12 21 2011 by Street Sense Media

Volume 9: Issue 3 December 21, 2011 - January 3, 2012

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STREET SENSE December 21, 2011 - January 3, 2012

NEWS IN BRIEF U.S. Mayors Say Hunger and Homelessness Rising A survey of 29 cities shows hunger rose in most of them during the past year and is expected to increase again in 2012. A recent report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that the nation’s continuing economic slump is to blame. Homelessness rose an average of 6 percent among the cities included in the survey, with the increase in homeless families exceeding the number of single people, according to a news report provided by Thomson Reuters to the Street News Service. According to the conference, the figures reflected the depth of problems facing poor and low-income families as the United States slowly recovers from a deep economic downturn and joblessness that was at 8.6 percent last month. They urged that food and housing programs be defended as the government moved closer to $1.2 trillion in mandatory cuts aimed at reducing the federal deficit. The survey “should be a wake-up call for cities involved and the country,” Kansas City Mayor Sly James said in a conference call with reporters. Unemployment led the list of causes

of hunger, followed by poverty, low wages and high housing costs. Charleston, S.C., had the largest increase in homelessness, at 150 percent. Los Angeles, Calif., was second at 39 percent. Officials in 64 percent of the cities expected the number of homeless families to increase, and 55 percent of them expected the number of homeless individuals to rise. The report of rising numbers of hungry and homeless American came after the Census Bureau reported last month that about 48 percent of Americans, or 146 million, were living in poverty or considered low income. Based on a new supplemental measure designed to provide a more accurate portrait of poverty, the Census Bureau also said that about 97.3 million Americans fell into the low-income category. Another 49.1 million are considered poor. In another indicator of hunger, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported this month that 15 percent of the U.S. population, or about 43.6 million people, took part in its main food program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, in September. The figure is up almost 8 percent from the year before, and up 77 percent in five years.

Formerly Homeless Girl Honored for Volunteer Work When she was 14 years old, Tayler Sabella’s family became homeless. Fortunately she, her sister and dad ended up at the Evelyn House shelter in Stoughton, Mass. At the shelter, the Sabellas were introduced to School on Wheels, an innovative nonprofit based in Brockton that tutors homeless children, according to a report in the Boston Globe. While the family was in the shelter, the tutors visited twice a week to make sure the girls didn’t fall behind in their school work. The family left the shelter in 2009, when Tayler’s father got a job. Still, School on Wheels continued to provide twice-weekly tutoring and arranged for transportation so the girls could finish their year at the schools they started in, avoiding a disruptive transfer. Now 17 years old and a high school senior, Tayler serves as a tutor for other homeless children through the program. Cheryl Opper, executive director of School on Wheels, says Tayler is the first student alumna they have had go through their tutor training program. She is also the only student on the advisory council, which her father joined

with her. Tayler was recently honored with a $5,000 Rising Star Award by Sun Life Financial to be put toward her college education. The grant is for students in underserved communities who are committed to their education and for the nonprofits that help them. Because of Tayler’s award, School on Wheels will receive a $50,000 grant to help more homeless children.

New Orleans Announces Plan to End Homelessness On Nov. 28, Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans released a 34-page plan that maps how the city will attempt to decrease its homeless population in the next decade, according to The TimesPicayune News. There are about 6,500 homeless people in the city, more than double the homeless population before Hurricane Katrina struck the city in 2005. The plan calls for creating a 24-hour homeless-service center, adding 3,000 permanent-housing beds to the city’s current stock, granting preference to housing developers committed to helping the homeless, and creating of more low-barrier shelters.

STREET FACT: A certain statistic or extra fact that relates to the current spread in some way or that takes the reader’s thinking an extra step from the story can go here.

Homeless Prepare for Winter By Brandon Caudill Editorial Volunteer The Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place hosted a free workshop called “Surviving the Cold.” This workshop was held at St. Columbia’s Episcopal Church on Dec. 14 to detail D.C.’s 2011-2012 winter plan for protecting the homeless during the winter months and address concerns from the public. The cold season officially began on Nov. 1, according to the plan. During the event, Chapman Todd of the Interagency Council on Homelessness, and Robert Swart of the Coalition for Homeless and Housing Organizations, addressed the effectiveness of the plan and the progress that has been made with it. “The number of people staying outside (during the winter months) has decreased significantly in the last five

years,” Todd said. “More people are sheltered here (in Washington) than in most large cities.” As with previous years, this season’s winter plan includes emergency hypothermia shelters, which will be utilized only when hypothermia alerts are issued, and low barrier shelters, which are open year-round and expand capacity during the cold season. Also, the United Planning Organization will again be deploying vans to help transport clients to shelters and will operate the Hypothermia Hotline. The District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency issues hypothermia alters whenever freezing temperatures are reached or are forecasted. Despite the progress the District’s winter plan has made, some complications still exist. “There’s an issue on who collects the data and where they collect it,” Swart said. “I get my information from the

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but they collect their data from the airport. The weather conditions at the airport could be different from in downtown Washington.” “The problem is someone at the desk deciding if they should issue an alert meanwhile someone living on the street thinks, ‘Gee, it’s cold, I wonder if it’s an alert night?’” Todd said. To address this problem, the winter plan is using several means of keeping information easily accessible, including a heavy advertising campaign, the utilization of safety and maintenance ambassadors who will identify and assist persons in need in designated areas, and text message alerts of dangerous weather conditions through the emergency notification system, Alert DC. The ultimate goal is not only to inform the homeless of weather conditions and services, but also to keep the general public aware of how they can help.

“Often the homeless will be known by their neighbors, they see the same people every day,” Todd said. “We want people to know who they can contact to help their neighbors.” Additionally, vans provided by the the United Planning Organization will run 24 hours a day during the season to assist in the transportation of clients between shelters. Clients in need of shelter may contact the Hypothermia Hotline at 1-800535-7252 or the Mayor’s call center by dialing 311. You can also sign up for the Alert DC text message alerts online at www.textalert.ema.dc.gov. “Surviving the Cold” was Friendship Place’s final monthly workshop of 2011. Workshops are typically held on the second Wednesday of the month. Previous workshops have addressed veterans experiencing homelessness as well as civil rights and homelessness.

