Volume 8: Issue 18 July 20 - August 2, 2011
Street
donation $1 suggested
sense
Read more and get involved at www.streetsense.org | The D.C. Metro Area Street Newspaper | Please buy from badged vendors
Volun te Minis ers at Da m tr help t ies Food B ien h a with ose living nk HI they V get wha need t . p4
Street Sense aims to serve as a vehicle for elevating voices and public debate on issues relating to poverty while also creating economic opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community.
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HIV/AIDS pantry provides goods for patients ADDRESS 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 PHONE (202) 347 - 2006 FAX (202) 347 - 2166 E-MAIL info@streetsense.org WEB streetsense.org
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Sandwich shop donates extra food to service providers
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lisa Estrada, Ted Henson, Brad Scriber, Michael Stoops, Manas Mohapatra, Sommer Mathis, Kristal Dekleer, Robin Heller, Jeffery McNeil, Yebegashet Alemayehn ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kristal DeKleer
Food is more accessible for low-income residents at farmers’ markets
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Cooking classes teach nutrition on a budget Read all stories online at streetsense.org
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Vendor recalls visiting a mental hospital Top DC chef serves homeless at Thrive
WEB EXCLUSIVE
Conference to end homelessness addresses the problem at hand Vendors for a day share their stories
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New residents of the office: The chair saga ends
A new issue comes out every two weeks, but you can stay connected to Street Sense every day! /streetsense @streetsensedc /streetsensedc Cover art by Eric Falquero
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mary Otto Layout Specialist Eric Falquero VENDOR AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER Robert Weaver INTERNS Zachary Davidson, Erin Durkin, Mary Clare Fischer, Ashley Hemmy, Hannah Traverse, Helen West VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Rhonda Brown, Margaret Chapman, Tracie Ching, James Clarke, Nikki Conyers, Bobby Corrigan, Irene Costigan, Sara Dimmitt, Joe Duffy, Lilly Dymond, Ashley Edwards, Garrett Epps, Rachel Estabrook, Sarah Ficenec, Andrew Gena, Steve Gilberg, Jane Goforth, Jonah Goodman, Roberta Haber, Elia Herman, Cherilyn Hansen, Adam Kampe, Trisha Knisely, Vicki Ann Lancaster, Elle Leech-Black, Lisa Leona, Sean Lishansky, Elsie Oldaker, Katinka Podmaniczky, Mike Plunkett, Willie Schatz, Jesse Smith, Lilly Smith, Mandy Toomey, Brett Topping, Melissa Hough, Kate Sheppard, Marian Wiseman, Kelly Stellrecht, Jane Cave VENDORS Michael Anderson, Charles Armstrong, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Kenneth Belkosky, Tommy Bennett, Reginald Black, Deana Black, Harmon Bracey, Debora Brantley, Andre Brinson, Floarea Caldaras, Conrad Cheek, Theresa Corbino, Avram Cornel, Anthony Crawford, Kwayera Dakari, Louise Davenport, James Davis, Charles Davis, Devon Dawkins, Michael Dawson, Chino Dean, Daivd Denny, Richardo Dickerson, Alvin Dixon El, Charles Eatmon, Richard Emden, Pieus Ennels, Betty Everett, Joshua Faison, Larry Garner, R. George, David Ger, Marcus Green, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, Lorrie Hayes, Patricia Henry, Shakaye Henry, Derian Hickman, Vennie Hill, Anne Holloway, Phillip Howard, James Hughes, Patricia Jefferson, Carlton Johnson, Donald Johnson, Mark Jones, Evanson Kamau, Mike Leach, Michael Lyons, Johnnie Malloy, Kina Mathis, John C. Matthews, Authertimer Matthews, Charlie Mayfield, Robert McGray, Marvin McFadden, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffrey McNeil, Kenneth Middleton, Gary Minter, L. Morrow, Jai Morton, Saleem Muhammad, Tyrone Murray, Darryl Neal, Charles Nelson, James Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Evelyn Nnam, Moyo Onibuje, Douglas Pangburn, Franklin Payne, Michael Pennycook, Ash-Shaheed Rabbil, Michael Reardon, Chris Shaw, Veda Simpson, J. Simpson, Patty Smith, Gwynette Smith, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, Leroy Sturdevant, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Paul Taylor, Archie Thomas, Larissa Thompson, Carl Turner, Jacqueline Turner, Joseph Walker, Martin Walker, Robert Warren, Terry Warren, Lawless Watson, Paul Watson, Wendell Williams, Edna Williams, Sherle Williams, Susan Wilshusen, Ivory Wilson, Mark Wolf, Charles Woods, Tina Wright
STREET SENSE July 20 - August 2, 2011
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News
Street Paper Sues City Over First Amendment Rights A Tennessee street newspaper sued the city of Brentwood last week after officials fined seven vendors for selling papers within the city. The Contributor, in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Union, has filed suit claiming First Amendment rights to distribute newspapers and other materials. The vendors involved were cited based on an ordinance that prohibited selling goods on streets or sidewalks. Brentwood, a wealthy suburb of Nashville, is amending the law to allow sales on the sidewalks but not in the streets, a change that goes into effect this month and aims to protect the safety of its citizens. This lawsuit may be the first case involving a street newspaper and its right to sell papers and could act as precedent to protect vendors in the future.
Ex-homeless man walks to raise $1 million A man who lived on the streets of Los Angeles has pledged to walk 1,460 miles in an effort to collect $1 million. The planned route will take Stephen
Millhouse, 52, from Missoula, Montana, where he worked as a custodian at the Missoula Children’s Theatre, to Los Angeles, where he first became homeless. Millhouse asks donors to pledge a penny for each mile he walks, a contribution of $14.60. This plan would require 68,494 people to donate in order to surpass $1 million. The walk, dubbed “My One-Man March Against Homelessness,” is dedicated to Millhouse’s niece, Rachel, who died in a car crash involving an allegedly drunken driver on Feb. 20. In the future, Millhouse hopes to form a nonprofit called “Going the Distance” that will sponsor fundraisers for social justice causes. However, Millhouse is looking for an existing organization to sponsor his walk as there is not enough time to organize his own before he begins his journey in August. Millhouse’s website is in progress, but the domain name is myonemanmarch.org.
Documentary Retraces Another Homeless March Singer Jimmy Wayne’s “Meet Me Halfway” campaign, which involved walking 1,700 miles from Nashville to Phoenix, is the basis for a new documentary by i25 productions.
