25, I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new non-congregate shelter in the District of Columbia called The Aston. It is situated in a highly affluent neighborhood in Ward 2 and still faces opposition from several lawsuits brought by neighbors in the community.
Ward 2 has the highest number of people experiencing homelessness, particularly people who are living outside, according to Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto. “Speaking with residents about what they want, what they need, what will give them the opportunity to have stable housing long-term, sustainable housing options, one of the most consistent pieces of feedback is the need for privacy, the need for a non-congregate setting,” Pinto said at the ceremony. “This model is a new model; we need a transitional option for people. One group is not a monolith, there is not one solution that fits everyone.” Human beings need to be treated with individuality of care, she said. “The one-on-one case management that occurs right here in this community building that can happen within the courtyard we are in, on every floor on this building,” Pinto said.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also spoke at the event. “While there is still more to do a decade later, I know for sure we have changed this system,” Bowser said. “The legacy of the last 10 years is a transformative one, the transformation of our shelters is representative of the transformation of our entire system,” she said. “We have prevented thousands of families from ever entering the system. We made the investments, and they have indeed worked,” Bowser said. “We have made it possible for people to ask for help, meet people where they are. This is a new option, but this is not just the celebration of the building, but it’s about the services.”
Along with Bowser was the now departing Department of Human Services Director Laura Zellinger, who said “I want to thank everyone who worked to make The Aston possible. I would like to acknowledge the passionate advocacy of so many people who fought to make this project really work.”
“It is fitting for me, as I prepare to conclude my tenure in a couple of weeks as director of the Department of Human Services, that we are here together celebrating the opening of this very special place. It’s the embodiment of what we can do together. We can only do great big bold
The ultimate test is approaching.
Bill said an asteroid called the “God of chaos” is heading our way. He helped us visualize scientists uniting in an intricate plan to gently give the asteroid a little “nudge” away from Earth’s path.
As Bill presented this vision of world collaboration, it prompted us to think of an advisory warning posted a few months ago to warn travelers. It mentioned the dangers of traveling if you have a certain look. What if one of the scientists who could save the world has a different look and never gets the chance to make a difference?
If Einstein were alive, he would likely be chosen to be part of this Earth-saving mission. If a meeting were in another country, would he fear traveling as he did when he was alive, thinking his religion could be the end of him?
If one of the scientists discovers a finding that may be hard to believe but might just save the planet, will they keep the thoughts to themselves with concerns of being ridiculed or judged? Do we have what it takes to be kinder to save the human race and the nature and animal life that rely on us?
As part of Road Trip Stories, we will continue to explore and bring back our findings on actionable tips and even mindsets to make a difference. You are invited! Join us at www.youtube. com/@GuidedResults
Angie Whitehurst is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media. Lisa Blackburn-Ullven is the author of “Secrets to Sustainable Solutions.”
things when we do them together,” Zeilinger continued. “Government can’t do it alone. When we are willing to be bold, we can do things amazing things,” Zeilinger said. “Here we have listened to our neighbors, housed and unhoused, who said we need services in this neighborhood, and we worked hard to address the concerns of our skeptics.”
For me, it spoke to a need that was greatly missing within the D.C. continuum of care. D.C.’s shelter history started with lawsuits, occupation, and a movement spearheaded by Mitch Synder and the Community for Creative Nonviolence (CCNV). With great exasperation, CCNV made an old federal government building a low-barrier shelter, one of the largest in the nation at that time. Fast forward to today, and again D.C. is taking a large step forward in ending homelessness in the city. The Aston is a non-congregate program, meaning residents will be able to cohabitate as spouses or as adult children and partners, etc. While D.C. has a primary focus on ending family homelessness, the Aston represents a chance to secure better programming for homeless unaccompanied persons.
