01.17.2024

VOL. 21 ISSUE 5

JAN. 17 - JAN. 30, 2024

Real Stories

Real People

Real Change

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DC runs out of rental assistance, again 3

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OUR STORY CASE MANAGEMENT

IN 2023

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people moved into housing using case management services

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n 2013, we began offering case management services to help anyone, including vendors, with their needs — from obtaining identification cards and emergency cash for bills and food to accessing supportive programs and applying for housing vouchers. Our team builds long-term relationships with our vendors and other clients to understand their needs and help them create plans to achieve their goals.

117

people, including artists/vendors, used case management services in 2023,

Physical and mental health services, emergency cash assistance and housing services were provided hundreds of times throughout 2022 and 2023.

28

of which were new clients.

The Cover COVER ART BY CHRIS COLE, COVER DESIGN BY ANNEMARIE 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, Invisible Prophet,

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, Morgan Jones, Nikila Smith, Patricia Donaldson, Patty Smith, Phillip Black, Queenie Featherstone, Rachelle Ellison, Randall Smith, Rashawn Bowser, Reginald Black, Reginald C. Denny, Ricardo Meriedy, Richard “Mooney” Hart, Rita Sauls, Robert Reed,

Robert Vaughn, 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 Blake Androff, NanaSentuo Bonsu, Jonquilyn Hill, Stanley Keeve, Clare Krupin, Ashley McMaster, Matt Perra, Michael Phillips, Shari Wilson, Corrine Yu

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Brian Carome DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Darick Brown DIRECTOR OF VENDOR EMPLOYMENT Thomas Ratliff

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

DC allocates more money toward rental assistance amid high demand

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The January vendor meeting is Friday, Jan. 26, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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Street Sense Media follows the federal government for weather closures. On a bad weather day, check the office status by going to opm.gov/status.

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

ANNEMARIE CUCCIA Editor-in-Chief

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housands more District residents who are behind on rent will get help this year than previously expected.

D.C. will put an extra $20.6 million into the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in 2024, the Department of Human Services (DHS) confirmed. The program, which helps cover late rent and legal costs for low-income residents facing eviction, has been overwhelmed by demand in recent months. The new funding will allow an additional 5,500 residents to apply for help this spring and summer, on top of the previously planned 7,000 applications for the remainder of the fiscal year.

A lifeline for residents facing displacement, ERAP historically runs out of money mid-year. This year, DHS is accepting ERAP applications quarterly to give residents who face housing emergencies later in the year a chance to request funds. The ERAP portal opens once every three months and closes as soon as a set number of people have applied, typically 3,500.

When ERAP applications opened on Jan. 2, 3,500 people applied in four hours, suggesting even higher demand than in October, when the same number applied in 10 days. The strong show of demand came despite technical issues in both cycles that rendered the application inaccessible for a short time in January and over multiple days in October. A local tenant association said on social media in January that many members had not been able to apply this time around, especially since applications opened at noon and closed before 5 p.m., while many people were working.

On Jan. 5, At-large Councilmember Robert White — who chairs the Housing Committee — announced DHS agreed to put the additional $20.6 million into rental assistance. Because of this funding, a total of 8,500 residents will be able to apply for ERAP in April and another 4,000 in July, DHS confirmed.

“ERAP is a critical safety net program in D.C. because it keeps people in their homes and prevents homelessness and displacement.

That is why I fought to keep the mayor from taking $20 million from the ERAP budget this [past] fall,” White wrote via email. “Social services are not just nice-to-have for residents, they are a crucial part of keeping families stable and secure and they help prevent future costs for social services and even crime."

The announcement appears to resolve an ERAP budget dispute that lasted the better part of a year. When D.C. was drafting its fiscal year 2024 budget, Mayor Muriel Bowser initially suggested funding

VENDOR PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS Beverly Brown, Roberta Haber, Ann Herzog, Madeleine McCollough

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Annemarie Cuccia ARTISTS-INRESIDENCE Bonnie Naradzay (Poetry), David Serota (Illustration), Willie Schatz (Writing), Leslie Jacobson (Theater), Roy Barber (Theater), Rachel

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EVENTS AT SSM

NEWS IN BRIEF

VENDOR PROGRAM ASSOCIATES Aida Peery, Chon Gotti, Nikila Smith

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Dungan (Podcast) OPINION EDITOR (VOLUNTEER) Candace Montague EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS J.M. Acsienzo, Josh Axelrod, Ryan Bacic, Casey Bacot, Dakota Bragato, Chelsea Ciruzzo,

the program at just $8 million — a number tenant advocates saw as dangerously low, and a reduction from prior years. The D.C. Council instead voted to hold funding for the program steady at $43 million.

Then, over the spring, D.C. received an extra $33.5 million from the federal government to spend on rental assistance. While the council voted to allocate all the money to ERAP, the Bowser administration initially split it between emergency assistance and the Rapid Rehousing program, which Bowser argued needed the money to keep families in housing. When officials submitted a reprogramming request in November to get the council’s approval for this decision, the council rejected it.

The recent announcement means that DHS will use the full $33.5 million for ERAP as the council sought — a $20.6 million increase from the funding level that would have been in place had the reprogramming request been approved.

ERAP isn’t the only DHS program facing budget pressures. Just a few days after Bowser agreed, after weeks of dispute, to implement temporary benefit increases for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants, Washington City Paper reported homeless service organizations funded through DHS are facing cuts. City Paper reports the agency’s budget issues have arisen despite the city’s higher-thanexpected revenue in 2023.

