12 26 2018

VOL. 16 ISSUE 4

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DEC. 26, 2018 - JAN. 8, 2019

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The nonprofit that produces the Sesame Street television show included homelessness in a character’s backstory and produced free resources for homeless children and families.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SESAME STREET WORKSHOP

sesamestreeincommunities.org

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The Street Sense Media Story, #MoreThanANewspaper Originally founded as a street newspaper in 2003, Street Sense Media has evolved into a multimedia center using a range of creative platforms to spotlight solutions to homelessness and empower people in need. The men and women who work with us do much more than sell this paper: They use fi lm, photography, theatre, illustration, and more to share their stories with our community.

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At Street Sense Media, we defi ne ourselves through our work, talents, and character, not through our housing situation.

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EVENTS

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NEWS IN BRIEF ‘Sesame Street’ introduces first homeless muppet

Foster Parent Recruitment Brunch

Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind children’s television show Sesame Street, announced Dec. 12 that the show will include a new storyline featuring Lily, a 7-year-old Muppet and her family, as they experience homelessness. Sesame Workshop stated they hope Lily’s character is 7 years old and does not have a perament address.

Lily’s story will help erase the COURTESY OF SESAME WORKSHOP stigma around homelessness.

Lily was first introduced to Sesame Street viewers in 2011 to discuss food insecurity and hunger. Sesame Workshop said in a press release that they created this storyline “to offer help and hope to the growing number of young children across the United States who are experiencing homelessness.” In addition to Lily, they have also created free bilingual resources which include coping activities for children who are experiencing homelessness and tools for parents to navigate conversations with their children about homelessness.

Saturday, Jan. 5 // 10 am - 2 pm Ivy City Smokehouse // 1356 Okie Street NE

Sesame Workshop’s resources can be found at: SesameStreetInCommunities.org/topics/family-homelessness/

The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services is hosting a free event with special guest, WPGC radio host Poet, seeking to increase foster homes located in the District of Columbia and/or immediate neighboring communities in Maryland or Virginia. The agency contracts with Foster Home Agencies, who will train, support and compensate foster parents and/or foster couples to provide a healthy, nurturing home environment and to serve as positive, caring adults in the lives of our youth when their natural families are unable, for a variety of reasons, to care for them. MORE INFO: Anesha Parker at anesha.parker@dc.gov

DC bathroom bill passes final vote

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31

UPDATES ONLINE AT ICH.DC.GOV

OPTIONS AVAILABLE JAN. 8 - JAN.10

Alternative New Year’s Eve Party

D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness Meetings

2019 Point-in-Time Count Volunteer Training

8 pm - 1 am Peace Fellowship Church (behind IDEA Charter School) 1027 45th Street NE Organized by Rev. Delonte Gholston. The party will invite and hold up people who have lost loved ones to police violence and brutality in 2018 and previous years. It will also provide a safe space for the celebration.

Housing Solutions Committee Jan. 9, 1:30 pm // Location TBD, Likley at 1800 MLK Jr Ave SE *Committee schedules only.

For issue-focused working groups, contact ich.info@ dc.gov.

First Congregational United Church of Christ // 945 G St NW On the night of Jan. 23, vounteers will conduct a count and survey of people experiencing homelessness in the District of Columbia. Each volunteer must RSVP and attend one training: • • • •

Tuesday, Jan. 8 // 6 pm Wednesday, Jan. 9 // 6 pm Thursday, Jan. 10 // 11 am Thursday, Jan. 10 // 6 pm

MORE INFO: http://DCPit.org Submit your event for publication by e-mailing editor@streetsensemedia.org

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During the last D.C. Council legislative session of 2018, the Public Restroom Facilities Installation & Promotion Act of 2018 passed its second and final reading. The bill will be transmitted to Mayor Bowser for her signature. As Street Sense Media has previously reported, this legislation began with research and advocacy conducted by a group of predominantly homeless and formerly homeless advocates in 2014. A legislative response was eventually championed

by Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and a draft was introduced by her along with At-Large Councilmembers David Grosso, Elissa Silverman and Robert White.

After the vote, Nadeau thanked a number of entities in a Tweet for their advocacy to support and inform the legislation: The People for Fairness Coalition, Jews United for Justice, the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, The Way Home Campaign, the DowntownDC Business Improvement District.

U.S. Homelessness increased for the second year in a row Homelessness in the United States increased for the second year in a row, according to HUD’s 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. Between 2017 and 2018, the number of homeless people on a single night increased by 0.3 percent, totaling a rough estimate of 553,000 individuals — one in every 600 Americans.

During a press call for the report release, HUD Secretary Ben Carson said the amount of people experiencing homelessness is “largely unchanged,” however, between 2017 and 2018, the number of unsheltered individuals increased by three percent.

The number of homeless individuals in the District and 29 states increased between 2017-2018. The 372,417 homeless individuals throughout the United States account for 67 percent of the total homeless population.

Overall homelessness in the District decreased between 2017-2018, homelessness in the District increased between 2007 and 2018.

“While these year-to-year numbers are important, the trends overtime can give us a bigger picture of the progress we are making,” Matthew Dougherty, Director of U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness said during the call.

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NEWS

BIDs’ complicated relationship with people experiencing homelessness

A map of existing BIDs in the District from the 2017 D.C. BID Profiles report.Labels have been added and an approximation of the new Dupont BID area has been overlayed.

MAP BY D.C. BID COUNCIL

BY KIRA BARRETT Editorial Intern

W

alking along any street in downtown Washington, D.C., you’re likely to see someone clad in a red uniform jacket.

And they’re likely beautifying the street, giving directions, or aiding someone experiencing homelessness. A bystander might assume this is a government employee, but the red uniform signifies a “SAM,” a.k.a. a Safety, Hospitality, and Maintenance worker for the DowntownDC Business Improvement District.

Business improvement districts (BIDs), funded by taxes collected from businesses in the designated area, serve to increase property values, attract businesses to the office space, and drive population growth.

BIDs do this in a variety of ways, such as hiring “ambassadors” to patrol the streets and help passersby, cleaning up trash, doing yard work, and maintenance and holding community events.

Despite the fact that BIDs are responsible for many positive projects, a history of tension with homeless advocates has shown they can also cause harm to homeless people living in the area. Initial criticism of BIDs became public in the 1980s and 90s, when the New York Times exposed a “goon squad” in New York, working for the Grand Central Partnership BID. The workers were told to beat up anyone living unsheltered on the streets if they did not move. While this was an extreme example of violence against the homeless community, BIDs have since been scrutinized for other actions like anti-camping ordinances and encampment cleanups.

People on the street A recent report from UC-Berkeley Law analyzed 11 BIDs in different California cities and found these private organizations were responsible for

Capitol Riverfront BID

discriminating against homeless people, forcing them off the streets and lobbying for laws that criminalized behavior associated with homelessness. The report called them “homeless exclusion districts.”

Because of these practices, members of the local homeless communities tended not to trust or engage with any social services the California BIDs provided, which further excluded them.

“They look at us like we’re trash,” said one homeless man quoted in the report.

D.C. BIDs have had more mixed responses from members of the homeless community and their advocates. One key difference between California and the District is D.C. city code prohibits BIDs from lobbying on legislative or administrative actions regarding property. And several D.C. BIDs and “Main Streets programs employ people who have experienced homelessness by contracting their clean teams through Central Union Mission.

Nevertheless, BIDS remain conscientious of their image. One D.C. BID employee contacted for this story accidentally copied Street Sense Media on a note to their supervisor, writing “Should I engage with them at all? My first instinct is to not respond.”

The NoMa Business Improvement District has been criticized this year since embarking on construction related to a $2 million lightbased art installation for three underpasses in the BID, which required the homeless people taking shelter in those underpasses to move on.