I feel this program will benefit many of my peers who are currently unhoused. With The Aston, it’s possible for couples and adult families to stay together. “The Aston Bridge Housing is precedent in combating D.C.’s unhoused crisis,” according to Wesley Thomas, who was homeless from 1988 to 2017 and is on Miriam’s Kitchen Guest Advisory Board and a homeless advocate. “Once housed, I decided I was going to give back and pay it forward to others still unhoused on the streets of D.C., so now I dedicate significant time, effort, and energy to ensuring others don’t fall into the cycle of chronic homelessness,” Thomas said. “Several months ago I was appointed to participate on the Aston Community Advisory Team where I utilized my lived experience to offer input for the greater good,” Thomas said.
I remember when I was out on the streets, segregated shelters were all I could live in. If I had a significant other then, I would have had to live outside just because of love. It is unanimous that a non-congregate setting will benefit these residents greatly. However, with only 100 beds, it remains to be seen whether The Aston will be as effective as those needing its services hope.
Reginald Black is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media.
REGINALD BLACK
Fall leaves
ROBERT WARREN
Artist/Vendor
By the leaves of fall, there is a season for us all in those colorful leaves of life. Years falling from the oldest and tallest trees the eyes have ever seen, reaching new heights, waiting for the day when the sky will drop like a raindrop of life. Fall leaves fall crumbled and black Mother Earth is where we’ll find you
Feasting of Thanksgiving
JOSIE BROWN
Artist/Vendor
Thanksgiving is a time of sharing and feasting
Thanksgiving is a time to give and receive
Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful and faithful
Thanksgiving is a time to help and lead a helping hand to those who are in need and who share and receive
Thanksgiving is a time to live and give and be sincere as only we know how
Thanksgiving is a time to allow and empower, every hour, as faith allows
So let's be thankful and grateful as only as we know how
Happy Holidays!
This issue has holiday gift wrap on pages 8 and 9, which you can use to bring some cheer to your gift-giving this season. That’s why this paper is a bit more than normal. It’s both a magazine AND original Street Sense wrapping paper.
The paper was designed by David Serota, and features illustrations from Brian Holsten, Brianna Butler, Carlton Johnson, Jackie Turner, Maurice Carter, and Queenie Featherstone.
Santa on Christmas
MELODY BYRD Artist/Vendor
Christmas is nice! It is a beautiful day. I love the cookies, the pecan pie, the candies, the assorted apples, the oranges, and the stocking stuffers!
Illustration by Melody Byrd
Christmas night
TREVOR FREEMAN
Artist/Vendor
As the children sleep in their beds, dreams of Santa Claus dance in their heads, knowing Christmas will soon be here. On Christmas night, as the winter chill dances with the snow and rain, Santa Claus prepares to deliver goodies to all the good little boys and girls.
On Dasher, Prancer, Dancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. As the team soars off with Santa at the reins, flying through the night sky, the sleigh comes to a house on the edge of town. Down the chimney Santa goes with his red suit, a twinkle in the eye, a rosy nose, and his sack full of goodies. He takes a bite of a chocolate chip cookie left inside the house and drinks every drop of the glass of milk alongside it.
Santa makes his way to the Christmas tree and sets out presents for the children. There’s even a bone for the puppy! With his job done, up the chimney Santa goes. He does not have a moment to waste because the next visit cannot wait. As Santa gathers himself to ride on his sleigh, he calls out into the night, “Merry Christmas, and to all, have a good night.”
A Christmas journey
BRIAN HOLSTEN Artist/Vendor
My first winter working for a transportation company was turbulent. The war on terrorism, global economic protest, the domestic protest on a sacred parcel of land, hostile management at work, and my dying mother had complicated my holiday season. Fortunately, it was simple for me to find the Christmas spirit through one emotion: hope.
Within our culture, performance is regulated through convenience, competition, and demand for control of a business system. The question becomes: How do you find self-identity and the confidence to earn a good quality of life on your merit? I find the only thing that remains sacred within the heart is...hope.
Who has the ability to acknowledge hope? Who has the influence to encourage others to hope? Who among us may, without hesitation, express hope?