Remembering Those Who Have Died Advocates and friends will gather for an annual vigil to remember the homeless people who have died in and around Washington, D.C. during the past year. The local observance of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day will be held on Dec. 21 at at 6 p.m. at the

New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (1313 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20005). The service will be coordinated with more than 150 other cities. Since 1990, the National Coalition for the Homeless has held a vigil every year on the evening of the winter solstice,

which is the day of the year that includes the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. The local memorial is co-sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and five other groups: the Coalition of Housing and Homeless Or-

ganizations, So Others Might Eat, the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, the National Consumer Advisory Board and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. -Mary Otto, Editor-In-Chief

In Memoriam

The National Coalition for the Homeless annually compiles a list of people who have died in homelessness during the year. The names are read at the vigil:

Tracey Acosta Thomas Barns Channon Billups Albery Boyd Andrew Brisbon Fredrick Brockington Michael Brooks Chris Brown Michael A. Brown Ray Burton Clifford H. Carle, Jr. Charles Chambers Ronald Chase Kenneth Clements John Coates Margot Cole Diane Curry

Leroy Cursey Augustus (Auggie) DeGrazia Robert Dockery Jane Doe Mike Edwards Deac Ford Martha Gilbert Jose Guzman Ketscla (KC) Hailu Paula Hall Michael Harmon Luther “Sarge” Hill Tyreatha Hill Nelson Holston Lynne Jackson Phyllis Jackson Curtis Jefferson

Eugene Jenkins Donald Jones Edna Lee Jones Robert McDonald Mia Means Joe Morgan Anthony Parker Diane Payne Donna Payne Donald Payne Ray Randolph William Rapley Solomon Reece Johnny Reed Melvin Riley Rita Samuels Kenneth Scott

Elijah Scriver Ylice Spears Richard Staton Joseph Taylor Asnakech Temsgen Timothy Tharpe Darnell Thornsbury Eric Thorsteinsson Spencer Tibbs Jr Lorenzo Tinsley Okechukwu Uzoigue Don Vess Lee Wells Jerry Witcher Radie Wright Mekedes Zeleke

STREET SENSE December 21, 2011 - January 3, 2012

State of the Winter Plan

Editor-in-Chief Homeless children and their parents at DC General Hospital gathered for a holiday party on the night of Dec 20. Kids frolicking. Playtime project volunteers giving out gifts. The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project is dedicated to making sure homelessness doesn’t rob children of their childhoods. QUICK QUOTE from a mother or child An antiquated hospital building is not the easiest place to spend the holidays. But in these hard times, a room at DC General is also a gift. For every homeless family lucky enough to have a room here, there is another still out there, desperately waiting. In the wake of the nation’s long recession and housing crisis, cities all over America are coping with rising numbers of homeless families, according to a new report by the US Conference of Mayors. The District is no exception. In the District, a total of 858 families, including more than 1,600 children were included in a 2011 Point in Time homeless count, a seven percent increase over 2010. Overwhelmed by the need for shelter with plans to prepare 100 additional rooms for homeless families at DC General, allowing the hospital to accommodate a total of 253 families. The rooms, which are being renovated, are expected to be ready by Feb. 1.

“I’m sure no one is pleased with this situation,’’ said City Councilmember Jim Graham at a homeless services oversight meeting on the cold evening of Dec 16. “ But this option is preferable to stairwells, bus shelters, couch to couch and all the various places people are forced to exist in,” added Graham, chair of the council’s human services committee. The directive to expand space at DC General came down from Mayor Vincent C Gray in early December. The mayor wrote in particular about his concerns for families designated ” priority one.” because of their critical needs. “With these additional 100 shelter units, we anticipate being able to meet the needs of all priority one families seeking shelter,” the Mayor wrote to Graham. During the week of Nov 28 through Dec 4, a total of 52 families applied for shelter at the city’s Virginia Williams for homeless families in their official search for shelter. Of those who applied, 23 were were determined to be “priority one.” Six hundred and forty five families with needs determined to be less urgent were included on the center’s “pending list ,“ and awaiting possible placement into shelters or other assistance. DC General has served as the city’s

emergency shelter for families since the squalid D.C Village shelter was shut down four years ago. And space at the facility has routinely been stretched. Two winters ago, the city was criticized for sheltering 200 families at the hospital, in space designed for 135. And last year, the Department of Human Servicspace for 100 families and to add beds for 75 single men at DC General. But then- human services committee chair Tommy Wells, whose Ward 6 district inplan, complaining that the arrangement would result in a “homeless encampment” at the hospital. With shelter beds lacking, the city, which is obligated by law to protect the homeless during freezing weather, has instead resorted to using motels and hotels to house the families when the hospital is full. On one recent night, the city placed 51 families in hotels, said D.C. Department of Human Services Director David Berns. The rooms, at roughly $90 per night, are an expensive and unsatisfactory solution to the problem of family homelessness, Berns said. “A hotel is our least favorite option. This is a stopgap,” he said. Renovating 100 rooms at the hospital is expected to cost $900,000 and providing food,security and other ser-

vices to the additional families will cost $335,000 per month, said Fred Swan, also of the Department of Human Services. The money, which will include unused federal dollars originally earmarked for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, will be shifted from other accounts.. Berns said the city has been using rapid rehousing funds to help families at DC General leave the shelter and move into more stable apartments. But additional families just as quickly arrive, desperate and with nowhere to go to make the old hospital more than a temporary place to keep families out of danger. But they are there now, said Graham. And the city needs to come to terms with the job training, mental health and social needs of the families who are sheltering there now, and those who will be joining them before the winter is out. “We’ve got a big human project here. None of us wanted it. It was born of necessity,” he said. “There are a lot of people there with little kids, We want them to grow up to be contributing adults. That’s a huge responsibility.”