Wayne spent seven months in a pseudo-homeless state as he walked across the country last year. He will repeat his wanderings for the film by car. In addition to the film, Wayne will release 23 songs inspired by the walk that include sound bytes from people he met events that took place along the way.
Homeless Idaho Couple Says “I Do” Two residents of a Boise, Idaho homeless shelter were married July 9 in a local park after a three-year relationship. Verdell Stirm and Robert “Stretch” Anderson exchanged vows in Katherine Albertson Park in front of 50 of their closest friends, many of whom live with them at Interfaith Sanctuary. Both Stirm and Anderson have lived at the shelter for about five years, each struggling with mental health issues. Stirm also has chronic migraines and uses a wheelchair to combat back problems. The couple has become the “den parents” of Interfaith Sanctuary, taking charge of tasks such as babysitting and event planning whenever necessary. Tracy DiBenedetti, Stirm’s matron of honor, used to be homeless as well but moved into her own apartment last year. Stirm has recently gained disabili-
The Story of Street Sense Street Sense began in August 2003 after two volunteers, Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson, approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions with the idea to start a street paper in Washington, D.C. They saw it as a means of empowering the area’s poor and homeless and decided the paper would cover homelessness and other social issues. After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers, Street Sense published its first issue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies. About a dozen vendors sold the first issue of the paper. For the next three years, it was
published monthly as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless. In October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space. In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)3 status, becoming a nonprofit organization. In October 2005, Street Sense formed a full board of directors, and in November, the organization hired its first employee, a full-time executive director. A year later, Street Sense hired its first vendor coordinator and began partnering with several service providers. In February 2007, the paper increased the frequency of publication to twice a month.
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Prince William Visits Homeless on North American Trip Prince William and Kate Middleton visited a homeless shelter in Quebec City and met with five homeless Edmonton teens at the Calgary Zoo during their trip to Canada. The two also visited Skid Row, the infamous Los Angeles neighborhood where 1,000 people are reputed to sleep on the streets every night. While in Los Angeles, William and Kate stopped by Inner-City Arts, a nonprofit organization that partners with local schools to expose students to the arts. Prince William is involved with Centrepoint, a British organization t hat work s wit h low-income and homeless youth Compiled by Mary Clare Fischer, from previously published reports.
Vendor Code of Conduct
In order to support the increased production, Street Sense brought on its first full-time editor-in-chief in April. Today, Street Sense has four professionals, more than 100 active vendors and nearly 30,000 copies in circulation each month. The newspaper has become a major source of news for Washingtonians, providing content on issues which often go uncovered by the mainstream media. Street Sense is a member of the National Association of Street Newspapers (NASNA).
YOUR DOLLAR Each vendor makes a personal investment in Street Sense, by purchasing is- Directly sues at a rate of 35 cents per copy. This aids the money helps cover our production and vendor printing costs for the paper, while still allowing the vendors to sell the paper at a low price and substantial profit.
ty benefits and hopes that with this aid, she and her new groom will be able to find their own home as well. Until then, Stirm and Anderson will face the restrictions of Interfaith Sanctuary, where men and women are separated. The two will take some time for themselves on a short two-night honeymoon at a local hotel.
35% Supports costs
1. I agree not to ask for more than $1 or to solicit donations for Street Sense by other means. 2. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense staff and will not sell papers to other vendors (outside of the office volunteers). 3. I agree to treat others respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten or pressure customers. 4. I agree to stay off private property when selling Street Sense. 5. I understand that I am not a legal employee of Street Sense but a contracted worker responsible for my own well–being and income. 6. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling Street Sense. 7. I will not sell Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 8. I will stay a block away from another vendor. 9. I understand that my badge is the property of Street Sense and will not deface it. I will display my badge and wear my vest when selling papers. 10. I understand that Street Sense strives to be a paper that covers homelessness and poverty issues while providing a source of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word.
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One in five infected persons in the U.S. does not know they have HIV/AIDS.
Bringing Hope in the Form of Food Damien Ministries has been serving the HIV/AIDS poor community since 1987
people who are really ill,” he said. disease, Damien Ministries functioned Then there is the looming specter of more like a hospice than a place to come the government shutdown that could for free clothing or food, according to result if President Barack Obama and food bank manager Larnell Carr. Republican “It was Congressional originally leaders fail a place for to reach an people to agreement pass on if on raising the they didn’t nation’s debt have any ceiling. The other place stalling of to go,” he Social Secusaid. rity and disNow Carr ability checks sits at the that help pay front of the for medicine, food panrent, transtry logging portation and in clients food could and keep- Otis “Buddy” Sutson, Executive Director amount to a ing track of “death senwhat goes tence” for the very frail, worried food out. While the ministry is focused upon pantry volunteer Ralph Spain. And the meeting the needs of poor people livfood pantry might need to brace itself ing with HIV/AIDS, the staff will not turn for an influx of desperate new clients. away others seeking assistance in emer“We are going to be strained,” said gencies. Carr. But he is comforted by the fact Dried goods and frozen vegetables that serving people living with HIV/AIDS make up the bulk of the supplies in is not the lonely mission it once was. the pantry. As Carr filled a box with “At first it was hard to get others inmaple syrup and pancake mix, he volved, but now there is more understandspoke of his challenges. ing about the disease,” said Carr. “More “It is so hard for us to get fresh fruits ministries are willing to get involved.” and vegetables, which can be vital for
The stress of keeping food on the table and paying rent unfortunately can cause their medical condition to be the last thing they take care of.
CaptionIn addition to providing food for clients, Damien Ministries has a collection of gently used clothing, books and toys outside free for anyone who needs them. photo by sarah hogue
By Erin Durkin Editorial Intern You can spot Damien Ministries on Rhode Island Avenue NE by the colorful clothes fluttering on racks outside the door. Clients walk through this arrangement of free clothing and books in order to enter a small waiting room and kitchen where they know they can find other essentials: cups of peanut butter, raisins, mini éclairs, and even Lifestyle condoms. The ministry was founded in 1987 by Louis Tesconi to serve the poor living with HIV and AIDS. Tesconi, who was a very successful real-estate lawyer in New York, became discontented with his life. In 1986 he sold everything he owned and decided to become a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. Six weeks after he joined seminary, he was diagnosed with AIDS and asked to leave the order.
