02 05 2020

VOL. 17 ISSUE 7

FEB. 8 - 18, 2020

“Mission first, family always” Veterans reflect on their lives, their service, and their community.

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The Cover

The Street Sense Media Story, #MoreThanANewspaper

Street Sense Media Vendor Sam Fullwood is one of 7 vets we interviewed at the Jan. 25 “Winterhaven Stand Down” event hosted at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

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.

PHOTO BY T. B. KHADRA

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Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov, Wanda Alexander, Gerald Anderson, Charles Armstrong, Katrina Arninge, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Aaron Bernier-Garland, Reginald Black, Mathew Bowens, Rashawn Bowser, Clarence Branch, Debora Brantley, Andre Brinson, Laticia Brock, Brianna Butler, Melody Byrd, Juan Callejon, Anthony Carney, Conrad Cheek, Anthony Crawford, Louise Davenport, James Davis, David Denny, Reginald Denny, Ricardo Dickerson, Patricia Donaldson, Nathaniel Donaldson, Ron Dudley, Joshua Faison, Queenie Featherstone, Jet Flegette, Jemel Fleming, Anthony Gary, James Gatrell, Kidest Girma, Chon Gotti, George Gray, Marcus Green, Levester Green, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, Lorrie Hayes, Patricia Henry, Derian Hickman, Vennie Hill, Ibn Hipps, Dan Hooks, James Hughes, Joseph Jackson, Chad Jackson, Henry Johnson, Mark Jones, Morgan Jones, Reggie Jones, Mathew Jones, Matt Jones, Juliene Kengnie, Jewel Lewis, John Littlejohn, Scott Lovell, Michael Lyons, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffery McNeil, Ricardo Meriedy, Kenneth Middleton, L. Morrow, Collins Mukasa, Evelyn Nnams, Earl Parker, Terrell Pearson, Aida Peery, Hubert Pegues, Marcellus Phillips, Jacquelyn Portee, Abel Putu, Ash-Shaheed Rabil, Robert Reed, Corey Sanders, Gerald Schwinn, Mary Sellman, Chris Shaw, Patty Smith, Ronald Smoot, David Snyder, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, James Stewart, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Jeff Taylor, Archie Thomas, Eric Thompson-Bey, Martin Walker, Michael Warner, Vincent Watts II, Sheila White, Angie Whitehurst, Wendell Williams, Ivory Wilson, Charles Woods, Latishia Wynn

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mary Coller Albert, Blake Androff, Jeremy Bratt, Cameron Curtis, Jennifer Park, Michael Phillips, Dan Schwartz, John Senn, Aaron Stetter, Daniel Webber, Shari Wilson, Corrine Yu

CEO Brian Carome

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Eric Falquero

VENDOR MANAGER Elizabeth Duan

DIRECTOR OF CASE MANAGEMENT Lissa Ramsepaul

CASE MANAGER Nikki D’Angelo

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Maddie Cunnigham

WRITERS GROUP ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Willie Schatz

OPINION EDITORS (VOLUNTEER) Rachel Brody, Arthur Delaney, Britt Peterson

EDITORIAL INTERNS Avi Bajpaj, Ben Cooper, Julia Pinney, Sasha Polonko, Katherine Randolph

DESIGN INTERN Camille Rood

ADVISORY BOARD John McGlasson

EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS Ryan Bacic, Roberta Haber, Thomas Ratliff, Mark Rose, Andrew Siddons, Sarah Tascone, Jenny-lin Smith

OFFICE SALES VOLUNTEERS Bill Butz, Jane Cave, Roberta Haber, Ann Herzog, Lynn Mandujano, Leonie Peterkin, Eugene Versluysen

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// 3

EVENTS

The D.C. Council has been holding oversight hearings with District agencies since Jan. 6 to review their performance in FY2019. The mayor is expected to release her proposed FY2021 budget on March 19. D.C. Council will then hold public committee hearings to review the budget from March 23 to April 9. More Info: tinyurl.com/dc-budget-21 Monday, Feb.10 Senior Budget Engagement Telephone Townhall Time: 12:00 pm To RSVP, please call 202.442.8150 Tuesday, February 18 Budget Engagement Forum #1 Time: 6:30 pm Location: Edgewood Recreation Center 301 Franklin Street, NE

Thursday, February 20 Budget Engagement Forum #2 Time: 6:30 pm Location: UDC Student Center 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW Saturday, February 22 Budget Engagement Forum #3 Time: 11:00 am Location: Kenilworth Recreation Center 4321 Ord Street, NE

SATURDAY, FEB 15

UPDATES ONLINE AT ICH.DC.GOV

SATURDAY, FEB. 8

Town hall to fight against sex trafficking and abuse

D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness Meetings

A Night of GoGo with DC Jobs With Justice

3 pm (Doors open at 2:30 pm) Potomac Gardens 700 12th St SE

Executive Committee Feb. 11, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm 441 4th Street NW

5 pm - 9 pm The Josephine Butler Center 2437 15th Street NW

The Saving Our Family Campaign will hold a town hall dealing with sex trafficking and abuse in the Black community. They will also be discussing missing Black women and children that don’t get the media coverage they should.

More Info: tinyurl.com/sof-meeting

Housing Solutions Committee Feb. 17, 3 pm - 4:30pm 1800 MLK Jr. Ave. SE

$20 - $40. The purpose of this event is to raise money to pay for travel to the National Jobs With Justice gathering in Atlanta, Georgia. Performances by Uncalled 4 Band. More Info: tinyurl.com/jwj-feb-gogo

***List features only committee meetings. For issue-focused working group, contact ich.info@dc.gov.

Submit your event for publication by emailing editor@streetsensemedia.org

AUDIENCE EXCHANGE Amanda

@amandaPLEASEcom

Remembering Ms. Bobbie. A big thanks to @streetsensedc for coming out to this memorial.

The govt spent the day removing ppl from their homes so the sidewalk won’t be blocked.

We spent 45 minutes filling it to honor a woman who spent 5 years living on that street.

11:35 PM - 16 JAN 2020

Moyo Onibuje poses for a photo with his daughter, Samoya, outside of the Street Sense Media offices in May 2017.

PHOTO BY ERIC FALQUERO

REST IN PEACE It is with heavy hearts that we report Artist and Vendor Moyo Onibuje has died.

He passed away on Monday, Jan. 27, at the age of 55. He had worked with our organization on and off since 2007.

Please send memorials, memories, and tributes for possible publication to editor@streetsensemedia.org.

A memorial service for Moyo Onibuje, Angela Pounds, and Alice Carter will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. in the Church of the Epiphany (1317 G Street NW)

CORRECTIONS In the previous edition of Street Sense, the pg 16 article titled “This DC child care organization has grown a lot over the pas fw years. Now they’re hleping others do the same.” contained two errors.

1. Paige Pokorney is not an employee of National Children’s Center. She is Anti-Hunger Program Associate in Child Nutrition at D.C. Hunger Solutions and her views do not reflect the position of NCC. 2. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education requires that all teachers in the District of Columbia have an associate’s degree (AA) or higher by 2023. NCC plans to comply with this requirement; it is not an NCC initiative.

The online edition will be updated.

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NEWS

Dr. Crosland, center, and other PIT Count volunteers approach a tarp to speak with someone on Jan. 22. PHOTO BY JULIA PINNEY

2020 Point in Time Count will direct future priorities for homeless services

BY JULIA PINNEY // julia.pinney@streetsense.org

Dr. Catherine Crosland crouched next to a gray tarp she thought might be concealing an unhoused D.C. resident.

“Hello! Is anyone home?”

She was helping the city conduct a survey and she had a $10 gift card to Subway or McDonalds to give out that night in exchange for the interruption to the person’s rest. Crosland is Director of Homeless Outreach at Unity Health Care, but on Jan. 22 she was just one of roughly 300 volunteers helping D.C. conduct the 2020 Point in Time (PIT) Count. The volunteers, many affiliated with the nonprofits Pathways to Housing D.C., Miriam’s Kitchen, and Community Connections, traveled to many areas of the city to count anyone sleeping on the street in order to determine the official number of people experiencing homelessness in the District.

