11.22.2023 by Street Sense Media

VOL. 21 ISSUE 1

NOV. 22 - DEC. 5, 2023

Real Stories

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OUR STORY STREET SENSE MEDIA

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The Cover COVER ART BY CARLOS CAROLINA, COVER DESIGN BY ANNEARIE CUCCIA

THE TEAM VENDORS Abel Putu, Aida Peery, Al Edmonson, Akindele Akerejah, Amia Walker, Amina Washington, Andre Brinson, Andrew Anderson, Angie Whitehurst, Anthony Carney, Antoinette Calloway, Archie Thomas, Beverly Sutton, Brianna Butler, Burton Wells, C. Smith, Carlos Carolina, Carol Motley, Charles Armstrong, Charles Woods, Chon Gotti, Chris Cole, Conrad Cheek, Corey Sanders, Daniel Ball,

Darlesha Joyner, David Snyder, Debora Brantley, Degnon (Gigi) Dovonou, Denise Hall, Dominique Anthony, Don Gardner, Donté Turner, Doris Robinson, Earl Parker, Dwayne Butler, Eric Glover, Eric ThompsonBey, Erica Downing, Evelyn Nnam, Floyd Carter, Franklin Sterling, Frederic John, Frederick Walker, Freedom, Gerald Anderson, Greta Christian, Harriet Fields, Henrieese Roberts, Henry Johnson, Ivory Wilson,

Jacqueline “Jackie” Turner, Jacquelyn Portee, James Davis, James Hughes, Jeanette Richardson, Jeff Taylor, Jeffery McNeil, Jeffrey Carter, Jemel Fleming, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jermale McKnight, Jet Flegette, Jewel Lewis, John Alley, John Littlejohn, Josie Brown, Juliene Kengnie, Kenneth Middleton, Khadijah Chapman, Kym Parker, Laticia Brock, Laura Smith, Lawrence Autry, Levester Green, Lu Potter, L. Morrow,

Mango Redbook, Marc Grier, Marcus McCall, Mars, Martin Walker, Mary Sellman, Maurice Spears, Melody Byrd, Michael Warner, Michele Rochon, Morgan Jones, Nikila Smith, Patricia Donaldson, Patty Smith, Phillip Black, Queenie Featherstone, Rachelle Ellison, Rashawn Bowser, Reginald Black, Reginald C. Denny, Ricardo Meriedy, Richard “Mooney” Hart, Rita Sauls, Robert Reed, Robert Warren, Rochelle Walker,

Ron Dudley, Sasha Williams, Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov, Sybil Taylor, Tonya Williams Vennie Hill, Warren Stevens, Wendell Williams, William Mack BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mary Coller Albert, Blake Androff, Nana-Sentuo Bonsu, Jonquilyn Hill, Stanley Keeve, Clare Krupin, Ashley McMaster, Matt Perra, Michael Phillips, Daniel Webber, Shari Wilson, Corrine Yu

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Brian Carome DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Darick Brown DIRECTOR OF VENDOR EMPLOYMENT Thomas Ratliff VENDOR PROGRAM ASSOCIATES Aida Peery, Chon Gotti, Nikila Smith

S T RE E T S E NS E ME DI A . ORG

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ending our 20th year

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The offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24, for Thanksgiving.

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The holiday celebration will be Friday, Dec. 8, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Community Hall. We'll have lunch and holiday gift bags for all! With regrets, this event is only for vendors, volunteers and staff. No guests are allowed.

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Two more weeks to complete a vendor survey! $10 and 10 newspapers for 10 minutes of your time. Ask the front desk!

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Street Sense Media follows the federal government for weather closures. Check the office status by going to opm.gov/status.

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Find a list of vendor announcements and other useful information just for you at streetsensemedia. org/vendor-info.

BRIAN CAROME CEO

his issue is the first of our 21st year of publication. The small but ambitious nonprofit organization started by a group of young volunteers in 2003 has survived its way into adulthood. There have been many struggles along the way, including this year, when a budget shortfall forced us to return to biweekly publication and eliminate more than a third of our staff. This milestone is cause for both celebration and disappointment. We celebrate being one of the longest operating street papers in the world. And we are proud that we have provided employment and other opportunities to over 700 vendors over these last 20 years — offering them a job, powerful means of self-expression, a chance to build a supportive community around themselves and case management support to help them navigate to greater stability. We celebrate all of our vendors who have fought and won their battle with homelessness and now know the great stability of a place to call home. We’re proud of a newsroom that annually captures awards for its original reporting. We’re proud of an internship program that has launched the careers of hundreds of journalists over the years. We celebrate and are grateful for you, our loyal customers and readers who have been an essential part of this journey. Looking ahead, we are committed to the men and women we serve

and to the highest standards of journalism. We enter our third decade quite a bit leaner than we were a year ago, full of concerns about our financial health, but driven by the knowledge that our work and mission are as relevant as ever. And there lies our disappointment. Homelessness is as much, if not more of a problem today than it was in 2003 when we first started publishing. The number of people who are homeless in the District is on the rise again. And along the way these past 20 years, we have lost so many of our vendor colleagues to the scourge of homelessness. We know firsthand how life on the streets dramatically shortens lives. At Street Sense Media, we believe that housing is a human right. That in a nation of such great wealth, there is no reason why anyone should have to sleep outside. That homelessness is reflective of societal, not personal failures. And that the right kind of political courage and investment can ensure that homelessness is both short in duration and infrequent. As always, we publish this paper to help shape understanding about this issue and the people it affects most harshly. We do so with the belief that a more informed citizenry will be more likely to demand and support initiatives that address homelessness. We thank you for purchasing this paper from one of our vendors, and in so doing helping to make ours a better community.

BIRTHDAYS

ARTIST/VENDOR

Wendell Williams Dec. 4 ARTIST/VENDOR

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Beverly Sutton Dec. 2 ARTIST/VENDOR

VENDOR PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS Beverly Brown, Roberta Haber, Ann Herzog, Madeleine McCollough INTERIM EDITORIN-CHIEF Annemarie Cuccia

MICHAEL STOOPS FELLOW Eliza DuBose ARTISTS-INRESIDENCE Ariane Mohseni (Film), Bonnie Naradzay (Poetry), David Serota (Illustration), Lalita Clozel (Film), Willie

EVENTS AT SSM

LETTER FROM THE CEO

Eric Thompson-Bey Nov. 22

Laticia Brock Dec. 5

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Schatz (Writing), Leslie Jacobson (Theater), Roy Barber (Theater), Rachel Dungan (Podcast) OPINION EDITOR (VOLUNTEER) Candace Montague

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VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT Read this democratically elected code of conduct, by vendors, for vendors! 1.

I will support Street Sense Media’s mission statement and in so doing will work to support the Street Sense Media community and uphold its values of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity.

I will treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and fellow vendors, respectfully at all times. I will refrain from threatening others, pressuring customers into making donations, or engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices.

I understand that I am not an employee of Street Sense Media but an independent contractor.

While distributing the Street Sense newspaper, I will not ask for more than $2 per issue or solicit donations by any other means.

I will only purchase the newspaper from Street Sense Media staff and volunteers and will not distribute newspapers to other vendors.

“I will not distribute copies of “Street Sense” on metro trains and buses or on private property.”

I will abide by the Street Sense Media Vendor Territory Policy at all times and will resolve any related disputes with other vendors in a professional manner.