When he was turned away from the Catholic Church, he established his own ministry to serve the poor community with HIV and AIDS. “Most of our clients live on the ‘edge’ most of their lives,” said executive director Otis “Buddy” Sutson. The struggle to make ends meet can make it hard to manage their disease. “There is a stress of other priorities,” said Sutson. “The stress of keeping food on the table and paying rent unfortunately can cause their medical condition to be the last thing they take care of.” Sutson became involved in the HIV/ AIDS community back in the 1980s, a time when many of his friends were dying of AIDS. “It was a lot different back then because no one knew how it was being spread,” said Sutson. Before the advent of the therapies that help make HIV a more managable
Volunteers at Damien Ministries pack the food listed on a client’s grocery list, which generally includes canned foods, frozen vegetables, meats and dairy. photo by sarah hogue
STREET SENSE July 20 - August 2, 2011
One third of the world’s food goes to waste.
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Local
Each Pret shop has at least 300 items left on the shelves at closing time. They partner with local service providers to make sure that perfectly good food is not wasted. Photo By Hannah Traverse
Serving the Homeless, One Falafel Sandwich at a Time By Hannah Traverse Editorial Intern You may walk past a Pret A Manger shop every day on your way to work. You might include Pret A Manger’s fresh sandwiches, wraps and salads in your regular rotation of lunch options. And you still might be wondering what the name of the shop actually means. The name, which is French for “ready to eat,” is to the point; each Pret shop is stocked with boxed sandwiches and other lunchtime staples, all made fresh daily, all ready to go. Pret restaurants are not just ready to serve hungry patrons, however; the shops serve the community by donating all leftover food at the end of the day to a local homeless service provider. In the District, that service provider is Thrive, D.C., an organization that supplies the disadvantaged with, among other things, a daily lunch program supplemented by Pret merchandise. “The question to us was, why waste perfectly good food when others are hungry?” said Sebastian Wright, head of Pret’s commercial operations. “Pret is a sensible brand, and it just makes sense to give our unsold food away…. We’re proud to do it, because we know it’s the right thing to do.” Founded in London in 1986, Pret now operates more than 250 shops worldwide and is still privately owned. Most of the shops are in the United Kingdom, but with Pret’s move to the U.S.
in 2000, Americans can now find shops in New York City, Chicago, and D.C. Pret’s relationship with Thrive began when the first D.C. shop opened in 2009; the shop was looking for a service provider to pair with, and Thrive was the perfect fit. Pret’s belief that “food is built to taste, not to last,” means that merchandise can only be sold the day it is made. According to Nathan Mishler, volunteer and community resources manager at Thrive, Pret has a policy to always close with a certain amount of merchandise on the shelves. “The idea is that nobody wants to buy the last sandwich,” said Mishler. This policy means that each Pret shop has at least 300 items left on the shelves at closing time. Seven days a week, Thrive volunteers or staff members pick up this merchandise from the three Pret locations in D.C. and bring it back to Thrive’s location in Columbia Heights. At 10:30 every morning, once Thrive’s hot breakfast program is over, clients can pick from the available sandwiches, salads and wraps so they have a nutritious lunch to take with them. “There sometimes are a lot of bagel shops and coffee shops that have extra food at the end of the day,” said Mishler. “That means a lot of bagels and a lot of pastries, which doesn’t always translate into a healthy meal. Pret provides a healthy option that’s readily available.”
Mishler said that Thrive clients have responded enthusiastically to the Pret offerings. Some were a little intimidated by the food at first, wondering what to make of a falafel sandwich or vegetarian wraps stuffed with hummus, cucumbers and feta. Now, according to Mishler, the clients are requesting these items. “It’s sort of assumed that people won’t want to eat this kind of food, but it’s more like they’ve never been exposed to it before,” said Mishler. “Two months ago, we missed a pickup – that’s when we really noticed how much our clients appreciated the food. They were asking, ‘Where are the falafel sandwiches?’” Ronald Cole, a Thrive client, said that he usually chooses egg salad sandwiches or anything with ham and tomatoes. Cole was also excited to see that some Pret options are made with pesto, a food that he came to enjoy by trying a friend’s homemade version. Danny Summerlin, another Thrive client, said that he sincerely appreciates the freshness of Pret’s food. “They make a good sandwich; I’ll give ‘em that,” said Summerlin. “I like that it’s just made…. It’s all good.” According to Wright, Pret’s nearly 30 locations in New York City donated about 300,000 pounds of food last year to the organization City Harvest. In Chicago, Pret stores are paired with The Greater Chicago Food Depository. “As we continue to grow in the
States, our partnerships and food donations with charities will also expand,” said Wright. Pret shops in the U.K. also donate unsold food to the hungry. In London, Pret runs its own vans to deliver more than 12,000 meals across the city on a weekly basis. U.K. shops also participate in Pret’s Simon Hargraves Apprenticeship scheme. This program provides up to 30 jobs a year in Pret shops for the homeless, ex-offenders and the impoverished. The apprenticeship lasts three months, during which time the apprentice receives full employee benefits, has all job-related travel expenses covered and is given £100 to buy clothes. Even if a job is not available at the end of 3 months, the apprentice leaves with experience and a reference. There is no word on whether Pret will begin a similar program in the States, but the shop is dedicated to “work[ing] with long-term charity partners to ensure as much food as possible gets safely and reliably to the needy every night,” said Wright. Pret is expanding slowly and steadily, deciding not to franchise and not feeling the pressure of a publicly traded company. For the time being, however, Pret’s food donations are greatly appreciated. “It’s been a growing, wonderful relationship,” said Alicia Horton, Thrive’s executive director. “Part of [Pret’s] philanthropic philosophy is to not waste food and to be a good community partner.”
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The first FRESHFARM market was founded in Dupont Circle in 1997.