BIRTHDAYS Frederic John Jan. 17 ARTIST/VENDOR

Dominique Anthony Jan. 20 ARTIST/VENDOR

Ivory Wilson Jan. 29

ARTIST/VENDOR

Could ERAP help me?

Applications for ERAP will reopen on April 1 and July 1. For households facing or at risk of eviction, ERAP can provide up to five months of back rent; cover late fees and court costs; and pay a security deposit and first month’s rent for those who have to move. The amount of aid available depends on a household’s income and need.

Current D.C. residents are eligible if they make no more than 40% of the area median income — putting the threshold for assistance at $39,080 for an individual or $56,900 for a family of four — and are either at least 30 days behind on rent or at risk of homelessness.

When applications are open, D.C. residents can apply online at erap. dhs.dc.gov or over the phone at 202-507-6666. Applicants will need to submit proof of residency; a photo ID; and proof of income, if applicable.

This story was co-published with the DC Line.

Lenika Cruz, August Ditcher, Anne Eigeman, Matt Gannon, Dan Goff, Grier Hall, Alison Henry, Annabella Hoge, Micah Levey, Benjamin Litoff, Kate Malloy, Zach Montellaro, Taylor Nichols, Anisa Noor, Kathryn Owens, Roman Peregrino,

Cari Shane, Rachel Siegal, Jessica Webster, Miles Wilson, Elise Zaidi

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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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.”

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NEWS

How homelessness in DC compares nationally ANNEMARIE CUCCIA Editor-in-Chief

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f D.C. were a state, it would be the state with the highest concentration of homelessness, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). But despite D.C.’s high rate of homelessness, the report also suggests the District has had more success than other parts of the country in reducing homelessness and providing shelter.

On one night in 2023, at least 4,922 people were experiencing homelessness in D.C. — about 73 out of every 10,000 residents. When looking at D.C.’s homeless population as compared to the 50 states, the District has the highest prevalence of homelessness — ahead of New York (about 52 per 10,000) and Vermont (about 51 per 10,000).

But compared to other cities, D.C. falls to 15th on the list, according to a tally by U.S. News and World Report.

These findings, which HUD released in December, are based on the 2023 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count — a survey of people experiencing homelessness across the country. Every January, homeless service systems count how many people are sleeping outside or in shelters in their jurisdiction in one night.

The count is largely acknowledged as an undercount, missing some unhoused people. For instance, it only measures the number of people who are “literally homeless,” excluding anyone experiencing homelessness but staying with family or friends. It also only captures the number of people who are homeless on one night, not across a year, which is often much higher. In 2021, for example, D.C.’s PIT Count found 3,700 unhoused people, but more than 8,000 people interacted with the homeless services system over the year.

Still, the PIT Count is the main way cities and states measure trends in homelessness and the demand for the shelter system. D.C. will conduct its 2024 PIT Count on Jan. 24.

How does DC compare?

Homelessness in D.C. increased about 12% from 2022 to 2023, which is in line with a 12% increase nationally.

But since 2007, the first time the United States conducted the PIT Count, homelessness has

Volunteers conduct the 2023 Point-in-Time Count. Photo by Annemarie Cuccia

decreased in D.C. by 7.5%. Between 2020 and 2022, D.C. also saw one of the largest decreases in homelessness across the country according to the report, largely driven by drops in family homelessness.

Nationally, numbers have gone in the opposite direction. According to the 2023 PIT Count, at least 653,100 people experienced homelessness in a single night in the United States. That’s the highest number recorded since the count began.

Though the numbers suggest D.C. has had more success addressing homelessness than the rest of the country, local advocates and service providers are alarmed at the recent increase. It’s the first time homelessness has increased in the city since 2016, when D.C. launched its first plan to end homelessness, Homeward DC. Providers worry the reductions in homelessness in 2021 and 2022 resulted from pandemic-era rental assistance and housing programs that have since expired. Rent also continues to rise in the District, and evictions have increased.

Compared to other parts of the country, those experiencing homelessness in the District are more likely to be single adults and people who stay in shelters, suggesting the city is ahead in providing shelter and ending family homelessness.

While the District’s homeless encampments continue to draw a lot of national attention, D.C. has a lower rate of unsheltered homelessness compared to the rest of the country. About 17% of people who were surveyed in D.C. were experiencing unsheltered homelessness, living in encampments or other outdoor spaces. That number is far below the national average of nearly 40%. In seven states, including California, more people reported living outside than in shelters.

That said, the PIT Count is conducted in the middle of winter when D.C. residents have a right to shelter and the city opens additional sites to protect residents from the cold weather, so a higher portion of residents have access to indoor shelter than year-round.

The city has also made investments in ending and preventing family homelessness. In the District, about a quarter of people experiencing homelessness are part of a household with children, compared to 30% nationally. D.C. regularly houses more families than are even measured in the PIT Count each year, and families who experience homelessness in D.C. are met with a better-resourced system than those living alone.

Partially because of the disparity in resources, local officials argue, homelessness among individuals has increased several times over the last few years. Individuals who experience

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Estimates of homelessness across the United States. Graphics courtesy of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

homelessness in D.C. are older and more likely to be Black compared to elsewhere in the country.