I will not sell additional goods or products while distributing “Street Sense.”

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I understand that my badge and vest are property of Street Sense Media and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing “Street Sense” and will always display my badge when distributing “Street Sense.”

Tuesday!

EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS J.M. Acsienzo, Josh Axelrod, Ryan Bacic, Casey Bacot, Dakota Bragato, Chelsea Ciruzzo, Lenika Cruz, August Ditcher, Anne Eigeman, Matt Gannon, Dan Goff, Alison Henry, Annabella Hoge,

Micah Levey, Benjamin Litoff, Kate Malloy, Taylor Nichols, Anisa Noor, Kathryn Owens, Roman Peregrino, Rachel Siegal, Jessica Webster, Miles Wilson, Elise Zaidi

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NEWS

Remembering Carl Turner

The former Street Sense artist and vendor died in September. ELIZA DUBOSE Michael Stoops Fellow

arl Turner, a former Street Sense artist and vendor, died in September. He was 71. Turner was born in June 1952 in Chester, Pennsylvania, into a big family. The family moved to D.C. when Turner was a teenager, and he finished high school in Maryland. Turner was in a serious relationship with his high school sweetheart and the pair had their first child shortly after they graduated high school. He and his sweetheart separated sometime after that. Turner was an extensive traveler and spent much of the next decade traveling across the United States. He lived in Texas, North Carolina, Nevada, Florida, Washington and Virginia before returning to the District. While in Richmond, Turner met his ex-wife, Jacqueline Turner, who goes by Jackie. The couple got married in the Bronx in 1984 before heading back to D.C. They were married for 32 years before separating in 2018.

“I will miss him. I will always think about him." Jackie said Turner had many jobs, including a brief stint in the Senate working as a page and several years as a used car mechanic and salesman. But Jackie remembered him as “one of those free people” who was never meant for a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job. Turner joined Street Sense in 2007, later bringing Jackie with him to the team. Angie Whitehurst, a felllow Street Sense Media artist and vendor, remembered Turner most strongly for his relationship with Jackie. “She was his lifeline, she allowed him to be the person he

was at heart,” Whitehurst said. In Jackie’s memory, Turner was outgoing, charming and caring. Despite their separation, she remembers him with fondness and generosity. While they were married, Jackie remembers feeling like the couple could never go anywhere without someone calling out Turner’s childhood nickname: “Magic Man!” Each time, they’d have to stop and talk for a while. “He must’ve known a million people,” she said. “And everyone knew him.” Jackie said Turner had the gift of gab, which could be simultaneously charming and infuriating. Turner often found it difficult to know when to hold his tongue, which got him into trouble throughout his life but also contributed to his popularity. “Everybody liked him, even though he talked a lot of trash,” Jackie said. “But he never hurt anyone. He would make you laugh. He had a wild personality.” Jackie and Turner met on a bus when Turner, whom Jackie remembers as being well-dressed and handsome, struck up a conversation. He had an “intoxicating charm,” she remembered, that made him unique. No matter how much his talking got on people’s nerves or the trouble it got him into, no one could ever seem to bring themselves to hate him. “He told me I never had to do anything I didn’t want to,” she said. That was the sentiment that made her initially fall in love with him. He wanted her to know that he loved her and would take care of her. Jackie laughed remembering how he’d pound his chest and tell her “I’m the man.” In the early days of their marriage, she remembers Turner always making an effort to make her feel beautiful and cared for. Jackie says Turner took great joy in being able to share gifts with the people he loved. He bought her flowers. She recalls him enthusiastically demonstrating the various usages of a hair

Carl Turner and his sister. Street Sense file photo

Carl Turner was an artist and vendor at Street Sense Media. Street Sense file photo

dryer he bought her, including a function meant to help dry nail polish more quickly. “I know you’re going to love this,” Jackie remembers him telling her, excitedly listing every perk. For Turner it seemed it was the act of giving the gift that mattered most, not the object’s price or use. One day, he bought Jackie a bottle of Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds perfume, a steep purchase at the time. Almost immediately after leaving the store, Jackie dropped the bottle of perfume and it shattered on the sidewalk. She was crying, furious with herself, but Turner comforted her. “Don’t worry about it. It ain’t nothing but perfume,” he told her. Turner’s big family came with lots of nephews, and eventually, his granddaughter. Turner had an extraordinary ability to bond with children, according to Jackie. “My granddaughter thought her grandfather was the nicest man in the world because he knew how to play kids’ games,” she said, laughing. She recalled Turner teasing his nephews, and the way the kids would light up when they saw him. He performed magic tricks and challenged the boys to push-up contests like a friendly drill sergeant. Each push-up earned the kids a dollar. “He was a sweet man, in his way,” Jackie said. Eventually, Jackie and Turner separated. Turner could be demanding and mean, Jackie said, and had a temper. She decided that to take care of herself, she should leave him, but it didn’t mean she didn’t love him. “I will miss him. I will always think about him,” Jackie said, “He will always be in my heart. And I know some people feel the same way about him.” If you have a memory of Carl that you would like to share, please contact Street Sense Media at editor@streetsensemedia.org.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

Covenant House Sleep Out raises funds, awareness for youth homelessness TAYLOR NICHOLS AND APRIL QUEVEDO Volunteer Freelancer Reporters

ver 200 people gathered on the Wharf’s Recreation Pier on a cold November night, preparing to sleep outside despite temperatures dropping to the low 40s. Their sleeping bags, collapsed cardboard boxes and wooden shipping pallets were a stark contrast to the luxury hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants lining the redeveloped waterfront. Covenant House Greater Washington (CHGW) hosted its annual Sleep Out event on Nov. 16 in tandem with Covenant Houses across the country to raise funds and awareness to combat youth homelessness. The nonprofit supports young adults ages 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness through housing, drop-in centers, clothing, food, mental health services and career preparation services. “I think a lot of people think [the Sleep Out] is designed to mimic homelessness, but that's not the intent at all,” said Angela Jones Hackley, CEO of CHGW. “It really is … an event to show young people who are experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity that we see you and we support you.” The Sleep Out is one of CHGW’s largest fundraising events, Jones Hackley said. Last year, the organization raised about $364,000 to support youth programs. This year, the nonprofit increased its goal to $500,000 which organizers hope to raise through this event and another Sleep Out in the spring. The funds go toward CHGW services that government contracts don’t fully cover, including food, toiletries and workforce development staff, Jones Hackley said. CHGW serves up to 132 young adults through their D.C. and Prince George’s County locations. Despite lower rates of homelessness overall compared to pre-pandemic, D.C. and surrounding counties have seen a rise in young adults experiencing homelessness since 2019, according to the Point-in-Time Count — the annual census of individuals experiencing homelessness. According to the 2023 count, the number of single young adults ages 18 to 24 expereincing homelessness more than tripled in Prince George’s County from 2019 to 2023. The District saw an increase of 40% in young adult homelessness since 2019.

