12.21.2022

VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT

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.

2. 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.

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

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

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

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

7. 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.

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

9. I will not distribute “Street Sense” under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

10. 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.”

1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347 - 2006 streetsensemedia.org info@streetsensemedia.org

VENDORS

Abel Putu, Abraham Aly, Aida Peery, Amina Washington, Andre Brinson, Andrew Anderson, Angie Whitehurst, Anthony Carney, Anthony Pratt, Archie Thomas, August Mallory, Betty Everett, Beverly Sutton, Bob Davis, Brianna Butler, Brandon Archer, Candice Wilkes, Carlos Carolina, Carlton Johnson, Carol Motley, Charles Armstrong, Charles Woods, Chon Gotti, Chris Cole, Chris Sellman, Conrad Cheek, Corey Sanders, Cortney Signor, Daniel Ball, David Snyder, Debora Brantley, Degnon (Gigi) Dovonou, Don Gardner, Donté Turner, Doris Robinson, Earl Parker, Eric Glover, Eric Thompson-Bey, Erica Downing, Evelyn Nnam, Floyd Carter, Franklin Sterling, Frederic John, Fredrick Jewell, Freedom, Gerald Anderson, Gracias Garcias, Henry Johnson, Ivory Wilson, Jacqueline “Jackie” Turner, Jacquelyn Portee, James Davis, Jeanette Richardson, Jeff Taylor, Jeffery McNeil, Jeffrey Carter, Jemel Fleming, Jenkins Daltton, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jermale McKnight, Jet Flegette, Jewel Lewis, John Littlejohn, Joshua Faison, Juliene Kengnie, Justin Blakey, Katrina Arninge, Kenneth Middleton, Khadijah Chapman, Kym Parker, L. Morrow, Laura Smith, Lawrence Autry, Levester Green, Malcolm Scott Jr, Marcus McCall, Mark Jones, Mango Redbook, Maurice Spears, Melody Byrd, Michael Warner, Michelle Mozee, Michele Rochon, Mildred M. Hall, Morgan Jones, Nikila Smith, Patricia Donaldson, Patty Smith, Phillip Black, Queenie Featherstone, Reggie Jones, Reginald Black, Reginald C. Denny, Ricardo Meriedy, Rita Sauls, Robert Warren, Rochelle Walker, Ron Dudley, Ronald Smoot, Sasha Williams, Shawon McCrary, Sheila White, Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov, Susan Westmoreland, Susan Wilshusen, Sybil Taylor, Warren Stevens, Wendell Williams

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mary Coller Albert, Blake Androff, Jonquilyn Hill, Greg Jaffe, Stanley Keeve, Clare Krupin, Ashley McMaster, Matt Perra, Michael Phillips, Daniel Webber, Shari Wilson, Corrine Yu

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Brian Carome

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS Doris Warrell

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Darick Brown

DIRECTOR OF VENDOR EMPLOYMENT Thomas Ratliff

VENDOR

VENDOR

ASSOCIATES

DEPUTY EDITOR Kaela Roeder STAFF REPORTER Annemarie Cuccia

EDITORIAL INTERN Neal Franklin

Originally founded as a street newspaper in 2003, Street Sense Media has evolved into a multimedia center using a range of creative platforms to spotlight solutions to homelessness and empower people in need. The men and women who work with us do much more than sell this paper: They use film, photography, theatre, illustration, and more to share their stories with our community. Our media channels elevate voices, our newspaper vendor and digital marketing programs provide economic independence. And our in-house case-management services move people forward along the path toward permanent supportive housing.

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

OPINION EDITORS (VOLUNTEER) Rebecca Koenig, Emily Kopp, Bill Meincke, Candace Montague

EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS

Josh Axelrod, Ryan Bacic, Katie Bemb, Lilah Burke, Chelsea Ciruzzo, Lenika Cruz, Alison Henry, Kathryn Owens, Nick Shedd, Andrew Siddons, Jenny-lin Smith, Rebecca Stekol

NPS clears Scott Circle encampment in freezing weather

ANNEMARIE CUCCIA Staff Reporter

It was just 30 degrees outside when Jamaar Andre Taylor unzipped the outer flap of his tent to find a dozen people telling him he had to leave.

On the morning of Dec. 14, the National Park Service (NPS) closed the Scott Circle encampment where Taylor lived. NPS, which controls the traffic circle’s green spaces, allowed people to set up tents there during the early years of the pandemic. But the federal agency plans to clear all encampments on federal land in D.C. by the end of 2023.

In its most recent action, NPS cleared Scott Circle during a hypothermia alert issued by the D.C. government, meaning the dozen displaced residents, including Taylor, packed and searched for a new place to sleep in below-freezing temperatures.

While NPS generally avoids clearing encampments during extreme weather, the agency went ahead with this scheduled closure because it felt the site posed an “imminent health and safety concern,” according to NPS spokesperson Mike Litterst. He pointed to past criminal activity as a justification for closing the park. Since September, the U.S. Park Police has made 12 arrests and found nine weapons at the park. One encampment resident was shot on Sept. 30, and another died of an overdose in November.

When NPS arrived at Scott Circle at 8 a.m. it was 29 degrees outside, and felt even colder with the wind chill. Residents could see their breath as they moved their belongings onto the sidewalk or loaded them onto bikes and shopping carts.

“There should be laws against this,” Taylor said. “It’s too cold.”

“We in hypothermia season,” shouted Donetta, who was wearing a faux mink coat. She, like most of the residents, didn’t have anyone to help her move. She grabbed a shopping cart from a nearby store, and spent hours pushing it between Scott Circle and her new location.