In D.C., and the nation, people of color are overrepresented in the homeless population. In the District, 81% of people experiencing homelessness in D.C. identified as Black compared to 45% of the total population. Nationally, between 2022 and 2023, homelessness increased notably for people who identify as Asian American and Hispanic or Latino. That trend was not evident in D.C. The PIT Count also suggests that D.C. has a higher rate of senior homelessness compared to the rest of the country, with more than 30% of people experiencing homelessness in D.C. over the age of 55; that compares to about 20% nationally.

While homelessness nationally increased in 2023, so did resources to help the growing population. Throughout the country, there was a 7% increase in the number of beds available, with much of the growth in emergency shelters. Programs for people who formerly experienced homelessness, like voucher programs, also increased, with 32,000 more spots in permanent housing.

In D.C., however, the rate of investment in housing programs is slowing. While the city created 230 new permanent supportive housing vouchers in fiscal year 2024, the increases pale compared to past investments. Advocates say the city needs to fund more rental assistance and vouchers to decrease homelessness in the long term.

Homelessness in D.C. rose 12% between 2022 and 2023.

Changes in homelessness in states between 2020 and 2022.

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2024 HOPES AND

Christy Respress, Pathways to Housing

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athways to Housing DC predicts that the District of Columbia will rise to meet the urgent needs of its unhoused residents and those at risk of homelessness in this pivotal year ahead. The keys to this potential for success must be unlocked through both public accountability and targeted investments in financial resources, legislative successes and innovations. To make substantial progress and to fulfill this prediction, our community must: 1. Make strategic and timely investments now to end homelessness. Knowing that mid-year budget cuts from both the Department of Human Services and the Department of Behavioral Health are already predicted, we must find ways to fund critical services that support people in areas of housing, mental health, substance use services and homeless outreach services. Housing First initiatives that combine housing with supportive services are the most proven and successful models. Pulling back resources from this commitment pushes our community into further distress and inequity.

2. Invest in prevention resources. Prevention dollars like the Emergency Rental Assistance Program need to be increased substantially. Currently capped at just 3,500 applications, the need far exceeds the resources available. The 2023 Point-In-Time Count provided the most telling call to action for prevention resources with a reported spike in people entering homelessness for the first time as federal COVID relief funds expired. The age-old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure will need to resonate more loudly with elected officials if we are truly going to end homelessness and create a more equitable city.

3. Build capacity with investments in the frontline workforce who do the lion’s

Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George

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n Dec. 20, we gathered to commemorate our 90 neighbors who died without a home in the District in 2023. Tragically, 54 of these neighbors had been matched with a housing voucher but died before moving in.

D.C. has the resources to end homelessness, but we urgently need to address the bureaucratic and structural barriers that keep people from accessing safe and stable housing through the unused housing vouchers D.C. already paid for.

We also need to confront the reality that thousands of D.C. residents lack affordable housing or face undignified housing conditions that destabilize their lives. One strategy the District should deploy is creating social housing — publicly-owned, mixed-income, truly affordable, sustainable and transit-oriented housing that prioritizes the needs of people and the planet over profit. Social housing is succeeding in other jurisdictions as far as Vienna, Austria, and as nearby as Montgomery County, Maryland. It would be a critical tool to address the unmet needs of D.C. residents for affordable, stable and dignified housing and would help us fight back against displacement.

share of this lifesaving work. A huge step forward will be the passage of the Social Work Modernization Act, co-sponsored by 10 D.C. Council members and supported by the Council Office of Racial Equity. The impact of the passage of the act will be both immediate and long-term — helping to increase the number of licensed social workers in the District who are essential to providing the supportive services needed to end homelessness and support the recovery of those in housing. Attracting and retaining this workforce has been a fundamental challenge for the entire sector post-pandemic due to burnout, inadequate compensation and racially biased social work licensure exams.

4. Pursue innovations and create new paths forward that were proven to be successful during the pandemic in communities across the country and here in the D.C. region. Our community can and should re-envision a downtown D.C. with more deeply affordable housing and workforce housing for service providers, make more robust investments in health care resources for individuals experiencing homeless, including a new medical respite program for women, increase investments in mental health and substance use services, provide more targeted housing for aging populations, repair broken systems of care and housing for our returning citizens, build on investments dedicated to a Peer Specialist Certification Program launched by the Department of Human Services to ensure people with lived experience have a permanent voice at the table as decision-makers, and create more paths forward for employment and other forms of income.

With the right progressive political will at the right time, the District and the region can ensure that homelessness is solvable. Housing First initiatives, outreach services, peer support and prevention resources are the best resource investments to ensure that the District creates a path forward towards success and fulfills its much-touted Homeward DC goals.

Ann Oliva, National Alliance to End Homelessness

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he 2024 election will dramatically impact the work to end homelessness, and we should all be prepared for homelessness to be a far bigger issue in this election than normal.

This year, it will be essential that we collectively focus on educating federal, state and local lawmakers. We must show them how their communities will benefit when they invest in proven solutions to homelessness and scale up long overdue investments in affordable housing. Otherwise, we will continue to see homelessness cynically leveraged as a wedge issue to divide voters, including hateful rhetoric about people experiencing homelessness, reckless conflation of homelessness and crime and harmful and ineffective criminalization tactics.

Ending homelessness benefits every single member of our communities, and we must consistently deliver than message to lawmakers in 2024.