Before the Sleep Out, a panel of Covenant House alumni gave testimony to the positive effects the organization had on their lives. The group gave credit to the organization for teaching them skills they needed to succeed after finishing the program. Since leaving Covenant House, the alumni have become business owners, general managers and stylists. “You can give a person a billion dollars, but to teach a person to make a billion dollars is way more Sleep Out participants begin to set up their sleeping areas for the night. Photos important,” program alumni Saquan by Taylor Nichols and April Quevedo Brown said. The organization is there to support individuals, but each person is responsible for their awareness for what young people experiencing homelessness own progress, Terra Stephens, who is now a case manager go through, especially during the colder months. The event at the organization, said. The relationships established with draws newcomers and people who regularly participate each their peers, organization staff and mentors helped young people year. For many, it can help reinvigorate commitment to fighting navigate their way to independent living situations and careers. homelessness, CEO Jones Hackley said. Stephens sought out CHGW services twice — she arrived For third-year participant and board member Jake Brody, at the organization first at 18 and returned as a single mother participating in the Sleep Out keeps him motivated to continue at 21. While in transition between housing locations, she said the work Covenant House does. the staff welcomed her and her then-five-month-old son with “The reality is you feel humbled and you feel inspired,” open arms. Brody said. “You feel humbled by the challenge facing those “I had no anxiety about coming back because I knew what who experience homelessness on a daily basis and you feel the environment was,” she said. “We had created a family for inspired to continue to give more.” ourselves.” After the alumni panel, event organizers recognized Brody Stephens’ first-hand experience with homelessness as a single as this year’s top individual fundraiser with over $9,000 raised. mother is an asset when working with program participants as He said he hopes to see the entire pier filled with participants a case manager, she said. from across the metro D.C. area in the future. During the panel, alumni Jazmine Butler encouraged youth Hope, it seems, is never in short supply at the organization. in need to reach out for support when in need. Hope got program alumni and case manager Stephens “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” said Butler. “I think that’s through life when she sought out services years ago, and now what a lot of our youths who struggle with homelessness are as she helps her clients. doing. They’re afraid to ask for help because they’re afraid “[Covenant House] let me know that hope is infinite,” to be told no.” Stephens said. “Hope never drains, hope is always there when Aside from funding, the Sleep Out is designed to raise nothing else is left.”

The Covenant House Great Washington alumni panel. Seated from left to right: Jazmine Butler, Terra Stephens, Trayvon Randolph, Saquan Brown, Marquise Cotton.

Covenant House Greater Washington alumni Terra Stephens shares her experience.

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NEWS

More than 1 in 10 DC residents are housing insecure, new report shows MORGAN BASKIN DCist/WAMU

novel study on housing insecurity in the District estimates that more than 82,000 residents — 12% of the city’s population — do not have stable housing. The overwhelming majority of those are Black and Hispanic households. Published Nov. 16 by researchers from the Urban Institute, the report defines housing insecurity as living arrangements that are either unaffordable or inadequate, or so tenuous that occupants have to make frequent or unwanted moves. The researchers excluded unhoused people from their total. Black residents comprise 41% of the D.C. population but 68% of those facing housing insecurity, the authors found. Hispanic residents represent 7% of the city’s population but 14% of the housing insecure population. Conversely, while white residents comprise 40% of D.C.’s population, only 9% of people facing housing insecurity are white. One of the groups most affected by housing insecurity is children: An estimated one in four kids ages 17 and younger in D.C. face housing insecurity, the authors found. “We think that the report has some pretty dire findings, and that is even one of our most conservative [estimates] of housing insecurity,” Lydia Lo, one of the study’s lead authors, told DCist/WAMU. “One of the striking statistics that we didn’t enjoy finding but that was really illuminating is just, what resources and options you have to weather insecurity vary dramatically by race and by what kind of household you’re in.” Lo pointed to their research indicating that, of the white residents they found that face housing insecurity, half of those people are couch surfing or staying with friends to reduce living costs. But Black residents — who were also more likely to live in households with children — were more likely to experience other challenges, like overcrowding, housing with inadequate conditions issues like pests and unaffordability.

“If you are Black in this city, and you’re housing insecure, you are dealing with inadequate housing, you are dealing with unaffordability, and that speaks to the different types of resources [available],” Lo adds. Urban Institute conducted the study in conjunction with The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, the nonprofit provider that coordinates D.C.’s homeless services system. The study is among the first to attempt to measure the scope of housing insecurity in D.C., in part because there is no widely accepted definition of the concept. D.C. residents line up to check their eligibility for public housing. Photo by Dee Dwyer / DCist/WAMU The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development narrowly defines homelessness, for example, as people who metrics — ranging from poor housing quality to rent/mortgage live on the street or stay in emergency shelters, excluding payment uncertainty and a history of frequent moves — populations who participate in time-limited housing programs designed with feedback from focus groups conducted with or stay with friends and relatives. Other federal agencies do people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity, as recognize doubling up as a form of homelessness. well as those who work in housing and real estate. Lo says that The Community Partnership approached Urban Survey respondents who answered yes to five or more of Institute as pandemic-era social service programs began to the team’s metrics were categorized as housing insecure. draw to a close, hoping to better understand how those changes Respondents were automatically considered housing insecure would affect the people they serve. if they had received an eviction notice, faced foreclosure or To capture the myriad forms that housing insecurity can were living in their household temporarily. take, the team created its own survey of more than a dozen The team found that, among those facing housing insecurity, the most common type is housing unaffordability, followed by inadequate housing and unwanted moves. Claudia Solari, another of the report’s lead authors, encourages readers to pay close attention to the kinds of housing insecurity residents face — not just how many people face them. For those who can’t afford their housing, policy interventions could include subsidies like mortgage or rental assistance. But those tools are less helpful for people who are moving for reasons unrelated to cost, she says; and in cases where renters are having problems with their landlord, it could be more beneficial to fund landlord mediations. “The way you plan your resources and who’s going to access them really will differ because of the different forms of instability people are experiencing,” Solari says. The report comes amid a flurry of other studies indicating that more D.C. residents than ever face financial precarity: More than 44,000 D.C. residents spend more than half of their income on rent, one report published in October found, while more than one-third of residents face food insecurity. The U.S. Marshals service has reported, meanwhile, that eviction filings increased 250% between January 2022 and 2023. This story was originally produced by DCist/WAMU.

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Behind the story: A Q & A with Lisa Blackburn Ullven ANGIE WHITEHURST Artist/Vendor

ith the 20th anniversary of Street Sense Media coming to a close, it seemed like the perfect time to dig deeper into the true story “The stranger who saved my life.” The short story is in a chapter in Lisa Blackburn Ullven’s book. When Ullven was 18 years old, a man experiencing homelessness saved her life. She learned he was just one of a group of men and at least one woman who slept near her college campus and worked together to keep students safe. The experience led her to rethink her view of homelessness, and ultimately, to feature the story in her book as a testament to the power that one individual can have. To get the behind-the-scenes view, I headed to Florida to interview Ullven, CEO of Guided Results, and author of “Secrets to Sustainable Solutions – Tips From Business, Science & NonProfit Experts.” This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Can you read a paragraph from the book that captures the story? “No cars, no people — I could almost hear my heart beating. Then I took a step forward and looked to the right. In between two buildings, I saw five men dressed in all dark clothing. As one of them uttered, 'Get her,' I saw five shiny silver objects flash as they flicked their knives open. At that moment, I threw my books to the right and ran as fast as I could. Most people run well in sneakers, but for whatever reason, I could book it in high heels. I got to the first-floor dorm entrance, pulled open the door, and ran up the stairs. While I never looked back, I heard the door open and slam and then immediately open and slam again. I imagined at least one of the five men had gotten into the corridor, but I could not imagine why the door slammed hard two times close together. I kept running, got to the second-floor door, and went inside. I heard a rugged voice yell, 'Leave her alone. Stay away from her!' The sounds of the door opening and shutting quickly and then quickly again made sense now. Whoever that man was, he must have stopped the gang of men from opening the bottom door — causing it to slam and then slam again. I stayed up most of the night wondering what had happened and who that man was, where he had come from, and whether he had literally taken on a gang of five men.”