People staying in city shelters and recreation centers used as temporary hypothermia shelters would be counted by the staff at those facilities. Private organizations submit their data as well. The PIT Count, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requirement since 2001, helps the city determine where to allocate resources for addressing homelessness. The unsheltered portion of the count that Crosland volunteered to assist with is only required every other year, but D.C. elects to conduct it annually to obtain more accurate data.

At the kickoff event held at the Columbia Heights Educational Campus, Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau, who chairs the D.C. Council committee on human services, spoke about the District’s commitment to connecting people experiencing homelessness to services and housing.

Nadeau thanked volunteers and explained that the PIT Count was an essential piece of the ongoing effort to address homelessness in the District and surrounding counties. “It all starts with you. The data is critically

important to understanding what the challenges are and leaders need to see that,” Nadeau said.

Bowser focused her speech at the kickoff event on the District’s progress addressing homelessness, citing the planned $40 million replacement of the 801 East Men’s Shelter and the opening of a Downtown Day Services Center. “As we engage people tonight, and as we go throughout the next days in Washington D.C., know that we have made unprecedented investments in this city in transforming our entire homelessness services system from prevention to emergency shelter for families,” Bowser said.

As volunteers walked through the city streets, no person experiencing homelessness was required to take the survey, and they would be counted regardless of whether they responded to questions. Those who did opt to answer volunteers’ survey questions provided the city with valuable demographic information that will inform policy and service providers, according to Tom Fredericksen, chief of policy and programs at The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, whose organization coordinated the count on behalf of the city.

“It helps us keep tabs on how the population is changing,” Fredericksen said.

The PIT survey included questions about race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and experience with domestic violence. A question about date of birth is important for tracking rates of homelessness among seniors and youth; a question about episodes of homelessness provides data on rates of chronic homelessness.

Crosland, the Unity Health Care staff member, and Kayla Haskell, a homeless outreach specialist with Pathways to Housing D.C., both said data from the count are essential for their work helping unsheltered people

access housing and medical care. The PIT Count helps medical providers determine where to target services, both brick-and-mortar clinics and outreach programs to deliver medical care on the street, according to Crosland.

Haskell explained that the D.C. government has a ratio of housing vouchers for sheltered and unsheltered people, and the count was important for ensuring a representative allocation. “It’s super important that we count every single person that is unsheltered to show that there are a lot of people that are still on the street and need just as many resources as those who are sheltered,” Haskell said.

The rules for how and when the PIT Count is conducted are dictated by HUD. The count is done in the last week of January to capitalize on all of the city’s resources being available, such as temporary hypothermia shelters. However, this timing ensures the count is an underestimate of homelessness rather than an overestimate, according to Crosland.

“If we did it on a warm summer night, we might get people in the count that some might consider to be just backpackers, someone who’s just passing through DC and sleeping in Union Station,” Crosland said. “But on a cold night, you’re much more likely to underestimate the problem because even though a lot of our patients are staying either on the street or in shelters, they do have some social networks and on a really cold night could stay at their uncle’s house or their daughter’s house, even if they don’t feel comfortable living their year-round.”

The situations Crosland described illustrate a gap in the count: it doesn’t account for those who are living doubled up, or sleeping in an already fully occupied home. Other overlooked populations are homeless residents riding buses through the night and those living in areas not canvassed by volunteers, such as the C&O Canal Towpath.

Knowing that the PIT Count is only a snapshot of homelessness in the United States, HUD has traditionally compiled two reports analyzing national data on homelessness. Part 1 of the Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR) compiles and analyzes PIT data and is released around the end of the same year the count is conducted. Part 2 includes PIT data along with other sources such as census estimates or U.S. Department of Education data and is usually released nearly a year after the first report. HUD did not publish a Part 2 report for 2018 data last year. A comparison of the most recent set of reports shows Part 1 of the 2017 AHAR estimated 553,742 people were experiencing homelessness of any kind on one night in January, 2017, while Part 2 estimated 1,416,908 million people in the U.S. experienced “sheltered homelessness” at some point during the year.

2020 was the first year the PIT Count was conducted via app rather than paper and clipboard. The goal was to yield more streamlined answers by guiding volunteers through the survey, Fredericksen said.

Christy Respress, executive director of Pathways to Housing D.C., was pleased to see so many new volunteers gathered at the kickoff event. One of these first-time volunteers, Colin Hughes, 38, said that while he wasn’t naive enough to think solving homelessness would be easy, it seems possible, and the work volunteers were doing the night of the PIT Count was an essential step.

“I don’t think you can manage or build a solution if you don’t really understand the scale of it,” Hughes said “That’s what tonight is about, just trying to get some of the details.”

Once the data are analyzed, a regional report is released by the Metropolitan Council of Governments, typically in early May.

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The city’s next 5-year plan to end homelessness provides more questions than answers

BY SASHA POLONKO sasha.polonko@streetsense.org

A

proposed update to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Homeward D.C. plan is drawing some flak over complaints about inadequate transparency as well as doubts about the city government’s ability to fulfill ambitious goals.

The D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness presented a draft of the new “Homeward D.C. 2.0” strategic plan on Jan. 21 at the first quarterly full council meeting in 2020. The document is the next iteration of the five-year plan created in Bowser’s first term to reduce homelessness and create more efficient avenues for residents to obtain stable housing. The ICH is set to vote on a final draft at its next full council meeting on March 10.

The version circulated to attendees at the Jan. 21 public meeting maintains the same overall objectives of the original Homeward D.C. plan — to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. Homeward D.C. has helped bring myriad gains, with homelessness in the District dropping overall by 22% over a three-year period, , according to a progress report released by the ICH in September. However, the city did not see similar momentum on other major goals such as providing enough rapid re-housing to meet demand — an estimated 1,500 more “slots” are needed for singles — and ending chronic homelessness during the initial plan’s implementation.

Included in the draft plan — which, despite distribution at the open meeting, carried a note on each page asking that it not be cited or quoted — is a list of lessons learned from the deficiencies within Homeward D.C., culminating in a summary of challenges officials hope to avoid with Homeward 2.0. For instance, the ICH hopes to correct past errors by taking steps such as providing more comprehensive support to individuals.

The draft repeatedly contrasts success in the family system with unexpected setbacks for unaccompanied people.

Under the first iteration of Homeward D.C., the city overhauled family shelters and heavily invested in housing programs as well as preventative measures; services for singles, however, were not scaled up on multiple fronts in the same way. The draft also newly classifies stable employment as a critical need for helping people exit homelessness and highlights provision of job opportunities as a way for the private sector to get involved.

Comprehensive system reform, rapid re-housing, capacity

challenges, and employment are identified as among the top issues influencing the modeling of the new plan. Additional areas of focus include addressing the vulnerability of those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of doing so; finding ways to minimize the growth in housing program costs; and adapting to declining financial support from the federal government.

While the plan outlines objectives, the specific strategies for achieving these goals remain unclear. On a slide presented during the meeting, the ICH described Homeward D.C. 2.0 as including over 100 strategies under the umbrella of their overarching goals. Members of the community, however, characterized the language as too broad to be effective.

“We need to tighten it up — it’s a little vague,” said Janet Sharp, a formerly homeless D.C. resident. “It could be a little more specific, particularly on the housing [descrimination] issue. I think the ICH could sink their teeth into this by adding a paragraph saying, ‘This is illegal.’ I’m finding more people who are turned down for vouchers for the pettiest reasons. We need to tighten it!”

In an interview, ICH Director Kristy Greenwalt explained that laws regarding housing disrcrimation and systems to enforce those laws already exist, although the government does need to do more to ensure compliance.

“There isn’t a review of existing laws in the plan,” she said.

“I don’t disagree that discrimination in the market still happens, so we continue to work with [the Office of Human Rights] to make sure that those laws are enforced. However, it is also the job of landlords to be educated on the law and how their actions may be violating those laws.”

During the meeting, Greenwalt said some suggestions still under consideration were not reflected in the draft being presented that day due to the high volume of comments submitted during an initial round of reviews.