international:

Ireland’s Soup Kitchens Now Cater for Families Courtesy of Ireland’s Big Issue Street News Service Wire In Bow Street, Dublin’s inner city, people are arriving in droves for lunch at what one client describes as “the best restaurant in Dublin.” Many of them have already been here earlier for a cooked breakfast and are now coming back for homemade soup, corned beef, cabbage and mash, followed by stewed apple and custard. Chef Anne, who has worked here for more than 40 years off and on, believes in serving traditional food that is filling and nutritious. The Capuchin Day Centre was opened in 1969 by Brother Kevin Crowley of the Capuchin Franciscan Order. Then, about 50 people used the center. Today, the centre currently cooks meals for more than 500 people. There is no set demographic among the clients that come to the Capuchin Centre except that they have fallen on desperate times and have found themselves dependent on hand outs to get by. “But now because of the recession we have a new poor. People who have lost their jobs are on the verge of losing their homes,” Crowley said. “We are getting phone calls from all over Dublin asking us if we can give out food parcels. Two or three years ago we would have had 400 people for food parcels; this morning we gave out over 11,000.” The centre has grown over the years and now offers much more food. There is a free hot breakfast served every morning, and a three-course meal at lunch. There are also other services that clients can use, such as food parcels, medical help and counseling services. As unemployment increase and families struggle to keep a roof over their heads, more and more people are forced to come to the Capuchin Centre to ensure their families are properly fed. Jerry Larkin, a staff member who has worked in the centre for eight years, explains how things have changed. “We now get a lot of families, women

and children as well. It’s very difficult for them; they feel embarrassed having to come to a place like this, but we don’t ask any questions, we make them all feel welcome,” Larkin said. To accommodate this new cohort, a special area has been created in the dining room where women and children can eat alone, with high chairs for babies. The staff is always mindful of the needs of child welfare, as well as the welfare of all their clients, many of whom are using these services for the first time in their lives. Larkin is also shocked by the rise in numbers in recent years. “When I first started here we would consider it a busy day if we got 100 people. Yesterday we had 517 people for lunch,” he said. “We’ve also seen a lot of East Europeans, Russians, Poles who came here to work during the boom and lost their jobs.” Vasile is one such person. He came to Ireland five years ago and has worked at various jobs within the construction and security sectors. He never imagined that he would find himself unemployed but was laid off in 2009 and has not been able to find another job. “I am not entitled to any kind of social welfare,” Vasile said. “I have had to sleep rough in parks, and sometimes phone homeless services.” Vasile admits that without the Capuchin Centre he would be worse off. “If it wasn’t for this place I would have no food,” he smiles. “It is a great place to come to—the people are very friendly and welcoming to me.” This is the one thing that shines through when you spend time here—the sense of affection, warmth and, above all, respect, with which all the clients are treated. While the food is certainly important, it is also a chance to meet a friendly face and have a chat. With more services and more clien-

tele, running costs have increased and now stand at €1.3 million ($2 million USD) per year. “Without the generosity of people it would be impossible to keep the centre in operation,” Crowley said. “And also the support we get from the volunteers. We have our staff and a great number of volunteers from all walks of life who help us in the running—they are indispensable.” A truly vital service is being provided by this dedicated group in Bow Street with Crowley at the helm, but

the last thing any of them want or expect is praise. “I suppose that being Capuchins, followers of St. Francis, we live for the Gospel, for helping those in need”, Crowley said. “I’ve no doubt that if St. Francis was alive today that he would be very much in favor and as involved in the welfare and care of people in need. These are the people we are here for and these are the people we will never refuse.”

Brother Kevin Crowley of the Capuchin Franciscan Order helps run the Day Centre in Dublin. The Centre has seen an increase in the number of families who need assistance. Photo by Jennifer May.

The Capuchins Day Centre is open to the public six days per week. Photo by Jennifer May.

STREET SENSE December 21, 2011 - January 3, 2012

News & Views: Homeless Children

Tackling Poverty: Doing What It Takes By Dr. Ramona H. Edelin Children’s Advocate By Sarah Fleischman Editorial Intern More than 1.6 million children, or one in 45, are homeless in America, according to a report released by The National Center on Family Homelessness. The study found homelessness among children has increased 38 percent during the years impacted by the recent economic recession. The report, entitled America’s Youngest Outcasts 2010, rated the 50 states in terms of the well-being of the children, the risk for child homelessness, and state-level planning and policy activities directed at the needs of homeless children. It also examined homelessness within the context of events such as the recession and natural disasters. “The most significant finding is that there are more (homeless) children now than after than 2005 hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Those hurricanes led to one of the greatest mass migrations in our nation’s history. We have more homeless children than at that time in history,” said Christina Murphy from The National Center on Family Homelessness. The study, which examined data collected from public schools and other sources, determined that children who have experienced homelessness suffer in many ways. They show limited proficiency in math and reading. They are typically in poor emotional and physical health. In examining policies regarding homelessness, the Center looked for whether individual states had adopted ten-year plans to end child homelessness and whether they had convened councils on homelessness. Only seven states have extensive plans to help homeless children, and 16 states have no policies at all, the report found. In the rankings, Vermont was rated number one for having the best policies and outcomes for homeless children. Alabama was rated number 50 for having the worst policies and outcomes. Virginia received a ranking of 21 and Maryland was ranked 26. Since Washington, D.C. is not a state, it was not ranked in the study.