N Street Village

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Street Village saw a significant increase over the last year in the number of working women coming to our programs. As we move into a new year, we will continue to grow Sharon’s Place, the only residential employment program for women in Washington, D.C., which launched last summer. Women should not have to choose between a bed and a job. Giving women a safe place to sleep that accommodates non-traditional work hours allows them to establish stability and become self-sufficient. We will also be prioritizing workforce development

to help end homelessness for women.

Another growing population is women aging in place. Elderly women need more than just housing — they need community. N Street Village will be focused on developing a supportive, connected community where women can age in a dignified way with access to health care that addresses concerns such as menopause, incontinence, changing nutrition needs and neurological health. We want to ensure low-income women and women experiencing homelessness have a productive and healthy life as they age.

PREDICTIONS Street Sense reached out to a few dozen local and national organizations that shape housing and homelessness policy to hear their predictions about 2024. The first half were in the last issue.

Here's the second half.

Sharlene Castle, Jaydot

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oing into 2024, the Jaydot team is excited to grow our Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program team. We know that there are still many people experiencing homelessness in D.C. who have been matched to a voucher and have yet to move into housing, and we are excited to be part of the solution.

We will continue to lend our voice to efforts focused on reducing process delays within both the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) and the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) that can result in clients waiting a very long time to be housed. We have seen how these delays can erode a client's trust in the overall system that is intended to help them quickly move into stable, permanent and safe housing. We know that both agencies have been working hard to streamline their processes, and we look forward to those changes helping us meet our common goal of expeditiously moving people into housing.

We will also be advocating for the creation of incentives for the various housing models that the District has prioritized over recent years. In our continued work on the development and operation of unit-based Permanent Supportive Housing apartments in District-funded affordable housing projects, we are seeing unusually high vacancy rates for unit-based PSH studio apartments. Our observation is that, given the flexibility, many single adult PSH consumers understandably opt for tenant-based vouchers that will allow them to rent a studio or a one bedroom apartment. This is in large part because nothing within our current system incentivizes people to choose a unit-based studio; such incentives could include quicker processing times or the opportunity to convert their unit-based voucher to tenant-based after a set period of time.

We will also continue to lend our voice to efforts to prioritize quick and comprehensive mental health interventions for permanently housed individuals and families in need. We have witnessed a number of situations like those described in a recent Washington Post article where one resident's actions can create an unsafe environment for the rest of the building community. We are interested in helping create and sustain vibrant communities where all residents feel safe and comfortable in their housing; this outcome is much more likely if there is a strong emphasis on early intervention with mental health challenges and quick and appropriate responses in crisis situations. And while we do not want anyone to return to homelessness, we will be looking for ways to work with advocates, District government agencies and the court system to shorten the timeline for intervening with residents who pose a serious risk to the rest of their building community and identifying a permanent housing placement that can better meet that resident's needs.

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Susie McClanahan, Equal Rights Center

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n 2022, the D.C. Council passed a law that strengthened source of income protections in housing. The law makes it illegal to deny a voucher holder based on their income level or credit score and limits what credit history can be considered.

The law is critical to promoting neighborhood desegregation in the city by reducing barriers that voucher holders face when applying for housing. However, the law hasn't had the impact it could because many landlords across the city aren't following it. In 2024, the Equal Rights Center will continue to work to ensure that District landlords are following their obligations.

Kate Coventry, DC Fiscal Policy Institute

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n Dec. 20, I went to the annual memorial for D.C. residents who died while experiencing homelessness. In the past year, 90 people died while experiencing homeless. One lost life is too many. D.C. can prevent these tragedies by preventing homelessness whenever possible and helping people who do experience homelessness quickly move into housing. I am hopeful because the District has tackled some of the implementation issues that have made it difficult to move people quickly into housing. With political will and additional funding, the District can be the first major city to end homelessness.

Alex Rossello, Apartment and Office Building Association

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he city has certainly experienced a tumultuous few years, with the pandemic exacerbating housing insecurity and, by extension, homelessness.

Despite the strides the District has taken to boost housing production, it still does not have enough housing to meet demand, especially at the lower end of the income spectrum. In 2024, the Apartmemt and Office Building Association will continue to advocate for creative housing policies that reduce costs.

However, while increasing the supply of housing is critical, another equally important aspect is the performance of the District’s housing programs, including rapid rehousing, targeted affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, emergency rental assistance and federal and local voucher programs. Our members play a critical role in fulfilling the goals of these programs. They know how to think outside the box and effectively allocate resources.

We hope that by facilitating increased communication and cooperation between our agency partners and our membership, we can help these programs better serve our community in addressing housing insecurity and homelessness throughout the District.

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ART

QUEENIE FEATHERSTONE Artist/Vendor

Yes, it’s a new year, and I have plans to soar.

However, it’s the same old me and my lovely dear who’s here with me.

This hangover is real, he tells me to take a chill pill.

And no, whether or not my head, stomach and body keep feeling ill, I still have every good reason to say, “Thank you, new year.”

My 2024 JENNIFER MCLAUGHLIN Artist/Vendor

Celebration!

I am going to: plan ahead continue to learn from 2023 remember that people tend to wait until the last moment

DANIEL BALL Artist/Vendor

Last year was my best so far. I made a lot of money because my customers bought many Street Sense papers. I predict this year will be even better for Daniel Ball.

If you want a job here at Street Sense, you can find out about it every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. And you should, because Daniel says you can sell papers just like he does.

Love you!