Anacostia BID

At the first site, on M Street NE just outside the NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro station, the D.C. government conducted an “immediate disposition” in February 2018, forcing the people encamped there to move with limited notice and make way for the art installation.

“I was angry. It didn’t look like something so needed … it was kind of ridiculous,” said Gabriela Sevilla, a third-year law student at Howard University who lives within the NoMa BID. “It could have been done in a more compassionate way. They pushed a bunch of people out to do an art installation, which I don’t know how it serves the community either,” Sevilla said.

NoMa BID president Robin Eve-Jasper pointed out that the cleanup was conducted

by city government, not NoMa BID. “Tragically, there isn’t a single simple solution that will serve all people who are encamped,” EveJasper said. “We do assist with outreach, trying to help connect people with services through the city or private service providers. We have also helped warn them about the dangers posed by certain drugs circulating, like the bad batches of K2 that killed and injured so many this summer. “ F i n a l l y, w e h e l p

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

percentage points in the District, approximately 40 more people will fall into homelessness.

But neighborhoods and local businesses want the kind of support and investment that business improvement districts can provide, according to David Whitehead, the housing organizer for the nonprofit blog and advocacy organization Greater Greater Washington.

To his point, Bisnow reported that there were five new BIDs starting to organize in DC last year, including the Dupont Circle BID. If the housing in an area that is about to receive investment or development is cheaper, Whitehead said the city must move quickly to use covenants, the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, and other affordability preservation strategies to ensure it remains affordable while neighborhood land values rise, thus building wealth for the owners.

“We can invest in neighborhoods and business and maintain opportunities for lowcost housing,” Whitehead insisted. “It’s hard but doable. It takes a public sector that can keep pace with the private market and do those preservation deals early and often.”

alleviate the unsafe and unsanitary conditions in the underpasses by removing trash and periodically washing away dirt and excrement.”

The cost of housing

Driving up property values increases rental income for landlords and tax revenue for the area, which may appeal to wealthy companies and individuals. However, increased costs put both housing and office space out of reach for low-income households, small businesses and nonprofit tenants. Higher costs can also be used to justify higher price tags on goods and services from affected businesses.

“BIDs tend to represent property owners who have a vested interest in increasing property values and who overwhelmingly tend to oppose measures promoting affordable housing,” said Ben Holtzman, a scholar focused on housing advocacy.

For example,The Capitol Riverfront BID, according to their annual report, has set goals to steeply increase income and property tax revenue, based on the fact that Investing in solutions “property values and household incomes” have increased within BID boundaries. In the Golden Triangle, the average income of The DowntownDC BID is the largest someone living in the BID was $108,000 in of 11 business improvement districts in 2017, and average income of someone living the city — including the Dupont Circle within a half-mile is $123,000.

BID that launched Nov 29 — and seems Some BIDs do make efforts to allow for to have more positive experiences with the affordable housing. In Mount Vernon Triangle homeless community.

— the most expensive neighborhood for According to Gerald Anderson, a Street renting an apartment in D.C. according to Sense Media vendor who sells his papers RentCafe data — the Mount Vernon Triangle downtown, the street outreach workers Community Improvement District opened the employed by DowntownDC give directions “Plaza West” affordable housing complex in and assistance, but only when people need it.

October. It is specifically designed for low“They are good people,” Anderson said as he income grandparents who are raising their waved to a familiar face in a red jacket. grandchildren and older residents making Four SAM workers were approached by 30-40 percent of the median income.

Street Sense Media for an interview but [Read more: D.C. opens its first affordable said they are not allowed to talk to the press housing community for grandfamilies] regarding their work. DowntownDC refused These BIDs have extraordinary resources Street Sense Media’s request to interview and “the power to shape urban spaces,” adds a SAM, instead providing quotes from the Holtzman. “While BIDs focus on commercial department of communications. areas, commercial and residential areas in The DowntownDC BID has also partnered dense cities with Pathways to are closely Housing D.C., concentrated and a nonprofit often directly that provides overlap onto one permanent another.” housing and New research comprehensive released on Dec. medical services 11 by the real for people living estate company on the street Zillow explicitly and in shelters. tied increased According to the David Whitehead rent burdened to DowntownDC increase risk of website, the BID homelessness. “Communities where people has a 16-year history of outreach to the spend more than 32 percent of their income homeless community and has been partnered on rent can expect a more rapid increase in with Pathways to Housing since 2007. The homelessness,” according to the report, which DowntownDC BID funds a Pathways to specifically noted D.C. is “in the cluster where Housing outreach team to provide services worsening affordability is most likely to affect to people living unsheltered in the business homeless numbers.” improvement district.

Based on federal guidelines for public In 2017, the BID hired a director of homeless housing, any expense on housing above services to manage a new downtown homeless 30 percent of your income is considered services center. Originally slated when “burdened.” Zillow’s research estimates that hypothermia season began Nov. 1,, the center if the average rent burden increases by two is now expected to open in January 2019,

“We can invest in neighborhoods and business and maintain opportunities for low-cost housing.” .

according to Sean Barry, communications director for the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services.

“It will serve as a daytime drop-in center with a goal of connecting individuals to housing services,” said Rachel Hartman, director of communications for the DowntownDC BID. According to Hartman, the BID employs more than 80 ambassadors, some of whom are formerly homeless. “Select members of our team receive extra training on homeless services to help support individuals and connect them to services. They will play a larger role when the center opens,” Hartman added.

The DowntownDC BID spent approximately $800,000 of its more than $10 million annual budget on homeless services in 2017. This money went toward moving individuals into housing, providing outreach services, supporting a weekly services center for at-risk youth, and hiring the director of homeless services.

Slightly more — over 11 percent — was spent on marketing and communications for the BID. However, the majority of the budget goes towards maintenance, safety & hospitality operations.

The director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, a nonprofit advocacy organization, praised DowntownDC work as compared to other BIDs nationally. The DowntownDC BID has dedicated themselves

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to working with the homeless community, NCH interim director Megan Hustings said.

[Read more: Homeless youth are finding community at a downtown drop-in center] The Golden Triangle BID — which encompasses the area bordered by Dupont Circle, Washington Circle, H Street and 16th Street — has followed in the DowntownDC BID’s footsteps and funded a Pathways to Housing outreach team to operate in their district for several years.

Other BIDs in the District operate ambassador programs, including the NoMa BID and The Capitol Hill BID, and have staff trained in homeless outreach services, CPR, and the history and geography of the area.

However, the main function of these groups is general safety, not homelessness outreach.

Thus far, DowntownDC and Golden Triangle are the only BIDs in the District of Columbia funding a homeless outreach group like Pathways to Housing.

“The situation in D.C. is very different than the situation outlined in the report in California. I think DowntownDC has a great partnership with the homeless community,” Hustings said.

The new homeless daytime service center will be located at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1313 New York Ave. NW. Eric Falquero contributed reporting.

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Christ House the only residential medical facility dedicated to healing the lives of sick and homeless men in Washington, D.C.

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NEWS The mayor cut funding for housing counseling and increased funding for needs assessments within shelters

BY SAMANTHA CARUSO Editorial Intern

Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration cut, and then partially reinstated, fiscal year 2019 funding for housing counseling services. Across-the-board funding cuts related to a federal block grant program, totallying $3.4 million dollars and overseen by the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development, would reduce support for at least 10 nonprofit organizations, according to an Oct. 2 report by Washington City Paper.

Housing counseling is aimed at helping D.C. residents navigate D.C. housing programs. “This funding allows community-based organizations to provide important services such as hosting training sessions for Inclusionary Zoning renter and homeownership programs, and assistance with applying for DHCD-funded home purchase programs like the Home Purchase Assistance Program,” according to a letter written

by Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau and signed by At-Large Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Elissa Silverman and Robert White and D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson.

After a month of complaints from advocates for the homeless community, including the letter from councilmembers, Mayor Bowser ordered just under one third of the funding to be restored, according to a Nov. 2 Washington City Paper report.