D.C. activates hypothermia alerts when the temperature falls below 32 degrees. On the day of the clearing, the alert was in effect until 11 a.m., when NPS left.

Both NPS and D.C. follow protocols that prohibit closing encampments in extreme weather unless there is an immediate need, with some exceptions. But the city’s policy isn’t clear on what constitutes an exception, listing only the criteria of “an emergency, security risk, health risk or safety risk.” NPS uses similar parameters, allowing closures during hypothermia season only in the case of “imminent health and safety risks,” Litterst said.

This summer, the city closed one encampment during a heat emergency, saying it was on private property that was about to be landscaped. In the case of Scott Circle, NPS went ahead despite the cold weather because of concerns about further criminal activity, Litterst said.

None of the half-dozen encampment residents Street Sense Media spoke to had an indoor place to stay after the closure. Several residents couldn’t carry their tents with them because they were too heavy or bulky. Others worried they wouldn’t have enough time to find a new place to sleep before the predicted freezing rain began that night. D.C.’s low-barrier shelters have been nearly full since September, though some overflow shelters have vacancies, according to The Community

Partnership’s nightly census.

The Scott Circle encampment was one of dozens on federal land in the District. The Park Service has already removed encampments at Union Station; Mount Vernon Square; and the adjoining Burke and Gompers parks, which straddle 11th Street along Massachusetts Avenue NW. Litterst estimates about 25 encampments remain, including one at McPherson Square that NPS plans to close in April. In explaining the rationale for clearing the parks, NPS cited a need to renovate them to open the spaces to the public. Burke and Gompers, the only site to reopen thus far as public parkland, did so one day after NPS cleared Scott Circle and over a year after NPS initially closed the encampment.

Critics of encampment clearings argue closures displace people who live outside, without necessarily connecting anyone to housing. “Where are we supposed to go?” more than one resident asked during the Dec. 14 clearing.

NPS says that’s a question for the city to answer. When NPS clears an encampment, it asks the District to work with residents to find housing. According to the signs posted at Scott Circle, service providers contracted by the city offered residents “intensive case management.” But Taylor was the only resident who said he was connected to housing.

Taylor has been matched to a voucher, so he qualifies for bridge housing or PEP-V. Someone was supposed to take him to the program’s hotel the day before the clearing. But he took medicine to help him get through the cold night and slept through his pickup time. Then, passersby harassed him. He said people often throw trash at him, making it look like he can’t keep the area clean when it accumulates around his tent.

“It’s an overwhelming situation,” he said. “I’m scared because you get taken the wrong way out here.”

When NPS officers arrived at Taylor’s tent, he told them to take everything but a gold bike and one bag. He left the circle before NPS threw his tent away. An hour later, Taylor hadn’t yet come back for his belongings.

This article was co-published with The DC Line.

SSM FAMILY UPDATES

• The office will close at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, and will be closed all day on Monday, Dec. 26. It will also close at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, and will be closed all day on Monday, Jan. 2.

• The current issue of the paper will run for two weeks, through Jan. 3. It is a special holiday edition!

• Come pick up your holiday gift bag if you haven’t done so already!

• There will be no December vendor meeting.

• The office follows the government for severe weather delays and closures. Search online for “opm.gov/ status” or call the main office line.

• Reminder! Show us your vaccination card and get free papers.

BIRTHDAYS

Sybil Taylor Dec.

25

Debora Brantley Dec.

27

Ricardo Meriedy Jan.

2

The National Park Service cleared an encampment at Scott Circle during a hypothermia alert. Photo by Annemarie Cuccia

Faktum vendor Ulf lives and breathes for the Gothenburg football club Gais

MALIN CLAUSSON Faktum

Iwas born in the maternity ward in Alingsås in 1958, the same year the new Ullevi arena was built. I grew up in Gothenburg because my father got a job at the spinning mill in Gårda, while my mother worked as a cleaner at Hisingehus. I started school in Tolered.

At that time, Saturday mornings were also for school. But our home was cramped as I have two siblings, and when we had the opportunity to move, we ended up in Vidkärr. It was a good time with lots of friends and football.

As a little kid, I went to IFK's football school, and we had Ronnie Hellström as our goalkeeper coach. It was great fun. Later I started playing in Qviding. I became the center-back and got to be part of Leif Eriksson's football school, which was a TV program broadcast from Karlstad at the time. I remember I was even paid 50 SEK. That was awesome.

My friend's dad played in Gais' A team and once in the third grade we got to watch the Gais A team versus IFK derby. Gais won that match. Since it was my best friend who brought me

and they even set off green flares, I became a Gais supporter.

I wasn’t a very good student, but I still finished primary school with decent grades. With hindsight, it's easy to be wise: I should have become a carpenter, electrician or painter, but I didn't get any advice from adults, so I followed the twoyear social program. I also had a paper round and worked as supplementary staff at Kålltorp's nursing home. I learned a lot there and also met many people who were lonely, who didn’t get any visitors. I became very involved and gave extra care to a lonely lady who was missing her son. Then I was considered too sociable and got fired. But the residents missed me so much and complained until I got my job back. And I was really proud.

A friend of mine took me to Bugg dance lessons so we could go out to dance and meet girls. When we were out, I met Suzanne. We danced a few times and became a couple. During a holiday trip to Rhodes, she became pregnant. There we met a nice tour guide named Rickard, and so our son got his name. He was born 1980. We lived in Kållered and I then started at SKF where I worked for 36 years. Twelve-hour night

shifts, that was tough. I also sold vacuum cleaners for a while. Actually, I even sold one to the football legend Gunnar Gren.

I retired when I was 62 and we had plans to travel. But Suzanne became seriously ill. She was hospitalized several times. In the end she never came home. I blamed myself and started to drink myself to death.