Dear Street Sense Media WARREN STEVENS Artist/Vendor

Happy New Year to all my loved ones, family and friends. We all had a good time sitting near an open fireplace talking, drinking hot chocolate, coffee and egg nog and eating goodies on New Year’s Eve. I stood on my balcony and watched people shoot fireworks to bring in the new year. Me and my girlfriend ate pizza and fries and drank sodas and watched movies to bring in the new year. My sister and her boyfriend celebrated New Year’s Day over at a friend’s house.

This month is Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, let’s celebrate and remember him.

I hope this year will be a better year with less crime, gun violence and carjacking.

The police have been making arrests so people can be safe.

Happy New Year. Stay safe.

Let’s cheer! Let’s dance!

BRIANNA BUTLER Artist/Vendor

Put on a smile — we’ve made it to the next year with a different perspective on life. Grab your friends and family and let’s have a ball of a time!

I am truly blessed that I have love and people all around my space. They encourage me to look ahead and become a new, healthier me. I’m changing my nutrition: more fruit, less carbs. I’m also putting my best foot forward while letting go of my stress, my pain and obstacles that get in my way. I’m going to trust God and not worry about things.

God’s going to work it out for me and for you.

So, celebrate a new year of loving yourself and God smiling ear to ear.

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The month of January SYBIL TAYLOR Artist/Vendor

Happy 2024 to everybody. I hope this year and month bring new beginnings, joy, happiness, better opportunities, better solutions, achieving goals, good fortune and a new me and new you. I wish the best for everybody. I want to improve myself mentally and physically and sell my papers. During the holidays I didn’t do so well in paper sales, and I did not achieve my goal. Sales were down during December, so I could not have a decent birthday or Christmas, but I am planning to make it up.

I love all my customers and please stop by and say hello to me and buy a paper from me. Let’s start this year with a smile and cheer along the way. To all the vendors — let’s have a great year in sales.

Journey of dreams: The symphony of 2024

Illustration by Chon Gotti.

CHON GOTTI Artist/Vendor

In the realm of dreams where aspirations soar, Chon Lamont Smith, a name we adore.

A journey unfolds, a tale to be told, Of a visionary spirit, courageous and bold.

In the heart of the capital, where dreams find their birth, Chon weaves a story, a narrative of worth.

Fortune500WorldCruises&Tours, his vessel of delight, Sails through the seas, a beacon shining bright.

In the canvas of the year 2024, a masterpiece unfolds, A lifetime achievement, a story that's told.

A marquis of who's who in America, a stage so grand, Chon takes his place, a leader in the sand.

The journey not just on the seas so wide, But through the hearts of those on life's tide.

Motivational whispers, a speaker profound, Chon's words echo, a resonating sound.

Colleges nationwide, in halls and squares, Chon steps forward, humanity he shares.

A storyteller weaving tales of triumph and grace, Igniting inspiration, lighting up each space.

With every word, a symphony of hope, A kaleidoscope of dreams to cope.

Positive vision, a compass so true, Chon guides us through the skies so blue.

A lifetime achievement, a crown well deserved, In the seas of success, his ship has swerved.

Fortune500WorldCruises&Tours, a testament high, To the dreams that soar, to the limitless sky.

So here's to Chon, the captain so wise, Navigating life's oceans with determined eyes.

A storyteller, a motivator, a beacon so bright, Guiding us through the realms of the new year's light.

My 2024 vision board HENRIEESE ROBERTS Artist/Vendor

Lately, I have attended quite a few webinars that helped me prepare my vision boards for the new year. I have one for writing and one for personal development to help me overcome limiting beliefs.

What I would most like to take from my 2023 goals is the development needed to become a health education filmmaker.

During Thanksgiving, I was in New York City filming the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I also visited the city’s new public access station. But I was as ill as one can be, and amazed about the effects when you have an undisclosed disability. Unfortunately, I did not make it to the Macy’s Parade cartoon installation. This lateness hurt my ability to take good pictures.

I carried so much gear and so many boxes that my cup overflowed with my stupidity.

I just went to an event at Empower DC. It was fun with food and entertainment. But I was still ill and had a bandage on my right eye. I looked at the pictures on my phone and was somewhat enthused about some of them.

Fortunately, I have been blessed with new, caring friends. I am completing my vision board. I may share this opportunity with you.

A better year REGGIE JONES Artist/Vendor

I hope that the new year brings happiness and joy to all. Let it bring wealth and stability and material things such as cars, scooters and bikes. My goals and hopes are to run my franchise or business, have a large bank account and never worry about being broke. I hope the new year brings us a better president to make a better economy for the people of the United States. I hope the violence stops between the people over petty things. I hope the new year brings people to make better choices.

10 / / S T R E E T S E NSE M ED IA // J AN . 17 - J AN . 30, 2024

OPINION

Stop the bombing

Inclusive

RANDALL SMITH

MARS

Mahatma Gandhi said, “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.”

Israel should stop dropping bombs. They could use non-lethal weapons instead. More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began.

My New Year's resolution is to be more inclusive of minorities. Being mixed race, I can understand the plight of others. Being homeless, and having the voice that Street Sense Media provides me, allows me to interact with the spirits of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.

Can't we all just get along?

Randall Smith is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

Mars is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

ART

VIRUS NIKILA SMITH Artist/Vendor

Is there a cure for what I have?

I became infected when you touched my heart now I'm out here in these streets moving, but standing still this virus is shutting me down I don't want to admit I always wanted a family now it's just me did you ever love me?