Also in the current fiscal year, Catholic Charities received additional federal funds to increase the number of housing counselors in their shelters to help expedite the “coordinated entry” process for those living in shelter.

This system, implemented by the Obama administration in 2014, uses a “no wrong door” policy to allow applicants to apply for housing through any service provider trained to complete assessments for the program, alleviating the need to travel from place to place. Applications from across the city are pooled and triaged to identify the applicants who are most vulnerable, based on a “vulnerability index” score. When placements become available, those deemed most vulnerable receive housing assistance first.

According to Adam Rocap, co-chair of the D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness work group focused on coordinated entry, this funding increase mainly ensures shelter residents have equal access to this system.

“For a long time, there haven’t been enough services in shelters to do case management for everyone that’s there,” Rocap told Street Sense Media. “If there aren’t enough services in shelter, it’s harder for someone who’s just in shelter to access coordinated entry. But bringing more case managers into shelters makes coordinated entry more accessible to that group.”

The addition of new housing counselors, though, raises a more pressing issue: a lack of housing for the homeless.

“At the end of the day, we can only match people to housing for as many housing units as we have,” Rocap said. “We have far more people who need housing than there are housing resources.”

The means of how Catholic Charities obtained such funding could not be confirmed. The Department of Human Services, the Department of Housing and Community Development and Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington declined to comment.

Research funded by the real estate company Zillow and released on Dec. 14 said the average District resident pays 38 percent of their income toward rent and that if the cost of rent increased enough to drive that percentage up to 40 percent, approximately 40 more people would fall into homelessness.

“Washington, D.C., is in the cluster where worsening affordability is most likely to affect homeless numbers,” the report said.

From left: Robert Warren of the People for Fairness Coalition, Caitlin Cocilova of the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, Parisa Norouzi of Empower D.C. particpated in the D.C. Grassroots Planning Coalition council visit on Nov. 30. From right: Dorothy Davis of the Brookland Manor Residents Assocaition spoke with a staffer for Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie.

PHOTO BY REGINALD BLACK

Activists visit DC Council to reiterate their Comprehensive Plan priorities

BY REGINALD BLACK, A.K.A. “DA STREET REPORTIN’ ARTIST” Artist/Vendor

Members of the D.C. Grassroots Planning Coalition visited D.C. councilmembers on Nov. 30 to talk about the need for tougher protections against displacement and gentrification in the overhaul of the city’s comprehensive plan that began in 2017.

The plan, which governs zoning, development and land use throughout the District, was first created in the 80’s, thanks to a law that requires the mayor to submit to the council a plan for land use for the purpose of guiding development and policies that the District will need over time. Over the years the city-led plan has changed dramatically. Both the Anthony Williams administration and the Vincent Gray administration spent significant time amending it.

Changes the Bowser administration makes could affect the future of large development projects, such as those already in progress in the Brookland Manor and Brentwood Village neighborhoods in Ward 5, both of which are older apartment complexes built in the first half of the twentieth century. These communities have been home to low-income African-Americans, many of whom belong to large multi-generational families with close ties.

According to the website of the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, ”The World War II-era buildings at Brookland Manor sit on over 20 acres of land in D.C’s Ward 5, and contain 535 affordable units, including family-sized units of 3, 4 and 5 bedrooms.”

The Legal Clinic’s “action alert” goes on to say “The ample green space the acreage offers, family-sized units,

and affordable rent has made Brookland Manor home to working class families for decades.”

Some residents have been resisting development for the past two to three years.

The Brookland Manor Residents Association has been around since 1998. Members of BMRA told D.C. Council staffers they feel strongly about being displaced. “All we are asking for is 535 [housing units]. They are getting 1,700,“ Brookland Manor tenant Dorothy Davis said in the office of Council Chairman Phil Mendelson. “I don't think they should have $56 million [for the project.] It's going to destabilize the community. We have asbestos, we have bed bugs, and we have rodents. Don't do us like D.C. General is being done.”

The tenants association, which does not represent all tenants, wants a project where everyone who is there now can stay, according to Davis.

The group then moved on to other offices to continue the push for a resolution to cement the Framework element of the comprehensive plan, which was debated in a marathon hearing earlier this year but has yet to be put before the council as draft legislation. The Framework's proposal packet was roughly 60 pages long. According to the D.C. Grassroots Planning Coalition, what they saw in the legislation does not fully agree with what the community needs as far as land use, housing information, and an end to homelessness.

Chairman Mendelson hopes to get in a vote on the Framework before the 2019 budget season this coming spring.

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// 7

AT A GLANCE

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

The holidays were always special to Latishia IMAGE COURTESY OF WENDELL WILLIAMS

BY JEFF GRAY jeff@streetsensemedia.org

T

he holidays were always special to Latishia.

She remembers clambering down the stairs alongside her brother, racing to be the first to rip the shiny paper off the toys piled under the tree.

But the holidays weren’t always easy. Her biological father was never a part of those Christmas morning scrambles. Prison visits were the only way she’d gotten to know him — he’d been incarcerated since before she can remember. She has no idea where he is today.

She’d been married herself for a while, but that broke apart within a few years. They’ve been separated since her ex moved across the country to California over 15 years ago, though they remain legally married. Latishia is currently going through the divorce process.

In recent years, Christmas Day has been spent at her mother’s house. Those days were special, Latishia is incredibly close with both her mom and stepdad. But she always wanted to be able to host her family at her own apartment.

That hadn’t been possible since at least 2012, the last time Latishia had a home of her own. She’d shared that two-bedroom, government-subsidized apartment with her youngest daughter for several years before losing it.

Latishia bounced around for a bit before being taken in by a cousin in Maryland. But the relationship was tenuous. The pair got into shouting matches that routinely ended with the cousin telling Latishia to leave.

“By the time I’d get packed up, she’d say, ‘Don’t go,’” Latishia remembers.

The stress wore on her. She could be put out at any moment.

She’d have nowhere to go.

It was around this time Latishia first met Colleen and Julie, a case management and social work duo with Street Sense Media. Latishia remembers a meeting in 2017, seated around a big table filling out an intake form. One question asked what sort of help she needed.

She turned to Colleen and Julie. “Can you please help me find somewhere to go?”

Colleen and Julie, joined by a social worker from University Legal Services, went to work. The first step was to get

The tree Latishia’s .

PHOTO BY COLLEEN COSGRIFF

Latishia out of her cousin’s house. They found an emergency overflow bed at one of the city’s shelters. It wasn’t easy — early mornings, fold-up beds, spartan living — but Latishia made the best of it. “It was kind of like being in the army.

That’s the way I approached it.”

In September 2017, Latishia was approved for governmentsubsidized housing. But the process wasn’t over yet. She had to temporarily move into a women’s transitional program as she waited for a provider and apartment to be identified. She waited. And waited. She wanted to be in her own home by Thanksgiving, but that came and went. Her final line in the sand was Christmas.

On December 22, Latishia finally moved into her new apartment. The building staff, knowing how badly Latishia had wanted to celebrate the holiday in her own home, had a tree waiting in her living room, lights already strung.

She spent Christmas day with her mom and stepdad, who came over for a party hosted by her new building. It was at that party that Latishia first spoke to George. They’d be engaged within six months.

“He kept putting his eye on me. It was like a connection thing,” she says. ““I said ‘Mom, why does this guy keep dancing in front of me?’”

“You gotta know for yourself,” her mom said, smiling.

A month and a half later, George was in the living room of her new apartment, playing music on a small speaker.

She’d asked him to DJ her housewarming party. George and her parents got along immediately, bonding over their shared love of the Oldies but Goodies. Latishia’s son and both of her daughters were there, grandchildren in tow. Julie and Colleen were there, along with social work teams from other agencies that had worked with Laticia.