Marketing Summer Crops
Farmers’ markets bring local produce to city streets By Ashley Hemmy Editorial Intern On D.C.’s sweltering hot summer days, nothing is more refreshing than cold, fresh vegetables from the local farmers’ market. The farmers’ market located next to the White House is always bustling with shoppers while it is open on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. More than 20 tents sell foods ranging from fresh strawberries to delicious empanadas and barbeque. Some shoppers are regulars while others merely pass through. This market, along with other FRESHFARM Market locations, supports the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Senior Farmers Market Nutritional Coupons and Food Stamps. Among the brightly colored tents is the FRESHFARMS tent that handles these programs. When turning in food stamps, shoppers receive tokens equal to $1 each. And FRESHFARMS will match up to
$10 as part of its Double Dollar incentive. “FRESHFARM would like to see everyone be able to afford healthy, nutritious food,” said Bernadine Prince, co-executive director at FRESHFARM Markets. Buyers don’t have to worry about the high costs of fresh food with ten extra dollars to spend, Prince said. And this increase leads to more people who are part of these programs shopping at the farmers’ markets. Last year $20,000 in matching dollars was given out to shoppers, Prince said. Out of all the shoppers that used the Double Dollars, 467 were regulars. In order to give out this money, FRESHFARMS holds different fundraisers and receives donations from both foundations and individuals. “Farmers’ markets always have the freshest food which lasts longer,” Prince said. “And by shopping there, you are supporting the local farmers.”
Below: Farmers’ markets provide an assortment of vegetables to choose from, including string beans and squash. Top right: Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits at farmers’ markets this season. Bottom right: Tomatoes can be more expensive purchases as they are often grown in greenhouses.
Advice on how to shop at a Farmers Market: -Plan your menu for the week.
photos by ashley hemmy
-Walk around the entire market before you decide what to buy. -Buy what’s in season. This varies during the year. Right now, strawberries are in season. -Bring your kids. They can sample the food and see what they like. And this will prepare them to be smart shoppers. -Come early before the food sells out. Info from Bernadine Prince
Cooking Matters often collaborates with after-school, summer food, Head Start and WIC programs.
STREET SENSE July 20 - August 2, 2011
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NEWS
Fresh ways to cook on a budget By Mary Clare Fischer Editorial Intern
In order to combat this problem, Cooking Matters offers two specialized courses Food is essential for life. But cooking is essential targeted at kids. The classes feature a trained chef who to live. That is the message Cooking Matters sends to more teaches students how to make than 11,000 families each year who learn to prepare simple recipes while helping cheap, healthy meals through a wide range of pro- their families learn how to make meals on a budget. grams. Other courses focus on lowPresented by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit organization that works to end child hunger in America, income adults, teens, teen Cooking Matters shows participants why eating well on parents, child care professiona budget is crucial, especially for the youngest genera- als, diabetics and HIV/AIDS patients. All classes teach bation. “Depending on what’s around them, they might not sic skills such as how to use a be aware of different fruits and vegetables,” Capital knife or how to read an ingreArea Food Bank nutrition programs specialist Danielle dient label, and culminate in Mulack said. “Cooking gets them more involved with making a meal for a family of food; it’s learning the importance of nutrition through four on a $10 budget. “It’s tricky, but there are that hands-on style.” Within the United States, 10.6 percent of households some proven strategies that with children experienced times when they could not we teach in our classes,” Muobtain enough food to lead an active, healthy life in lack said, “like comparing 2009, the most recent year for which data is avail- unit prices and buying in bulk able, according to a report by the U.S. Department of because a bag of potatoes or apples might have a lower unit Agriculture. price than individuals. Looking for sales and coupons and planning around that or if you really like to cook beef or chicken that may be more expensive, using smaller amounts and focusing on things that are more inexpen- Cooking Matters for Teens student Jasmine Connor learns how to cut peppers sive for the bulk of the meal.” safely while making vegetable paninis. After each class, partici-Photo By mary clare fischer pants receive a bag of groceries the leader is to the participants, the more effective it so they can make the recipes is because they’re the ones with the relationship with they’ve just learned. AmeriCorps volunteer Megan Crowe said this com- their clients,” Mulack said. “They’re able to develop the relationship and be more of a resource to the component is her favorite part of the program. “Seeing participants take the courses and run with munity.” Cooking Matters for Teens student Jasmine Connor them; having people come back having done a recipe at home and say, ‘This is so good!’ and make it that takes full advantage of her weekly contact with Cookway from then on, it’s great,” she said. “Basically, ing Matters leaders. Connor hopes to become a chef they’re trying to incorporate things they learn in and open her own restaurant like the contestants on Top Chef. class into life.” “I wanted to learn new recipes and bring things Volunteers such as Megan drive the Cooking Matters program. While Share Our Strength provides home,” Connor said. “When I’m a little older, Chef training and resources, community centers rent out Angie says I can come and talk with her. It’s hard to make because you’re not used to it, but I love cooking. locations and local organizations supply the staff. Mulack said the goal is to build “local capacity” by It’s my favorite thing.” transferring some of the Chef Angelique Moss, who works at Sofitel Hotel in leadership to the organi- Cooking gets them more involved with food; it’s learning McPherson Square, demonstrates the chiffonade tech- zations themselves. the importance of nutrition through that hands-on style. “We find that the closer nique--slicing into long, thin strips--on a zucchini. -Danielle Mulack, Capital Area Food Bank Photo By mary clare fischer the course coordinator and
STREET SENSE July 20 - August 2, 2011
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Community Gardens
By Ashley Hemmy Editorial Intern When Abraham Lincoln created the Department of Agriculture in May of 1862, he called it “the people’s department.” Farmers, who made up 58 percent of Americans at the time, needed a source of information on how to grow their crops. Today, the Department of Agriculture continues to serve America’s people in the form of People’s Gardens, community gardens created to feed those in the community who are in need. The People’s Garden Initiative was started by USDA employee volunteers on Feb. 12, 2009 to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s bicentennial birthday. They established the first garden at USDA headquarters here in Washington, D.C. “People’s Gardens show what the USDA does in a visible and clear way,” said Livia Marques, who has been the People’s Garden Initiative director since it started. The gardens tie in with Michelle Obama’s LetsMove! Initiative, which links gardening with healthy lifestyles. Since the program’s creation, more than 400 USDA organizations have built 1,358 gardens with at least one garden located in every state, plus gardens in three territories and five countries. Last year, the gardens collectively donated about 130,000 pounds of produce. Each garden donates to a local food bank or shelter; USDA headquarters donates to DC Central Kitchen. “This shows that gardens can be a simple solution to multiple problems in the community from hunger to the environment,” Marques said. Volunteers use sustainable practices to nurture their gardens such as mulching, composting and collecting rain water. There are now three People’s Gardens in Washington, D.C. Besides the original garden at USDA headquarters, there are also gardens at two local schools, William B. Powell Elementary School and Brent Elementary School, that serve to educate children as well as to feed the community.