Then I met Krister, who sells Faktum in Nordstan, and decided that I should try it. The extra money it brings is important so that I can afford somewhere to live and food. Besides, it is also something social. I have always appreciated the little things in life.

A couple of years ago I got cancer, that's why I have a scar on my forehead. But I'm like Gais, I always make a comeback. And now I’m gonna get a cat.

Translated from Swedish via Translators without Borders

Courtesy of Faktum / International Network of Street Papers

Faktum vendor Ulf.

Photo by Pär Ljung

Meet Big Issue Korea vendor Kwak Changgab

AN DEOK-HEE Big Issue Korea

Big Issue Korea: Are you in good health these days? Did you make it safely through the COVID-19 pandemic?

Kwak Changgab: I caught COVID19 once. I was in an isolation facility for nine days. They told me to go home after the isolation period and called me a taxi [laughs].

Where are you living at the moment?

I’m living in a rented home. Selling The Big Issue qualifies me to live there: I registered for the home in April two years ago, and I moved in on Dec. 3 of that year. So I’ve been living in a rental home in Dangsan-dong in the Yeongdeungpo-gu neighborhood [of Seoul] since then.

What led you to start selling The Big Issue?

I started in September 2018. My first pitch was at Noryangjin Station, and in April last year, I moved to Gwanghwamun station before moving to my current pitch at Shindorim Station. In Norayangjin, some people from the hagwons [specialized English language schools] made a report to the police about me working there, so I changed pitches. Shouting “Big Issue!” seemed to irritate people in the area. I kept being reported, so I even went through investigations in the Noryangjin Police Station. [laughs]

Did you know of The Big Issue before working as a vendor?

Yes, I did. Someone was selling the magazine in front of Sukmyeong University Station. It seemed nice, from what I could see of them selling the magazines. I went to Samil Church at Cheongpa-dong, and the administrator there walked with me to the Big Issue office. I had a consultation, and I’ve been working as a vendor ever since.

Are you originally from Seoul?

No. I’m from Wando in Jeolla-namdo [province]. I was on a fishing ship that travelled to the sea off the coast of Gunsan and then went to Seoul. Seoul Station became my home; I was homeless.

How did you end up working on fishing ships?

I went to a job center, and they said I would be able to get a job on-board a fishing boat. The job center was in Mokpo [on the southwestern tip of South Korea]; they got me a motel room. They said I’d be able to get a job if I stayed there for few days. After a week they asked me for 15,000 won. 15,000 won was a big amount of money in those days! That’s how they sell people to work on ships like that and in salt ponds. I worked on a “salted” ship for about four years, and I spent about four and a half years on seaweed ships.

Salted ships?

Yes – that’s a ship for catching salted anchovies and salted shrimps. Seaweed ships are for gathering seaweed. The ships depart in March and come back in December. We would be at sea all the time and would even make and eat food there. Your stomach quivers when the waves hit – you can’t be on a boat if you have nausea. I was able to work there because I don’t suffer from much of that.

There are so many dangerous tasks out at sea. The deck is slippery on rainy days, and you could trip and get hurt. Even with raincoats and rubber boots, everyone seems trip over. There were also accidents here and there. And fights that arose from people drinking on the ship. People would load up 10 boxes of Soju [a clear, distilled alcohol] before departure. Then they would drink a bottle when we caught fish, and they would eat the fish raw. That led to fights and accidents. Many incidents

were not even reported on TV. The sea is… [trails off].

You’ve had a rough life.

Yes, I have. Selling magazines is much, much easier. Things are going well these days; I get to sleep in a house [smiles].

How are things after your move into a rental home?

It’s way easier than living homeless or in goshiwons [tiny apartments measuring around 3.5 square meters which can be rented by the day or month, usually without a deposit]. [My current place is] spacious, clean, and nice. And I share it with someone.

Oh, so you have someone living with you?

Yes, I have a wife. We met at Seoul Station in 2020.

Was she homeless too?

Yes. We started out living at Seoul Station, but we’re living together now. We’ve also spent time at her parent’s house in Daegu [in the southeast of the country]. Her mother lives in a nursing home, so we went there as well. We got permission to live together, and her family gave their blessing, so we’re living together now. It’s way better than living alone! We also have a cute dog. Its name is Bo-ri.

Do you have fights with your partner?

Of course we have fights! [laughs] My wife nags me to go places on weekends; she says, “Why aren’t we going anywhere?” all the time. So I go on picnic walks with my wife on the weekends. We often go to the Han River Park. It’s close to home, so we take slow walks there. We borrow a bike when we go there.

Do you both ride the bike by the river?

No, I go for a walk. I do that because of the puppy. Someone should keep Bo-ri company!

What do you admire the most about your wife?

Everything. I admire everything about her.

And do you have any traits that you are not so fond of?

[Sternly] No!

When is your wife at her loveliest? Let me start by telling you that “always” is not an acceptable answer!

All the time when we’re together [laughs]. I’ve taken her to my workplace a few times, but she has too much of a hard time when she comes to work with me. My wife’s disabled. She doesn’t cover much ground and has to sit down if she’s extremely tired. She asks to rest even after we take a short break, so I don’t ask her to come to work with me anymore.

Home seems to mean something very special to you. You entered a rental home after a long period of homelessness, and now your home has become a treasured space for you, your wife and your companion dog.

Yes, [my home is very special to me]. Everything’s going well these days.

What kind of customers do you have?

There are all kinds of customers. There was a customer who brought me drinks on a hot day, and a customer even brought me a box of masks a few days ago. When I first moved into my rental home, one customer gave me cans of tuna as a gift. They always buy new issues of the magazine after they are released. And I also received a rice bowl and soup bowl set as a housewarming gift! My customers make calls to ask when the new issues are out, and they even come by as soon as the issues are printed. I’m thankful to my many customers.