The holiday season is when many District of Columbia residents make donations or volunteer their time to help ease the tragedy of homelessness in the nation’s capitol. This is also the time of year when one reads newspaper stories about free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and reflects sadly on the toll that the cold weather takes on those who have nowhere to live. Locally, the number of homeless individuals has increased nearly 10 percent since 2007, according to the annual survey conducted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Next month, the organization will send volunteers out to parks, campsites, shelters and winter hypothermia rooms so they can conduct their annual point-in-time count for homelessness. They will probably find more homeless individuals and families than last year. On a snow-swept night last January, they counted nearly 12,000 homeless people—almost onethird were children, and nearly 5,000 were in families. The causes of homelessness are complex, but behind the recent increase you will find many people who have lost their jobs, exhausted their unemployment benefits or lost their homes through eviction or foreclosure. As a civil rights activist and advocate for children and public education, I am aware that children are not the face of homelessness that most of society sees. The National Coalition for the Homeless estimates that there are more than 1.3 million homeless children nationwide—39 percent of the total population and rising faster than overall homelessness in recent years.

Homeless Children in Schools Obviously, what homeless children need most is a home. While they are without a home, it is important that children remain in school, which can be the only stable and secure place for children who do not have a place to live. A good public school is also a place where children can acquire the education and skills that are necessary to break the all toopervasive cycle of poverty being passed down the generations. Homeless youth face even more obstacles than low-income, but housed youth. Tragically, homelessness often has a devastating impact on young people’s access to educational opportunities. Many otherwise routine aspects of enrollment become barriers to educational enrollment for homeless youth. These include guardian and residency requirements, delays in transfer of school records, lack of immunization re-

cords and lack of transportation. This explains why, nationally, fewer homeless youth attend school. The statistics tell their own story. In a recent survey of enrolled children who schools identify as homeless, it was found that: one in five lived in shelters; two-thirds lived temporarily with family or friends; about seven percent lived in motels; and six percent lived without shelter. Research from the Institute for Child Poverty demonstrates that homeless children are nine times more likely to repeat a grade, four times more likely to drop out and three times more likely to be placed in special education programs than their housed peers. According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, children from homeless families are twice as likely to go hungry as other students. In the nation’s capitol, our public schools failed our children for a generation. But, if they can be enrolled, vulnerable children from high-poverty communities, including those who have experienced homelessness, can access the public education they need through various avenues. An important path to education is chartered public schools. D.C.’s chartered public schools enroll more than 33,000 students and consistently post higher high school graduation and college acceptance rates than D.C. public schools. The new investment in public education provides new hope for our cities most vulnerable children. This is because college and careers offer the best hope for children to escape poverty as adults. Graduating from high school is an essential step for college acceptance. The District’s chartered public schools have raised the share of students who are at grade level in reading and math, far above the share that existed when the first chartered public schools opened in 1996. They also have been a catalyst for the recent reforms to D.C. public schools that also have raised the number of students who are at grade level. D.C.’s chartered public schools have a philosophy of doing whatever it takes to ensure that every child is ready for college. Many go the extra mile—providing three meals a day, counseling and early intervention to prevent truancy, mentoring and employing highly skilled teachers who believe every child can succeed at the highest level academically. The District needs a similarly committed investment to end the scandal of homelessness alongside the wealth and power of the nation’s capitol. This holiday season, let’s not just reflect on the need for change, let’s resolve to act. *** Dr. Ramona Edelin is Executive Director of the D.C. Association of Chartered Public Schools

STREET SENSE December 21, 2011 - January 3, 2012

HOMELESS CHALLENGE

By Anna Katharine Thomas Editorial Voluteer For more than two decades now, the Student Homeless Challenge Project has been giving privileged American young people insights into how it feels to live on the streets. “It’s not the same thing as being homeless … but, at the same time, it’s better than spouting statistics of homelessness,” said Michael Stoops, director of community organizing for the National Coalition for the Homeless. “I wish everybody from the president on down would go live on the streets for a while.” The project challenges affluent people to dress down, empty their wallets and spend time on the streets as homeless people according to Stoops. “[A weekend] is not enough to change someone’s life,” he adds. “But it makes them appreciate what they have and what it’s like to be homeless in our society.” Stoops himself was one of several

homeless activists including Mitch Snyder of the Community for Creative NonViolence who lived on the streets for six months during the winter of 198687. They successfully lobbied Congress for the passage of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which provides federal money for homeless services. After that, Stoops started the Homeless Challenge program. Since 1988, over 2,000 people have taken part. Stoops believes the Homeless Challenge program has helped many participants get more involved in homelessness and social justice issues. He believes firsthand experience is a great teacher. When the program first began, students would arrive in D.C. having not showered for at least two days, in layers of old clothes, unshaven with oily hair, without a dime, and only carrying an old blanket, a form of identification and a pack of smokes. Participants would listen as Stoops gave a few recommendations for street living and say “see you in 48 hours.”

But, according to Stoops, they quickly found that this system was simply too shocking to endure. Today, when students begin their 48 hours, Stoops offers an orientation and the students are sent out with guides. “To deal with safety issues and worried parents, we came up with the idea of [guides]. Not all the time, because it would be like having a bodyguard if you have a homeless person shadowing you every moment,” Stoops said. These guides are homeless or previously homeless individuals who meet up with the students later in the evening to show them where to stay the night. They provide “street sense,” Stoops said. Some participants find the experience terrifying, while others find it liberating. “When I was walking out, [it was] an unknown kind of feeling. It was a feeling that is very rare, in my life at least, of complete abandonment. I didn’t know at the time that they were just going to sort of let you free,” said Peter Danelski, a participant from DeSales University.

Stoops encourages the students to attempt roaming the streets wrapped in a blanket, dumpster dive, apply for work, attend church and eat at soup kitchens and food programs. He requires them to sleep on the street and panhandle for at least two hours. “We ask that people panhandle. Some of them don’t want to do it, but they realize that they are hungry—they need to do it,” Stoops said. Stoops recognizes that necessity is a great teacher. “I don’t want to be judgmental, but having people my own age just take a glance at me and then keep on walking by, that really sucked. It was so terrible having kids my own age that I would be able to talk to any other time just completely blow me off as a homeless person,” said Elijah Olson, a participant from DeSales University. Not all passersby give students dirty looks. While many of them are helpful, others simply look past the bedraggled young people.