As the music played, the group nibbled at a hearty spread and cut cake. Latishia, thrilled to be playing host, had decorated with her favorite color, pink.

It might not have been Christmas on the calendar, but for Latishia, surrounded by friends and family in the warmth of her own apartment, it was the holiday she’d always wanted.

After publishing his most recent “Random Acts of Kindness” article about his grandmother’s legal battle to stay in a home her family had been renting for years, Wendell Williams was able to recover a scanned copy of the 1979 Washington Post article that reported on her struggle. Thanks to the kindness of Wendell’s aunt, the full document is available here: StreetSenseMedia.org/ChristmasPast.

BIRTHDAYS Deborah Brantley Dec. 27 ARTIST/VENDOR

Evelyn Nnam Dec. 31 ARTIST/VENDOR

Ricardo Meriedy Jan. 2 ARTIST/VENDOR

Jermale McKnight Jan. 5 ARTIST/VENDOR

Our stories, straight to your inbox Street Sense Media provides a vehicle through which all of us can learn about homelessness from those who have experienced it. Sign up for our newsletter to get our vendors' stories in your inbox.

www.StreetSenseMedia.org/newsletter

8 // ST REET SENSE ME DI A / / DE C. 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 - JAN. 8, 2019

ART

This young man, Region Jones, was gracious enough to let me photograph him around the construction site. He is from Saint Kitts and NEvis in the Carribean Sea.. PHOTOS BY HENRIEESE ROBERTS

Local congregation lights the way for homeless veterans in Annapolis

BY HENRIEESE ROBERTS Artist/Vendor

M

ore veterans housing is being built in Maryland by Bowman Community Development Corporation, a project of the First Baptist Church in Annapolis.

Bowman was issued permits to demolish a vacant building located at the corner of Clay and West Washington Street, nextdoor to a building in Annapolis that was purchased by First Baptist Church years ago. The vacant building had remained an eyesore.

Approval for funding for work by Hamel Builders was tendered to construct six apartment units for the housing of veterans. A groundbreaking ceremony with city, county, and state officials was held on Dec. 6. Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley and Rev. Louis J. Boston, the pastor of First Baptist, both seemed happy to see change begin in the neighborhood.

There was a mural painted on the corner of the vacant building by a local artist within the last few months. It depicted American jazz singer Sarah Vaughn beautifully and will be missed. However, the new veterans housing is much needed and the mural was thankfully not demolished with the building, but removed and saved.

I live in Annapolis, where we walk and worship while enduring gunfire from our citizens and see some in a drugged state. There were multiple gunfights in my neighborhood last month. And a drug-induced person was present at this very groundbreaking ceremony, making animal-like noises and scratching himself. It was really embarrassing.

Godspeed to First Baptist and Bowman as they ease housing instability for our veterans in our inner cities.

City, county and state officials symbolicaly start the development for this exciting project.

PHOTO BY HENRIEESE ROBERTS

Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley and First Baptist Church Pastor Louis J. Boston, the pastor of First Baptist Church made remarks at the groundbreaking ceremoney. PHOTO BY HENRIEESE ROBERTS

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

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My misery is desperate for my ministry

BY REGINALD DENNY // Artist/Vendor

Public Restrooms

BY CLARENCE WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor

I would like to address the public restroom situations in our city. Many, many homeless people cannot use the bathrooms in many establishments unless they are customers.

Fortunately, many homeless people who have been around a long time know the few places where they can use the restroom. One is the filthy bathroom in McDonald's at 13th St. and New York Avenue N.W. Another is the Subway sandwich shop on 17th and I streets N.W. Sadly, Metro does not let you use its public restrooms in the stations, even when you are riding the train, which I think is ridiculous. A lot of this happens because establishments will have this unwritten rule about homeless people not using their bathrooms because many people who live on the street use those bathrooms every day to wash up.

So, we desperately need public restrooms in D.C.! These new pilot programs can’t start soon enough.

The story you’re about to read is true, but some of the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

As far back as I can remember, I recall my family’s card game nights. Most times, Bucky would not only have deuces and go into the tank forever, but there was food and drinks to be sold and purchased. For each game, Bucky and Teresa, his girlfriend, would get a cut of money from whoever won the game. Then, there I was onlooking to see who would win.

I had my eyes fixed on how to play and when I grasped the concept, they sometimes allowed me to play a hand or two. In the meantime though, and after the card games had ceased, I was to clean up what they messed up.

In the process of cleaning and tidying up, I remember clearly that I used to turn up leftover cups that had residual liquor in them.

In the beginning, when I would drink and consume this liquor, I would frown from the strong taste. As time went by, there were no more frowns. I became accustomed to its taste and it was no longer strong to me. As card games continued at our house, I stopped waiting until it was clean-up time.

Not even thinking about the after effects and the results of it, I became addicted to alcohol.

This is when my life became hectic and out of

PHOTOS BY LEILA DRICI

control. It got to the point where I would convince the older guys in the neighborhood to purchase alcohol for me.

This liquor gave me a feeling of invulnerability.

For a lack of better words, I became a beast. My life was spiraling out of control. I thought I was grown and I became a menace to society and authority. I did whatever I had to do to get the next drink. Oh what a tangled web we weave.

Life for me would never be the same from that point on. I am now desperate for a deliverance. When I look back over my life and I think things over, I continually say that I’ve been blessed. I got a testimony.

There was this guy who went by the name of Dr. Foot. He was called that because he had the largest feet among his peers. Dr. Foot was a basketball player and a singer/vocalist. He was the type of guy who excelled at whatever he put his hands to do.

He had a great love for basketball and was pretty good at it. He played center. Even though most people that played center were taller than him, Dr. Foot was still competitive because he had strong legs and upper-body strength. He participated in many Boy’s Club activities. The Boy’s Club was his home away from home. It kept him out of a lot of trouble and mischief.

As you may have already guessed, Reginald (me) and Dr. Foot are one and the same.

1 0 // S T REET SENSE ME DI A / / DE C. 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 - JAN. 8, 2019

OPINION

How would we end homelessness?

BY SHEILA WHITE

In February 2017, I became homeless. I slept on benches in the park. I walked and walked every day until I was tired of walking. I used restrooms in parks and stores to freshen up.

Being homeless takes a toll on you because you have to carry all your belongings everywhere. Homelessness drains you physically, mentally and financially. How does one end homelessness?

I don’t believe we can even begin to end homelessness unless we are going to include the voices of those who have lived or are living the experience of being homeless, like me.

Homeless people have to endure extreme weather while sleeping outside. Many nights, on the street, I stay awake so my belongings don’t get stolen. I know how it feels to lose your ID, birth certificate and all your other items.

I was lucky enough to have been accepted for a fellowship position at Miriam’s Kitchen, which allowed me to testify before the D.C. Council. I urged councilmembers to support a centralized location where people can have their basic needs met while working toward housing.

D.C. recently invested $2 million to create a downtown service center that will open prior to hypothermia season, which began on November 1, 2018. The center will serve 100 clients per day. Clients will have access to meals, computers, showers and laundry facilities. Additional services will include connections to case management, behavioral health resources, employment support and housing assessments.

That would not have happened without the powerful advocacy of people who have experienced homelessness.

Without us, paid advocates wouldn’t know what to advocate for. We are the authorities of our own narratives. For us, this is about our lives. The late Mitch Snyder, a leading American advocate for the homeless, said “The condition of homelessness continues to be demoralizing to those who live and have lived it. The work needed to be done to end homelessness is far from over, but the potential for largescale homelessness to be ended is a goal within reach.”

However, ending homelessness is only within reach if we include homeless voices in the conversation. I expect there is a correlation between policies that positively affected the homeless community and policies that have been enacted with input from homeless communities.