“[The garden] will create teaching opportunities and authentic learning projects for all our scholars, ages three to fourth grade—about the environment, biology, mathematics and related literature,” said Powell Elementary School Principal Janeece Docal at the garden’s official opening on Feb. 10, 2011. “It will also promote our health and wellness initiatives and enable social and cultural connections among our multicultural Powell community.” Powell Elementary worked closely with the USDA and the Washington Capitals hockey team to build the garden. Capitals defenseman and 2011 NHL All-Stare Mike Green is on the waiting list for a plot in an Arlington community garden. “[Gardens] pop up all the time,” Marques said. “The big change is trying to get people to register their garden,” There are numerous other community gardens in the area, but it takes three special attributes to make a People’s Garden. The garden must involve a collaborative effort to benefit the community, an educational effort to teach people how to grow their own food and the garden must donate its food to a safe place in the community where people can go to claim it. “Always trust your soil,” Marques said as a piece of advice to those starting a People’s Garden. “Especially in urban areas.”
by Rhonda Brown Volunteer Feds Feed Families is a national food drive to raise food for Americans struggling with hunger. It began in 2009 as part of President Obama’s United We Serve campaign and was designed to help food banks and pantries stay stocked during summer months, when donations decline and the need for assistance rises. As the world’s leader on issues of food and hunger, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been one of the major contributors in the past two years. The 2011 federal government goal set by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is to collect two million pounds of food. Federal employees nationwide are meeting this challenge by gathering food for families in need this summer. The USDA has stepped up to the plate and is looking to meet a Feds Feed Families goal of 500,000 donated pounds of healthful food, including at least 100,000 pounds of fresh produce from our People’s Gardens, to food banks and pantries across the country. From June 1 to August 31, food donations will be accepted in all USDA agency offices. OPM Director John Berry, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and agency officials launched the third
annual Feds Feed Families food drive at the Capital Area Food Bank. In conjunction with members of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council and in partnership with the USDA and the Department of Defense, Berry announced this year’s goal of collecting two million pounds of food and other non-perishable goods. “American families should never have to go hungry,” said Berry. “Federal workers are big-hearted people who are eager to help those in their communities who need it most. Together, we hope to collect 2 million pounds of food nationwide this summer.” At the Capital Area Food Bank, Berry was joined by Norton as well as Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Pat Tamburrino, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy and Chief Human Capital Officers. After remarks to an audience of chief and deputy human capital officers, agency coordinators, and AmeriCorps volunteers, attendees participated in a cooking demonstration led by Mitch Greene, Chef in Residence at the Capital Area Food Bank. Greene showed how families can cook meals that are healthy, inexpensive and fun. Rhonda Brown is a coordinator at the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development.
Feds Feed Families’ current goal is to collect 2 million lbs of food and other nonperishable goods this summer. predominantly to help food banks, who are most in need of donations during the summer months.
Community gardens give urban dwellers the opportunity to grow affordable, healthy food, among other uses. Photo by Ashley Hemmy
Visit www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov to find out how you can get involved!
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Dishing Up Culinary Art
Terrence Brown works to serve his clients with the best food and dishes possible By Erin Durkin Editorial Intern
Working away in the small hot kitchen amid dozens of volunteers busy serving the homeless, is one of the D.C. area’s top chefs. Terrence Brown, the executive chef at Thrive DC, has already had a career preparing meals for Washington’s elite. But he says he is happier here
pampering the poor and hungry at this day shelter in Columbia Heights. Brown was named one of the top 75 chefs in Washington D.C. when he was working at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in 1982. He has an album full of pictures of celebrities who have savored his fine cuisine. But he wanted to use his skills to make a difference. “I really enjoyed serving the homeless and eventually I made that my full
Terrence Brown uses mainly fresh food from the Capital Area Food Bank to make his dishes. However, he also partners with other organizations like Pret, which donates sandwiches to the shelter. Above, he is arranging Pret sandwiches in his white jacket and white toque chef hat. Photo By Erin Durkin
time job. I just enjoy seeing smiles on the clients’ faces,” said Brown. Most of his clients know him for his Southern “down home soul food cooking.” “He’s been working with the women’s group and they love him. The ladies love his liver and onions,” said Trenett Smith, a client at Thrive. In fact, when you ask most of the clients at Thrive, they will name liver and onions as their favorite meal. But Brown has a secret about this particular dish. “A lot of people here like liver and onions. I can’t stand liver and onions. But every Thursday I make it for them,” he said. His favorite, he said, is making lasagna. “I love Italian.” As he prepared a menu of garden salads, assorted pastries, boiled eggs, corn beef hash, and fresh fruit on a recent day, a woman approached him asking for brown hair dye. “I might have some in my back office,” he said. It is odd to think that a chef would have hair products in his storage room, but according to Brown he has been ordering hygiene products from the Capital Area Food Bank for years. Before dinner, he will have a drawing for soaps, shampoos, and even cupcakes before people come forward for the food. For this article, Brown made sure to wear his full chef’s uniform, complete with white jacket and toque. On other days however, he can be spotted in a blue Thrive T-shirt and black pin-striped pants. “It is just way too hot in that kitchen,” he said. Indeed, when one enters the cooking area the temperature jumps twenty degrees. And the burners of the stove are not even lit. Meanwhile, kitchen helpers are busy cutting and mixing fruit for a fruit salad. The heavy air fills with the scent of mangoes. The kitchen itself is nothing fancy.
Brown is not usually seen in his official white attire due to the intense heat in the kitchen, but he has made a special case. Photo By Erin Durkin
Directions on how to sterilize the sink are taped to the back wall with blue and yellow flowers. Though his work conditions might not be glamorous, Brown ensures that he not only creates good dishes but that he also learns each client’s preferences. He makes sure he includes menu options for those who are diabetic or have high cholesterol. According to Marzieh Behzadnejad, who has been going to Thrive since 1985, Brown includes vegetarian dishes with each meal. “His eggplant parmesan is to die for,” she said in her thick Iranian accent. “I cannot eat hot and spicy food and he always includes mild things.” Brown does not reserve his culinary skills for the Thrive kitchen. Recently, he participated in the 8th Annual Blue Jeans Ball held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The event earned over $300,000 for the Capital Area Food Bank, whhich Brown said provides most of the shelter’s food.