A husband, wife, daughter, and very young son had arrived in our community after a long journey from Central America. They planned to use appropriate government resources to establish themselves in our community as a representation against the hardships of this country’s immigration policy.
At an event, I was asked about where children should search to find themselves. I responded it was Christmas time and described an upcoming event put on by a local nonprofit to help needy children in the community. ,.
The question was: why had the children journeyed so far to see nothing more than materialism? I said, “Maybe the children are more than mere objects of materialism.”
When the audience challenged my speculation, I suggested they participate in the nonprofit. Then, I asked the family whether the children knew it was Christmas. The father said the children knew it was a commercial holiday.
At the nonprofit event, the father said Christmas is all about commercialism, which made other attendees mad. But then everyone grew quiet as the brother and the sister watched the actor playing Santa Claus in awe.
“Is that you?” they asked.
Santa smiled his jolly smile; the children smiled back.
The sister asked, “Why do you give toys to us?”
“Because it is not only my job but also my responsibility to provide toys and essentials to help children grow and develop,” said Santa Claus.
“Thank you, Santa Claus,” said the sister. “For the joy you have just given my brother, me, and all the children here. Our hearts are filled with hope because you chose to be here for us.”
Suddenly, all the patrons forgot about our commercialized world and wished each other a Merry Christmas!
I love the skin I’m in. Living somewhere that was not mine, I couldn’t see the skin I love so much. Because others didn’t love their skin, I was told to cover up. I know where my faith is. My skin that’s seen through lustful eyes is not how I see my skin. But to love your skin is to love the look and feel. Years of being homeless, now I finally see what I have longed to see for so long. I have stared in the mirror from head to toe. Looking in the mirror as a homeless woman isn’t seen through housed eyes. My skin is faithful to my bones, my bones are infected with magnets that have my skin, and only my skin, held up like a robbery, held hostage by my skin. My skin is dead but looks alive, a side effect of life. From a baby to a woman, I’m stretching my skin, hoping in older age my skin won’t sag. I love the skin that is attached to these bones, blessed by grace. When I was young, my skin had no meaning. I couldn’t see skin, just pain. I was told my skin was ugly by someone who didn’t love the skin given to them. I soon figured out there were skin haters. My skin is needed in this world and so is yours. It’s like different flavors, as I call it. I don’t believe it’s a certain flavor that hurts, but the person who has bones who’s in the skin.
Holding fast
CARLTON JOHNSON
Artist/Vendor
The new is on its way just holding fast to the pathway of life. It’s something you have to do when face to face with a part of life you’ve never faced — homelessness — may bring you to see the unseen. Hold fast every day for the unknown and the unseen.
May the winter holidays and the new year bring life off the streets all around the world.
No. More. Homelessness. In. 2025.
Inspired by “The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore.
NIKILA SMITH Artist/Vendor
ART Strength
RACHELLE ELLISON
Artist/Vendor
I get inspired by my own strength I reach goals today, no matter the storms or the length
Others before me held my hands And took me into foreign lands
God works through the most unlikely vessels With hard decisions, I no longer wrestle
I’m grateful for all who, through my journey, Have become a part of my story
Journey
DONALD DAVIS
Artist/Vendor
I arrived in Washington, D.C., one month ago. While staying at the Community for Creative Non-Violence, a guy I met told me about Street Sense Media. So, I checked it out and did orientation. I realized this is a great opportunity for a job, being a vendor who sells the paper.
I became homeless last March. Since then, I have been at several missions and shelters, where I have met many good people. I have also met good people at Street Sense Media, which helps the homeless be homeless no more. When I stop being homeless, I want to continue my ministry. I have asked God to help me in this journey, and, as always, he has.
My
life so far
WENDY BROWN Artist/Vendor
My family abandoned me at birth. I was then adopted into an interracial family. I have always struggled, and I’m still struggling.