Miriam’s Kitchen helps its guests engage in racial equity issues. Disproportionate numbers of people who experience homelessness are people of color, most of whom are Black. This is not a coincidence. Racial equity work helps explain why some groups have resources while others do not. As a Black woman, I see and feel the sting of racism every day, and I know that we cannot keep deprioritizing the needs of Black people. People of color and people experiencing homelessness often have their voices silenced, their experiences marginalized and their bodies stigmatized. To end chronic homelessness, we must address racial inequity and we must center the voices of the people who have been silenced in all the work we do.

What you should know about the homeless population in Washington: • There are over 7,000 homeless individuals in, not counting families that are homeless.

• There are only seven places in the area for the homeless community to shower outside of a shelter.

• Women and girls especially suffer in the homeless community

• Homelessness is not an anomaly that happens to “those people.” It can be just one miscalculation or unforseen challenge away • Homelessness is our problem.

• We can end chronic homelessness in D.C. The District has the knowledge, capacity, and resources to end chronic homelessness and show the nation that true D.C. value means housing our most vulnerable neighbors.

I know that people like me who have a lived experience of homelessness are experts in ending homelessness. I know how it feels to be homeless, and what hurts about being homeless is that you are alone out there. As a member of the homeless community, I can meet people where they are. I truly understand their struggle. I understand how great the need is to end chronic homelessness. There are many ways that organizations can better engage people with lived experiences in the work to end chronic homelessness, thus empowering us as advocates for our community.

Homelessness has always existed, but in the past three decades or so, it has unfortunately increased. Fortunately, social media has helped us to become more aware of this ever-growing epidemic. Homelessness used to be looked upon as something that happened to people with addictions, alcoholism or mental health challenges. Homeless people — mostly men — were referred to as “hobos”, “drunks”, and useless “non-members” of our society.

All that has dramatically changed. Alarmingly, homelessness has increased among “regular” members of society who, through no direct fault of their own, have lost their means of income. During the recession of the early 2000’s to mid 2010’s, many families lost their jobs and homes. Those who are living “paycheck-to-paycheck” did not have much of a financial cushion available to them to help them through their crisis. In some cases, married couples moved back with their parents in order to have safe shelter and try to get back on their feet again. For those with no family or close friends to lend a helping hand, shelters could and still can be found through charitable organizations in the form of often-crowded shelters. While homelessness used to be seen as mainly an urban problem,those struggling with this epidemic can be found in rural areas and small towns across the United States. Some of the saddest members, in my opinion are veterans, disabled people and those who struggle with mental illness. Their voices desperately need advocates, social workers and organizations to help them navigate the often lengthy and tedious paperwork required to be admitted into appropriate programs.

Join the conversation, share your views FROM OUR OPINION EDITORS: “Washington’s biggest family shelter has closed, but only three of the new smaller shelters that are supposed to replace it have been built so far — what do you think? Do you know somebody who has been affected?”

Many homeless people once had a career. Many had their own homes, businesses and a normal life. Society must never judge or stigmatize homeless people, for homelessness is not a choice. The devastating wildfire in California is a prime and very sad example of the ways that we humans are vulnerable to natural disasters that also cause homelessness.

While ending chronic homelessness may seem daunting, it is possible. Communities across the country are making progress towards this goal, and cities such as Houston, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and New Orleans have ended chronic homelessness among their veterans. The D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness has a plan in place to end chronic homelessness, and with the right resources and leadership, D.C. can do the same.

The solution to ending chronic homelessness is not a mystery: providing housing with supportive services can end chronic homelessness.It costs less taxpayer money for the District to end chronic homelessness than it does to manage it. Between the costs of shelters, hospitals, police interactions and other emergency services, it costs the city less to provide Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)-the gold standard for ending chronic homelessness--than it does to continue with the current model of temporary housing. An analysis of the emergency services used by the 828 most vulnerable individuals in the District shows that housing those individuals through PSH could save the city $19 million per year (The Way Home Campaign).

Housing’s most vulnerable residents would cost less than 0.3% of the city’s overall budget. This small investment would save taxpayers millions and provide thousands with the dignity of a home.

The mission of the People for Fairness Coalition is to end housing instability for individuals who live on the street and to end the need for shelters in the nation’s capital. Every organization can and must ensure that people like me are engaged in decision-making at every step of the way: from the way programs are run to the choice of which issues to advocate. To ensure this happens, organizations should have dedicated staffing and resources for client engagement, create intentional spaces and structures for consultation and feedback, ensure organizational buy-in and support creation of more Permanent Supportive Housing options. Elevating the voices of people with lived experience is the most impactful thing organizations can contribute to the cause.

Sheila White is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media. A version of this essay was written for one of her classes pursuing a degree at University of the District of Columbia.

Street Sense Media has maintained an open submission policy since our founding.

We aim to elevate voices from across the housing spectrum and foster healthy debate.

- Have an opinion about how homelessness is being addressed in our community?

- Want to share firsthand experience?

- Interested in responding to what someone else has written?

Please send submissions to opinion@streetsensemedia.org.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

How to make 2019 a profitable year

BY STEVE LILIENTHAL

Washington, D.C. has a lottery and nearby casinos, but both are more interested in taking your money than in your winning it.

Then there is Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB), a nonprofit that can help many low-income D.C. residents increase their financial stability. Unlike government-run lotteries or casinos, says director Richard Petersen, CAAB wants to help empower low and moderate-income residents of the region to increase their savings, to learn how to manage their money better, and to build wealth for the future through savings.

It’s a timely message, particularly since new reports from the Federal Reserve showed that only four in ten American adults would be able to pay a sudden $400 emergency expense.

Too many households in D.C. are not financially stable.

With a new year coming up, it is a good time to start thinking of how you might better manage your money.

Recently, I sat down with Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz, associate director of CAAB. He described some steps that D.C. residents with low or moderate incomes should take to keep and obtain more money.

It starts with setting realistic goals. Many of CAAB’s clients set such goals to fund their education, obtain housing or purchase a vehicle, start a small business or simply strengthen their financial security. Leitmann-Santa Cruz also advises people to determine how much money they are spending per month, then develop a realistic budget and stick to it. Every dollar not spent on unnecessary expenses such as eating out is a dollar that can be saved.

The next step is to establish an account with a bank or credit union. According to one of the federal reserve reports, 30 percent of D.C. families lack sufficient bank accounts and instead “use, sometimes heavily, expensive alternative financial services such as check cashing, payday lenders, online lenders and wiring money.

D.C. households are among the highest in the nation when it comes to unbanked households, meaning they lack an account with an established financial institution, relying instead on costly Alternative Financial Services (AFS) to cash checks, obtain loans, and to transfer money. Overall, nearly 30 percent of D.C. households are unbanked or underbanked; the latter are households with regular financial

accounts but who also used AFSs within the past year too.

Setting up a bank or credit union account can introduce newcomers to savings and to financial products such as retirement accounts and credit cards. But families should first compare banks and credit unions to learn what fees they charge. “Make sure your account is working for you,” Leitmann-Santa Cruz says.

A regular savings strategy is important in planning for “life happens” situations. Something is always going to happen that will eat away your money, such as an unanticipated medical expense. Ideally, you should have a regular savings account and an emergency account.

Accessing your credit report is another crucial step. You need to be creditworthy to obtain loans and credit cards, rent property and obtain employment, even if you have money. Leitmann-Santa Cruz recounted how one CAAB client’s job was in peril until she took steps to fix her credit rating. As we move increasingly toward a cashless society, it’s more important than ever to have good credit.

Free tax preparation services can help you report your income for 2018. “The Earned Income Tax Credit is the most effective poverty alleviation program this country has,” Leitmann-Santa Cruz says. “Too many Washingtonians do not take advantage of it.”

For example, by filing their D.C. and federal income tax forms, a family of four in D.C. with income up to $25,000 can receive back as much as $9,000.