(Left) Andre Colter is a guide for the Student Homeless Challenge Project. He helps students find a safe place to sleep while they live on the streets for 48 hours. (Right) A group of students from DeSales University slept outside to develop a deeper understanding of the realities of homelessness in our nation’s capitol. Photos courtesy of Anna Katherine Thomas

“They didn’t look at me with disgust. They didn’t look down on me, but at the same time they completely ignored me,” said George DiFiore, also from DeSales. “So I was invisible to them.” Because many participants struggle with the concept of accepting money they received while masking as homeless people, they are encouraged to use leftover money to buy meals for people they met living on the street. “We bought about $70 worth of McDonald’s [meals] and handed them out around the park on our second night,” DiFiore said. Students are not to “bust their cover” unless it is to avoid arrest or in case of a dire emergency. “I always kid the students that it would be good for the movement if a group of college students got arrested for looking homeless,” Stoops said. After the 48 hours are over, the students return and have a time of reflection on the challenge with Stoops and their guides. Students mostly struggle with the constant walking, being ignored in society when people perceive them to be homeless, maintaining their cover story when people want to help them off the streets and boredom, guide Andre Colter said. One of the main lessons that can be learned from the trip is to not take the small things for granted: a friendly smile or a wave can make a day, said Matthew Juliano, another DeSales participant. While the program opens students’ minds to what street life can be like, it cannot replicate the effect that true homelessness has on an individual. After all, the students have their own lives waiting for them when the challenge ends. “Now, of course I don’t have the exact idea of what it is like to be homeless, because of course one thing that was in my mind was that … I would be able to go back to college after a couple of days, but I feel like I did get a much better understanding of what it was like to be homeless compared to the time before I went on that trip,” Olson said. The challenge has a way of teaching participants the serious roles that both empathy and sympathy play when dealing with the homeless, according to Danelski. “Having that human sympathy for your fellow brothers … increased my compassion for the homeless,” Olson said.

Vendor Sybil Taylor Shares her Favorite Christmas memories By Sybil Taylor Vendor As winter arrives Christmas is around the corner Time to be jolly and holly and happy What joy to enjoy the sounds of Christmas Music, Christmas carols, sung by the tree Christmas greetings from across the world Little children how they glow at Christmas Morning with lots of toys and presents All from Saint Nick The joy in their eyes of a wonderful Christmas Reflection of Christmas with silver and gold Decorations sparkling so brightly A new king is born in Bethlehem

Sybil Taylor created this holiday collage.

By Mary and Joseph—greatest parents Christmas brings lots of love to each and everyone The church, the homeless and needy and sick Christmas is shared by having Christmas Dinners with ham, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, greens, potatoes, baked cookies, candy, fruit cake nuts, peanuts, favorite candy and drinks A shining star that twinkles in the sky Time to make a Christmas wish What is your wish for Santa to bring you? Mine is a special day—I was born on Christmas day A wonderful birthday and special greetings to the whole world Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night

2Comics & Games

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STREET SENSE December 21, 2011 - January 4, 2012

Editorial

By Brittney Brown Editorial Volunteer “Homeless people are drug addicts that smell like urine.” This misguided comment moved me to action. Ignorance causes many us to have preconceived notions about people we know nothing about. In the process, we can dehumanize victims of poverty. But why are there so many negative stereotypes associated with being homeless? Is it because of what is shown or not shown in the media, each individuals’ upbringing, or what we personally witness? To better understand society’s view of homelessness, I interviewed people living and working in D.C. I chose D.C. because it is the nation’s capital. If the problem is real here, it must be real everywhere in the United States. I went to Union Station, Dupont Circle and Capitol Hill. and surveyed 106 people in one day. Each interview fo-

By Jeffery McNeil Vendor It is hard to believe that 2011 is over. I decided to look through my journal to see what progress I have made in the past year and what I have accomplished. As I look through my diary, I find many material blessings. However, the progress I am most grateful for has been spiritual. The greatest rewards have been the gifts of serenity and hope, as well as humility. Without those, any material things would be meaningless.Here are some of the things I am most thankful for and proud of this year:

Rescuing my father... One day I was at the farmers market here in D.C. when I got a call from my father in New Jersey saying he needed to go to the hospital. He had been in and out of the hospital for the past few years dealing with blood clots and prostate problems. When he said he was ill I was distraught because I didn’t have any money to go to New Jersey to help him. When one of my customers asked me how I was doing I said terrible and told him the situation. He offered to drive me to New Jersey which took six hours. When we arrived at

cused on three basic questions: What do you think when you see a homeless person? Why do you feel this way? What do you do when they ask for money? The results to this survey were shocking, but not surprising. Thirty-three interviewees said homeless people are strung out on drugs, are alcoholics, have some type of mental disorder or are just plain lazy. Another 28 people said they don’t think about homeless people and ignore them when they have an encounter. Twenty-four people said they either give them money or some type of food/beverage, and 21 people declined to comment. After I surveyed these people, I realized that I needed to dig deeper. Are homeless people really drug addicts, pan-handling for their next fix? Or do we judge people based on appearances?

Jimmy’s Story As I was walking on F Street in North-

my dad’s apartment, he r was vomiting blood and could not go to the bathroom. He was talking about dying and what he want to leave me. So we rushed him to the hospital. He slowly recovered. Today he is in great health, going to the beach and driving his pickup truck.

Finding my brother after a long search... A week after taking my father to the hospital, I checked my email. There I found a message from my aunt that said my long-lost brother had been in contact with my relatives. I was overjoyed because my dad said he would like to see my brother. I finally called him and tears streamed down my eyes. Even though I have not visited him yet, I send him messages on Facebook and call him. Knowing my brother is OK lifted a heavy burden off me and I no longer have to regret my past. Finding my brother made me realize there is a God.