Fortunately, I found Street Sense Media. The staff is very supportive, kind, and nice. I am very grateful to this newspaper. It is pretty much the only thing I have going because even though I grew up here, I am still an immigrant and it is very difficult to keep my papers straight when I am homeless. When I lose a document, it is a very long process to get it back. I hope Street Sense Media can help me reach my goals for the new year.
I’m looking forward to our annual holiday party.
Selling newspapers can be easy and difficult. You usually get out of it what you put into it. Being a vendor has honed my selling techniques and my attitude. I want to thank my donors and others who have prayed for me. I pray for you, too!
I hope the new president remembers the homeless community and creates good, well-paying jobs for those experiencing homelessness.
Again, thank you to everyone at this newspaper. Your emotional support, as well as your financial support, have been invaluable to my mental health. I’m going through hard times, but the people at Street Sense understand and try to help me.
One day, I would like to be able to give back to this paper and the community because life is about service and giving back. With the help of Street Sense and others, I will reach my goals not only to support myself but also to help others. This is my prayer for myself and others.
“America the Beautiful”
QUEENIE
Artist/Vendor
“America the Beautiful,” written by Katharine Lee Bates, was a great patriotic song sung by all as children. We learned it in glee clubs, for the school chorus, and even at community social events, and we sang it with pride. It wasn’t until the one and only world-renowned musician Ray Charles sang his version of “America the Beautiful” that the song took off and touched the lives of so many Americans.
Conversing with family and friends, we ask, "What is so beautiful about America?”
Here are several examples we discussed where we don’t see the beauty in America, nor can we understand it:
1. Oppression is still running rampant throughout America.
2. The laws of the land are broken by many, and they get away scot-free or with no jail time whatsoever throughout America.
3. There’s inequality and unfair treatment of people of different colors, races, ethnic groups, religious groups, and age groups throughout America.
These were just some of the questions we discussed. There were many more. Yet, as Americans, we still ring out and sing “America the Beautiful” with pride.
God help the people the weather has beaten
JACQUELINE TURNER
Artist/Vendor
People lost everything they had because floods and wind took away life as it was. Now, they barely hang on and live day to day. So many lost their family and friends, their homes, churches, and schools. Their whole way of life is gone in two or three days or weeks.
It seems the weather, climate change, and destruction have beaten the south down. In the southern states, dozens have died. Millions of dollars of homes, property, and things of value are gone for good.
This is the time when people get together and help each other. Lots of people from all over have banded together to help those who need it now.
I ask God that it not be like Katrina, after which families are still not united or back together. People have learned they have to help each other. I pray and give what I can to help in any way I can, and I hope others do the same.
My heart goes out to the people in bad times.
FEATHERSTONE
New writers
DEGNON DOVONOU Artist/Vendor
Long years’ histories, many pages written
Some people wrote the whole story, from day one until now
Some pages are written by the same people
Others are written by someone new, as am I
If D.C. was the universe, Epiphany Church would be a planet Street Sense Media would be a continent
Many books have been written and stored on bookshelves
Many remain to be written
Many real stories, from real people
I just want to say thank you to the Street Sense team. Who to thank in particular? All of them!
Labor
JEFFREY CARTER
Artist/Vendor
What Labor Day means to me: How my mother and father picked cotton on the plantation for the white man slave master in Denmark, South Carolina and barely made a dime a day. Today’s work we call labor is slavery, a minimum wage you can’t live on. Today, you have to apply for low-income housing or subsidy programs to barely make it by.
I’m living just enough for the city.
Sad updates
SYBIL TAYLOR Artist/Vendor
To all my customers, I am distant because my Mom and my cat died. I am very sad after both deaths. I am on 19th and K Street NW if anyone wants to help me and buy my paper. I am feeling grief, sadness, and anxiety and I need support. This year has been the worst. My Mom, Dad, and cat will not be with me this Thanksgiving. The holidays are very sad now. I love all of you so much.