“Something you’re going to see in Homeward 2.0 is how much more partnership and coordination we need from the other agencies around the table,” Greenwalt said, going on to ask for further assistance from other agencies in attendance so as not to repeat past miscalculations. In addition to four homeless or formerly homeless community members, the full council consists of 20 participants selected as representatives of three D.C. Council members, four private-sector organizations, four advocacy groups, eight service providers, and The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, which is a quasi-governmental contractor; rounding out the council are D.C. officials from 16 agencies, including the Department of Human Services, the Office

of the City Administrator and the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services.

Housing was a focal point for public comment as those in attendance called for some form of subsidy awarded to people experiencing homelessness as well as an easier pathway to obtaining vouchers. Reginald Black, one of the appointed constituent representatives, noted that many people have trouble using vouchers even if they do receive them.

“This body has established housing as a human right,” said Black, who is also an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media. “With [the use of] that word, we also feel that it is now time for this body to actually have a discussion around what that policy should be when it comes to folks who qualify for subsidies to be able to get those subsidies without experiencing chronic homelessness.”

In regards to policy, people experiencing homelessness and their advocates pushed for greater involvement in the decisionmaking of the D.C. Housing Authority — which manages public housing, all federal housing vouchers, and some local vouchers. A formerly homeless resident who now works for Pathways to Housing said more transparency regarding DCHA operations is needed so that community members have access to information about the plans and policies that affect them.

The housing authority is an independent agency that does not answer to the Bowser administration, though eight D.C. Council members introduced a bill last year that would give the mayor and council more authority over DCHA. No action has been taken since then, and it was not included in an Oct. 30 public hearing on another bill that would expand the DCHA board of commissioners and revise qualifications for nominees.

While there were many concerns raised during last month’s ICH meeting, there was a notable omission: The new policy enacted by the mayor in early January that led to the permanent closure of the K Street NE tent encampment in NoMa never came up during the discussion of the Homeward D.C. 2.0 draft. Other than a footnote on page 35 saying the Department of Human Services asked the ICH to more directly address tent communities in the final plan, the word “encampment” did not appear in the draft.

According to a slide presented at the meeting, Jan. 31 was the last day to submit comments and suggestions before the final draft is presented at the March 10 full council meeting.

The draft will be circulated internally no later than March 3.

This article was co-published with TheDCLine.org.

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Printed copies of slides presented at the Jan. 21 ICH full council meeting were distributed to attendees. These graphs compare housing placements (bars) to housing need (lines) for homeless families (left) and individuals (right).

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NEWS Facing eviction, tenants rally outside courthouse to demand repairs

A portion of Barry Farm is now a historic landmark

BY BEN COOPER ben.cooper@streetsense.org

Local tenants rallied outside the D.C. Landlord & Tenant Court on Jan. 22. PHOTO BY AVI BAJPAI

BY AVI BAJPAI avi.bajpai@streetsense.org

N

early a dozen D.C. tenants and community activists rallied against the uninhabitable conditions of their apartments in front of the D.C. Landlord and Tenant Court on Jan. 22.

The tenants began withholding rent in December over recurring complaints of mold, pests, and leaks. They were appearing in court that morning after their landlord, Urban Investment Partners (UIP) Property Management, served them with eviction notices last month. Since the strike began, a total of 11 tenants of the 101-unit property, 3435 Holmead Place, have joined the effort.

Alongside student activists from Georgetown University’s Kalmanovitz Center for Labor and the Working Poor and the Stomp Out Slumlords campaign, an initiative of a local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the tenants held up signs that read “Rent Control For All” and “We Shall Not Be Moved.”

“Our goal is for all of our units to be repaired so we can live with dignity and for the whole building to be repaired and remodeled,” said Julia Flores, one of the tenants who helped coordinate the rent strike. “UIP is trying to humiliate us and divide us, and that’s why they’ve called us to court.”

In the time since the tenants brought their concerns to management, UIP has made only minimal repairs, Flores said. “They’re very diligent about collecting rent but not very diligent about making repairs,” she said.

Felipe Salvador, another tenant who is withholding his rent, described multiple issues with his apartment that made it uninhabitable, including a bathroom leak that has been ignored by management since November and decades-old heaters which no longer function.

In order to generate enough heat in the winter, Salvador said he had begun using his oven as a heater, in addition to a portable radiator.

When a repairman arrived to inspect the bathroom leak, he left a large hole in the ceiling and only made the situation worse, Salvador said in an interview. After that, other repairmen sent by UIP refused to work on the leak, telling Salvador that the issue was beyond the scope of their services.

After seeing that the company was not going to address the violations, Salvador decided to join the rent strike to force UIP to make the repairs.

“We’re fighting to be heard because UIP is not listening to us,” Salvador said. “We’re here as a group to fight and I know we’re going to win.”

Flores and Salvador both spoke in Spanish, with volunteer translators repeating their words in English.

Under the D.C. Tenant Bill of Rights, tenants are entitled to withhold rent if their landlords fail to address housing code violations. Specifically, landlords are responsible for “keeping the premises safe and secure and free of rodents and pests, keeping the structure and facilities of the building in good repair, and ensuring adequate heat, lighting, and ventilation.”

In the time since UIP became owners of the property in 2011, more than thirty property code-compliance complaints have been filed by residents, according to the D.C. Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.

After months of meetings and discussion, the Historic Preservation Review Board unanimously voted Thursday to approve a section of the Barry Farm Dwellings in Southeast D.C. as a historic landmark.

In April 2019, Empower D.C. — an organization whose mission is to “enhance, improve and promote the self-advocacy of low- and moderate- income D.C. residents” — and the Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association submitted a nomination to the HPRB that sought to preserve a large area in the historic neighborhood. But after a handful of meetings since then, it was determined that only a small portion would be approved as a historic landmark. The proposed area contained 31 buildings in various conditions.

On Jan. 30, that area’s boundaries were finalized, with the board declaring a section in the northwest corner — home to five buildings — as a historic landmark.

“Although we were hoping for a more significant designation, I can’t wait to see the whole property complete with a Barry Farm museum that represents the full vision and input of Barry Farm residents,” Detrice Belt, president of the Barry Farm Tenants and Allies Association, said in a press release.

At a Dec. 5 meeting, the HPRB adopted a motion that stated while not every building in Barry Farm could be preserved, “The final identification of a designated landmark should emphasize associations with significant persons, an authentic setting of buildings and landscape, and ability to create a meaningful commemorative site well integrated into the rebuilt community.”

The motion also specified that a museum and cultural center should be built to maintain the area’s rich history, which dates back more than 150 years.

The neighborhood housed freed slaves following the Civil War. It was also home to Etta Mae Horn and Lillian Wright, prominent activists in the mid20th century who spearheaded a group called the “Band of Angels” that served as a tenants’ council for Barry Farm.

Typically, the applicant — in this case, the BFTAA and Empower D.C. — will submit a boundary proposal for the landmark designation and the State Historic Preservation Office will then conduct independent research before making their own proposal. The SPHO’s final proposal for Barry Farm included only four buildings on one side of Stevens Road, but the HPRB agreed to include an additional building across the street.

“It’s important to extend the boundary across the street to include the building on the other side because it provides for an opportunity to retain more of the public housing context and allows for that story to be told,” said Gretchen Pfaehler, a member of the review board.

This all comes after the D.C. Council voted in 2006 to approve the redevelopment of Barry Farm, which — under the New Communities Initiative —

COURTESY OF THE D.C. HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW BOARD.

was set to “transform the public housing development into a mixed-income, mixed-use community.”

In 2014, the D.C. Zoning Commission approved redevelopment plans for Barry Farm but the D.C. Court of Appeals shot down the plans in 2018, supporting concerns that some residents would be displaced due to limited affordable housing in the new mixed-income neighborhood. Despite the ruling, demolition was allowed to continue. The April nomination for historic designation was filed after demolition on the site had begun. Residents raised concerns that the redevelopment would erase Barry Farm’s history.

The final decision on Jan. 30 was a compromise that preserves a section of the neighborhood while the rest of the Barry Farm Dwellings are slated to be overhauled. A new plan must still be approved before construction can begin.