How did you think about homelessness before the experience you described in your story? At 18 years old, I simplistically put people into three categories: one, citizens who contribute to society, two, criminals who take from society and then three, homeless people who were basically neutral — not really adding any value. But when the homeless man took on a gang of five men to save me, I realized that this man that I classified as “not really adding value” just saved my life — the highest possible value. Before that night, the words “homeless hero,” as he’s called in the book, seemed to be an oxymoron. I wanted readers to get to know this man with an open mind to see him through my new view.

You write, “As I looked back at him, I thought there must be a very sad story of how he’d gotten here. I was not ready to hear that story and not sure he was up to sharing, so we just paused for a moment and went on our way.” Did you ever learn “his story”? When I returned to thank him, I asked someone if the homeless man by the door was around. The person responded, “It’s safe now. They got rid of those homeless people.” It is odd that I feel like I got to know his heart, but never even knew his name.

What was the moment that impacted you the most? While his saving my life was the obvious impactful part, the part that really affected me was when he showed how he cared for me. “The next day, the homeless man seemed upset and said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me you changed your schedule?’ He acted like a protective father, upset at his daughter for staying out too late. I’d never had that experience because my father passed when I was very young, but at that moment, I suddenly felt like he was the caring, upset father — up all night, worried sick about his daughter. Confused as to why a homeless person would ask me such a question, I paused in silence. He then said, ‘We arranged our entire schedule to protect you.’” I think the experience made me a better person. It helped me truly value the untapped potential of each person. If it had not been for the trauma of the gang chasing me, I would have never known that people experiencing homelessness on our campus had come up with a schedule and entire strategy to protect students.

Most would not expect a book called “Secrets to Sustainable Solutions” to feature a true story about a homeless man. What inspired you to include this story? The chapter is called “The Power of One.” The format of the book is designed to make it easy to visualize the tips and tools. For example, this story can help you reflect on whether a simple “Hello” or “Thank you” may inspire someone to look out for you. One reader was inspired to think about how “everyone has purpose” and how we can use the tips and tools in the book to “pull us back together again.” Editor’s note: Angie Whitehurst and Lisa Blackburn Ullven are friends, and have written together in the past. This story was produced with support from Ullven.

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LORI SMITH Artist/Vendor

Thanksgiving TONYA WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor

Thanksgiving is a time to be very thankful to our Lord. There is something so special about Thanksgiving, you can feel the love and joy when you are around your family. It just brings more people together — eating, talking and sharing love. And let's not forget about the homeless. They need love too. I hope they find somewhere to stay warm and eat. Maybe a family will bring someone home this year for Thanksgiving. That's why I love Street Sense, because they will continue to help the homeless in some kind of way. Street Sense has been helping the homeless for a very long time and we love Street Sense.

Like what you see? All visual art in this issue is available for sale, with half the proceeds going to the artist and half to support Street Sense Media. Email annemarie@streetsensemedia.org for details.

Oh, happy Thanksgiving! EVELYN NNAM Artist/Vendor

Is it Thanksgiving already? Welcome aboard! We can’t wait to spend time with family, friends and loved ones who will share these great moments of gratitude. Thanksgiving is the time to really relax, sit back and enjoy the moment! A time to be had with small or large gatherings, just being grateful for what we have and that we are still alive and living. We may not be as good or satisfied as some who have it better, but the fact that we are still breathing and moving is amazing! I am thankful for my health and my daughter. I thank God that she is doing well and living her life. I am thankful that I can provide for her with the little I have and she still is grateful for anything she gets. I thank God that I can wake up every morning with a smile on my face. I’m thankful I can see the sun and the moon every day. I am just grateful for having a healthy life where I can see my daughter and my daughter can see me. Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy good food and the atmosphere. A time of fun and new memories. Let’s dig into the big, juicy turkey, ham, chicken, sweet potatoes, greens, yams, macaroni and all the great yummy goodies that Thanksgiving offers. Thanksgiving has a really good vibe. The cool atmosphere, colorful trees, warm stylish clothes. That feeling of being together with those who were there with you from the beginning of the year gives you that warm and cozy feeling. I hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you remember to be thankful for the little and big things in life. Thank you!

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Thanksgiving BRIANNA BUTLER Artist/Vendor

Thanksgiving is all about spending time with your friends and loved ones that you can count on to spread joy. We give thanks to God for our strength and for being together in a world of peace and happiness. We sit at a table filled with delicious food, showing how far we have come as strong, spiritual people. So let’s pass the turkey, duck, chicken, fish or tofu (hey, have it your way!) with stuffing or dressing and with a lot of gravy poured on top. Add a cup or a big spoon of crispy green beans or another green (I prefer collards) and enjoy. Don’t forget the creamy mac and cheese; dairy or vegan, it doesn’t matter. They both taste great — depending on who’s fixing it, of course. Then take a stroll into the cold streets and show your love by giving food and something to keep warm to people who need help. Come back inside and gather together around the couches to watch one of the best sports — football, Americanstyle — and jump and cheer while you munch on chips and dip, cheese and Slim Jims. But, save room for the sweet potato and pumpkin pies, the favorites in our house.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace and love. Everyone should have a nice Thanksgiving. And let's not forget the people that are unfortunate. I think the worst thing to do is not help someone when you can help them.

ANDRE BRINSON Artist/Vendor

ROCHELLE WALKER Artist/Vendor

Thanksgiving JACQUELINE TURNER Artist/Vendor

This is a special day when people gather together to share food, thoughts and good times. You join with family you haven’t seen for a long time. And, oh yeah, people watch a lot of football. It’s extra special for me because I was married the day after Thanksgiving in 1984. So every time it comes around I think about how happy I felt that day. I was married for 32 years before we divorced. Sadly, my ex-husband Carl died on Sep. 9. But I am grateful to have had that time in my life. There are so many ways to explain Thanksgiving. The Bible says you should always be thankful because nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream and God opens the door only for those who have faith. The simplest way to look at the holiday is to be glad about what you have and be happy with what you get. And remember that many, many people have nothing.

Thanksgiving MARS Artist/Vendor

Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1621 between the pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. It wasn't until 1863 that it became a national holiday when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it to be held annually in November.