A few days ago, I heard that you gave a homeless person who wanted to become a vendor the transport fare since they didn’t have any money to get to the office. You’re also well-known for giving advice to new vendors. So it’s important to you to help other homeless people to gain

independence?

Yes, that’s it. Nothing good comes out of playing around with nothing; it’s better to earn money. I talk about The Big Issue to other homeless people, and they start selling the magazine. Two or more people came to The Big Issue from Seoul Station. I also get calls from people living in goshiwons. Nothing good comes out of just doing nothing. You can move forward when you earn some of your own money.

What kind of life do you want to live in the future?

Well, I would like to go home someday. I want to go to Wando with my wife and live there. My mom and my sibling are living in Gwangju. I don’t meet up with them often, but I call them from time to time. I didn’t visit them last holiday season, either, because of COVID-19. Back then, it was such a big worry that people would gather together and catch COVID19. I miss them so much.

Translated from Korean via Translators without Borders

Courtesy of The Big Issue Korea / International Network of Street Papers

Big Issue Korea vendor Kwak Changgab. Photo by Kim Sang-joon

A Ukrainian woman's harrowing quest to find her family

CLODAGH KILCOYNE Reuters

Nina Melenets finally buried her son in November, more than seven months after she said he was killed by shelling in their village in eastern Ukraine.

The 62-year-old is still looking for her husband, Serhiy, who has been missing since late March. Her surviving son has given DNA samples to forensic experts to see if there is a match among the bodies exhumed from a mass grave nearby in the city of Izium.

"It will be easier for our hearts if they match the DNA," said Melenets in Izium, where she had rented a small house for a few days.

"We will know where he lies," she added, holding her hand close to a gas flame on her cooker for warmth. "We spent 44 years together. We spent our whole lives together."

Thousands of civilians have been killed since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, and thousands more are missing as fighting rages in the east and south and frontlines shift.

The task of identifying the dead is complex, as is trying to track people who are unaccounted for.

The Hague-based International Commission on Missing Persons, an intergovernmental organization, estimates that more than 15,000 people have gone missing across Ukraine during the war, including detainees, those separated from their loved ones and people killed and buried in makeshift graves.

For Melenets, the journey has been long and painful, and

it is not over.

She recently returned to the east of Ukraine to organize the funeral of her elder son, Oleksandr, who was 44 when he died in fighting in their home village of Kamyanka early in the conflict.

Even though Russian forces have been driven back from the area and Ukraine now controls the territory, she and her 37-year-old son Mykola doubt they will ever return for good.

"We could come home but now there is nothing there. Our village is totally destroyed."

Buried by villagers

Melenets has been trying to piece together what happened to her husband and elder son.

Her account could not be independently verified, and she has relied partly on testimony from friends and neighbors who stayed behind in Kamyanka.

Russia's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the missing cases mentioned in this article or on missing Ukrainians more broadly.

Melenets said she left her home village with Mykola and some other residents on March 21, when the Russians took control and allowed them to evacuate. Serhiy and Oleksandr decided to stay to protect their homes and help others get out.

A few days later, a shell struck close to her son Oleksandr's

single-storey house and killed him.

Russian troops who found him asked local residents who he was and covered his body with tarpaulin. Villagers later buried him on the spot, they told his mother. Serhiy, 65, went missing at about the same time and has not been found.

In October, when Ukrainian forces marched back into Kamyanka following a Oleksandr's body was exhumed and taken to the recaptured city of Izium where it was stored.

In early November, the Ukrainian prosecutor general's office set up a temporary mobile laboratory for DNA testing at a local police station there to help relatives identify loved ones.

In Izium, people queued in the cold, waiting for their turn to climb the stairs to an office where their documents were processed. Paperwork was stacked high and officials struggled to cope with the number of visitors.

Once registered, relatives, including Mykola, went into the mobile DNA lab to have saliva swabs to be compared against the recovered bodies.

In Levkivka, a village about 11 miles from Izium, Anna Ozerianska is also looking for her husband, who she said was taken away by pro-Russian forces on April 12 and has not been heard from since.

The 61-year-old has put up posters of him around Izium, hoping that someone may have heard something about the fate of her husband Oleksandr, whom she calls Sasha. "Sometimes I wake up early in the morning, I have to get up, but I don't know where to start," she said. "I bury my head

in my pillow

Mykola Melenets, 37, comforts his mother Nina Melenets, 62, as the coffin of his brother and her son, Oleksandr Melenets, 44, who his family says was killed in shelling, is lowered into a grave in the village of Kamyanka, on the outskirts of Izium, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, November 3, 2022. Nina is still looking for her husband, Serhiy, who has been missing since late March. "It will be easier for our hearts if they match the DNA," she said. "We spent 44 years together. We spent our whole lives together." Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne // Reuters

and think, what should I do now?"

Ozerianska keeps her phone at the home of her friend Lena, who has a mobile signal, in case she receives a call about Sasha from the missing persons administration office.

Mines, craters and death

The day after Mykola visited the DNA lab, Oleksandr's coffin was taken from a morgue in Izium to the cemetery in Kamyanka to be buried in the presence of a small number of relatives and neighbours.

On a dank, misty morning under a flat grey sky, the group walked slowly along a path through the overgrown grass and scrub, careful not to tread on "butterfly" mines that littered the ground and were hard to distinguish from autumnal leaves.

The graveyard was marked by craters from earlier fighting, and crosses stood askew from the impact.

Melenets wept over the coffin covered in embroidered cloth. The thud of distant explosions could be heard. The mourners cried as Oleksandr was lowered into the ground. Mykola held his mother close.