But be sure to use free tax preparers--such as those offered by non-profits--rather than the big chain preparers to ensure you keep all of what’s yours. Check CAAB’s website for a list of places where you can find such help before taxes are due on April 15.

CAAB offers more too--including classes--and all of their programs are free. Check out their webpage for success stories of D.C. residents who, through CAAB’s help, made their goals come true.

So if you want to end up with more money in your bank account this coming year, visit CAAB at www.caab.org!

Steve Lilienthal is a freelance writer.

MOVING UP: Looking toward 2019

BY ARTHUR JOHNSON

As we head into the new year, it is wise to look at what you want to accomplish and map out a strategy to reach your goals. Economic conditions are changing, and people are concerned about a possible recession; it is smart to not get caught off guard.

Determine your qualifications. One thing to do is determine if you have the necessary qualifications for the job you want; if you do not, find out what you need to do. If more education is necessary, start looking at options such as community college.

As the minimum wage in the District keeps rising, employers will start demanding higher qualifications for employment, even for entry-level work. You want to make sure you are able to compete for good positions that will allow you to build a career.

Set incremental goals. If your goal is to do something over the course of a year, such as paying off debt, starting a business or getting a better job, make sure you set up incremental goals because you need to have a way to keep momentum.

Understand the changing economy. You want to make yourself look as valuable as possible, and technology is changing things even faster than people have imagined it

would. McDonald’s and Taco Bell, among other companies, have started putting in machines to take orders, and many chains allow for customers to order through websites and apps.

Follow your passion. If you have a passion for doing something and want to make 2019 the year you take your life in a new direction, find ways to gain the skills and knowledge needed. Read books or watch YouTube videos to learn new skills and techniques.

Network. Try and find the people that are already doing what you want to do, and figure out how they did it. Often, those people have done interviews with the media, so it is easy to find those articles and videos online.

Stay positive. And make sure to keep reading my column “Moving Up” in 2019. I intend to keep you informed of what will help you get where you want to go in your life.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this column, have an idea for something you want me to write about or if you want to let me know that you like or dislike this column, please email me at AJohnson@Streetsensemedia.org. Your opinions are always welcome.

/ / 11

True peace on Earth

BY JAMES DAVIS

Republicans, Democrats, Independents, liberals, conservatives, neo-cons, centrists, socialists, nationalists, communists, technocrats. The list goes on and on. I could likely fill this whole page with labels.

As for me, I am a child of Jehovah, God. We are all his children, first and foremost. It is only when we begin to take in knowledge that some of us decide to label ourselves as members of certain political and national groups.

Therein lies an opening, dividing people amongst themselves. This is the work of the devil: divide and devour.

If we stop practicing love of neighbor, manners, respect for one another, common courtesy and just plain decency, then we are no better than those who incite riots and violence and promote war.

The events around the world attest that there are no perfect governments. France, Israel, Syria, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Great Britain, the United States and other countries all have their numerous problems. There will only be peace on Earth when we all realize we are not labels, but children of God. A perfect government is on the way: God’s kingdom!

I would like to thank all my customers, customers-to-be, and non-customers for your support this past year. May you have a better coming year.

James Davis is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media

Thank you, Penny Marshall

BY JEFFERY MCNEIL

I’d like to say thank you to Penny Marshall for making America smile in a time when we need more laughter. With Penny Marshall’s death, I feel as if a part of me has died as well because her character Laverne Defazio is sketched in my memory.

Her death brought back childhood memories. I remember my parents weren’t wealthy, but my dad was middle-class. Marshall’s show aired when Gerald Ford was president and when my father worked for International Harvester making products in New Jersey.

My parents weren’t rich but managed to have a large television. During the mid 70s, you had three major channels: ABC, NBC and CBS, which covered everything from news to family programming. “Laverne and Shirley” came on Tuesday nights right after “Happy Days,” from which the show spun off.

What I loved about Laverne and Shirley was that they were funny without being gross or vulgar. You could identify with the characters, especially if you lived in New Jersey; every block had a Carmine Ragusa and liberals like Penny Marshall. The conservative on the show would always fight with a bleeding heart, but there was no personal animus. There were things that united us then, even as race, gender and gay rights were splitting the Democratic coalition at the seams.

I eventually became a Reagan Democrat. I grew up in a two-parent household and was opposed to career-oriented women. I thought women not being devoted to their kids was selfish. I was devoutly Christian and patriotic. I hated leftist radicals such as Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn, and hearing any other view but American greatness and capitalism got me into many fist fights. But my views evolved.

Penny Marshall was a pioneer. There were many men like me that were closed-minded about feminism, but because of her, I accept gay rights and feminism and will gladly vote or pull the lever for a gay person or woman that shares my values. She opened doors but rarely bragged about what she achieved, which I admire and respect about her.

As she passes on to the other side, thank you, Penny Marshall, for the laughs here on Earth!

Jeffery McNeil is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media. He also contributes to the Washington Examiner.

1 2 // S T REET SENSE ME DI A / / DE C. 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 - JAN. 8, 2019

ART

Anticipation of Love

BY KEDIST GIRMA // Artist/Vendor

Treasure

BY RONALD DUDLEY, A.K.A. “POOKANU” Artist/Vendor

Another man's trash is another man’s treasure Another man lady is another man’s pleasure Another man’s ex is another man’s wife Another man’s death is another man’s life There must be God in heaven ‘Cause ever since I met you baby, I been counting my blessings Ever since we been together I done changed for the better Learned that love is not a game but life is something to treasure We been together from the start cause we followed our heart Pray to the Lord that nothing will ever tear us apart ‘Cause you my best friend, you my dream I'm so glad to have you on my team My aunt Pam treat me just like a son She said she felt it in your hug, she told me you was the one.

She told me “life is what you make it, it's yours to choose” She almost broke down in tears when I told her the news She said, “What you want nephew, a boy or a girl?”

I said, “I prayed for a pearl but He gave me the world” There gosta be a God in heaven ‘Cause ever since I met you baby I been counting my blessings Love is a smile, wit a hug and a kiss And my love is like a present baby, open your gift Start blowin’ out the candles, baby, make you a wish Broken hearts I can fix, got a key you can get And a genie in a bottle told me we can be free Girl, you know I got a cure, the doctor sent you to me They say time is of the essence, God been sending me blessings And you, I got the answers for your 21 questions If we take our time baby we can grow like a tree I'm the root, your the fruit, I got the strength that you need.

When your heartbeat stop I reconnect it to mine Now you feel that I'm real you know the heart don't be lying See your smile use to be a frown upside down Now you be acting like a clown girl when I come around.

That was 20 questions, baby, you got one more left.

She asked me to love her back to life and never love her to death Another man's trash is another man’s treasure Another man lady is another man’s pleasure Another man’s ex is another man’s wife Another man’s death is another man’s life

No One Knows

BY RASHAWN BOWSER // Artist/Vendor

No one knows the pain that I feel No one knows the heartache within My heart breaks with each passing moment My tears are always there No one knows the hurt that’s inside No one knows the loneliness I feel I walk around like everything’s fine But deep down inside, I know that’s a lie With each passing moment, I slowly die

Somewhere in paradise, I see my lover’s eyes.

Where is he? His spirit is near me.

Perhaps, he will hear me.

Oh, lover! The ages that passed us by, Without a sage to bring us together, Have left me alone with no-one to claim.

But who is it to blame?

The cosmos sang for me, The heavens waited on me.

But you seemed ever farther away from me.

Your existence is anticipated with persistence.

Then, it was when the moon smiled on me, And the sun penetrated my skin, That your touch went beneath my skin, To play a fiddle with my inner organs.

Tell me, this is not a delusion Rather a solution, To this anticipation of love.

No one knows the sadness that is there No one knows because no one cares.

To End All Wars

BY FREDERIC JOHN Artist/Vendor

How do you feel, ‘Bout Flanders field?