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OPINION

The freedom of information age LORI SMITH

he information age is supposed to offer us greater government transparency and access. The Paperwork Reduction Act means most people have come to expect digital and electronic means to secure what they need from government. Government information technology systems are more important and fundamental than ever. People generally benefit when information is not hidden from them and they can participate or engage in generating accurate and reliable records about themselves and for themselves, especially for their benefit and the general welfare. Open and transparent government inoculates against shadow government, abuse of power and incompetence. Still, open public records requests need to be much more accessible and transparent. For example, finding the "State Request Form" in New Jersey was time-consuming and not easy or straightforward. The Paperwork Reduction Act should mean we are achieving the goal of greater access and transparency, but people who are adversely affected are seeing the opposite. Our government needs to prioritize getting it right with greater government transparency. The government can't complain about an alleged "lack of interest" or confidence by people if proceedings aren't accessible. For indigent people, government now either has prohibitively high costs associated with its services, especially record requests involving personal information, or uses third-party vendors, like for the U.S. Census and family records searches. This is prohibitive, for instance, when establishing tribal membership, accessing census historical data or going to the Social Security Administration. Paying over $100 for an employment history is prohibitive, and ID requirements mean you can't even get in the federal building to address tax refund issues. The government holds our data and our money hostage, and this backlogs and logjams our lives and the government system processes themselves even further, on top of what the pandemic already did. The government has a "pay-toplay" service model with our lives, collecting our data, collecting our money, forcing our dependency on it for work and many important aspects of our lives, and it is most detrimental to those who are indigent. This especially negatively impacts the homeless and contributes to chronic homelessness, directly. The use of thirdparty vendors to provide services is no better, and usually worse. The expansive and increasing use of third-party vendors and fees to access public records without accounting for indigency is a violation with serious impacts on employment, personal economy and resolving or addressing any other matters that require public records. There’s an assumption that everything can be accommodated in a timely fashion, but that is hubris and detracts from the flexibility the public and people with special considerations require. We cannot predict it all, but we can accommodate. We must promote access that keeps our government

relevant to the people and what they require through all life's circumstances. The government marches on, affords itself the time it needs and gives itself extensions where necessary, but the timelines and timeframes for what is expected from people is tight, restrictive, inflexible and obstructive with little recourse or remedy. Most systems like this across the United States favor public access to financial information, catering to business and economic interests. While citizens are used as the "sell" for such systems, what is delivered in reality and prioritized is business-oriented. the result is government by business, for business, at the expense of the people. Public records access, accountability and transparency has actually been declining for the general citizenry, especially lowincome and vulnerable people. Even ADA requirements are not being adequately or appropriately accommodated. Indigent people are especially negatively impacted. Public records access is a right and a necessity. Costs may be assessed for a records request according to the service. This has long been the case and is well understood generally. However, with the advent of government information systems, this adoption was expected to reduce costs and increase access for citizens. Instead, costs have been used in a restrictive way creating obstacles and barriers for too many. Consider Colorado. The Colorado Judicial Branch does not provide public access to free Colorado court records but uses third-party vendors that charge varying fees. Colorado recognizes "Transparency and accountability to state citizens is a hallmark of good government." This lends the impression of empowering people's interests. The Colorado Open Records Act provides that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, generally. This state law was made possible by the federal Freedom of Information Act, which generally provides that any person has a right to request access to federal agency records or information. Information technology systems through third-party vendors that Colorado maintains are not intended to replace Colorado citizens' access to public information. Rather it is intended to reduce the time and cost and to maximize convenience for state citizens. Colorado's third-party contractor and vendor LexisNexis is the quickest and "most affordable" way to search for Colorado court records. Before a search can be conducted, a user must set up a billing profile with their credit card attached. All online searches are $10 or less. However, the price for a search is the same regardless of whether many results are returned or no results are returned, and after an initial search, a user has 24 hours to review the results before being charged again for the same access. This is because the law was designed to accommodate hard copy material and labor in records retrieval to recoup the costs of court employee time and resources. Third-party vendors administrating public access to records utilize this very same rule to charge accordingly. The issue is that most of these systems and their administrators do

not accommodate the portion of the law that states, as in Colorado, "Such fees shall be waived for litigants, counsel of record, victims, witnesses, and the media if the requested file concerns a case file located on-site and may be waived for an off-site retrieval if the request concerns an open and active case. Retrieval fees shall be waived for criminal justice agencies and persons determined to be indigent." Most states have laws to this effect meant to include all members of society in public records access and transparency. Where systems do accommodate on this basis, access is often buried, not readily apparent or navigable. These issues concerning government transparency and public access present a dichotomy, since on one end these systems are being promoted on the backs of the people with the justification that their rights are being empowered, and on the other end, the exact opposite is occurring. Our rights are not afforded on a "pay-to-play" basis. One incredibly negative outcome is promoting justice for those who can afford it, but not for those who can't, creating a two-tier system of rights and freedoms that is unacceptable. That undermines confidence in government. This is also contributing heavily to those we see who are indigent and vulnerable people, the disabled, aged and elderly, medically compromised and more. When we ask why certain demographics of people aren't enjoying American rights and freedoms to their full capacity and extent possible, these insights give us a better understanding. Systematically, the information age is delivering to some, but not all. One of the key functions of government is public access to government business and other matters of life for those for whom these records are critical and vital. This includes for employment and economic purposes, by which all members of society must be included. Where government fails to deliver on one of its most quintessential tasks, public records access and government transparency, using "costs" in a prohibitive and obstructive way, our government fails a fundamental mandate everyone requires. These issues aren't isolated to government third-party information technology systems contractors. Irrespective of the government agency a member of the public visits to request public records, including at the federal level, many records are no longer available and must be specially requested and/or require very large fees to secure. This is accompanied by less government staffing than ever. While the government favors making a transition to reduce costs, labor and time by automating itself, the promise to the people is being eroded and undermined. Government is ill-afforded when it simply exists for the sake of its own institution. Its functions cannot be divorced from the functions it must serve for the people, a government by the people, for the people. How words of law are interpreted and practiced must reflect the principles of our rights and freedoms for anything rendered by the government to be properly reflected. Lori Smith is a vendor and artist with Street Sense Media.

Mental help MARCUS MCCALL Artist/Vendor

There is a lot of mental health help in the District. Living homeless plays a role in a person’s mental health. I have seen many providers pull up and offer mental health help. I would love to see the transformation for people that come from some of these organizations. People can benefit from therapy or talk groups. Some services pull up, say the company name, and then the caseworker gets the consumer's information and might ask a few questions about housing. Or they’ll see if the person is just scamming. I think they are scamming, not helping. I have switched agencies twice because they asked me to “sign my name here” for $20. I tried to follow up with the caseworker; the caseworker, not the worker. Now you hook up with some services that you never applied to. Some people just wait every week to sign the paper for $20 saying, “I have received help.”

S T RE E T S E NS E ME DI A . ORG

ROCHELLE WALKER Artist/Vendor

Love is kind Love is mine Love is right on time Love is giving Love is receiving Love is in September Remembering the truth we find

WARREN STEVENS Artist/Vendor

This is the month of November. Fall is here, the weather is beautiful. The leaves are falling on the ground, turning red, brown, orange and yellow. The weather here is nice and cool. People are sitting in parks, walking their dogs. The wind is blowing the leaves on the ground. Next, people will be raking leaves before wintertime. My loved ones have birthdays this month. People are getting ready for the wintertime with coats, hats and scarves. Thanksgiving is on Nov. 23. I will be having dinner with my sister and her family on Thanksgiving. We will be having turkey, green beans, candied yams, salad and desserts like pies, cakes and ice cream. My son and his family are going out of town for Thanksgiving. They are doing fine. I hope to see them soon. I hope this year we get some snow so the kids can make a snowman. Love you all. Happy Thanksgiving.

Love is hope Love says we can cope Love is not a state of mind Love hopes the weather Stays the same in September October November

My story is about…

Love is patience Love is right on time It’s back to school time It’s time to stop The violence in the streets It’s time to give To the homeless And pray for those Who disrespect them

GRETA CHRISTIAN Artist/Vendor

Happy Thanksgiving ANDRE BALTIMORE Artist/Vendor

I’m happy on this Thanksgiving for food, friends and family gatherings. It’s time to review the year that is almost over and prepare for the new year. I think people should appreciate how important Thanksgiving is. It prepares us for another gift-giving event (can you guess?) and nurtures our health, which enables us to celebrate. My favorite story is about a past Thanksgiving when I hung out in the lobby of a Giant Food, just for a meal.