Outside the cemetery, the people said their farewells. As they were leaving, another van arrived carrying a coffin. This time there was no-one to greet it and it was quickly taken away to be buried.

The Melenets visited their home village before heading back west, to near the Carpathian mountains, where they have settled.

Like many other buildings in Kamyanka, Nina and Serhiy's

house had been flattened to rubble, with only a few walls partially standing.

Wooden ammunition boxes were strewn on the side of a dirt track, the letter "Z" used by Russian forces was painted in white on cars, fences, tanks and houses, and a burnt-out

armored vehicle lay on its side.

"Thank you Russia," Melenets said as she surveyed the devastation. "This is the gift you give us."

Courtesy of Reuters / International Network of Street Papers

Nina Melenets, 62, shows an old photo on her phone of her son, Oleksandr Melenets, 44, from 1997 when he was doing military service in Bakhmut, in Izium, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, November 2, 2022. Melenets says that Oleksandr was killed in shelling in their village. Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne // Reuters

GIGI DOVONOU Artist/Vendor

ABEL PUTU Artist/Vendor

DANIEL BALL

Artist/Vendor

DEBORA BRANTLEY Artist/Vendor

JEFFREY CARTER Artist/Vendor

JACKIE TURNER Artist/Vendor

ROCHELLE WALKER Artist/Vendor

FREEDOM Artist/Vendor

My first christmas tree

AMINA WASHINGTON Artist/Vendor

I remember when I built my first Christmas tree from scratch. I used newspaper strips, glue and spray paint with glitter. Then I used paper balls, ink, paint and string for ornaments and a toilet paper roll for the trunk. The tree wasn’t so hard to put together. I was in 3rd grade when I made that tree, I named it “The Tree of Washington.” My “Tree of Washington” sat in my living room for three and a half years.

When I started getting older, I loved drawing things. Art has been my thing since the third grade. I just think my talent is in my hands. Really that is where my talent is. I love poetry as well as crafts, art and story writing. There's still some work I need to do. I know I can do anything as long as I work hard towards it.

A note to my customers

ANDRE BRINSON Artist/Vendor

Merry Christmas to all of my Tenleytown and Cleveland Park family. Last Christmas was not good for me. Why? Because I lost my job two weeks before Christmas and struggled to take care of my daughter. Thanks to you all and Street Sense for supporting me. Peace and love.

Merry Christmas, world!

EVELYN NNAM Artist/Vendor

Christmas is here! Are you excited? This year went by and we’re now in December. That’s crazy! I feel like this year had us in a whirlwind. I’m glad we are here now though. This year taught me a lot and the most important thing I’ll say I learned is to keep going to matter what. I love that this year made me realize that life is short and you should make sure you have to do what you love and do what makes you happy in all the time you have.

Can’t you wait for the snow to fill the air and ground? It’s always a joy to see children playing, smiling, laughing and having a good time during the holidays. Baking sweets, putting ornaments on the tree and spending time with family is really what it’s all about. Bundling up with warm cozy jackets, hats and scarves. Drinking hot chocolate, eating Christmas cookies and enjoying all there is about Christmas. Let’s finish the year off with a bang and I hope everyone enjoys their Christmas. Enjoy and thank you for reading!

PHILLIP BLACK Artist/Vendor

HolidayThe holidays are the best time of the year. But for many people, it is the saddest. I know people will enjoy the holidays when they are young but they might not enjoy them as much as they get older. I feel the holidays are what you make it. If you’re having trouble, you got to find ways to push past it all and make it work. This is easier said than done. Some people lose loved ones around the holidays and that can be very depressing. During this holiday season, try and make yourself happy.

The season of blessings

SASHA WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor

Even though Thanksgiving was in November, we should continue to find ways to be thankful everyday. Even though we are headed toward Christmas, we should always realize how blessed we are. My favorite thing to do during the year is celebrating birthdays — whether it is getting someone a cake or just sending someone a birthday shout out. Who knows, I might start creating baskets.

I would like to take this time to say happy birthday to all the December birthdays. Stay blessed and stay safe. And if your birthday is around Christmas Eve and Christmas day, count your blessings.

I am here to let you know that the new year starts now. The new you, the new whatever can start now. You don't have to wait until Jan. 1, 2023. Write down your goals and focus on your dreams. Do it now.

Be your own hero. Don't give up on living. Someone always has it worse than you. If you win the lottery, pay it forward by giving somebody a special treat and or gift cards. If you’d like to, donate back to your community. If you aim to support people, there is no harm in giving contributions to Street Sense Media.

It's about being blessed, blessing others and paying it forward. You never know the impact until you do. You never know what can change for the better until you do something different

Live a little. It will be cold but time tends to warm hearts.

Sending love and hugs to everyone.

Happy Holidays

L. MORROW Artist/Vendor

“To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”

(Proverbs 23-3)

Can you really say “Happy Holidays” to the person who is asking you for change on the corner? Or the person that is selling the Street Sense newspaper in the cold? And what about when you walk to a Metro bus stop and see a person with a pile of blankets sleeping on the cold ground and all you see is the top of their head?

Imagine you are waiting for your bus to come. You are wondering to yourself, “How did these people get to where they are in life and others like them all over America?”

Our holidays are filled with hope. We ask ourselves, “Is this going to be the day I get the key to a door? A roof over my

head? A seat at a dinner table? A chance to sleep in a warm bed?” That is how we celebrate our holidays. Everyday, we are filled with hope.

You must remember that Mary and Jesus were homeless. They had hope and faith. They were trying to find a place to sleep. There was no room at the inn. And they slept in a barn. On hay! That was fate, not by choice.