I have been sober for two-and-ahalf years... I think the greatest present I received this year is the road to recovery. My two-year battle staying away from drugs and alcohol has not been easy. I went through many adversities on this journey. My wonderful aunt

west, I saw a man who appeared to be homeless sitting in front of a CVS pharmacy. His name was Jimmy and we spoke for nearly two hours. He was a 57-yearold former Marine who moved to D.C. in 1998. His then-wife, “Rose,” had an affair with Jimmy’s best friend and, as a result, transmitted AIDS to Jimmy. Jimmy said he worked for many years, but was terminated when his employer learned of his medical condition. He said this happened repeatedly and in 2005 he found himself homeless and unable to work. Now, he spends most of his days sitting on the corner trying to make enough money to eat, drink and buy medicine. When he gets enough money for his medication, Jimmy walks 21 blocks to Rite Aid because CVS doesn’t accept his insurance card. “The walk is inconvenient,” Jimmy said, “but when it comes to my health, I would walk 1,000 blocks.” Jimmy is not a drug addict and he

does not smell like urine. He is a religious, God-fearing man who grew up singing in the church choir and who still loves to sing. He wants a job. He wants to be independent again so he doesn’t have to depend on random acts of kindness by benevolent strangers. A common assumption is that people experiencing homelessness lack ambition or motivation and want to leech off others. Jimmy wants to beat AIDS and continue with his life. He is homeless not by his own choosing, lack of will or addiction, but because of circumstances beyond his control. Regardless of whatever degree you possess, type of car you drive or amount of money you make, homelessness can happen. In a depleted economy, many of us aren’t at too far from the streets. The next time you see a homeless person please remember that he or she has a story, and is someone’s son or daughter. He or she could be you or I.

died. I faced a worrisome test for colon cancer. I struggled to keep a roof over my head and to stay sane while living bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. Sometimes I say, “Why me?” However, I also realize my burden may be an example to others so I no longer sit in my resentments. Telling my story may help someone else who is struggling with mental illness.

pers, I was happy. I remember my first story was about the bedbugs at Franklin Shelter. As I re-read some of the articles I wrote, I cringe but I keep on writing and and continue to educate myself by reading all different kinds of books. My writing success is not my own. I have a vast number of people who are kind and patient enough to review my articles. I have learned that a writer without any editor can make some crazy statements. I am not ashamed to ask someone to read my material before it is printed. When someone came to me about publishing a book I was excited. Since publishing my book, I have sold an estimated 300 copies.

I published my first book and sold more than 300 copies... It is hard to believe that five years ago I was sleeping under a subway station. I reeked of urine and people would hold their nose whenever I came around. I was mocked by people. My life changed when I decided to leave New Jersey and come to Washington, D.C. The first three months in D.C., I was still drifting and was tossed out of shelters and beaten up. The last shelter I was thrown out of was Franklin Shelter. I did not know it at that time, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me. All I had was 25 cents to buy a Street Sense newspaper, a bible, a pen and a notebook. When Laura Osuri, the founder of Street Sense, told me I could be published and receive free newspa-

Resolutions... My resolution this year is to publish a bestselling novel or play. As long as I stay sober and take my medications, this goal does not seem impossible. My last resolution is to take my writing to the next level and see what the market is willing to pay me. Like everyone else, looking for a job has been a struggle, but I hope this year will be the year when I can sell Street Sense part-time and find suitable employment. Even though I had a good year, I am looking for brighter rewards for 2012.

Fiction

By Ivory Wilson Vendor Kathy is a beautiful lawyer. Every morning Kathy takes her dog out for his morning walk at the corner of 7th and E Street, NW. His name is Sade. In Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Kathy goes on her skiing trip every year. She raised Sade from a pup. The bond is strong between the two and Kathy hates leaving Sade here when she goes on her trip. This winter Kathy decides to take Sade along. When she goes skiing, she will leave Sade with the lodge dog sitter. Kathy packs up, drives to the airport and puts Sade in a small cage. Kathy turns Sade over to cargo and flies three-and-ahalf hours to Jackson Hole. She worries about Sade, below in cargo, the whole trip. Once the plane lands, Kathy is the

first person door waiting at the cargo for Sade. The door opens and they hand Sade over. She sits his cage on the ground and Sade comes out strutting around in the snow, proud to be here with his owner. The snow-covered mountains in Wyoming are beautiful packed ski slopes. Kathy and Sade check into the ski lodge. In their room, Kathy begins to unpack, and opens the balcony door. Sade runs outside barking at the mountains and playing in the snow. Kathy gets on her cell phone to call Carl, and tell him that she and Sade have arrived. here from Washington, D.C.?” “It was okay, but I was a little worried about Sade in cargo because they

as well, but everything turned out okay.” Kathy answers. “I’ll see you in an hour,” Carl says. “OK,” Kathy hungs up. Kathy and Carl have been dating for two years. Carl has a single enthrough the mountains together. Carl drives over to the ski lodge and they take Sade downstairs to the lobby to go outside for a walk. Skiers see Sade and stop to pet him. Kathy and Carl walk, holding hands, while Sade plays in the snow. They are want to fly high up onto a mountain, land, and ski down the mountain together. A big winter storm is heading for Jackson Hole, however, and it brings a whiteout with it. After their long walk, Kathy takes Sade back to her room

and leaves to go downstairs for dinner with Carl. Randal, Carl’s friend, is at the lodge waiting in his plane for them

back to the lodge in Carl’s plane. The ski trip down the mountain takes two-and-a-half hours to the lodge. The next morning they leave, with Sade in care of the dogsitter. Kathy and Carl take off flying up the snow-covered mountain. The wind picks up, blowing the small plane around. The storm has hit the small plane, the engine stalls and the plane crashes. Carl is badly hurt and pinned down so he cannot move. Kathy is alive but unconscious. The plane never made it up the mountain. It is only two miles up the mountain away from the lodge, but the whiteout has hit.