Enduring the highs and the lows
LEVESTER GREEN Artist/Vendor
Well, my jobs were plenty for a while there. After that, I decided to come home from school in South Carolina and attend the University of D.C. It was a time of unrest and financial insecurity. I finally got that work-study position I had always wanted when I was down South! I ended up working in the Media Department as an aide. I also worked with the school’s newspaper, the TRILOGY, as the poetry editor! We ran a Valentine’s Day and Black History Month-themed contest. I got a tour of the jazz radio station on campus, and met Candy Shannon, the on-air personality. I even got to sit with the T.V. department video editors as they worked on the CaribNation television show.
After moving on from there, I became a valet and met another connection, who offered me employment in the entertainment industry, working as one of the sound technicians for National Events. When we did the Stoned Soul Picnic in D.C., I got to be on stage and meet such acts as Whodini (R.I.P. to John “Ecstasy” Fletcher) and one of my long-time favorites, Vesta Williams. I asked for her hat, which said Vesta. I said, “I’m Vest, so it works!” Haha, but I still didn’t get the hat. May she rest in peace! I also got to be onstage with Yolanda Adams in Baltimore, along with Changing Faces! I was so nervous they would pick me to dance with them on stage when they called for a volunteer. They must’ve noticed because they kept it strictly as audience participation! George Clinton was in the vicinity, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet the brother face-to-face.
I LOVED THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE!
Those days were the most fun and quite possibly my best job ever! I was making $10 an hour way back in 2000, and they had catered lunches. We were eating for free, like no prob! I got to meet Jesse Ventura on Capitol Hill at a press conference! We did “Redeem the Dream” at the Lincoln Memorial. I ALMOST got to meet President Bill Clinton when we worked on a memorial dedication he was supposed to unveil and speak at. Unfortunately, I only got a napkin with the presidential seal on it! Well, at least the guys thought of me enough to snag a souvenir.
It was a great experience, but…the jobs went a little dry after that. I ended up back in the regular job market, like at the Shoppers Food Warehouse, working as a dairy food stock clerk. I had a back injury, and all of the bending only aggravated it. I was just getting signed up with the union, and there were no part-time benefits! I was there less than a month. I was told I would be let go the next time I was tardy. I had to travel all the way to Rockville from Landover, Maryland, by the stadium, before 7:00 a.m., and I didn’t have subway money. So it’s a pretty long bus trip.
So next, I tried to secure my unemployment benefits, but I was like a subway stop away, and the counselor’s words rang in my ears, “If you’re late, then you shouldn’t even show up at all!” So I didn’t. I fell short! Better late than NEVER! I should’ve told myself that back then and went to see my counselor that day because my unemployment benefits are STILL jacked up ‘til this very day. They want me to repay $300 like I didn’t deserve it in the first place.
I had to go even further to secure my next job. I ended up down in Norfolk, Virginia, since they had many temp jobs there. Their system was just as jacked up as Maryland’s because you made about $35 a day, but the hotels were $40, so you would still end up SHORT for the night! That turned into a whole ‘nother circus for me, from staying with distant relatives to the shelter. I was trying to make it out there on my own and learn this new city.
I was offered work one day at a temp agency. I wasn’t doing much, so I accepted and worked there for about two days. It was July 2006, somewhere around that time. One morning, I wanted to grab some breakfast on my way in and I ended up at the gas station along my route. Before I knew it, the attendant accused me of stealing 50-cent chocolate donuts, not knowing I had $10, an uncashed check, and $5.50 in my pocket. It angered me and insulted me. I stormed out and continued on my way to work. I got about a block away from the agency when the first squad car pulled up on me and asked about what happened, saying he had to cuff me and take me back. Virginia law says they can accuse you of a crime and issue a warrant for that. I just wanted to continue on my way to work, but the cop insisted. So I offered him up to release his belt and “Let’s duke it out if you like!” He took it as a threat and called for backup, who suddenly turned the corner, parked crooked, and hopped out. He extended his blackjack and commanded me to get down. I tried to explain myself, but he immediately struck me in my forearm, breaking it, and then again in my shin and my forearm. I yelled out in pain and no longer had any choice but to get down after informing him that he had just broken my arm. I sat cuffed for about a half hour, waiting on an ambulance, which they dismissed after they put a bandaid on the broken skin where I was struck, even though the bone was broken. They NEVER searched my bag but locked me up in what I took as an attempt to cover it up. I sat for a week before I could see a specialist to fix my arm. Just imagine all of this pain I just simply had to ENDURE. Yes, that’s agony, but it’s not defeat. In an attempt to salvage myself from the streets, I located the local Educational Opportunities Center in downtown Norfolk. I applied for an upperclassman loan in anticipation of returning to school and continuing my education. Get my life right back on track!