Can you do an act of kindness? Can you? If you can, we all would appreciate that act. The three wise men brought Mary and Jesus some faith, some hope, and a better day. Now, you met the three wise men. Remember? The first wise man was standing on the corner asking you for some change. How about you give him a pair of gloves and some warm socks and wish him a happy holiday. Now, you met the second wise man. He was a Street Sense vendor. Give him a smile and a greeting card and buy a paper. And wish him a happy holiday.

Now, as you walk toward the Metro bus stop where you were waiting, there is a third wise man sleeping under blankets. Now, give him a sleeping bag, a warm blanket, and ask him if he’s all right. And then wish him a happy holiday.

Now, you must be 100% about this act of kindness. You must do it from the heart, not because you feel obligated. When you celebrate your holiday with your friends and family, spread that smile around. And take your family out and do an act of kindness for someone who is enduring hardship at this particular time of year, and everyday after that if you can.

Happy holidays from the Morrow family,

-L. Morrow, Vendor number 145

PS. Drop me a line about your act of kindness (Why not!) at editor@streetsensemedia.org.

A Christmas mouse

QUEENIE FEATHERSTONE Artist/Vendor

There is a mouse running around in my new house. It’s not as big as a fat rat and I can’t afford to purchase a big fat cat. I’m trying to catch it without pesticides to kill it. However, it won’t stay still and I can’t rent for myself and the mouse who won’t leave me and my new house. What should I do with the cute, gray little Christmas mouse?

Christmas

SYBIL TAYLOR Artist/Vendor

Christmas is coming soon and winter is arriving. This winter is coming soon on Dec. 21. Hopefully, it will not be as cold. But it will probably be very cold and we’ll have to get cozy and warm by an open fire. Time for a hot cup of coffee or tea.

This is also the time to decorate for Christmas. We put up our trees and celebrate the holiday with lots of joy. It’s also a time for shopping, seeing special sights and scenes.

Also, this Christmas is going to be another year without my father. But we celebrate his legacy with joy. Also, my birthday is coming up on Christmas day. Everyone have a merry Christmas. Joy to all!

First time at Street Sense

GRETA CHRISTIAN Artist/Vendor

Everytime I try to work on my things to do better and better, I realize that when you grow up things look so far away.

Everytime you try to put your life together, some mess comes up.

When I came to Street Sense I thought it was going to be hard. But now, it’s not hard. I feel like I’m doing better and better, selling the paper is not hard.

This is the first time I ever heard about Street Sense. It is a good place to work.

A life’s shuffle

KAROLY FREEMAN Artist/Vendor

En route to a new segment in my life, which is the third karmic stage. I’m having a difficult time in this transition; at 63, I see life with a different, more open set of eyes. And I’m disturbed with what I see in front of me.

The world I grew up in has withered and faded away. I’ve had to remove many people and places from my life to make way for the new and improved Karoly. The change — growth becoming one with my energy — is a welcome step. We really do get better with age.

Life was worth living

MICHELE ROCHON Artist/Vendor

When I was a child living in West Baltimore, life was worth living.

On a small, narrow street called Wine Street, where the Martin Luther King Recreation Center was located, you could find a purple or pink flower nestled in the grass. Life was worth living in West Baltimore. Watching scores of people walk past who were intelligent and hard-working. Alongside them,

Love senses

JAMES DAVIS Artist/Vendor

I can taste the aromas of my yesteryear’s

On the tip of my tongue

I can smell the perfume of love over The years that has dissipated within me

What I can’t see is how I will Be when I’m eulogized

I can hear the sounds of my Childhood and my mother’s voice

Crying out to me lovingly to just Touch me in my golden years

Christmas time in the city

WARREN STEVENS Artist/Vendor

It is Christmas time in the city. Friends and family are planning a trip out of town and some are having Christmas dinners at home. I have sent Christmas cards to my loved ones. They enjoyed their cards. Santa Claus is in town bringing the children toys and goodies. Remember to be good for Santa, because he will be checking who’s bad or good.

Me and my girlfriend are planning on driving down to my sister’s house to have dinner with her family and friends. I will be taking pictures of the tree and gifts. I hope to see my son and his family for the holidays. Next year will be a better year for all of us. Stay safe and God bless you.

walked alcoholics, drug users and other hustlers. This melting pot was an example of our nation during the mid-1960s. Oh, how I relish those good old days. Life could be worth living in West Baltimore.

Habitat for humanity

ERICA DOWNING Artist/Vendor

Humanity is part of the unhoused community. It wanders the streets touching everyone it meets without necessarily leaving a physical mark like securing a home for someone. Humanity helps everyone with directions, advice, or words of encouragement with no expectation of reciprocation when it isn’t offered.

Even if you are constantly ignored, you should spread this message. Everyone should work together and be more considerate of the needs of others. Considering everything and everyone will help the cohesion of countries. Globally, there is only one human race. Humanity can’t find a place until we acknowledge the fact that there is one race on this Earth, the human race.

Cohesion under this commonality will solve long lived problems in due time. Humanity has an opportunistic perspective and has faith in everyone no matter your knowledge, experience, origin, or religion. All of your unique, weird, and different traits make the world a better place, but only if you’re ready. If you’re ready to learn, listen, speak, give, and receive through humanity. Humanity is seeking a home, do you have a vacancy for it?

Old age

RONALD SMOOT Artist/Vendor

I’m 56 years old and I still get around like I’m young. But I know I’m not young no more even though I still feel young. I just take things one day at a time. Though I have not seen the results I thought I would see by this age, I still have lots of life to look forward to. It can sometimes make me feel like I was cheated out of having the success I wanted in life years ago. But I know I’ve got to hang in there and wait and see what’s in store for me. I keep on pushing because you never know what could happen. And maybe what I miss on earth I will get in heaven – that’s the place I want to go to when I leave this place.