In a press release the same day the board handed down its decision, Daniel del Pielago — the organizing director for Empower D.C. — expressed disappointment that the final decision diminished the original goal of a much larger landmark designation.

“Throughout this process we have been asked to compromise our true vision for this historic landmark and this proves how little weight is given to community input in projects that involve the mayor and politically connected developers,” del Pielago wrote.

In a Jan. 9 tweet, Empower D.C. claimed the development team demolished parts of buildings along Stevens Road that were within the organization’s proposed landmark boundary. The D.C. Housing Authority’s development partner, Preservation of Affordable Housing, denied the allegation.

Linda Mercado Greene, another member of the HPRB, said she has lived in Ward 8, where Barry Farm is located, for 20 years and that the residents she talked to were all in support of at least some historical designation.

In the end, the review board worked with both sides to find a solution.

“No one is going to deny the fact that most of those properties were in very, very bad shape and that we need a new beginning while preserving the past,” Mercado Greene said.

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“One size doesn’t fit all”:

The complications of fundraising for NoMa encampments

BY KATHERINE RANDOLPH katie.randolph@streetsense.org

I

n the first two weeks of 2020, residents of the K Street underpass in NoMa were preparing to move permanently. A new city policy, announced through signs posted in the area on Jan. 2, said the sidewalks on both sides of the street had been declared a “pedestrian passageway.” After an encampment cleanup scheduled for Jan. 16 was carried out, all personal belongings left there would be thrown away.

For the past several years, the people living in tents pitched on the sidewalks had always been allowed to move back once the area had been cleaned and city employees had moved on. Nine days before the policy would go into effect, Peace House D.C. published an online fundraiser that promised to help with the move. The collective of activists raised $5,554 in a matter of days.

The GoFundMe page was published under the name “Emergency Fund for Homeless Outreach” and organized by Fariha Kay, a co-manager of the Peace House. “Our friends are in dire need of more supplies to help with the move as well as survival during this cold brutal weather,” the page still reads.

Kara Chauncy, 45, has lived in the NoMa encampments for 10 months and knows the frigid weather well. She and her partner burn tissues, hand sanitizer, Vaseline, and baby wipes to help heat their tent during the winter months. Chauncy hadn’t heard anything about the Peace House’s fundraiser and is skeptical of efforts to raise money in the name of the homeless community. “I don’t see advertisements for it, I don’t see any profits or benefits from it, I don’t see anything from it,” she said. “I don’t believe it.”

According to their GoFundMe and Facebook pages, the Peace House used the funds to purchase thermal underwear, tea candles, emergency blankets, food, and other supplies for residents. A Jan. 24 post shows Peace House co-manager Taylor C. Hall playing chess with an encampment resident after delivering supplies.

Hall is now listed as the GoFundMe page organizer.

In a press release emailed to Street Sense Media, the Peace House cited a history of similar service. “For four years, Peace House D.C. in coalition with other grassroots organizations and individuals has had the honor of serving the houseless community in D.C. through physical donations, serving meals, and building relationships,” the group wrote. “As the needs of the houseless community have increased this year, we were encouraged to start a GoFundMe to allow others to contribute to the ongoing mutual aid with the houseless community in D.C.” Former K Street encampment resident Mike Harris disagreed with some items the Peace House chose to provide for him and his neighbors. He claimed to have created a three-page list of items the encampment needs and took particular issue with the small tea candles they delivered.

“That’s bogus, man,” Harris said. “Bring out some big threeinch-wide candles, big boys to give off a big flame. Bring us something big and legit like a generator.”

But not all residents agree with Harris’s assessment of their needs. “In the winter, something hot is nice,” said a woman who gave her name as Mamma J and has lived in the nearby L Street encampment since 2012. “A generator is a bit much.”

Encampment resident Aaron Bernier-Garland said he had seen the three-page list and accused Harris of attacking the Peace House’s volunteers. Bernier-Garland is also a Street Sense Media vendor. “[Harris’s] list had crap that we get everyday. No one would say that they want another f***ing shaving kit,” Bernier-

Garland said. “I have 90 of those in my tent.”

Ami Angell, who volunteered alongside the Peace House to help people move but was not involved with the fundraiser, said that determining what people experiencing homelessness need most is best done on a case-by-case basis. Angell is a licensed social worker and founder of the nonprofit The H3 Project. “It’s about listening to the needs of the people instead of assuming we’ve already got the answers,” she said. “Every person is different. One size doesn’t fit all.”

Angell has been doing outreach to homeless people in the District for about three years, and said she’s encountered the Peace House multiple times. On Jan. 15, the night before the scheduled cleanup of the encampment, The H3 Project, the Peace House, and other groups such as HIPS gathered to help KStreet residents move. In addition to its mention in the GoFundMe description, this effort was announced at a community meeting held the night before. On the morning of the cleanup, two people still moving items out of the K Street underpass said the Peace House volunteers had been helping them until around 2 a.m. that morning. Bernier-Garland estimated that more than 30 volunteers had shown up. He added that he has probably seen Peace House members serving food and giving supplies to NoMa residents four or five times since moving there in November.

The Peace House’s Facebook page shows the group previously held similar crowdfunding campaigns in November of 2018 and May of 2019 to fund their outreach efforts, which include a free store program, community activism workshops, and direct support like their work on K Street. Those raised less than $700 combined and both fell short of the listed goals. In contrast, the January fundraiser surpassed its $5,500 goal on Jan. 19.

Harris accused Kay of creating the GoFundMe to capitalize on attention and concern for the forced move of the K Street encampment residents.

“She established the emergency fund for the homeless for our purpose, that’s what initiated their establishment of the account, and the wording of it itself gave clue to who it was for and what it was going to be used for,” Harris said. “There are a number of encampments in and around Washington, D.C. But there was no encampment that was being shut down and made to move except for us...They could’ve used it for their charitable work, but I think the initial money should’ve been for the residents

of K Street because that’s what the fundraiser was started for.”

Angell said the fundraiser was explained to her as an effort to raise money for the group’s year-round outreach, not for any specific community or area. “They posted an update about the encampment cleanup, which lead to the misunderstanding that all of the money was going just to the K Street residents,” Angell said. “I think it was just a miscommunication.”

Bernier-Garland called the fundraiser “a duality strike between funding for the immediate need and for the continued need” and believes the GoFundMe description states its goals clearly. “It was to be as their acts and activism was continuing,” he said. “It covered that it wasn’t simply for today.”

Three out of 10 encampment residents contacted for this story in the two weeks following the implementation of the pedestrian passageway policy on K Street were familiar with the Peace House. Bernier-Garland said that often, people experiencing homelessness do not keep track of the particular groups and people who offer supplies because some distrust their motivations. “I don’t want to know you. You don’t give a f*** about me. You look like you f***ing care, you come in for three seconds so you can rub your own ego and then you leave.”

“In the four years of our work, we have had an overwhelmingly positive interaction with many houseless communities, and we will continue to collaborate with them,” the Peace House statement read. “We ask that any media specialist or journalist understand our position and respect our decision to utilize the donated funds in a way that benefits the maximum amount of people.”

In addition to the Peace House’s efforts, residents of the NoMa encampments have seen an uptick in support overall since the Jan. 16 move. Chauncy said more people have come through with hand warmers, thermal underwear, chili, snacks, and sandwiches. She hopes to see a larger investment in more expansive long-term support from all the organizations that offer support to people experiencing homelessness.

“Nothing like a two thin-layer ham and bread sandwich.

I mean, thanks for something. I appreciate the attempt of an effort. But is that something that you would want? That would feed you?” Chauncy said. “If that’s what you’re getting money to do, then save it and use it on something big that would actually do something.”

Screenshot, www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-fund-for-homeless-outreach.

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Soldiering on REFLECTIONS AND PHOTOS BY T.B. KHADRA Volunteer

T

hese are some of the men and women I met during the annual Winterhaven Homeless Veteran Stand Down event at the D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Jan. 25.

Some of their service reflections instantly reminded me of brothers I lost to the violent undertow of ideological clashes.

I still say I “just” got out of the service when people ask, even though it was two years ago.