I had a few days before school started in the fall. I had forgotten which schools I sent my money to, so I ended up at the University of Maryland University College back up north. They said they had no record of any financial aid transcript, so we made a new one. I was still homeless, unable to return home. Now, I had a broken arm and no glasses. The out-of-control cop had stomped on my glasses, which I learned after continuously asking for them. I only found out when I returned to the scene they had been stomped and mangled, not saved or salvaged for me at all. They didn’t care.
So after about a month around campus up in Maryland, the campus police started following and harassing me up there. I had to get tickets rescinded several times after PROVING I was a student! In November they gave me another 30 days for trespassing! Until then, I stood out in the cold of winter, simply thinking warm thoughts. Fortunately, I met some overnight friends at the radio station who allowed me to fit right in their odd bunch. Their on-air personality wore glasses and was legally blind for real, but he worked with his hands and had an ear for music and a good sense of humor. They made the night better, or at least tried, by allowing me to escape the cold until the janitor called the cops on me and had me arrested for trespassing. After 30 days, I attempted to return to withdraw from school properly. After all, I didn’t want anyone scoring any free money up off of me like that, claiming it was unclaimed. They arrested me again for the same crime. How was that possible? The cop’s badge popped off as he tried to lock me down and I took it as a sign that he was just as crooked as the rest of them! The next time I took my brother to watch my back, and we got back my property without a hitch. My brother also talked my mother into letting me return home. I stayed for about a year; in 2008, I struck back out on my own.
FUN & GAMES
Across
1. Show: horse races :: ____ : Olympics events
7. “I can only ___ much!” (“I’m just one person!”) (2 wds.) (2,2)
11. Home shopping channel (abbr./initialism)
14. “Already?” (2 wds.) (2,4)
15. Sister in a Catholic schoolroom, say (2 wds. (1,3)
16. Ooh and ___
17. *Drove a racer in the Indy 499? (3 wds.) (6,1,4) (SEMI-MISDEAL anagram)
19. Decryption org. (abbr./initialism)
20. Fed. airport monitoring gp. with bags under their eyes (abbr./initialism)
21. ET’s craft (abbr./initialism)
22. Word after legal or chicken
24. *Favorite play call of renowned heart surgeon and former NFL QB Archie Miller? (2 wds.) (8,4) (RACY SOPRANOS anagram)
27. Last of only 3 U.S. House representatives from Ohio to have served as Speaker
30. Dock
31. How a ballerina pirouettes (2 wds.) (2,3)
32. Retainer
33. Criticize harshly, as a public performance
36 What your best friend often does wi.thout feeling any need to call ahead... or - parsed differently - what each of the answers to the starred clues does? (3 wds.) (8,5,2) (ABSURDLY CALYPSO anagram)
41. “___ port in a storm”
42. Junior’s junior
43. Inspirational figures for artists and poets
44. Dirt bike relatives, briefly (abbr./ initialism)
46. Long letter of the New Testament
48. *Article that F. Scott Fitzgerald might have written for the NRA magazine about classic gangster film pistols? (3 wds.) (3,5,4) (HATE EGG TARTS)
52. Like behavior in others that we honor with medals and parades
53. ___ boots
54. Adage
57. Apt word buried in: “It’s what gets a prospector excited”
58. *A psychiatric hospital for ghosts and goblins? (3 wds.) (3,35)