Love, September

Dear Street Sense Media

It’s about fall when the trees change and it becomes cold and very windy. Now you have to take time to get yourself together and get out there to sell those papers. Get Street Sense papers out there, help Street Sense vendors out and let people know what Street Sense is all about. Get out of your bed and out there to work. It’s not hard at all. The holidays are coming up, you have to stay warm this winter. Go out and make that money and bring it back to Street Sense. My situation means so much with Street Sense, so help them out, please. I love Street Sense so much. They help you a lot, take your time to help Street Sense out, they help you and you have to help them. Be a vendor and get out there. Act, you know what to do. Thanksgiving is coming in November. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and help homeless people get fed all over the world.

Thanksgiving VENNIE HILL Artist/Vendor

It’s almost Thanksgiving, happy holidays! Are you happy during the holidays? I am very glad for you. Because for me, it’s like any other work day. The reason I work on Thanksgiving is because I don't want to relapse. You have to be aware that anything can make you relapse, just walking past a liquor store can cause it. So you have to be aware of all your surroundings at all times. The holidays are the best time to get twisted, drunk, high and all that because that's what we do we celebrate. For me, I will be in the program, still working on my recovery and enjoying it. I've been here before on the holidays and I love it. We have Thanksgiving, we celebrate Christmas and we get gifts. As many times as I've been here, I've never been disappointed on the holidays, even on my birthday. I'm here because I like to be able to say I didn't pick up a drink. I can't wait. I want to cook a turkey, a ham, fresh greens, potato salad with shrimp, sweet potatoes and a pasta salad. And I would love to see my husband. That's all I need to make my holidays come true and happy. Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my family, but something is going to go wrong. Somebody's going to come in there with a beer or a drink or something to get high with. You know how it goes at family celebrations, somebody’s got to use something to alter their feelings. Some people think you can enjoy the holidays without getting high or celebrating. I do. I believe that you can still have a great holiday, happy times, fun times and enjoy those days. So I'm telling you to enjoy your holidays. Thanksgiving is a great time to get together with family and friends to talk, play games, listen to music, read and watch movies. There’s a lot of things you can do besides putting a substance in your body. Well anyway, happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you enjoy. See you next time.

12 / / S TR E E T S E NSE M ED IA // N O V. 22 - D EC . 5, 2 023

ART

Opinion: If you love what you do, it isn't work JEFFERY MCNEIL

s a bartender, I always prefer being paid in tips rather than hourly wages. Some activists want to abolish tipping even though most bartenders aren’t unionizing or striking to abolish the tip system for a living wage. What irks me about tip abolitionists is if they don’t want to tip, why eat out? I discovered many anti-tippers are sociopaths because going to a restaurant and planning not to tip is premeditated. They don't want to tip, yet they feel entitled to abuse us for not running around, waiting on them hand and foot. While these anti-tip crusaders think they're helping bartenders and waitresses, what they're doing is screwing everybody, including the consumer. Unless someone is 21 and their parents never ate out at a restaurant, they should have a basic understanding of how restaurants work, and how they rely on tips. Your wage is indicative of how much food and beer you sell. If you bring up $1,000 a sale and everyone tips you at least 20%, you should walk away with about $150. If you work at a higher-end restaurant selling $3,000 to $5,000, you'll earn about $500 to 600 a day. If you work at a restaurant that doesn't serve alcohol, chances are you're going to make less than someone that works at the MGM or sells a bottle of Rip Van Winkle for $1,000. It’s futile arguing with tip abolitionists. It is doubtful that they understand that most waiters and bartenders are independent contractors instead of paid employees, nor could they fathom that many of us work off the clock and do things for which we never get paid. I sometimes come in an hour early to set up the store, pay for my flyers and business cards and promote my following. I never get paid a nickel, but do I resent management for not paying me an hourly wage? No. Good bartenders don’t show up for work for a basic income. We can like our employers even if we’re paid $5 an hour and like the people we serve.

Try doing it for passion. Then the money will come. As you can see in my photos, I am not concerned about being paid a living wage or getting stiffed by a tip abolitionist, nor can I stomach servers that add 20% gratuity on a receipt. My most fantastic memories aren't my biggest tips, but when a college student who barely had enough money to order wings and Some of Jeff's tips. fries tipped me $7 on a $16 meal. It’s moments like this that keep me going. I am almost 60 and ready for retirement, but it’s seeing high school kids coming in, graduating and working on their masters that brings me joy. Do I do this to make millions off of college students? I can write all day about serving, but everyone should do bartending. I have people from all over the world come to Wingo’s because I served their friends, and they went back to their country talking about how excellent the service was. I can brag all day about the big shot that bought everyone a shot of Casamigos, but what makes me cry is the poor person who tips 35% on a $10 meal. Very few get appreciation like that. I could go on, but I will reveal my secrets in digestible parts so people can understand. Stay tuned. Jeffery McNeil is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

Bring wheelchair basketball to all the states

Roses are red, violets are blue

ABEL PUTU Artist/Vendor

RONALD SMOOT Artist/Vendor

We need to bring wheelchair basketball to all the states. We also need a team to play at Capital One Arena. Our wheelchair basketball team is the NRH Punishers. We need to start a petition to get wheelchair basketball in the Capital One Arena. We also need to get a petition going to get wheelchair basketball everywhere. Kobe Bryant was my cousin. Go online and read the story of my other cousin, Munah Pelham-Youngblood. She died on July 8, 2020. They both died the same year. My cousin, Munah, came to visit me in 2018 when my apartment was flooded. Everything was damaged. That’s why I sell Street Sense papers.

Spiritual creator JOSIE BROWN Artist/Vendor

There is a spiritual being always inside all of us that always gives peaceful insights into our inner spirit. When the spirit of the Lord exists there is liberty. To be liberated is to be free and to love my being.

I am married to my wife, What about you? Did you ask God to perform a miracle for her? I’m asking for forgiveness. What about you? I ask her to please go get some help. But she don’t want no help, So what would you do? I want to be a winner for her, But not for dinner.

The life of a homeless person ANTHONY CARNEY Artist/Vendor

It's the pursuit of housing — from sleeping on a park bench to sleeping on the concrete sidewalk to sleeping at the shelter. Thank God for the shelter. Even sleeping in a room with 80 guys beats sleeping in the cold. In my pursuit of housing, I have to have good credit. I did not have good credit and my income was too low to qualify for an apartment. Thanks to Street Sense Media, I became a street vendor and I’m supporting myself. I have my own business working with Street Sense and I am my own boss. Street Sense saved my life. Spread love.

S T RE E T S E NS E ME DI A . ORG

Wishfully wishings CARLTON JOHNSON Artist/Vendor

Behold the awesome lighting The east side was touched by the new day of the unseen Until the touch of the new day of the unseen Until this second within the hour of today’s blessing On the streets of the homeless Of the untold days off the hard streets of the city, where are you from Maybe your track to the path of your place for the unfolding of your wishful wishings to the path of greatness Unfolding and organizing your life wrapped around your nightly dreams You should see as you watch them come to the understanding of being true and hand down to your nightly dreams I know of some good vendors who will tell you if you take the time to go fishing, your catch will be plentiful in your life

Leaves QUEENIE FEATHERSTONE Artist/Vendor

Leaves that change color because they are dead, they fall slippery when wet Let dead leaves drop they are yellow, red, orange no green in the fall Leaves on the trees gone so beautiful in the fall but the piles: a mess!