STREET SENSE July 20 - August 2, 2011
In 2010, 17 million American Children lived in homes with food insecurity.
Hannah Traverse Editorial Intern
When school lets out, the last thing a kid wants to do is sit inside. Running through sprinklers and climbing on monkey bars might seem like the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon, but what if you are a child whose family has bare cupboards in the kitchen? A kid who relies on free school lunches? Each school day, the National School Lunch Program provides free or reduced-price meals to more than 30,000 students in the D.C. Public Schools. Fortunately, the D.C. Free Summer Meals Program allows these children, who comprise some 70 percent of all DCPS students, to still receive daily, nutritious meals even when schools are out. For the past 7 years, the District has led the nation in providing free summer meals to low-income children through the federal Summer Nutrition Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the Food Research and Action Center, more than 28,000 children participated in the D.C. Free Summer Meals Program in July 2010. This means that about 80 percent of children that received free or reduced-price meals during the school year also received free summer
meals. Nationwide, only about 15 percent of children who received meals in the 2009–2010 school year also received summer meals. “In some areas, there just hasn’t been enough of a priority put on running these programs,” said Alex Ashbrook, director of D.C. Hunger Solutions, a District-specific organization founded by FRAC. “Across the country we’re seeing cuts in camp programs, schools closing. This is going to affect the program.” While budget cuts may leave many states struggling to find sites to host summer meal programs, the District had a plentiful 270 sites in July 2009 and 317 sites in July 2010. A similar number of sites are operating for 2011. Many entire states, including Arizona, Mississippi and Colorado, do not have as many meal sites as the District. D.C. meal sites include schools, recreation centers, libraries, churches and Boys and Girls Club locations. Unless a camp program is involved, children do not need to be registered at a specific site to be served; any eligible child 18 and under who drops by a site at the designated mealtime is fed. To notify families about the summer meals program, D.C. Hunger Solutions produces posters and other marketing materials, as well as public service announcements for both TV and radio. This year, the organization also launched a service that allows families to simply text 202-6565-EAT for information on where to find the closest meal site. “If we don’t make a concerted effort, the educational achievement
11
NUTRITION
gap widens, the hunger gap widens and we’re really doing a disservice to the community,” said Ashbrook, commenting on the importance of making sure lower income children do not fall through the cracks during the summer. “Summertime, unfortunately, in our country, is the time in the year in which children…are at the highest risk of going hungry,” said Kevin Concannon, USDA Undersecretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, in a conference call. “We know as a country we have the capacity to end hunger. We need systems as well as the will to do so.” The District’s system of providing free summer meals depends heavily on the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation. This summer, the DPR is operating about 200 meal sites, making it by far the largest sponsor of the D.C. Free Summer Meals Program. Among these 200 locations are about 60 “affiliated sites,” which includes recreation centers and camps run directly by the Department. Many of the remaining sites are small operations, such as vacation bible camps, that only provide meals for a week or two. The DPR visits these sites to determine their suitability and then provides operational and food safety training before any meals are distributed. According to Ashbrook, much of the food circulated in the D.C. Free Summer Meals Program comes from the D.C. Central Kitchen. Food from the 45 meal sites run by the DCPS may also come from such DCPS food vendors as Revolution Foods and Chartwells. This school year, DCPS set new stan-
dards for its meal program, inspiring changes in how summer meal programs are run. Meals made to DCPS standards are free of high-fructose corn syrup and artificial trans fat, are never fried and are served with only hormone- and antibiotic-free skim or one percent milk. “Parents have been very supportive,” said Jeff Mills, director of DCPS Food Services. “There was a little pushback in the beginning…. The menus changed 180 degrees, so some of the foods were very new to many students.” The summer menu at DCPS meal sites is no different than the school year menu. Kids served at these sites may receive baked tilapia, broccoli and cheddar brown rice pilaf and spinach lasagna. Most meals come with a fresh piece of fruit. The DPR also recently revamped its menu to ensure students are receiving more nutritious food. Mark McCain, director of the DPR Summer Feeding Program, said that while in previous years kids may have received sandwiches and potato chips for lunch, now they are served wraps and chicken Caesar salad. “We’re dealing with younger kids who’ve never had a salad before. They’ve had tomatoes and they’ve had lettuce; they’ve just never mixed them together and put Parmesan cheese on top,” said McCain. “We really tried to create an environment in which the kids can take something home…maybe ask their parents to buy the right ingredients to make some of the food they eat during the day…. We’re happy to introduce them to another way of eating.”
Barney & Clyde is a comic strip about an unlikely friendship between a homeless man and a tycoon. It’s about our modern, polarized economy of haves and have-nots. It re-examines traditional measures of success, failure, and the nature of happiness.
About the Authors: Gene Weingarten is a college dropout and the nationally syndicated humor columnist for The Washington Post. 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 Writer’s Group for allowing Street Sense to Run Barney & Clyde.
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STREET SENSE July 20 - August 2, 2011
13
Editorial
By Maurice King Editorial Volunteer
By Jeffery McNeil Vendor/Board Member
T
he problem with politics today is that today’s generation doesn’t remember yesterday. The current fight over the debt ceiling is the Cuban Missile Crisis of this administration. Not since the 60s has our nation been this polarized. Our nation has always been divided on all sorts of matters. But in times of crisis, politicians put their ideologies aside and came together to make sure our country is governed effectively. What once seemed routine, was to pay our military, our seniors and those who work selflessly to have our government run efficiently. Today the workings of government are being hijacked by a group of narrowminded radicals, once at the fringes of society, who now rule mainstream thinking. They are willing to turn our country into Portugal or Greece if their demands are not met. Financed by right wing propaganda organizations such as Fox News, these radicals spew hatred that conjures memories of the dark days when Bull Conner and George Wallace had the pulpit. This faction is not interested in solving the problems America faces. Their main goal is to create anger and revulsion with their twisted ideas of patriotism that only bring acrimony and resentment, keeping America constrained. The irony is the Michelle Bachmans and Grover Norquists who champion the theme of anti- government seem to benefit from the trappings of government. While misleading their flock with a sense of patriotism, they really are showing contempt for patriotism. This is not only fouling the economic recovery, but is also sounding the alarm in countries with whom we have tepid relationships like China and Russia. To tarnish our reputation as the best currency in the world because Fortune 500 companies may have to pay a jet tax, or by holding up seniors along with military personnel for some political victory is not only unpatriotic - it should be considered anarchy and treason. This battle is more than just about raising the debt ceiling. This is about money and interests trying to turn the clock back to the days of Hoovervilles and Shantytowns. Make no mistake - no matter what happens with the debt ceiling this is just the opening volley. While our President might win this firefight , the poor and the middle class are in a battle for democracy.