I wondered if some of the guys, like Mr. Fullwood, still feel as if they just separated from service.

We each have our own camaraderie. We separate together with the option to continue those sisterhoods and brotherhoods formed under duress, unretired long after the watch ends.

Despite this deep sense of commonality and relief of unspoken understanding, it also simultaneously felt unfair to think of myself as just like these other veterans. Some are homeless or under the ward of a government or institution, while I, an individual who already has Maslow’s entire hierarchy of needs met, am more concerned with table reservations on Wisconsin Ave. or tuning up my Subaru for a road trip to see “the boys.”

It also would have been unfair because I served in a later round.

Despite the trauma and hardships the service will always beget, we at least have scaffolding in place that works to prevent our experiences from collapsing us to ruin. My transition from active duty service into an unfamiliar sector of employment was smoother because of varying enterprise love for veteran applicants. I was propped up by an invisible hand which lay dormant in Vietnam and Korea.

They were in for subsistence, and I, a glutton in a society more supportive of service members than any time in recent history. I’ve never walked out of a base in uniform without being greeted “Thank you for your service” by people of all races, faiths, and political sides.

There is no greater gift than time offered to another human being. When we communicate, we are made more human. When we discover in other human beings what we could never find in ourselves, we are made bigger humans. We grow from investing ourselves into the others.

I made a new sister and new brothers, whom I never served with, through each exchange. I heard stories about camaraderie no different than those I walked away with, and when warriors spoke, tears formed in eyes like mine, and I was glad I served and stayed.

Turn the page to read about Vendor Samuel Fullwood’s life and service on page 10. His photo and words are featured on the cover of this edition.

Percy Davis was the most soft spoken of all the vets with which I had some time. He says, “I was in just 3 years, 1960-63 in Dongducheon. That’s Camp Casey, you know, a base in South Korea, but that’s back when Black folks had to crawl through walls to get their food.” “Wait,” I stopped him.

“You said what?” He explained, “I said white boys sit at the tables in the restaurant, but they passed a plate to you [Black folks] through a hole in the wall.” Another nearby vet listening in chimes, “Ah yeah, some days you come home from fighting and couldn’t sit at the bar in the 51club.” His comment drew some laughter. I had no idea what they were so amused by until Mr. Davis smirks and says, “Gentleman’s club.” Davis was born and raised in D.C., and today, 76 years old, he is happy with clothes and boots for the cold and receiving a flu shot. “Say, they are good just give money directly to the vets. Ha! Yeah right, you [know] that’s never coming.” He drifts off, maybe to South Korea, maybe to Franklin Park, where there’s a church he says provides hot meals for the people out there.

Charlie Kudla, 71, is a U.S. Army veteran. When describing his service years, he spoke in snippets of information, as if dropping hints and waiting for me to piece it all together.

Pleiku. Nam. Signals, man. STRATCOM. 68 to 69. Tropo Hill. His thoughts catch a wave and he explains that the VA is pretty good help, but there’s stoppages, delays in the processing of benefits. There are delays on getting IDs and that means delays on housing and other things.

I said, “What other things? What else would you like to see offered during events like Winterhaven?” And without skipping a beat, he says, “The heads of the totalitarians that run this country.” Charlie is originally from Chicago.

He joined the Army from there and left once his orders changed from Germany to Vietnam. Since then it’s been a series of sidewalks and shelters. “VA has done a lot of good things” is the rhetoric, but get down here in it, and you’ll find it hard to believe they’re saying that. “The people dealing with our injuries and our mental problems are taking the form of a pharmacy pushing drugs.”

William E. Harris, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, has been attending Winterhaven since 2014. He mused over the years he spent working at HQMC (1976 - 1984): “You know, where that Air Force Memorial is, that naval annex? I was right there doing admin. Then Okinawa, Japan, then … relationships sour,” he said in a sobering tone. “You know, there’s mental problems.

It’s the worst — some alcoholics, drugs — mix that with homeless, jobless. With resources like this [Winterhaven], some [veterans] are actually coming out of it. What would take us to the next level is if they group us up and take us on a trip, a socializing program. You see, restoring hope is more important than giving handouts and walk[ing] away.”

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

Deitra Green, of Maryland, is a U.S. Army veteran. She served as an MPO (Military Police Officer) many years ago, and this year is her first year attending the Winterhaven Stand Down.

She is grateful that she heard about the event through other veterans who are faced with challenging situations and excited about people caring about Vietnam veterans. She explained, “I am from a time when Black men were forced into service and saw nothing back for it. Now that they are getting some kind of payback through programs like this, I feel lucky to be counted as part of that community.” Her favorite part of Winterhaven is the giveaways, but also coming together to see one another and laugh and joke and reminisce.

Bill Landeaux, of Denver, Colorado, joined the U.S. Air Force to see the world.

“Instead, I saw Vandenburg, CA.” This was his first year participating in Winterhaven and he has appreciated learning about the different programs available to veterans in the community. “For example, I got legal help to do a will. Also, I live in a nursing home, and Veterans Affairs enables travels between my nursing home and the medical center, which is really great help. Of course, a few extra warm clothes and boots don’t hurt when it’s cold.” Like many of the other vets I spent time with, Bill wants to see more interaction. He says a Social Event Club meeting once a month would really make us feel like something. “We could get together and do things like go to Smithsonian or something and just interact with other vets, homeless or not.” He pauses and shakes his head before continuing. “As soon as this guy gets out, it’ll be fine. He’s an ass building fences with money that could go to better programs for us. But we don’t even matter.

It could be going to better bases and other national security stuff.”

Lee Morris was an 11B in the Army from 1969-1975. Before an early out due to post Vietnam drawdowns, he served in Germany at Robinson Barracks and in various parts of Southeast Asia. He loved Bangkok, Thailand, because of the weather. The Winterhaven event is brand new to him.

“I never paid enough attention before, so it’s good. It’s my great first year attending this event. One of my fellow vets in my support group mentioned it and then another asked if I’d participate. Today, I got help with utility bills and help with a living will, exams, bloodwork in the labs. I appreciate that they have HIV stations. There’s a thing people don’t realize: a lot of these older vets these day get a blue pill and suddenly realize they can get it on again, and you know, a lot of us are from the old school where people didn’t think about STDs and AIDS and such, so, people are just not protecting. This information on HIV prevention was absolutely important.”

I asked him what else he would like to see offered and he said, “More dress clothing never hurt.” Boots are great but dress shoes, khakis, and maybe collared shirts would go a long way for those wanting to get back in the job market.

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International #VendorWeek!

Every year, during the first week of February, 100+ street papers around the world celebrate International Vendor Week!

More than 9,000 vendors are self-employed selling papers like ours. And many of them like Samuel Fullwood (right), like Wendell Williams and Allan Anderson (below), like the Big Issue Australia vendors featured on our back cover, share stories you won’t find anywhere else.

Thank you for purchasing the paper, for reading the paper, and for being a part of this movment.

Sam

Fullwood

is 62 years old and engaged. He has gaptoothed confidence that one would expect from a 26-year old championship boxer.

“I’m a Marion Barry Baby. You hear me. I was first in line back then to get a job under his summer program. And guess where it was? GSA security, you hear me?!”

When asked how he ended up a veteran, he responded, “I got bumped.” In other words, his position in GSA security was vacated in order to create space for a transitioning veteran. “But listen, that's how it should be,” he explained. “Get everyone bumped that ain’t served, especially at a place like the VA. Make the workforce all vets, all colors. Sound crazy?”

He smiles broadly. “I’m 62 years old and considered fully disabled by the VA. I’m only able to receive the assistance I get today because I was young and able, and when I got bumped, I decided to go to the Army.” Sam reminisced about his days in Nuremberg and its relationship to William Darby and Hitler, which was too much

unfamiliar history for me to keep up with. He wanted to be in the Army, to leave D.C., to travel.

“I saw injury, marriage, family problems, divorce... And you know they say, ‘Mission first, family always.’” His voice trails off and his smile fades for just a spell. “Winterhaven is a baby program compared to Program California in Sacramento. That’s not one day, it’s one week: mess halls, huge tents — it’s really something that is astonishing for people who have nothing.”