DC cold JENNIFER MCLAUGHLIN Artist/Vendor

When you live on the street in this city, the cold can be more than just cold. It can be freezing. You need four coats, five hats and six pairs of socks to even try to stay warm. And even when you have all that clothing, you lose warmth in your head and your feet.

Memo to the DC government FRED WALKER Artist/Vendor

Don’t spend money on an old stadium. Help get the homeless off the streets by building more affordable housing. Pay more attention to us. Listen to us! Remember that housing is a human right.

A spirit set free DON GARDNER Artist/Vendor

In the depths of darkness, I stood alone. A prisoner of fate, my spirit overthrown. Isolated, homeless, in social exile I'd reside, but within my heart, a spark of hope would hide. With every passing day, I found the strength to fight, love and compassion, my guiding light. In the prison of my mind, I'd dream of a day when victory would come, and despair would fade away. Through the cold and lonely nights, I'd persevere, each tear that fell, a testament to my fear. But I knew deep within, a fire burned so bright, a flame of conviction, to make everything right. I'd paint my dreams upon the prison walls. A mural of hope, where the heart never falls. Compassion for myself, I'd learn to embrace, and love for my soul, I'd never let erase. For in the darkest hours, the spirit of God would rise, a phoenix from the ashes, reaching for the skies. With unwavering conviction, I'd break free from me, no longer defined by my past, but by what could be. And when that day of victory finally came, the world would know my strength, my name and no shame, for love, compassion, and conviction they'd see, his power had transformed me into the person I was meant to be. So remember, dear heart, when life feels unjust, in the face of adversity, it is the peace within I will trust. His love, compassion, and unwavering conviction, you'll find the victory that defies all life's restrictions.

Day in the life MARC GRIER Artist/Vendor

This is a day in the life of Marc Grier. Every morning I wake up with 10 people looking me in the face. They’re in my room, I stay in the shelter. They ask me questions that I don’t even know yet. What are you going to do today? They’re asking me for what reason? Some people are asking because they truly care, and some people are just asking to be nosy to deter me from what I need to do. So that is a part of my life. The other half of the day I have to go out and find something to eat, and how do I do that? The Lord always provides for me to do that. I am trying to get my disability benefits, and that’s a challenge in itself. You have to stay on top of it every minute. People will forget you because you’re just a number. It’s just like the shelter where I stay. The only thing they do is count, they count us every hour. Why do they count us? Maybe it’s because they get money for each one of us. It’s really sad you know, you have no one who truly helps you. I’m trying to get my place and get out of the shelter to live a normal life. So many times, you’re ready to give up, and you feel like talking to yourself. Which I do, but I don’t talk out loud. I think that’s part of the difference when you lose control — you don’t care anymore. But I do care, I do want to get out. Sometimes you just want a hug to keep going. I pray that I make it, I pray that I make it.

14 / / S TR E E T S E N SE M ED IA // N O V. 22 - D EC . 5, 2023

FUN & GAMES

CROSSWORD

Overflowing with Gratitude

Puzzle by Patrick “Mac” McIntyre 1

SOLUTION: That Lovin’ Feeling LAST EDITION’S SOLUTION ____PUZZLE Issue

Overflowing with Gratitude 1

Across 1. Hip-hopper's headgear, often (2 wds.) (2,3) 6. Jets or Sharks, e.g. 10. Low, as a singing voice 14. Olympian speed skating medalist ____ Anton Ohno 15. ___-friendly 16. Poet ___ St. Vincent Millay 17. Shish ___ 18 ."Buona ___" (Italian greeting) 19. Mexican uncles (Sp.) 20. Street Sense's Thanksgiving Day message to its bd. mbrs., employees and vols. (3 wds. (3,5,5) 23. Emergency PC key (abbr.) 25. Man-mouse connector (2 wds.) (2,1) 26. Navel standout, familiarly? 27. Street Sense's Thanksgiving Day message to its great sales force (2 wds.) (6,7) 32. Actor Nick of "Cape Fear" 33. Bone-dry 34. Cobblers' hole-making tools 35. Lively Romanian and Israeli folk dances 37. Easy as falling ____ log (2 wds.) (3,1) 41. Handwriting on the wall 42. React Pavlovianly 43. Street Sense's Thanksgiving Day message to all its wonderful supporters (3 wds.) (6,3,4) 47. "Heads up!" or "Fo-oo-re," e.g. 49. Before, in poetry 50. Mormons (abbr./initialism) 51. Street Sense's Thanksgiving message to those who buy and who are informed and inspired by this remarkable paper (3 wds.) (2,4,7) 56. Muslim leader 57. Members of the board (abbr.) 58. Musketeer partner of Aramis and Porthos (OATHS anagram) 61. Ancient alphabetic character 62. Calf : cow :: kid : ____ 63. Capital of S. Korea 64. Ending with switch or smack 65. Crafty online market since 2005 66. Small South American monkeys (ITS IT anagram)

14 17

23 28 32 35

45 51 54 59 64 67

15 18

55 60 65 68

N E

V D

E R

16 19 22

N H

66 69

24. Third place 28. P.M. times, in advert. shorthand 29. Brings home 30. Pro-Second Amendment grp. 31. Criticize, slangily 35. Med. care provider (abbr./initialism) 36. "___ the land of the free ..." 37. Bobby of hockey 38. Result of a court violation? (2 wds.) (4,4) (FOOL'S HUT anagram) 39. Decline to stay, in a poker game 40. Brews 41. Like something televised (2 wds.) (2,2) 42. From left to right on many maps (2 wds.) (3,4) (USE DATE anagram) 43. The "D" in F.D.R. 44. Phrase from Juliet's balcony scene (2 wds.) (1,5) 45. Like some beers and breads 46. Fort ___ (former U.S. Army base in Calif. that

20 23

21 25

41 43 47

32 39

48 53

sounds like the answers to 36- and 37-Down) 47. "Bird on ____" (Mel Gibson/Goldie Hawn comedy) (2 wds.) (1,4) 48. Large-eyed nocturnal primate of Madagascar 52. Slight advantage 53. Run amok 54. Baseball stats for pitchers (abbr./initialism) 55. E. Coast hwy. (3,1) (incls. abbr.) 59. Parisian's likely answer to "Parlez vous francais?" 60. Classic Mercedes roadsters (abbr./ initialism)

This crossword puzzle is the original work of Patrick “Mac”McIntyre. It is provided to us courtesy of Real Change News, a street paper based in Seattle, Washington. Learn more about Real Change News and the International Network of Street Papers at realchangenews.org and insp.ngo.