You were infected long before me were you my first love I can admit you are the first I have wanted to explore life with I felt like I had everything with you the things I gave to you meant so much to me you started a chain reaction of hurt you held me back I was never able to pursue life by myself I was wrong for wanting to grow as husband and wife I know love because of anger I would have respected you saying everything that a man can do to hurt you, I will do honesty was not an option the virus had you spreading lies infecting on contact

Illustration by Nikila Smith

the man in my dreams has disappeared appearing as new I have an angry smile when my heart stops beating and yours stops you were supposed to be next to me I should have kept my body armor on now the virus has claimed me

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

Tears ROBERT WARREN Artist/Vendor

I often wonder why the tears falling from my eyes are not always at the same time from the left and right eye.

I thought, in time, so many lives nobody cares to remember his or her name. Only 99 initials of first and last names and their ages. We can say that they all died before their time.

All in the Lord's time in the blink of an eye. No one cried at their funeral, no flowers for grandma and granddad, so sad.

Just remembering that old tune, who cares, who is willing to try. No one no longer needs to wipe the tears from their eyes — so why do I feel like I have missed my chance to cry at their grave site?

Oh, that's right, we no longer have the right to return to mother earth and repay the energy she has given to you and me. You see, the cause of death is too high for the living, no Thanksgiving from the voices of the living. And we ask why they died without the dignity of a home, left all alone, did anyone claim their remains, not even a final resting place?

These tears falling from my face, her face, his face, that remember that the Lord may remember you too in the tears I cry.

When my mother died early on in that pandemic that took over a million lives, I cried and pleaded to have her laid to rest with all the rest of the family members who had died. Bless her heart, she didn't want to burden us with the cost of returning to mother earth. Even in death, we have no worth. Whatever happened to no soul left behind? Without a proper burial ground, tears are coming down for that day when even the ocean of tears will give up its dead. No more tears to cry.

//

11

Sitting at the table with God PEACEFUL TOBIAS Artist/Vendor

I would love to be at the table with God. Oh, that would be my dream come true. My family would think it was odd, but I would say that’s your father too. He’s feasting on your feast that he prepared for you. It’s not odd, it’s just our father God.

Stepping out TONYA WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor

I was a volunteer with this soul food place for almost eight years on weekends, but I had to stop because I was always missing church. I know it’s true that church is in you but I prefer going to church, so I had to step out of my comfort zone. Now I am very comfortable within myself and my spirit.

Happy belated World AIDS Day DOMINIQUE ANTHONY Artist/Vendor Martin Luther King Jr. Illustration by Josie Brown

I have a dream JOSIE BROWN Artist/Vendor

Black history leader Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream for nonviolence. Though we were segregated at that time, he spoke with such determination it changed the course of the world. His speech should change the next generation so they don't repeat the same results but change the course of history. Through his thought-provoking speech, his words of affirmation have a solid rock of brotherhood. And we shouldn't be content or return to business as usual. Not hate but love conquors hate. You shouldn't meet injustice with hatred or phyical force but with happiness and the pursuit of justice.

When I was diagnosed with HIV, I was 26 with one son at the time, named Micah. He was seven years old and was just a little kid dealing with some adult stuff — like dealing with his mom living with the virus. He was learning to stay strong for mom and he became my little big man. He made sure I took my medication. He brought it to me to take saying, “Mommy, make sure to take the medicine.”

And I remember times Micah would see me cry and be depressed because I felt alone. And I felt guilty about this boy helping me, and so ashamed that I could not deal with it at the time. Maybe I stopped taking the medicine, maybe I needed a break from it. My doctor said, “Ms. Anthony, you will not leave your child in this by himself.”

Micah is getting older. He is a college freshman and majoring in business management. This little big man became an adult. Working a job and still taking care of his mom and still telling her to take the medications.

12 / / S TR E E T S E NSE M ED IA // J AN . 17 - J AN . 30, 2024

ART

Winter rain CHRIS COLE Artist/Vendor

it’s so cold it’s hot drip drip drippity drop it sleeks down the wind creates an uneven color as it begins to weather down the nation never-ending like a riveting dissertation chills you to the bone catch it and make a watery snow cone you don’t have to drink it to know this bone broth is always cold and chilling to the core you’ll never warm up and always be sore so glad I have a place to stay dry a home to go to to run and hide shelter from the icy rain I wish that God would refrain from sending us winter rain

Cold and cold ANTHONY CARNEY Artist/Vendor

Are you ready for the winter’s cold weather? I am not. I don’t like the cold. Be prepared for very cold weather this winter.

Remember to dress in layers.

The cold freezes your nose and hands. Please don’t freeze, go to a shelter.

Homelessness 101: Laws and strategies for surviving homelessness CARLOS CAROLINA Artist/Vendor

Law #2: Be mindful of who you ask for help.

All help doesn’t help, and the best help can sometimes hurt. Only if the result is healing, and the problem (your problem) is resolved, that is the help that is truly real.

Note: Your problems are your problems. It would be wise to learn how to work through your problems and needs and only receive genuine help from those who truly have your best interests at heart.

What we take for granted LATICIA BROCK Artist/Vendor

The things we waste in America are the things people need to survive. While we waste things such as water, people need it in other countries to survive. Restaurants throw away endless food, while people in other countries eat things contaminated with stool. We argue and bicker over oil and money, while politicians make promises.