Sam feels he’s kept me for too long, but I want to hear more. I ask him what he appreciates most about Winterhaven. “It's the same thing I appreciate about any of the vet programs; it’s about running into people I served with that makes us feel like kids. And hey, you can’t please everyone, so I would give the VA a 100 percent plus.”

Before he lets me go, he asks me to look up “We the People”, a poem he wrote when living in a tent outside of Corcoran Art Gallery. He attributed the writing of that poem to what he ironically called “the good years of living in tent city, when people like Street Sense held you up and helped you make money selling papers, meeting people, writing stories. They didn’t give you a handout. They equipped you with a means. (continued on pgs 8-9)

We Were Made To Live: Street paper vendors find common ground from Copenhagen to Washington, DC

BY POUL STRUVE NIELSEN // Editor, Hus Forbi

Editor’s Note: This interview was first published in the Denmark street paper Hus Forbi in July 2019. Street Sense Media Vendor Wendell Williams met Hus Forbi Vendor Allan Anderson in Glasgow, Scotland, at the 2018 Global Street Paper Summit.

Williams was a finalist in the International Network of Street Paper competition for “Best Vendor Contribution” and his customers supported his fundraising effort to purchase a plane ticket and attend the conference and awards ceremony.

W

endell is a vendor for Street Sense in Washington, D.C. Allan is a Hus Forbi vendor in Copenhagen, Denmark. Wendell got an apartment after reaching out for help. Allan has been homeless for eight years and he lives in the streets.

The rents in the states are through the roof, especially in the Washington, D.C., area. In America it depends on the zip code. The American dream used to be: Grow up, get a job, buy a house in the same neighborhood. That dream doesn’t exist today. I could not afford to buy a house in the same neighborhood that I grew up in and herein lies the problem for people in America, especially in urban centers. This is why homelessness and poverty is on the rise, Wendell says.

Allan: How is it that in the States, people are homeless and they live in a car and drive around to sleep in the streets?

Wendell: I have done that on several occasions. I lived and worked in my car. See, I was an Uber driver before there were Ubers.

A pirate taxi?

That’s how I made ends meet for a long time. I would literally hang out at the bus stations, at Greyhound bus stations, picking up passengers who were just coming into Washington and who would need transportation, especially to outlying areas around Washington.

Ups and downs How long have you been homeless?

I am not currently homeless. I have been housed now for over a decade. Well over a decade. But I was homeless on and off for over 20 years. I would – just like a lot of homeless people, I was trying to figure it out – and I experienced moments of being housed and returned to homelessness.

I would experience moments of employment and financial gain only to return to homelessness.

I have a theory that you cannot stop homelessness by giving people a home. You have to back up and examine why they are homeless and deal with those issues before you

give them a home. The damage that needs to be repaired can´t be repaired by a quick fix. If you give a person a home after they have been chronically homeless, it’s like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.

Yes, without doing anything else.

If you have been shot you can put some bandage on it or wrap some gauze around it. OK. That’s what we do when we give a person a home. You don’t address the other issues.

And what are you gonna find? It’s gonna be just like me. It will be back and forth. Homelessness back and forth (says Wendell, who has on and off been a social worker, too.)

Not just a home You have been working with the homeless for how many years?

I started working in the shelter systems in 1991. I worked for Catholic Charities, which is the largest provider of shelters inside of Washington D.C. And I worked for a specific shelter that is for men in recovery. Men who attempt to recover from alcohol and drugs. Most always they want to live on their own but what is difficult for them to realize is that they don’t possess the skills to live on their own.

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Allan Anderson and Wendell Williams in Glasgow. PHOTO COURTESY OF POUL STRUVE NIELSEN

They need help to get a home again?

I think case management is the key. Case management was a key for me. I started to work with some case managers as I started to crawl out of the abyss. I had some good case managers who held me accountable and who weren’t impressed with my charisma. “I know you’ve got a silver tongue and all that shit, but I am not paying attention to what you say; I am paying attention to what you do.” They said clearly: define smart goals. And smart goals mean sustainable, measurable, obtainable. Whatever.

Sometimes you have to do the same thing everyday. You have to make money to get something to eat.

I understand that. It is a little simplistic. That kind of day keeps us trapped. You see, my job is to recover. That’s my job. And if I focus on that I will be fed. Where I am going with this is, and I don’t really want to talk about it, that we suffer from a spiritual disease. And you tell a homeless guy that. He really doesn’t want to hear it; he is not in touch with that. I did not say religious. I said spiritual. There is something going on that is spiritual and I find that when you get right with the spiritual dilemma on the inside of you, you lose fear and things start to happen.

For years I would not go and try to get an apartment as I feared nobody would give me one. And my sponsor in my 12-step program had to force me to go apply for an apartment. That’s how I got the apartment.

Does one size fit all?

A social worker or a caseworker, they can tell me exactly what I need to do to change my condition. But unfortunately, I think that I have got a better idea.

Don’t come and tell me how to do it?

Honestly, these professionals have seen hundreds of guys just like me in the same situation. But I want to say: I am unique!

You cannot put everybody into the same box. Everybody has different needs.

That’s the intellectual approach and I understand it. But the reality of the situation is: There is a one size fit all solutions. I don’t want to think so because it takes away my individualism. But there is some general stuff that everybody has to do with a slight twist for each individual.

But it is basically the same thing everybody has to do.

One of the first things you have to do is to be honest with the person who is working with you. And that is hard to do because as a man, my ego is involved. Especially if my case manager is a woman. I have to get my ego out of the way and if she is an attractive woman it is going to be really

hard for her to talk about my shortcomings. Well for sure, I am worried about judgment. You can’t save your a** and your pride at the same time.

The moment of clarity I have, the sobering moment, was that I accepted and realized: I can’t get out of this myself.

That was the aha moment. At that point, as a man, I started to reach out for more support, except that it would be easier for me to help you than to ask you for help.

I have the same problem. I am good at helping others but not myself.

Yes, because that serves my ego, helping somebody else.

Becoming homeless So, it has been eight years since you have been properly housed?

Yes What happened when you lost your house?

I was divorced, and then I lost my home.

Were there any other underlying factors to your divorce or to you losing your house?

We were growing apart. I was working in construction at that time and the company I worked for closed. I lost my job and could not pay the rent. So first I was divorced and three to four months later my house was gone. I have been in the street since.

Are there other issues that might complicate that? Maybe mental health issues? Drinking issues?

I have two-three beers a day. I think when I am out selling my paper; I give something away every time. Drinking a little loosens up and makes it easier to connect and talk to people.

Doesn’t drinking beer every day make you forget something?

Maybe. I may be good to go to the shrink. It’s like therapy.

Liquid therapy? You know, I used to have that same strategy. It’s perfectly normal that I need something from the outside to make me relax. And it’s OK. And I want to encourage you to explore some internal solutions to that.

Policing street people

In D.C. they are even attacking people living in the highway exit.

I have a good place where a company allows me to stay in the parking lot.

I know the feeling.

The people are very nice. I always clean up. It’s near a place where I can have my morning coffee.

What about a shower?

I can always get that at Hus Forbi (the Danish street paper). I also have the opportunity to get a couch to sleep in a volunteer’s apartment when things really get touch.

Eight years? There must be an underlying factor.

The solution could be for a homeless person to get a good life.

To live and not just survive every day. To not to use drugs, alcohol, prostitution and all the things you need to survive, but you have what you need. If you get help in the right way you can start to take some steps up the mountain?

Absolutely. It is a slow deliberate process. But here in this society we are expecting things to happen very quickly. It takes years for a person to get back on track and that was part of why I kept starting over again. It was not moving fast enough so I would try to take shortcuts or would miss a couple of steps because I was so in a hurry to get to my destination that I missed some important building blocks and therefore, my foundation wasn’t solid.

When I stayed in a friend’s place, I was given options. I had her daughter’s house while she was traveling. I stayed for six weeks.

Yes, and that is great temporarily. But It is not a bridge to a permanent solution.

Oh no! But it is comfortable because when you are in an apartment you don’t have to eat junk food. You can cook your own meals.