STREET SENSE December 21, 2011 - January 3, 2012

153

vendor writing

Frosty Got Pinched and Other Doing Along the Chester River By Chris Shaw “Cowboy Poet” Once you cross the Bay Bridge, the wild barbaric yawp meter (and the steering wheel of that rented Kia “horse”) can drag the intrepid wanderer dozens of different directions. All the way to the end of the peninsula on Tilghman Island crunchy clam bites in a ball of tin foil are undeniably the national snack, and “Heck, I’m just a simple waterman,” especially around Jingle Bell time, gets anyone a free pass to be plum goofy. In Salisbury, wander freely among the 1950’s style seasonal displays and perhaps pause to buy a spool of red ribbon for a buck and change. Across the Oxford ferry, the mystery and poetry readings continue in full sway behind a rime of frost in the old two-room library: getting stranded there is not such a bad fate, either! If you drive away from the Point and up through Centreville and its quaint and bizarre twin Victorian main streets, you land in Chestertown, which, if God spun the arrow to “Go”, I for one would unquestionably take the wheels of the

By David Denny Vendor Kia, ship it back to DC on a barge or flatboat, head for the Imperial Hotel bar with Joe and Jeannie and start slurping virgin Bellini’s without a moment’s hesitation. But what ho? Last week, two state troopers grabbed Frosty the Snowman, wrestled him to the sidewalk outside Play It Again Sam, that Chestertown temple of Bohemia. “Frosty”, alias “Billy”, would have been free to flee. Apparently, in the ensuing fracas, he bopped an arresting constable with the snowman head. That counts as assault in most places, even here. Meanwhile, life goes on. Lucy, the Goose, who passed away in recent memory, is still mourned. The lovable Clumber spaniel, however, still clambers in a gaily bedecked clapboard house behind the Historical Museum. In the cellar of said museum, it is okay to handle the rusty kettle on the hob and imagine dancing ladies with ruffled caps brewing cranberry soup to the tune of a bowed fiddle. Fiddle-Dee-Dee!

My father used to sit me on his lap and recite poetry to me by Edgar Allan Poe. I was very young and the only part of the poem I remember is, “nevermore, nevermore, nevermore…” Later, I learned this poem was about an eerie black bird and an desperate old man. “The Raven” was my father’s favorite poem. I sat on my father’s lap filled with rapture and awe while listening to him recite the great poets. But in truth, I was just confused. I believe somewhere after stanza and before pentameter I was converted. I now love poetry. Through serendipity, I now possess some of my father’s old poetry. A treasure for me. One day my aunt came to visit my mother bearing a photo album resembling an ancient tomb. To everyone’s surprise, my father’s original poems were stuck behind some of the pictures in this old photo album. It was the best Christmas gift that I have ever received.

On Christmas Day Even though you’re far away I send my love on Christmas day With all the love I can impart and This special poem straight from my heart. So while we light and trim the tree Please read this special gift from me. I hope you’re always filled with cheer On Christmas and throughout the year. And even if we don’t get snow Our loving God will always show. Merry Christmas, Dad.

h C y r r e

, s a m t s i r

M No fish today - Fiddle-Dee-Dee! Photo by Chris Shaw

d a D

Negativity, part 1: Taking Illusion is the True Lie Advantage By Jaamill Hipps Vendor Illusion is the true lie. All of us are victims and very few will recover from this illusion of negative thinking that you have to be hard-hearted to survive in this world. That’s not what Jesus taught. For as long as I can remember, television, radio, society, my environment and community have been bombarded with negativity. If a Chinese baby was born in the United States it would be American. Not even knowing how to speak Chinese, the baby would not even understand his or her culture. Therefore, if a child is born into a negative environment, it will not know positiveness nor will he or she fully understand it. Everything you see today came from a thought. We all play a major role because we are the predecessors of the future. We are molding. Why does it seem like evil outweighs good? Why is evil so prevalent and glorified on television, radio, in society and communities? Yet we all know that our environment is a product of our negative thinking, loving it, glorifying and worshiping it through our speech, actions and deeds. Now positivity seems like a foreign entity. Man is not sensitive to the needs of man that he does not like the feeling, but he rebukes it because he does not understand the whole of being humble and its outcome upon the world. He feels soft like a pushover, his heart is hard and he will raise your future in his ignorant image.

By Phillip Black The “Cat in the Hat” Now look around.Why can’t we see that we are at war here and the devil is in the reflection of our negative thinking as a whole of humanity? We have been tricked so that we will not know what is negative and what is not because we have taught by our elders that this is the way things are so this is how you have to be. Look at what we have built around the world with how we were taught to think. We look at our elders as being old and wise so we blindly follow when we see the outcome of many nations before us. We have to stop tolerating these character traits in ourselves and in our households. We have to play our individual role of setting an example for the way we want our world to be. We have to realize that our negative thinking is destroying everything. When God told Satan to bow to Adam and he refused, then Satan said that he will lead as many astray as he can. So what better way to lead a nation astray than to make negativity seem like the right thing to do? We are all being tricked one generation at a time. This is not a white man’s world or a black man’s problem. Evil has many nationalities and when all those evils come together this is what we get. We the people promote, condone and tolerate this in ourselves and in our environment and it has a ripple affect around the globe it, touches everything.

One of the main reasons why I love selling Street Sense papers is that I take advantage of what Washington D.C. has to offer. While selling at Eastern Market, I had the opportunity to meet Elinnor Homles Norton. We had a great conversation about life, family, and politics. She did more than just buy a Street Sense: she gave me a lot of insight and information that really helped me. On weekends, Eastern Market is the second best flea market in the world, so I take advantage of being there. Another popular location I take advantage of is Ford’s Theater. Selling there, I met Sam Waterson, son of Law and Order. I was amazed that he was involved with the homeless. He said he was proud of me for selling, and told me to keep up the good work.

D.C. is one of the most popular places for tourists, and its many attractions are great places to sell Street Sense. I really feel, it’s important that all Street Sense vendors take advantage of special events around Washington that draw such assorted crowds. Not only can you sell your papers, but you’ll be surprised with all of the people you will meet. At the same time, you can enjoy some wonderful sights around town. Happy Holidays to all!