Something that has proven to be a challenge in writing my editorials is keeping up with the many events that affect the homeless in the D.C. area. My commitments to the Community for Creative Non-Violence prevent me from attending most of these events. This puts me at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to staying on top of breaking news. Sometimes by the time I can write an editorial, I find that someone else at Street Sense has already submitted an article on the same topic. Quite often I have had to throw out an editorial for this reason. Then there is the reality that precious little changes for the homeless despite the short-term crises that they may encounter. The homeless remain a disenfranchised population with virtually no rights. Despite the many efforts made to change the public’s perception of homelessness, a sizable number of people simply ignore these efforts and continue to cling to stereotypes that are both cliché and not truly representative of a large percentage of the homeless population. Prophecies of doom make for very dull reading very quickly. Finding a topic that is more upbeat, however, is extremely difficult, because good news for the homeless is indeed rare, especially during financially disturbed times. I personally believe that the powers that be in government have no interest in resolving the homeless problem but seek instead to maintain it so that there will always be a population that lives in a state of desperation and poverty to
tap into for cheap labor. While the government is busy funding foreign wars, people at home go without shelter and food. The attitude that everyone is responsible for his or her own condition in life is a convenient way to avoid taking responsibility for the disadvantaged, but is not morally defensible in any way. This attitude generates a class system based on material wealth that has led to the greed pervasive in American society today. Despite what many people say, homelessness is not a choice. No one in his or her right mind would ever choose to be homeless. Getting out of homelessness is not as easy as some may think. There is the problem of finding employment that pays a wage that is sufficient for sustaining housing. That in itself is difficult whether a person is homeless or not, especially in the current job market. Then there is the problem of credit checks and/or references, and many homeless people fail these. If this were not enough, many landlords would prefer to leave housing units vacant rather than rent them to homeless people, and many landlords shy away from renting to people holding vouchers. With all these obstacles, the only way out is to receive assistance from the outside, which usually translates to “government help.” Unfortunately for the homeless, government is frequently the most difficult of all providers of such assistance. Any government assistance rendered must go through committees and be voted upon before it can be dispensed, and because of the bureaucratic maze that seems to characterize government operations, people can fall through the cracks. All that has been mentioned above is well known to the homeless population. This reality generates little sympathy in the general public for the most part. Some private organizations do indeed render assistance and are therefore noteworthy. However, the problem still exists and needs to be resolved for the best. The solution is long overdue.
14
Our News
in life hold you back; let them be reminders of how blessed you are.” Dawna, 14, remembers the lessons she learned from her vendor, Tommy. “It is okay to let people know who you are and just let your light shine proudly.... Being yourself is great, even when you want to run away from that. Only you can shape your destiny around what you want.”
By Helen West Assistant Vendor/Volunteer Manager Being a vendor isn’t easy. The weather is often too hot or too cold. Sometimes you don’t sell any papers, and many passersby just aren’t very nice. But Street Sense can also be a rewarding job. There are those beautiful days when you sell a lot of papers, and your favorite customers stop by to chat. The Street Sense Vendor for a Day program allows volunteers to experience work as vendors. It teams volunteers with established vendors, who guide them through a day selling the paper. The vendor who leads the team of volunteers receives the profits earned. After several hours of selling, we asked students from Colorado Springs who volunteered as vendors for a day in June to share their experiences. Their church youth group asked that we not use their last names, but here are some of their comments: Nathan, 16, wrote, “Street Sense broke and changed my perceptions, such as [that] all homeless are lazy and/or unwilling to better themselves in this world. Both Veda and Tommy, Street Sense vendors, were homeless, yet they stood on the side of the street selling papers from early in the morning to late at night, a true definition of American determination and perseverance. They weren’t panhandling. They were creating their own enterprise, their own business, and now both Tommy and Veda are living and supporting
themselves with a place to call home. Their stories broke every stereotype that I concocted, and now I realize that great people sometimes have to jump huge hurdles. God challenges the strong, but all these hurdles and these challenges are only to make them stronger. If you can overcome homelessness, there’s not much you can’t conquer.” Chalise, 16, remarked, “It is not easy standing in the heat trying to get people to buy a paper, and I only made $5.70 an hour!! This experience humbled me, and Veda showed me how very blessed I am.” Clay, 16, wrote that upon receiving his papers, he thought, “Only 10?! I’ll fly through these and grab 20 more.” Clay quickly realized how wrong he was. “I had no idea how rude people could be. When I would make eye contact or start speaking to them, their cell phone would suddenly need to be talked on, despite the fact that there was no ring. The persistence and patience it takes for the vendors to stay out there all day and sell is something magnificent.” Nick, 16, said, “Street Sense was a great experience. Selling newspapers is harder than it looks!” Breanna, 15, remembers the experience as “eye-opening, and stereotype breaking…. We got to talk with the vendors on a personal level and got a small but powerful taste of what they go through everyday just to get by.” She recalls some words of advice from her vendor, Veda: “Don’t let the bad things
Zach, 14, sold by an ATM and “a bunch of free newspaper dispensers,” a place where no one usually buys papers. Still, Zach sold six papers and says volunteering “really gave me an idea of helping and respecting others. This pushed me toward God and His word by showing me there are always two sides to things.”