Illustration of the week

Down 1. S. ___ (Neb. neighbor) (abbr.) 2. ___-Locka, Fla. 3. Modern campaign element that's a portmanteau word 4. Multigenerational baseball family name 5. Lose one's balance? (2 wds.) (2,5) 6 .Composer Mahler 7. Away from port 8 .Kid's ball material 9. Five-time U.S. Open champ Steffi 10. Alternate road 11. Commands 12. Mushroom in miso soup 13. Antiquated 21. Some name suffixes 22. Kind of crucifix that sounds like something crass or impolite 23. Sicilian erupter

GRACIAS GARCIAS Artist/Vendor

S T RE E T S E NS E ME DI A . ORG

COMMUNITY SERVICES

SHELTER HOTLINE Línea directa de alojamiento

(202) 399-7093

YOUTH HOTLINE Línea de juventud

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE Línea directa de violencia doméstica

(202) 547-7777

1-800-799-7233

Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento

Education Educación

Health Care Seguro

Clothing Ropa

Legal Assistance Assistencia Legal

Case Management Coordinación de Servicios

Food Comida

Employment Assistance Assitencia con Empleo

Transportation Transportación

Showers Duchas

All services listed are referral-free Academy of Hope Public Charter School 202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Place NE aohdc.org

Bread for the City - 1525 7th St., NW // 202-265-2400 - 1640 Good Hope Rd., SE // 202-561-8587 breadforthecity.org

Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Good Hope Rd., SE calvaryservices.org

Food and Friends // 202-269-2277 (home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc) 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org

Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW foundryumc.org/idministry Identification services Friendship Place // 202-364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW friendshipplace.org

Catholic Charities // 202-772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

Georgetown Ministry Center // 202-338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave., NW georgetownministrycenter.org

Central Union Mission // 202-745-7118 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW missiondc.org

Jobs Have Priority // 202-544-9128 425 2nd St., NW jobshavepriority.org

Charlie’s Place // 202-232-3066 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW charliesplacedc.org

Loaves & Fishes // 202-232-0900 1525 Newton St., NW loavesandfishesdc.org

Christ House // 202-328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd., NW christhouse.org

Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org

Church of the Pilgrims // 202-387-6612 2201 P St., NW food (1-1:30 on Sundays only) churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach

Community Family Life Services 202-347-0511 // 305 E St., NW cflsdc.org

Community of Hope // 202-232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

Covenant House Washington 202-610-9600 // 2001 Mississippi Ave., SE covenanthousedc.org

D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 202-347-8870 // 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW dccfh.org

Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 Eye St., NW fathermckennacenter.org

2375 Elvans Road SE 2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE

Miriam’s Kitchen // 202-452-8926 2401 Virginia Ave., NW miriamskitchen.org

My Sister’s Place // 202-529-5991 (24-hr hotline) mysistersplacedc.org

N Street Village // 202-939-2060 1333 N St., NW nstreetvillage.org

New York Avenue Shelter // 202-832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave., NE

Laundry Lavandería

Samaritan Ministry 202-722-2280 // 1516 Hamilton St., NW 202-889-7702 // 1345 U St., SE samaritanministry.org

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento

1-888-793-4357

JOB BOARD Resturant crewmember

Raising Canes // 50 Massachusetts Ave. NE (Union Station) Full-time

Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org

So Others Might Eat (SOME) // 202-797-8806 71 O St., NW some.org

St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-333-4949 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

Thrive DC // 202-737-9311 1525 Newton St., NW thrivedc.org

Unity Health Care 3020 14th St., NW // unityhealthcare.org - Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500 - Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699 1500 Galen Street SE, 1500 Galen Street SE, 1251-B Saratoga Ave NE, 1660 Columbia Road NW, 4414 Benning Road NE, 3924 Minnesota Avenue NE, 765 Kenilworth Terrace NE, 555 L Street SE, 3240 Stanton Road SE, 3020 14th Street NW, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, 1717 Columbia Road NW, 1313 New York Avenue, NW BSMT Suite, 425 2nd Street NW, 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 1333 N Street NW, 1355 New York Avenue NE, 828 Evarts Place, NE, 810 5th Street NW

Provide a positive customer experience, including ensuring all food orders are prepared to Raising Cane’s standards, and work in various areas of the restaurant (cashier, front counter, dining room, kitchen, food prep, grill and drive-thru, etc.). REQUIRED: N/A APPLY: tinyurl.com/CanesCrewmember

Food prep helper

Sodexo // 358 Ford House Office Building Part-time/Full-time Prepare and serve cafe menu items and ensure all working areas are kept clean and tidy. REQUIRED: N/A APPLY: tinyurl.com/SodexoHelper

Custodian

Chimes // Multiple Locations Available Full-time Responsible for cleaning all assigned areas around building. REQUIRED: N/A APPLY: tinyurl.com/ChimesCustodian

Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U St., NW // 202-328-5500 legalclinic.org

The Welcome Table // 202-347-2635 1317 G St., NW. epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable

Whitman-Walker Health 1701 14th St., NW // 202-745-7000 2301 MLK Jr. Ave., SE // 202-797-3567 whitman-walker.org

Patricia Handy Place for Women 202-733-5378 // 810 5th St., NW

Samaritan Inns // 202-667-8831 2523 14th St., NW samaritaninns.org

For further information and listings, gs, visit our online service guide at StreetSenseMedia.org/service-guide

Hiring? Send your job postings to editor@StreetSenseMedia.org

Can you help us out? Dear readers, Helping others — specifically our vendors — manage through crisis is what we do well at Street Sense Media. We help the men and women we work with rebuild their lives a day at a time and give them the tools and opportunities they need to work themselves up and out of homelessness. While never easy, and often heartbreaking, it’s the work we love and what our organization was built, through your support, to do. In 2023, we have had to face an entirely different kind of crisis, one that threatens our ability to continue this work. In the first half of this year, we experienced a significant reduction in paper sales, individual giving and foundation support. During this time, we needed to tap into the meager reserves we had accumulated over the years, spending nearly $140,000 more than we raised in income. In recent years, your generosity allowed us to expand our services to meet the growing needs brought on by both the pandemic and opioid crisis. Faced with the unprecedented funding gap earlier this year, we had no choice but to reduce these services, quickly and significantly. Since June, we have eliminated four full-time staff positions (more than a third of our staff), scaled back from weekly to biweekly publication of the newspaper and frozen the emergency assistance fund we had been using to help vendors at risk of eviction, utility cut-off and food insecurity. Being a weekly newspaper had a significant positive effect on vendor income and allowed us to produce more award-winning journalism. We were proud to be one of only five street papers worldwide to print weekly. The decision to cut back to biweekly was difficult. It’s also been terribly painful to say goodbye to committed, high achieving colleagues because we could no longer afford the salary costs. But we had no choice other than to make major spending cuts. And while those cuts ensured that we could meet the remaining demands of our budget in 2023, they in no way have ensured that we will survive into the future. And so, I come to you today with a plea for help. You have been the most essential component of work that, while always demanding, is at times, quite simply, magical. Every day, we are witness as vendors are transformed via the very real and human connection they forge with their customers. Something profound in them is tapped and unleashed when they craft a poem out of their own life experience, share their vision of the world through photography or get up on stage and perform with others in our theater workshop. And they have a deep sense of accomplishment for the hard work they do to market and sell the newspaper. All of this is at risk of going away. Please, if you are able, consider making a contribution to this year-end fundraising campaign. We are deeply grateful for your past support and hope that you will decide to renew it today with a generous, tax-deductible gift. You can make more magic happen in the lives of neighbors I know we both care about deeply. You have always been the driver of our success. Your generosity has changed lives. We hope that we can count on your continued partnership through a generous year-end gift using the attached reply card or by going online to streetsensemedia.org. We thank you for your support and wish you the very best this holiday season.

LADY SASHA Artist/Vendor

MELODY BYRD Artist/Vendor

Sincerely, Brian Carome CEO

From your vendor, N O V. 2 2 - D E C . 5 , 2 0 2 3 | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 1

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