The other week I received an unexpected phone call from my lawyer. She called to tell me that I won a legal case to keep my housing voucher. I thanked God for that and immediately told the lawyer that I loved her for being on my side. I don’t want to ever go back to the streets and be homeless again. Now, I just need to go to work so that I can make money and buy myself nice things for myself and my home.

When we are bullied

KYM PARKER Artist/Vendor

Some of us have experienced bullying.

I have learned that the bully speaks from the heart, because they are hurt.

They want to see the pain in others and believe that the pain that comes from their mouth is helpful; that is what a bully believes. They don't understand that their hurtful words don't help at all. They don't care, they don't see it; they do it to see others in pain. We have to remember that God shows us to love, respect, and care for others. Bullying doesn't work for all of us.

Movements

CARLTON JOHNSON Artist/Vendor

Time comes from sound–Tick-tock To the end from the hope of never sound

What happened to America’s greatness?

JEFFERY MCNEIL Artist/Vendor

I’m under no illusion that evil lurks in the world. I’m of Cherokee and African descent. I’ve been robbed of my land and my ancestors had been massacred and enslaved. However, I never understood looking to the people that robbed your land, killed your ancestors and have you living in a tent, for justice and equality.

I’ve been called a sellout, a Tom and a traitor. But how can I sell my soul when I don’t want my oppressor’s riches? My joy is a way to mask the pains and disappointments. I’m joyed because I don’t need allies or friends to help me. I don’t need a white father for advice. My joy comes from using my brain and the abilities God has given me. That’s what it means to be a devoted servant of Jesus.

What happened to America’s greatness? We used to brag about our athletes, scientists and military might. I hear some say, “Make America Great Again” is racist, but never answer

what they want America to be. I want America to succeed and let others know we can be free.

In America, we don’t ask for help, we do things for ourselves. In America, we toil and work so we can reap the harvest. We have no time for defeats, only conquests. Some people believe in equality, I want total dominance over my competitors. This way I can control my destiny.

Life is like football. We all want to score but there are obstacles that can deny you a touchdown. People gripe at the professional athletes' money but very few people know how they work to make it. I could never imagine running up hills, lifting weights to exhaustion and then learning a playbook. Imagine getting injured and clawing your way back to such a high level.

While I have many fans, I also have plenty of critics. But like a professional athlete, I did the work so that I can feast on the results. Critics are obstacles God gives us to crush like grapes.

The changing: Patient Zero

Part II, Secrets Revealed

NIKILA SMITH Artist/Vendor

Editor’s Note: This is part of an ongoing horror series that will appear throughout the year in Street Sense. It contains violence and adult themes unsuitable for children. During the last installment, two people die at the hands of a mysterious killer. The motive for the killings is yet to be determined.

Jen:. “Girl, if you don’t wake up. I came all the way over here for your birthday and you can’t even hang. You all sweaty. Was you thinking or should I say dreaming about him?

Oh man! This girl can talk. Jen has always been like that. I wonder what she would say if I told her about my dreams.

Man, it sure felt real. I’ve been having these dreams for months now. I’m not stressing or anything so what do they mean? Maybe I should see a doctor and stop talking to myself, that shit felt so real. I think I’m up for the rest of the day.

***

Tess is your regular next door bookworm, whatever that means. Tess looks at Jen and says, “Okay.”

I so want to call her the b-word, she thinks to herself.

“Well, can I get a shower then we can leave?”

“Agreed,” Jen says.

***

Four months later in Glennwood, Pa.

People are talking about people missing from the streets.

First it was just homeless people. But now you have people going out for a night on the town just vanishing. It was time

The mayor is holding a town meeting to speak to everyone in town and calm their nerves. He’s trying to calm his own nerves from jumping too. Right here is what he didn’t want happening. The meeting is set to go on in an hour.

I can go out back and have a drink, it will calm me down,

He goes out back and that’s when he smells it. It hits him like a punch in the face.

“What the hell! I’m going to talk to my neighbor about his trash. Oh, there he is. Man, are you going to attend the town

The mayor stops talking because he sees something is wrong. There is blood all over the man and he is not his neighbor.

That’s right, Ron said he would be out of town for a funeral, the Mayor thinks to himself. He thinks the man is bugging out, high off of PCP or something. But why is there blood all over him?

The man looks like his skin is falling off.

I thought you were someone else. I’ve been drinking. I’m seeing things. Oh no, I think I just pissed myself. Please tell me this man did not turn into a wolf?

“Please, please, please! Somebody help me!” he screams.

The beast gives chase. The mayor is quick on his feet. He gets back in the house, shuts the door and heads to the den to get his gun. The wolf is on him in seconds. Its claws are like razors. The beast enjoys this. It takes its time with its kills, playing with its food a little while before devouring the mayor and leaving blood everywhere.

#TheWhiteKitKatSyndicate

AKINDELE AKEREJAH Artist/Vendor

During the autumn holiday period of 2021 (In the “Year of Our Lord”), I decided to once again attend to the matter of solitude versus seasonal affective depression with my art production.

The themes of my work were based on anime, locality, post-pop art, product placement, and made a calling to support the Afro/People of Color local to the Southeast D.C.community. My work “Pescado Frito Con Papas Fritas” #FriedFishFanaticsHorace&Dickies, explores international crime syndicate-cartel allusions andethnic harmony, through the medium of healthy food love.