Guess what! I was so excited that what I did in my own place was to let the TV stay on. Because I had stayed in so many shelters and rehabs where they cut the TV off at nine o’clock. I could see a good TV program and then suddenly the staff would come and say: “Light’s off!” When I first got my own place, I left the TV on every night even though I wasn’t watching it. And today – I never watch TV. This interview has been edited and condensed.

In Denmark we are not allowed to sleep in the city anymore.

The police come after you. It is getting harder.

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Our Gift, Our Legacy

BY LEVESTER GREEN // Artist/Vendor

This poem was written by the one and only Gladys C. Whitmyer, My Mother. You can often find her moderating the Black history program at her local church where she has always been in good standing — praising, teaching, preaching, and enlightening folks about the gospel of Christ!

She is a missionary in her own right, representing her life!

T.R.U.M.P. The Republican Under More Pressure

I'm A Woman of Color

By Gladys Whitmyer-Taylor

I'm a woman of color, with visions dashing back and forth in my head.

I'm a woman of color so wonderfully made by my Lord and Savior.

I'm a woman of color, and I love to hear the sounds of the quiet outdoors.

I'm a woman of color, and I come from parents who fought for their right to freedom.

I'm a woman of color, my people told me of their perils of pain, struggles, and tribulations so long ago.

I'm a woman of color, and of average size.

I'm a woman of color, with hair matted like still wool and skin that glows like coal.

I'm a woman of color, with so many endeavors in life to conquer.

I'm a woman of color, and I'm very special, 'cause I was made by the most High!

I'm a woman of color, so wonderfully made.

I'm a woman of color, with an unspeakable form.

For you see this is a new season for me with new beginnings.

Remember I was wonderfully made by the most High!

I'M A WOMAN OF COLOR!!!

Mac & Jenny, Part 4

BY IBN HIPPS // Artist/Vendor

One whole hour Mac listened to his dad explain, in a calm and cool manner, that Mac had control over his own feelings. Mr. Johnson’s demeanor took Mac by surprise.

His dad brought to his attention how very important he is to his family, his parent, and should be to himself. His dad said no one can cause him to make him feel a certain way.

He stressed how important education is and expressed it in ten different ways. He thought the conversation would never end. But he was glad it was calm. Even though he and Mac’s mother work very long hours, that doesn’t mean they don’t love Mac, he insisted.

Mr. Johnson: We work long hard hours because of the love we have for you.

Mac listens and understands but can’t stop thinking about Jenny. In Mac’s head, he’s fantasizing about her beauty.

Will she call? Does she like him? Or is she just like all the rest of the girls he’s dated? His dad’s lips are moving and his face is making expressions, but the words come in and out.

Mr. Johnson: No games, no TV. That was always his punishment, just a room full of books: novels, history, autobiographies of conquerors and Black leaders, dictionaries. So Mac has a very big imagination.

But his fancy bubble pops and all the words come in clearly when his dad says “You’ll punished for the whole week you’re out of school, son.”

Mac: But Dad?! But Dad! Mr. Johnson: Nothing, son. We’ve had this conversation too many times before and I have warned you son!! (He was no longer calm) You have eaten, your stomach should be full for the night. You have your own personal shower and bathroom. There’s no need for you to exit this room.

So it was The Quiet Room again. As Mac’s father leaves out of his room, Mac hears the door lock (Click) “Dammm!”

Mac says to himself, careful not to let Dad hear him curse.

To be continued.

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

TRUMP. Could this be your eviction letter, Trump?

Should all Americans expect to die, Trump?

Could this be the last goodbye, Trump?

Trump, the president, I know that he got impeached Trump, I ain't vote for Donald or Hillary TRUMP I'mma respect you, Trump ‘Cause I'm a man It's hard on a confusing land.

TRUMP Do what you gotta do to protect this country, Trump We can't let no one take this freedom from me, Trump I want all Americans to close their eyes, Trump Now open your eyes and realize, Trump Can't blame the president for everything, Trump When we know freedom, it means everything, Trump Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman, Trump Freedom fighters, don't say they wasn't, Trump Do what you gotta do to protect the border, Trump Just don't separate mothers from their daughters, Trump They say you started another war, Trump They say your government don't even know what for, Trump Why they hatin’ on you and Kanye West, Trump?

Fake news can be the best, Trump Pelosi, she still don't like you, Trump Bill Clinton still want to fight you, Trump.

Barack Obama thinks that you’re a joke, Trump Because you tried to take away his smoke, Trump Trump, who will he piss off next?

I know it’s hard not to play chess, Trump In a world full of hecklers, Trump Now we don't play chess We play Chinese checkers TRUMP.

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My Brother, Rev. Otis Meriedy

BY RICARDO MERIEDY // Artist/Vendor

SY TE M UR CO CO Y. E BA AG XA IM PI OF

My brother, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom will be done in heaven as you did on Earth, preaching and teaching the words of Jesus. Give my brother this day his daily bread, as we give those who trespass against him.

And lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil. My brother, your power is the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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Me & My Recovery

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Water

BY VENNIE HILL Artist/Vendor

I feel great! Today is my six month’s clean date. I’ve made it six months without picking up a drink. It's been a battle, but I keep up with myself. How? I’ve made sure that I’ve stayed busy and kept someone to talk to at hand.

My cousin George is also in recovery.

He’s been clean for four years! He keeps me on speed dial. We talk almost every day and we remind each other about our faults and old behaviors. We also thank God every day for our new beginnings, because without him, it would not be possible. I'm truly staying clean by the grace of God and my blessings through him. You ask, and you shall receive. Trust me, he hears your prayers. He may not come when you want, but he will always be on time.

Unfortunately, my girlfriend Ros not not doing too well with getting out.

She stays in the house and she has also relapsed. I tell her all the time to get out and find something to do, because too much time and not being busy can hurt you. I’m always trying to find something to do. Hso thank God for my papers.

Anytime I get bored I can go sell papers and meet new people. The bad thing about meeting some people is that some don't believe this paper saved my life.

Some of those people can be really brutal to you. But not me; I pick myself up and keep going. But that’s not just me. Some good, blessed person comes again out of those who have hurt my pride or even my feelings. Here come some special person who might even buy the paper.

But even if that person doesn’t, they will just appreciate what I do and how I do it.

That person is loving and very kind and understands we have a serious situation here with homeless people and it's just not going to go away on its own. We all have

// 13

to pitch in and make this thing evacuate.

My mom Is also still in the picture.

I don't know why I haven't picked up yet when it comes to her. She's always nagging: “Vennie, don’t drink Pepsi or Mountain Dew; they’re not good for you. And stop donating plasma, I'm afraid you are going to get sick.” Nag, nag, nag.

Sike, just kidding. My mom loves me and she only has my best interests at heart.

That's why I make sure she gets her time in. I’m over there at least three times a week. We talk and watch old movies.

Full disclosure: I love The Rifleman, even though it's an old cowboy show. I just love it. Chuck Connors is so handsome.

And, boy, can he handle a rifle!

I still go to my Thursday groups.

They’re very interesting. I love to be able to express myself about the things I go through and the challenges I face every day. It's not easy being in recovery. You see someone with something or another in their hand every day and often more than one. But, I’ve realized I have come this far, so there’s no turning back now. I can go a day without drinking. Hell, I can go days. Ha, ha, even months.

Now i'm looking forward to my one year of being dry, which will be July 22.

I 'm going to celebrate. I might even go to church that day and thank God personally.

Just kidding! I thank him every day.

Because without him this just couldn’t be possible. I truly believe that.

Before I close I want to say something to substance abusers out there who are really trying but think there's no hope: Don't give up. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it will truly shine for you if you just believe in yourself To be continued.

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for more info call 311 or visit doee.dc.gov/udp To apply for the telephone Lifeline Service (Economy II), call 1-800-837-4966 These discounts are for DC residents and are subject to income eligibility requirements.