Sit back and watch us fight over games and sneakers. We think things are funny. Joshing and laughing at each other daily. While the police sit back, running their mouth over the internet, and getting lazy.

“Look at ‘em in crowds smoking lazy marijuana. While we’re taking their powers, locking them up, to see ‘your honor.’” Click-clack, click-clack. Let’s take our power back.

Instead of beefing over females, let’s set our power back. If we don’t stand for something, we’ll fall for anything. Let’s plant it: be grateful for the little things; it’s what we take for granted.

More than a paper MARCUS MCCALL Artist/Vendor

Hi, readers!

I want to say that since I’ve been writing for Street Sense I’ve made many changes to my life.

Let me start by taking you back to 2015 when I was homeless and living with a woman and her stepson.

I was in my twenties, which flew by incredibly fast.

Three years later I found Street Sense, where I took off writing and met some great people. I’ve also found the silver linings of peace, friendship and compassion. The paper makes me feel very productive. I don’t have to sell a dime of crack or half a gram of blow to make a dollar. I’m finally at peace with myself.

At first, I was dealing with my demons. Now I’m here talking with other homeless vendors and working-class folks. The people all agree selling the paper is way better than selling illicit substances.

I write to ease my pain about spending pieces of my life in places I was shown were dangerous and fast. Yeah, the people living in those spaces had money. But, even though many people say money makes the world go round, I say connections, like those I’ve made at Street Sense, make the world go round. This is more than a paper!

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

You don’t know

Waking up

ANDRE HUNTER Artist/Vendor

DONTÉ TURNER

You don’t know where I’ve been I’ve been through the fire and through the lion’s den I sleep with hyenas and I swim with the sharks come with me from the light and into the dark I see a monster in my mirror what am I turning into I see a monster in my mirror what am I turning into what am I turning into what am I turning into

//

13

Artist/Vendor

Waking up, my eyes are semi-blinded from the light my eyes have been blessed to see for 37 years.

As they adjust and dance to adapt to the sight of a familiar view, my lips form a smile on the home they share called face.

Looking to see what adventure the day has ahead of me.

I’m eager to meet strangers who will become my long-term friends, and who will have similar or different goals.

Talking in the same and different languages.

Walking in the same direction but on different paths.

Waking up to make the day better than what it was yesterday.

I’m smoking these drugs hoping the beast will chill hoping it will calm its raging need to kill I’m smoking these drugs hoping the beast will chill hoping it will calm its raging need to kill I need enough ammo to kill everybody ‘cause I keep having this dream where all I do is scream “Kill everybody!”

You don’t know where I’ve been

A poet's song KYM PARKER Artist/Vendor

When we dance, the angels open their wings because they like to see how we enjoy the dance.

Life can have its ups and downs. It can be a long road, just like a dance.

Inside our hearts, we know the difference between right and wrong.

We were created to perfection from head to toe, skin, nails and bodies. We were shaped to dance.

I have discovered my power, my strength and my blessings.

I am blessed, and that's why I dance. I dance in her light and her love. I always come back to my song and sing proudly.

I found my voice, I could feel it, and I danced with happiness.

I sing to God because she listens to me.

Why GRETA CHRISTIAN Artist/Vendor

Why people act up Why people work so hard Why people hate you so much Why people don’t love you Why people cannot get along with other people Why people don’t love people Love is in the air Why people ignore you Why people hit you for no reason Why people don’t listen to you Why people can’t handle things

POETRY CORNER

You tell me why

14 / / S TR E E T S E N SE M ED IA // J AN . 17 - J AN . 30, 2024 CROSSWORD

FUN & GAMES

Oh, that one

Puzzle by Patrick “Mac” McIntyre

Oh, that one Across 1. Formal death report, briefly 5. William for whom the Keystone State was named 9. Kind of yoga 4. Like Santa's cheeks 15. Crossword constructors' favorite cookie, it seems 16. Loud, as a crowd, when the home team has wowed 17. Blocked off section of a stairwell?

(2 wds.) (9,6) 20. ____top Stuffing 21. Like many ASL speakers 22. "...as I ____, not as I do" 23. Israel's Netanyahu, familiarly 25. Japanese audio electronics brand 27. With "a," what would Likely result if leading jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and leading dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin were to be wed? (2 wds.) (6,8) 33. Places where sponges get used only once (abbr./initialism) 34. Word before bar or box 35. Greek letter that, turned into two words, including an initialism, describes a professor's helper 37. Paper purchase 39. Hermano's uncle? (2 wds.) (2,3) (Sp.) 42. Coll. and univ. (abbr.)

43. Home base for the Buccaneers and Rays 45. Cuba, por ejemplo (Sp.) 47. Skeleton ____ 48. Roped twenty varmints together? (4 wds.) (4,2,3,5) 52. Wise guy (for real) 53. "Divine Secrets of the ____ Sisterhood" (novel and movie) (2-2) 54. When repeated, a cheerleading accessory 57. Name before Domino or after Minnesota 59. A trillion has twelve of them 62. Something a dishwasher containing too much of a popular soap brand may do? (3 wds.) (8,4,3) 66. Actress Zellweger of "Judy" 67. Gala gathering 68. Island concealed in "Then the dancers do a hula" 69. "___ words were never spoken!"

70. North Carolina's Cape ___ 71. Pop star whose name is stylized with an exclamation point as its second letter

Down 1. Tolkien beast 2. Feathery scarves 3. Ain't correct?