62. Its famous chime consists of the three notes G-E-C (abbr./init.)
63. Gutter site
64. Finish a sentence, in a way (2 wds.) (2,4)
65. Astronomers clock std. (abbr./initialism)
66. GPS suggestions (abbr.)
67. How you can get many subscription streaming services for a 32-Across (2 wds,) (2,4) (FEARED anagram)
Down
1. Cellar in real estate ads (abbr.)
2. Louis-Philippe, and others (Fr.)
3. Bones, anatomically
4. Turndowns
5. Actress Saldana of “Avatar” and “Guardians of the Galaxy”
6. “...nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long ____...” (Lincoln’s
Gettysburg Address)
7. Two-time Best Actor Oscar-nominee Matt
8. Clandestine maritime org. (abbr./ initialism)
9. More hot and humid, as weather (or as a description of sexpots?)
10. Cyclops feature (2 wds.) (3,3)
11. Lecture follow-up, briefly (3 wds.) (1,3,1)
12. Ming things
13. Blackens on a grill
18. ____ effort (kudos for trying phrase) (2 wds.) (1,3)
23. “All Things Considered” radio network, briefly (abbr./initialism)
24. Dynasty in which Confucianism and Taoism emerged
25. Elvis Presley’s Pre-Draft status (2 wds.) (3,1)
26. Acted like
27. ___ Raton, Fla.
28. “Chestnuts roasting ___ open fire” (2 wds.) (2,,2)
29. Crafty online market since 2005
32. Memo letters (abbr./initialism)
33. [Alternative to an elbow]
34. Cain’s victim
35. Financial page inits.
37. Like a Zoom conference, say (2 wds.) (4,4) (HALT VICE anagram)
38. “Mona ___”
39. Leave out
40. “____ in Boots (classic fairy tale)
44. Years ___ (way back when)
45. Less imaginative and/or more cliched
46. Food item originally called a Froffle
47. Chinese temple
48. Word that may refer to a simple beach
shoe or a sexy bikini segment
49. Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
50. At attention
51 Fallopian ___
54 ____ frying (cooking technique involving a wok)
55. High point
56. “This is fun!”
59. “The Three Faces of ___”
60. Brick or coal carrier
61. Fed. anti-moonshine org. (abbr./ initialism)
CROSSWORD
Let Gone-Bys be Bygones
Puzzle by Patrick “Mac” McIntyre
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
Busser/Barback
Yard House // 812 7th St. NW
Part-time
The right hands of servers and bartenders. They ensure our dining room, bar, lobby, and service areas are clean, sanitized, stocked, and appealing. They assist bartenders in clearing the bar top, cleaning the barware, and restocking glassware and plateware. They change out kegs to keep our beers on tap fresh.
REQUIRED: N/A
APPLY: tinyurl.com/YardHouseBusser
Team Member
Smoothie King // Washington D.C.
Part-time
As a team member you will help guests meet their fitness and nutrition goals by assisting them to help select smoothies and retail products that inspire them to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. The team member will be passionate about the brand and demonstrate a willingness to take on new challenges.
REQUIRED: N/A
APPLY: tinyurl.com/SmoothieKingDCJob
Retail Sales Associate
New Balance // Washington D.C.
Part-time
Retail sales associates ensure our retail stores operate smoothly and provide exemplary customer service. Educated with expert product knowledge, they utilize proper selling techniques to assist customers throughout every step of the transaction process, always positively representing the New Balance brand.
REQUIRED: Able-bodied and can quickly do basic math.
APPLY: tinyurl.com/NewBalanceJob
Help Street Sense help our vendors!
Dear friend 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 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 that 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.
When I wrote you a year ago, 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 will be forever grateful. I am pleased to report 2024 has been a year of stability, only possible because of your support. Renewing your support with a gift today will help to ensure this stability continues.
You have always been the driver of our success. Your generosity has changed lives. We hope 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