By Hannah Traverse Editorial Intern A reliable Street Sense vendor since the paper was launched in 2003, Phillip Howard, vendor number 14, has now been recognized by Catholic Charities as a reliable tenant, too. In September of 2008, Howard moved into a Minnesota Avenue apartment operated under a Catholic Charities permanent supportive housing program. Howard is still in the same apartment today. For his commitment to the housing program and his ability to consistently stand out as a model resident, Howard received a certificate from Catholic Charities at a festive ceremony in Anacostia on Friday, July 8. For Howard, maintaining a good record has just been a matter of following the rules and having faith in God. Howard says he does not understand howsome of his neighbors could abuse their supportive housing contracts through drug use and vandalism. “They want to do their own thing, but it don’t work like that,” said Howard. “You’re part of a program…you go out too far, and the law will step in… you’re still on somebody else’s property. You’re just renting.” Howard, who lived in the Franklin School shelter before moving into his apartment, enjoys the freedom his apartment allows. He likes having the option to just watch TV or listen to music and then have some quiet time lying
down or reading. Howard enjoys the Guinness Book of World Records and anything that describes happenings that are “strange, but true.” Having his own apartment has also allowed Howard to hone his cooking skills and learn to prepare healthful meals that can help him manage his diabetes and high cholesterol. Howard, who said he has witnessed and read about many incidents that he believes show the power of God, prays every morning, thankful for what he has and to see another day. He tells himself, “if you don’t have it - be happy. And if you do have it – be happy. Be wise, though.”
STREET SENSE July 20 - August 2, 2011
Service Spotlight: DC Central Kitchen By Mary Clare Fischer Editorial Intern Food prices continue to rise at the grocery store, yet Americans still waste 30 million tons of food every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The D.C. Central Kitchen combats this statistic by recycling 3,000 pounds of surplus food into 4,500 meals every day. Created in 1989, DCCK’s mission is to “use food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds and build communities.” By recycling leftover food and using it to prepare meals for homeless shelters and transitional housing, the organization saves service providers millions of dollars. DCCK also provides counseling and outreach programs, which include culinary training for the homeless. Graduates of this program then work for DCCK’s catering company, Fresh Start Catering, or restaurants and hotels in the community.
Department of Mental Health Access Hotline 1-888-7WE HELP (1-888-793-4357) www.dcfoodfinder.org
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
In addition to initiatives that target the homeless, DCCK sponsors programs such as Healthy Returns, a collaboration with social services to offer nutrition advice and meals to the poor; Truck Farm, a showcase that travels nationwide to teach children a healthier way to eat; and the Campus Kitchens Project, which extends the recyclable food model to 26 high schools and college campuses. To contact or learn more about DCCK, call 202-234-0707 or visit www.dccentralkitchen.org
Community Service St. Stephens Parish Church 1525 Newton St, NW (202) 737–9311, www.thrivedc.org
www.georgetownministrycenter.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) 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 Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232–3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplac Church of the Pilgrims (Sundays only) 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387–6612, www.churchofthepilgrims.org Thrive DC Breakfast served Mon.-Fri., 9:30-11 a.m. Dinner for women and children, Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m.
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Whitman–Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW (202) 797–3500, www.wwc.org
OUTREACH CENTERS 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 Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112 Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050, www.friendshiphouse.net Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (202) 338–8301
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: Lorrie Hayes
The Last Word By Zachary Davidson Editorial Intern
By Zachary Davidson Editorial Intern Lorrie Hayes may have been nervous to be featured in Street Sense, but she didn’t miss a beat when she paused to reapply her lip gloss. As Vendor 351, Hayes learned of Street Sense from another vendor. She was fortunate to have joined the vendor staff in May 2010 by the time her apartment burned down in November and she became homeless. In her spare time, Hayes works as a desk clerk at the shelter in the Northwest district where she now lives. Her application for a housing program is being processed, and she is hoping for positive results from her interview back in June. Hayes plans on one day going to school. She would like to work as a nursing assistant or in medical billing and coding. When it comes to her customers, Hayes said, “I love my customers,” she said. “They are very good to me and know me on a first name basis. I’m their favorite vendor. I always ask them, ‘You having a good day?’ I think people really like the good morning. They are on this hum-drum -- on their way to work and then they
encounter me. I wake them up! ‘Good morning would you like to make a donation today?’ It’s like a little breath of fresh air. It’s wonderful to make them smile! We laugh together, sometimes hug, and I see them off to work.” Hayes said that she doesn’t let anything bring her down. She looks forward every morning to keep on staying positive and moving forward. Hayes sells Street Sense at 13 and G during Tuesday and Thursday early morning rush hour until the early afternoon.
July 6 - 19, 2011• Volume 8 • Issue 18 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC
Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
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vendors and do not give to those panhandling with one paper. Interested in a subscription? Go to page 14 for more information.
Some of you may have noticed the ad that appeared in the last issue of Street Sense. “We’re lucky to have a home…but our chairs needs some help.” It included a picture of a couple of broken chairs here in our humble office (where all the magic of Street Sense happens, sort of like a Santa’s workshop for news.) Well, I am pleased to announce, with a little bit of nagging and some dumpster diving, our need for chairs has been satisfied. Next door to our place here at the Church of the Epiphany, some neighbors in a well-appointed office building began discarding some of their office equipment into a large yellow dumpster in the alley. Right from our window we spotted a growing heap of office chairs. They looked far better than ours! And being a staff of resourceful nonprofit interns, it did not take long before some of my colleagues and I took action. We descended into the dumpster. But, almost instantly, we were spotted by a security camera, a voice began yelling at us from a megaphone on the side of the building. “Get out of the dumpster!” Respectfully and sheepishly, we ran back into our office like giggly naughty children. But my theory is what is your trash could be my treasure, especially if I’m an intern who is lucky to have half a desk to share with someone else and your beautiful office building has its own waterfall (which, for all of its impressiveness, just makes me need to find the nearest restroom). If you don’t want my dreams to come true at least let me recycle for you; you were just going to throw it out anyway. My colleagues agreed. And two of them went back to the office building
to ask if we could have the chairs. They were told that we had to go through a donations department in order to try to claim them. By then, I had made it my mission to get those chairs. The next morning I went to the office building and told the nice woman behind the front desk who I was and what I needed. I asked whom I should speak with. I can only assume the very helpful receptionist either took pity on me or just wanted to get me out of there. She gave me the name and number of another person I’ll call Mr. R. Initially Mr. R. insisted to me that the chairs were broken and useless, to which I responded that our standards were quite low. Not long after, a fresh dumpster of chairs hit the pavement. With an OK from Mr. R. I was back in the dumpster. I handed the likeliest chairs to my colleagues who were waiting outside the dumspter. They swiveled each chair around and tested them. We hauled the best ones back here to our office where we are enjoying them as I write. I have been leaving grateful voicemails for Mr. R. I’m not sure what he thinks of me. “Is there something else you want?” he asked. “Well, what do you have?” I asked in reply. So far we have only gotten the chairs, but I’m crossing my fingers for a water cooler and a new mouse. You hear that Mr. R?