When a freeworld Leader Would rather "Ach du Lieber," Than walk the aisles of our fallen dead / And with wind-driven Dread, View we yet another “Head;” Mr. Wilson, Who eschewed freedom at home / Thru barring people of Color— Forcing them to work eat and sleep— Alone!

2018 marked the centennial for the end of “The Great War,” World War I. Photo of soldiers reading courtesy of Fortepan/Wikimedia Commons.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 13

FICTION

Black Fields says, “LIKE LL & MJ – I’M B.A.D.D.!”

(Brothaz Against Drunk Driving)

BY DUANE FOSTER // Artist/Vendor

It was holiday season and the mood was festive. Black had been watching people come and go from the liquor store down the block all day. There would no doubt be a multitude of parties, and he knew that more than a few of these people would end up involving themselves in situations that would equal the risk of playing Russian roulette.

He couldn’t help but think of his young cousin Jaquania, who perished months earlier in an alcohol-related automobile accident. She was an unnecessary victim of irresponsible drinking and poor decision making.

The story his mother told him was that Jaquania, her girlfriend Cinnamon, and two other girls were hanging out at Stadium nightclub on New York Avenue. The club features nude female dancers and is a favorite amongst men, as well as LGBT women.

Cinnamon had intended to be the designated driver. But after a little coercion from the other girls, she decided to partake in the libations.

One of the other girls lived close by on Rhode Island Avenue, so they figured they would be fine.

The girls partied like rock stars. And when the bartender announced “last call!” they made sure they had a place in line.

The police report stated the white Acura TL, driven by Cinnamon, was headed eastbound on New York Avenue. She pulled to the intersection of New York and Bladensburg Rd., ran the red light, and turned into oncoming traffic. A black Ford Expedition going 50 miles per hour rammed the passenger side. Cinnamon, the two other girls, and the driver of the Expedition were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Jaquania wasn’t as fortunate. The paramedics tried everything, but she couldn’t be revived. She had “given up the ghost” and was pronounced dead on the scene. She was only 25 years old.

Black was locked up in D.C. Jail awaiting trial on a possession of a controlled substance charge when he received the news that Jaquania was dead.

His mistake had been meeting with his man Fat-Fingers in an alley on Wahler Place, off Wheeler Rd. SE., to get two dippers for $35. FatFingers was dipping the first cigarette when his eyes got big, as if he’d seen an apparition. Black turned and saw nothing but a regular looking group of guys pulling up to the corner in a Ford Fusion.

When he turned back around, Fat-Fingers had vanished through a break in the fence that surrounded the development. Black saw he had dropped the moist cigarette by the fence, some ten feet away. But before he could even think to go pick it up, he was shoved to the ground.

“WUT'DA (bleep!)!” Black squealed as he tumbled to his knees.

“FREEZE — YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!” yelled the narcotics officers.

That was more than two months ago and he had been in custody since.

Black couldn’t stop trembling as he hung up the phone, blown away by the news of his cousin’s death. He was overcome with grief when he thought about the fact he wouldn’t be able to attend the funeral. His mind was racing and his body temperature felt as if it were fluctuating.

One second he had the chills, the next moment he was extremely warm.

He felt tears welling up, but he beat them back.

Black was so frustrated with life that he felt he had an obligation to act out. Misery loved company, so he was about to hold a recruitment session. “R.I.P. Jaquania. Somebody’s gonna pay!”

He searched around the tier for a convenient nemesis and found Rob, a fellow whose look and demeanor rubbed him the wrong way. He had never encountered Rob on the outside and knew absolutely nothing about him. Black tried to understand why, but couldn’t. He just didn’t like Rob. Rob was playing “tunk” with two other inmates. “I HATE Y’ALL (bleep!)s!” Black cried as he rushed the card table and flipped it.

Then he pounced on Rob. “I GOT YOUR (bleep!) NOW!” he squealed.

Black hit him with a roundhouse right, then a left jab. He grabbed Rob by both shoulders and threw him to the floor. Rob hadn’t even

known he had an enemy on the tier. He was caught off guard, and his defenses were completely down. Rob had been caught slippin'.

Simultaneously, Black screamed, “Mark Mosley!” as the intercoms sounded, “CODE BLUE!” He kicked Rob, and kicked more, as he saw in his peripheral the hoard of C.O.’s headed in his direction. “(bleep!) ALL Y’ALL!!!” he shouted as he braced himself for what was about to go down.

The officers converged, and Black felt himself being pulled at and tugged as they attempted to restrain him. His adrenaline was pumping and his instincts commanded, “GO HARD!” He was out of control and began to swing at everything. “CODE BLUE” turned to “CODE RED” over the intercom, as every available officer descended upon the tier.

He didn’t know who he hit, but he knew he landed more than a few blows. Then he saw officer Mbasogo's face front and center. This was the C.O. whom he hated the most. He quickly allowed his mouth to fill with saliva, then he spit — “SPLEWF!!!”

Black instantly regretted it. It was like the music stopped and every eye on the tier was focused on him. One look at the murderous expression on Mbasogo's face let him know the consequences would be stiff.

“What did I do that for?!” he asked, as he watched the fluid glisten and slide down the officer’s cheek.

The officers swarmed. They grabbed at Black as if he was a fumbled football on the visiting team’s goal line. He was given the Rodney King treatment, then dragged from the tier. They pulled him into a corridor and adorned him with handcuffs, shackles, and a waist restraint.

Officer Taylor stepped up in his face and gave a smile so devious that it gave Black the chills. “Mr. Fields, today is your lucky day,” the officer said. “My guys say they’re not going to press charges. If it was up to me, you’d be going to Beaumont* for what you just did.”

For a brief moment, Black was hopeful the repercussions for his actions would be slim. Then he noticed Officer Mbasogo and Officer Mugabe putting on their black leather gloves. He looked around the corridor for cameras and saw none. Something inside him said, “I done (bleep!)ed up.”

Seconds later, POW! SMASH! BOOM! to his midsection. Black was washed down with multiple cans of pepper spray, then hit with a flurry of blows. Handcuffed and shackled, all he could do was be the best punching bag he could be.

Mbasogo hit Black from behind with a taser and down he went. They took turns beating Black for almost 20 minutes. It was as if they had a practiced rotation. One was whipping, while one would be resting, as the other cheered them on. Black got the sense this was something they did often.

The blows were mostly body shots. A bruised face would raise red flags. The officers were going to say Black’s injuries occurred in the short melee on the tier. Their word would be etched in stone, and Black’s truth would be ignored.

Once they got tired of beating on him, they stripped him naked and threw him in isolation. Black languished for three days in the frigid padded room without as much as a blanket. His ribs were bruised, but his pride was still intact.

All he could think about is how many people suffered because of Cinnamon's transgression. Officer Mugabe threw his back out kicking at Black; officer Mbasogo got spit upon and bruised his knuckles; Rob and Black got their (bleep!) whipped; more than a few were just plain frustrated with life, and Jaquania was dead — all because Cinnamon thought it was okay to drink and get behind the wheel.

Black was furious; but not at the officers. “(bleep!) Cinnamon!” he shivered. *Beaumont, Texas is the location of a Federal penitentiary; all D.C. inmates are sent to the Federal penitentiary system.

We’re all able

BY CHAD JACKSON // Artist/Vendor

I was born like this.

I beat “can't,” because “able” couldn't beat me.

When can't couldn't beat me, I beat it.

That's why I was born like this.

Even if you’re able to say “I can’t” do something. Such as if you can’t walk down the stairs. You may not be “able” to walk, but you are still able to say that, to express yourself. We all have unique skills and abilities. We’re all “able,” in our own ways. Never lose site of that. Never say “can’t.”

I’m still here JOE JACKSON // Artist/Vendor

This year was my first Thanksgiving in my place. I’m going to hold that apartment down, even if I must remain by myself. The quiet and the peace I have when I come home feels so good.