4. First player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame (2,4) 5. Vinelike vegetable (2 wds,) (4,4) (NOBLE APE anagram) 6. Schubert's "The ___-King" 7. Educational financial aid consideration, typically

1

SOLUTION: It Isn’t Just Aardvarks ____ Issue LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION 1 14 17 20

27 36 40 44 48

55 64 68 71

R

2

E

3

L

4

O

B

O

E

M

A

N

T

E

Y

E

A

28

B

N

29

O

U

Y

S

P

O

T

A

Z

T

E

S

37

31

E

E A

38

I

T

E

R

E

L

A

S 65

G

A

V

E

L

G

L

O

R

Y

S

E

N

S

E

I D

66 69 72

S E

59

N

60

51 54

46

U

P

T

E

R

O

O

D

23

R P

47

A

L

I N

R

A

U

N

P

C

P

O

S

E

67 70 73

34

A

E

35

S

S

H

L

I

E

I

G

E

A

N

T

S

N

39

M

A H

A

33

43

P

A

T

T

E

T

13

N

E

E

A

E

A

H

12

W

Y

T

U

B

S

32

N

26

11

61

Z

62

3

4

5

E

63

17

T

U

L

A

L

A

S

T

U

N

A

8. "Of course not, honey" (2 wds.) (2,4) (A DRONE anagram) 9. One who needs to be twice as bright to be of normal intelligence?

10. Eponymous fragrance marketed by singer Grande 11. Duds 12. Result of a crack? (2 wds.) (2,2) 13. Affectedly creative 18. Contents of Pandora's box 19. ____ to middling (so-so) 24. 'Well, ____ expert, but it seems to me like..." (2 wds.) (2,2) 26. Oohs partner 27. Database command 28. Represent : lawyers :: ____ : doctors 29. Grammarian's "Me too," maybe (3 wds.) (2,2,1) 30. Let in, or own up to 31. Martin the ____ (insurance co. spokeslizard with an Australian accent) 32. Early anesthetic 36. "For ____ sow, so shall..." (2 wds.) (2,2) 38. Digital video file format (abbr./ initialism) 40. Pasty-faced 41. Less reputable and trustworthy (REALIZES anagram) 44. Common description of one demonstrating minimal proficiency at a particular task or sport, particularly golf (2 wds.) (1,6) 46. Up to this point (2 wds.) (2,3) (YEAST anagram) 49. Eurasia's ___ Mountains 50. Postpone (2 wds.) (3,3) (TO PUFF anagram) 51. Roller-skating waitress of yore 54. Any ____ in a storm 55. Word between eggs and easy, or mind and matter 56. List one might see in a deli or on a Dell 58. Popeye's ___ Pea 60. Resort town near Santa Barbara 61. Vater's boy in Vaterstetten (Ger.) 63. "Mr. ____!" (old murder-solving board game) 64. Org. for the Williams sisters and Coco Gauff (abbr./initialism) 65. Big laugh

28

24

25

43

31

40

44

41

45 49

36 42

46

50

47 51

52 56

13

32

35 39

48

12

26

30

38

11

22

34

55

10

19

29

37

62

9

21

33

54

8

18

23 27

7

16

20

N

A

6

15

14

O

T

M

58

O

Q

Y

N

S

22

10

S

A 53

19

S

H

C

50

16

R

A

A

P

42

P

T

I

45

52

E

30

25

9

M

N

O

49

8

E

Y

A

E

A

O

D

7

R

L 41

H

R

P

F

57

21

6

A

E

E

V

18

A

S

R

56

15

T

O

E

24

5

Y

2

53 57

58

63

59

60

61

64

65

66

67

68

69

70

71

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

MELODY BYRD 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

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

//

15

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento

1-888-793-4357

JOB BOARD Server

Yard House // 812 7th St. NW Part-time Take customer orders, provide fast and friendly service, keep restaraunt sanitary.

REQUIRED: N/A APPLY: tinyurl.com/yardhousedc

Stocker

Target // 4500 Wisconsin Ave. NW Variable Create a welcoming environment and answer customer questions. Sort and stock product in the store and maintain inventory.

REQUIRED: Able to lift up to 40 lbs.

APPLY: tinyurl.com/targetstocker

Unity Health Care 3020 14th St., NW // unityhealthcare.org - Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500 - Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699

Crew member

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

Prepare food, build customer orders, operate a cash register and keep the store clean.

Chipotle // 1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Full-time

REQUIRED: N/A APPLY: tinyurl.com/chipotlepennave

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

ANDRE BRINSON Artist/Vendor

Happy birthday, Martin Luther King Jr.!

JACKIE TURNER Artist/Vendor

ROCHELLE WALKER Artist/Vendor

What a dream come true. Happy birthday to all of the world. We will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.. Keep his dream alive — that we will be judged not by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character.

He preached, taught and stood up for us all. Let us never forget the life of such an honorable man. A man who died for what he believed in. Love is everybody, hate is nobody. Peace is everybody.

ROBERT VAUGHN Artist/Vendor

Please update or redownload your Street Sense App to use the latest version.

If it wasn't working before, it should be now. Scan to download, or find it in the Apple or Android app stores.

New year, new price?

Scan the code to share your thoughts on whether Street Sense should raise the price of the paper.

From your vendor, J A N . 1 7 - J A N . 3 0 , 2 0 2 4 | VOLUME 21 ISSUE 5

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