Service Spotlight: Thrive D.C. By Case Keltner Editorial Intern Providing its clients with a diverse mix of comprehensive services, Thrive DC extends a helping hand to those who find themselves homeless. Like many organizations working to combat this social injustice, Thrive DC hopes to discover a lasting solution to prevent and eventually eradicate homelessness. Since opening in 1979 as the Dinner Program for Homeless Women, Thrive has expanded to serving men and women in the greater Washington community. Now, the organization has earned a reputation as one of the most renowned organizations fighting homelessness in the nation’s capital. After merely acting as a first response to the wave of homelessness at the onset of the 1980s, Thrive now offers case management, educational programming and job

Department of Mental Health Access Hotline 1-888-7WE HELP (1-888-793-4357)

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

training. The comprehensive program finds solutions to provide for clients’ personal needs and helps to prepare them for the job market. Thrive DC has transformed from an initial wall of defense to an elaborate safety net for people facing economic adversity. Volunteers of all ages have the opportunity to participate in the Many Hands program, which emphasizes the saying that “many hands make light work.” Whether simply preparing meals through the Daily Bread/Daily Needs program or leading enrichment activities with the Links program, volunteers have numerous opportunities to get involved. For more information, visit http:// www.thrivedc.org

STREET SENSE December 21, 2011 - January 3, 2012

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MEDICAL RESOURCES

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

Christ House 1717 Columbia Road, NW (202) 328–1100, www.christhouse.org Unity Health Care, Inc. 3020 14th Street, NW (202) 745–4300,www.unityhealthcare.org

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

Whitman–Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW (202) 797–3500, www.wwc.org

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

FOOD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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

Shelter Hotline: 1–800–535–7252

VENDOR PROFILE: Laurie hayes

The Last Word: Everyone has a story

By Hannah Traverse Editorial Intern

By Sarah Fleischman Editorial Intern

By the time this profile is published, Lorrie Hayes will be getting settled into h e r n e w, one-bedroom apartment. After spending about nine months at the Center for Creative Non-Violence Shelter, Hayes moved into her own place on Dec. 1. Hayes grew up across the bridge in Crystal City and Alexandria, Va. She became homeless when her mother, who she was living with, passed away. The rent was just too high for her to handle by herself. Hayes heard about Street Sense from a friend and began selling the paper in May 2010. “Street Sense has helped me so much. I meet new people, great people. I give out lots of hugs,” Hayes said. “Thanks to Street Sense, I’m back on my feet.” Hayes has been carefully saving her money from selling Street Sense and using it to buy food and personal items. When she did this interview, she was excited about stocking the kitchen in her new apartment with all her favorite junk food to celebrate moving in. However, with her big smile and heart, every day is a kind of celebration for Hayes. “I’m a little bit on the spoiled side… My customers love my smile and my pleasant personality,” Hayes said.

“They say I brighten their day because the first thing they hear when they get off the train is ‘Good Morning!’” “I love my customers!” she added. Some of these customers even buy meals and coffee for her, which she is extremely grateful for. However, Hayes knows that others are more in need than her, so she has a history of giving away her breakfast to the hungry. Hayes knows that part of being a good saleswoman is presenting herself well. She pays special attention to her appearance and always applies lip gloss. She admits her favorite color is a little flashy but she likes how it looks and it tastes good too. She adores having fun with customers, joking that it is her birthday just to see them laugh. Hayes loves experiencing new things. She finds different kinds of church services to be interesting. Her favorite service so far has been a Catholic mass, but she still wants to attend a Presbyterian service. Hayes sells Street Sense in front of the Staples store at the corner of 13th and H Streets, NW. She is there every Tuesday and Thursday.

FUN FACTS Favorite Food: Pizza – loaded with pepperoni, sausage, extra cheese and anchovies Favorite Book: Gone with the Wind Favorite Movie: Mommy Dearest

Klever’s Comics #3: Season’s Greetings!

December 21, 2011 - January 3, 2012 • Volume 9 • Issue 3

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC

Washington, DC 20005

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There are stories everywhere. I’ve learned in my time interning here at Street Sense that stories can be found in unexpected places. My newest hobby is sewing. I don’t sew from patterns. I buy ugly old clothes from thrift stores and make them stylish. I follow fashion blogs for inspiration. I found a story about homelessness on one of those blogs--a fashion blog! I found a story about homelessness in Seventeen Magazine. These are the rags to riches stories, but they are still about homelessness. Being homeless shaped designer Nary Manivong’s career in fashion. It caused Zoe Damacela to start her first business and turned her into a Seventeen cover girl. The next time you pass a homeless person on the street, remember that he or she has a story. The story may be more interesting than yours. Hardship creates good stories. Although nothing compared to the difficulties of being homeless, my own

life’s hardship helped me with an article I wrote. I wore a key necklace for several years. It was a symbol to me of everything I’ve been through and how good can come out of the bad. I have a very strange connection to keys. My first key was given to me by someone very special to me, who is no longer in my life. I lost the key for several months. I lost it when I lost the person. I was devastated to lose both. Then, months later, the key turned up in an old purse of mine. I decided to wear a different key on my neck so I wouldn’t lose the original again. I lost that necklace, too. This time was at college and there was no way I’d find it. Looking for a tiny key on a college campus would be impossible. I went into my job on campus one day a few weeks later and found it hanging on the bulletin board in the office. I have since stopped wearing a key every day, but they still mean a lot to me. I will wear a key every once in a while . I decided to wear one to the Street Sense office one day and Mary (our editor-inchief) commented on it. I told her about the strange connection I have to keys. A few hours later, Mary received an email from an organization called Key for Hope that recycles old keys and uses the money to help the poor. Wearing a key necklace turned into a story. Everyone you pass on the street has a story. Some of the people you will meet know more stories than you do. Take some time to hear people’s stories. It will change you.

Permit #568

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by Chino Dean Vendor