I can relax and get a lot of rest.

But you may be wondering, “What happened to Joe Jackson this summer?”

I will tell you the whole story. I have been hurting out here, trying to survive and helping my mother. I am happy that I have my place. But I’ve learned the people you put yourself around sometimes don’t want to see you happy. And some of these people play the envy game.

Those are not your true friends. They usually have a lot to say but don’t bring anything positive to the table. I’m trying to stay positive and am looking for a good church that will make me feel at home and at ease.

1 4 // ST REET SEN S E ME DI A / /

DE C. 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 - JAN. 8, 2019

FUN & Answers Sudoku #1 9 1 5 4 GAMES 4 7 3 8

Sudoku #6 5 2

7 2 3 8 6 6 by KrazyDad, 2 16, Book 1 5 1 9 Novice Sudoku Volume 3 9 1 8 5 4 7 9 6 3 4 2 7 8 4 8 5 7 9 3 1 8 1 2 9 6 5 4 1 7 4 6 8 2 3 2 5 8 1 4 6 9 6 2 9 3 7 1 5

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Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

Sudoku #5

If you use logicFill you in can solve the puzzle without guesswork.

SUDOKU: 4 7 5 1 8 2 3 6 9 the Needblank a little squares help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. so each the row, Usethat it to identify next square6you3 should 8 solve.

2 1page 4 5Or use 9 the7 answers if you really get stuck. each column and 1 2 9 7 3 6 4 5 8 each 3-by-3 block contain all of the 7 5 2 6 9 1 8 3 4 digits 1-9.

LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION >>

9 4 6 8 2 3 5 1 7 8 1 3 5 7 4 2 9 6 3 8 7 9 1 5 6 4 2 5 9 4 2 6 7 1 8 3 2 6 1 3 4 8 9 7 5

Sudoku #7 5 2 6 8 1 9 4 7 7 8 3 9 6 1 2 5 9 5 7 3 3 4 8 1 2 3 1 4 8 6 9 2 4 7 5 6

4 1 7 9 3 2 8 6 5 6 1 2 9 4 3 8 2 8 4 1 6 7 9 5 8 5 6 7 7 3 5 4 1 9 2 3

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Novice Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 16, Book 1

Sudoku #2 6 7 1 9 5 4 2 3 4 9 8 1 3 2 7 6 3 2 5 7 8 6 1 9 2 6 9 4 1 5 3 8 8 3 4 6 7 9 5 2 1 5 7 8 2 3 9 4 5 8 3 2 4 7 6 1 7 4 6 3 9 1 8 5 9 1 2 5 6 8 4 7

What is a checkup?

8 5 4 7

1 6 9 2 3

BY REV. JOHN LITTLEJOHN Artist/Vendor

Sudoku #4 4 semi-regular 7 mental 1 2 3 6physical 5 9 or We typically8seek examinations7to 9detect they 3 health 5 6 1before 8 4 problems 2 become serious. Doctors recommend routine, annual 6 2 5 9 1 7 8 3 4 physicals for most anyone in society, housed or unhoused.

1 same 4 9 health 3 2for 6our7spiritual 8 by 5 asking We can do the ourselves a few 9 questions.

8 6 5 2 1 7 4 3 4 5 7 3 8 9 2 6 1 Question 1: Do I love God with all my heart; because he 7 for 6 8is stronger, 1 5 2 9 Earthly first loves me?3 Which my 4desire gain or the treasures that are mine in Christ?

He 2 7 9 4 6 3 1 5 8 desires that His peace rule our hearts.

5 1 4 7 9 8 3 2 6 Question 2: Do I love God with all my soul? Do I listen to God telling me who I am? Am I moving away from selfSudoku #6 centered desires? Am I becoming more compassionate, 7 1 3 8 6 2 9 kind, humble,5gentle, and 4patient?

1 7

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Question 3: Do I love God with all my mind? Do I focus 4 3 6 5 8 9 1 7 2 on my relationship with His son or do I let me mind 1 7to go?

2 Do 5 my6 thoughts 3 8 lead to 9 it 4 wants wander wherever problems or solutions?

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7 9 1 Forgiveness or revenge? 3 6 7 1 9 8 5 2 4

5 God 8 strength?

2 I1love 9 with 4 7 6 3 Question 4: Do all my Am I willing to be6 seen can5show his 9 as3 weak 1 that 2 God 8 so 7 4 strength on my7 behalf?

8 4 3 5 6 2 9 1 Sudoku #8 2 1 6 7 4 8 7 3 9 5 3 6 3 6 1 4 8 7 9 2 5 4 2 1 1 2 8 5 7 3 5 9 6 9 4 8

4 9 8 3 5 5 2 9 6 1 1 8 7 4 2 9 5 2 8 7 6 3 1 5 4 8 7 3 9 6 3 4 6 7 9 2 6 4 1 8 7 1 5 2 3

Answer honestly, privately. This is between you and the Lord. Quiet your mind and reflect on the truth. Let the His peace rule in your hearts.

And as you do, remember Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-10): • Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

• Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

• Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

• Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

• Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

• Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. • Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. • Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Always take care of yourself, with Good Health. I was sick mentally and physically and you, Lord, healed me.

I was weak and now I am strong.

Once again, Love Always.

Author Gene Weingarten is a college dropout and a nationally syndicated humor columnist for The Washington Post. Author Dan Weingarten is a former college dropout and a current college student majoring in information technology. Many thanks to Gene Weingarten and The Washington Post Writers Group for allowing Street Sense to run Barney & Clyde.

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// 15

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The City

BY MARCUS MCCALL Artist/Vendor

Mr. Burns

BY LATICIA BROCK A.K.A. “PWEEZY” Artist/Vendor

I’m from the city Where it’s shoot or get shot You opt or not?

Bullets fly, bodies drop I’m from the city Where women called “bitches” not wife Girls don’t go nowhere without a knife.

Where you only 15 but in a cell doing life.

I’m from the city.

Where mamas are burying their sons and their daughters are on the run!

Even 14-year-old's don’t go nowhere without a gun I’m from the city Where making it to 18 is a miracle and 21 is a blessing Where the only thing on a girl's mind Is finding a n**** with some money

Little did the boy who made the change and so should the woman, too.

Why do police harassment still have to be a part of the resume?

What did we do?

I wonder, is that all you seen through your prejudiced eyes?

Why your parents practice hate, and love is all mine’s lies?

Now, somebody have to be the bigger culprit Let’s take a turn and send this hatred thing right out the window and wave to it, Mr. Burns.

Free Matthew Burns (a.k.a. “Sequan”), who was locked up for defending our encampment when we were jumped. He deserves better.

I’m from the city Where every girl that’s bi or gay Don’t got no home, you a stray

The Storm and the Rain

I’m from the city Where, when you part your way, You say “be safe” and “I love you” ‘Cause they can die the next day And you gotta tell their mama But don’t know what to say

BY ROBERT WARREN Artist/Vendor

I’m from the city.

Where R.I.P. is in everybody’s vocab

This storm of rain and winds brings people together again Just a clean thought of helping one another through the storm— That flood of emotions running through our heads And how will we rebuild?

I’m from Washington, D.C., where mamas are crying, kids are dying, and police lying I’m tired of trying, But this the lifestyle when you from D.C. And in this city, who are you, when no one is looking?

Sometimes I think the Lord washes away ugliness with the rain The hateful stain they try to put on our hearts It all sounds the same when the rain falls from the thundercloud

The same way we did before, but even better this time With lessons learned and people purified by the rains The biggest rain drops you have ever seen No hate can flow through these raindrops Or take away that sense of peace after the storm I see the clouds before the storm I feel the rain drops falling off my face I have faith the sun will shine again

DEC. 26, 2018 - JAN. 8, 2019 VOLUME 16 | ISSUE 4

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