The period of time between the last Thanksgiving, Channukah, Christmas, Kwaanza, and New Years’ Eve was prolific for me. During the holidays, I made use of Zebra colored pencils, markers as well as disposable Bic mechanical pencils and residual Sakura/ Cray-Pas oil. I also used some other studio build out items I purchased from the old 3200 block CVS store. By the end of spring of 2022, anno domini, I presented a 100 page hand drawn, written and painted full volume portfolio of my work to the editor-in-chief at Street Sense Media and they slowly began to roll out my work. The weekly edition ushered in a new journalistic projection of feline welfare advocacy. As we continue into the new year, I hope to expand the theme and impact of The Dopamine Clinic and The White Kit-Kat Syndicate

Editor’s Note: For the past year, we have been fortunate to have been able to run various art pieces from Akindele Akerejah’s portfolio in our newspaper. Our Sept. 26 edition featured one of his illustrations of a hand held Nikon camera on the cover. Some of my favorite pieces however, have been those featuring cats – all part of the greater #TheWhiteKit-KatSyndicate – meant to draw attention to animal welfare. Akerejah’s work often explores interesting and complex themes, from capitalism to identity politics and culture. You can find a more complete collection of his work on Street Sense Media’s main website at www.streetsensemedia.org and The Dopamine Clinic at www.dopamineclinic.com.

An ambient life

DONTE TURNER Artist/Vendor

Most or all of us have an “ambient life.” Living an ambient life could be good or bad. In an ambient life, we could use good things for the wrong reasons. For example, people could use or abuse (if you will) the words “I love you” to get what they can and then leave after they’ve gotten what they need and/or wanted.

Some people might have been brought up in a negative way, but are really good people who exploit themselves in a negative way because that’s all they’ve known or received. Because we are ambient in actions and in life, it can lead to a mental health crisis.

Living an ambient life can cause you to be lukewarm, which can numb your feelings to the world. An ambient life could lead to self-destruction or destruction. In the Book of Revelations 3:15-16, it says “Because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I spit you out of my mouth.” We can be ambient in many different ways, like writing, singing, speaking, drawing, creating, building, things of that nature, but living an ambient life can lead to disaster. You’re either good or bad. You can’t be both.

Self made

REDBOOK MANGO

Artist/Vendor

So I miss you Who knows where you are Christmas is here

And they made me a star

I’ve been shooting for the sun and moon DC Dream Team is in a theater soon!

Don’t get discouraged – I’ll be back Terminator VII is now on trailer track

that’s where I had them...”

Fits to ____ (perfectly) (2 wds.) (1,3)

Cold War entities until 1991 (abbr.)

Dogpatch Yokum who shares an abbreviated descriptor with rappers Kim and Wayne

___ no good (2 wds.) (2,2)

“Mon ___!” (“My God!”) (Fr.)

Muhammad’s religion 43. Key members of a pugilists training team (2 wds.) 47. Cable channel most closely associated with (and hidden within) politics panels (1-4) 49. Cars that were widely known - at least informally - as “bugs” (abbr./acron.) 50. Just ducky, in 3 ltrs. 51. Huge, colorful entertainment event presided over by a “Master” 4 wds.) 56. The “P” in POTUS (abbr.) 57. Jazzy Fitzgerald 58. Kind of performance that “...ain’t over till the fat lady sings”: 61. Word before bird, blood type, book or breed 62. Razor-sharp, as a blade’s edge 63. More eccentric 64. Words said in passing 65. Mechanisms that serve those of us who are short? (abbr./acorn.)

crossword puzzle is

66. Wacko Down

1. Blood-typing letters

2. Place for a father-to-be (abbr.)

3. What a sunny mid- to late-May day with above-freezing temperatures may be for Alaskan rivers and ponds (2 wds.) 4. Pearl Harbor locale

30. Adaptable truck, for short 31. Sea in France 35. Common cause of inflation? 36. ____ Strait (Russia-Alaska separator) 37. “Anchors Aweigh mil. branch, in brief (abbr./acron.) 38. “Oh, yes certainly. I’d appreciate that.” (2 wds.) (6,2) 39. Hawaiian tuber 40. Trans-Siberian Railroad city 41. “Great” dog breed 42. “No worries; everything’s good” (2 wds.) (3,4) (CSI TOOL anagram) 43. Globe 44. Breaks down grammatically, as a sentence 45. Seattle seahawks 46. Presidential monogram from 1981-89 47. “It’s a Wonderful Life” director Frank 48. Go off course

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento

Case Management Coordinación de Servicios

SHELTER HOTLINE

Línea directa de alojamiento (202) 399-7093

YOUTH HOTLINE

Línea de juventud (202) 547-7777

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE

Línea directa de violencia doméstica 1-800-799-7233

Assistance Assistencia Legal Showers Duchas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 ID (Friday 9am–12pm only) foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities

Friendship Place // 202-364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW friendshipplace.org

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

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

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

Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org 2375 Elvans Road SE

2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE

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

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

BEHAVIORAL

HEALTH HOTLINE

Línea de salud del comportamiento 1-888-793-4357

Laundry Lavandería

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

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

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

St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-333-4949 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

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

JOB BOARD

Crew Team Member

McDonald’s // 601 F ST NW

Full-time / Part-time

Take orders, prepare food, ensure restaurant cleanliness.

REQUIRED: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/mcdonalds-team

Team Member

Chipotle // 625 Monroe St. NE

Full-time / Part-time

Take orders, prepare meals and ingredients and cleaning the store.

REQUIRED: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/member-chipotle

Retail Associate

Walmart // Multiple locations

Full-time / Part-time / Seasonal

Keep shelves stocked, operate the cash register and provide quality customer service to patrons.

REQUIRED: N/A

APPLY: tinyurl.com/walmart-associate

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

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

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

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

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

All services listed are referral-free