1 4 // ST REET SEN S E ME DI A / / FE B . 5 - 1 8 , 2 020

FUN & GAMES

Intermediate Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 20, Book 1

Sudoku #3 3 8

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

1 5 4 7 2 6 8 9 1

3 2

4

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each Sudoku 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. #2

SUDOKU: Fill in

1 4 without 7 5 8 1 the 9 3guesswork. squares If you useblank logic you can solve the puzzle

7

3 2 9 5

LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION >>

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

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

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

7 1

2 4 6

8 5

8

2

5 1

6

2

that each row, 4 soa little 5 a 2logical 8 to6 solve 4 puzzle.

7 1 order 9 the Need help? The hints page3shows column andsquare you should solve. Or use the answers page Use iteach to identify the next 8 6 7 9 2 4 3 1 5 if 6 youeach really3-by-3 get stuck. block 8 contain all of the 5 2 4 6 3 9 1 7 8 digits 1-9.

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

9

5

3

5 6 2

4 1 9 7 8

3 6 4 8

BY FRANKLIN OWENS III Artist/Vendor

Valentine’s Day is a sweet beautiful day to acknowledge and celebrate your loved ones or someone you care about.

Buying teddy bears, candy, flowers, and decorations is just something to show our love and appreciation for the ones who have loved us and cared for us.

Take this day to show your loved ones how much you care and love them, but not just because it’s a

I told myself to write Even if I had to fight To find a line From deep inside Or a single plot device.

I told myself to write Squeeze with all my might Poetic whim Prosaic limb © 2019 KrazyDad.com Just let a feeling glide.

Intermediate Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 20, Book 1

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

3

9

Valentine’s Day

It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word.

-- Andrew Jackson

5

1

I Told Myself to Write

1 3

2 5 9

8 6 7 4

3 4 5 9 9 1 8 6 2 3

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

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

6 2 9

7 8 1

4 3 5

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

3

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

I told myself to write With all the things in life Such hurt and pain Stress on the brain But raise a pen despite I told myself to write I wrote, and I don't like What I put down.

But, turned around, This poem's quite alright!

BY EVELYN NNAM Artist/Vendor

ILLUSTRATION BY ANTHONY CARNEY

holiday, but because you truly love them.

Being creative to let them your true love and affection is all there is needed to enjoy your Valentine’s Day. Enjoy your day and enjoy your loved one.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all because you deserve to be with the one that makes you happy and truly loves and cares for you.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you all.

Marijuana

BY RON SMOOT // Artist/Vendor

Marijuana, in the past, has affected my employment and housing opportunities when I was using it. I used to call my job and say I’m taking off because I wanted to get high all day long. I would make all kinds of excuses to not show up to work. And, on some jobs I was getting high with my co-worker. I would smoke on lunch breaks and when we were on over time. And it also affected my ability to perform my tasks. As for housing, because of marijuana and alcohol, I became homeless for many years. I used to smoke with my friends early in the morning and I’d have to be at work in the evening time, so eventually I would get fired.

I slept on the streets for years because I liked marijuana and I would stay with all kinds of people that were getting high. I went a long time before I decided to get in a housing program but first I knew I had to stop using drugs.

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

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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento

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Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento

// 15

1-888-793-4357 Laundry Lavandería

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

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 // 202-745-4300 3020 14th St., NW unityhealthcare.org

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

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

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

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

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volunteers Become a Street Sense Media volunteer and help further our mission to empower people experiencing homelessness.

Get to know the vendors and make a difference in their lives and yours!

You’ll support hard-working newspaper vendors by volunteering your time, four hours a week, distributing newspapers at the Street Sense Media office.

If interested, please contact Elizabeth Duan elizabeth@streetsensemedia.org 202-347-2006 (x10)

Australian street paper vendors on the bushfires Trevor has sold The Big Issue Australia since 2005. He lives in the Blue Mountains, NSW, with his wife Ellen – who he met while selling the magazine I live in Mount Victoria, in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. There is a place here called Mount York Road, which is only 800m away [from our house]. We had bushfires there six years ago, and it’s hit the same area again, closed the highway and impacted on Katoomba and Blackheath – some people were evacuated. We had everything ready, just in case we were told to evacuate straight away – photos, our personal papers and a small bag of clothes. And my wife took them to a friend’s place for safe keeping, so she looked after them for a number of days.

I felt apprehensive, we didn’t know what to expect. Especially the Saturday before Christmas – the winds were so fierce and towards the end of the day, the whole daylight situation changed and it became very very dark. We were inside the house watching all these embers, the smoke was just so dark. And I thought, “Oh no, don’t tell me we’re going to cop it, too.” It was very very hot, it was easily 40C-plus. We are on the southern side of Mount Victoria and the fires were coming from the north. The fire was like a complete wall, I can’t describe it any other way, right across the northern side of Mount Victoria. We were terrified. I just couldn’t believe the column of gray smoke right across the sky.

We were on tenterhooks for about three or four days. We listened to the radio, and look at the TV and internet for information, like the Rural Fire Service, that tells us what sort of area the fire’s in at the moment. We’re always at the ready in case we have to take off.

We’ve been putting up with this for the last month. We had the house closed up, but everything got inside the house, smoke was able to creep in. There was smoke for weeks. In the last couple of days we have had a bit of a reprieve from the smoke, but it’s started coming back again because the weather’s coming back again. We’re still apprehensive – the fires are still going. We had a lightning storm last night – it can start new fires. We won’t be settled until the fires are gone.

Over the last week, I’ve noticed the birds a bit more, which is wonderful. The black cockatoos, which we haven’t seen for ages. Ellen saw a lyrebird in the next-door neighbour’s verandah the other day. They’re coming back in, away from the fire zones.

In the community here, everyone’s concerned. Where I sell The Big Issue in Katoomba, everyone’s waiting for a wet couple of weeks to come along. [The bushfires] have impacted on tourism, there’s hardly anyone around. The smoke was getting in your eyes and your lungs. We’re concerned about the water levels here in NSW, and the drought, it’s really affecting us. The price of food is starting to go up again.

This is by far the worst bushfire season we’ve ever had. I’ve been on this earth 63 years, and I’ve never seen anything like it. My sister lives in Omeo, about six hours away in Victoria, and they were surrounded by fire there as well.

We’ve still got another month of summer to get through.

Ron sells The Big Issue in Adelaide I’ve got two young people from New South Wales who got caught up in the bushfires staying with my wife Katie and me. Esther is 16 and Belinda is 21. It’s only them and their father.

They lost their house in the fires just after Christmas and now they are homeless. That’s why I’m helping them. One of them also suffers from bad asthma.

They are friends of a friend who asked if we could take them in as he didn’t have room for the girls and their dad. I said, “No worries, they need all the help they can get.”

They were flown to Adelaide from New South Wales by a charitable organisation. We’ve had them for about a week. They’ve lost just about everything but at least they are alive, that’s the main thing. They were on a farm in Douglas Park, and lost two horses and three dogs…

They’re holding up okay – they are seeing a counsellor at Royal Adelaide Hospital.

They’re going to stay with Katie and I for a while. They want to stay in South Australia now, so the Salvation Army is going to try and find them accommodation. I’ve said to them they can stay with us until they find something.

I also have my granddaughter, who is six, living with us. She loves it and they love her so there’s five of us. It’s a bit cramped but we all get along. Plus the 16-year-old has headphones for her music, so there’s no loud music being played!

We’ve opened our home to them because they are worse off than we are. If I can help someone in a crisis like this, I will. My wife thinks the same way. What goes around comes around, I say. It’s the same when people buy The Big Issue, they give a little bit and get a lot back in life. I’m not religious but I believe life goes like that. Esther and Belinda are very grateful they have somewhere to stay.

As told to The Big Issue Australia.

Thank you for reading Street Sense!

From your vendor

As told to The Big Issue Australia

FEB. 5 - 18, 2020 | VOLUME 17 ISSUE 7

WWW.INSP.NGO

4 million READERS

TOP: A resident stands outside the house on Jan. 4 as high winds push smoke and ash from the Currowan Fire towards Nowra, New South Wales. BOTTOM: A burning gum tree is felled to stop it from falling on a car in Corbago, as bushfires continue in New South Wales, Australia January 5, 2020.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF REUTERS/TRACEY NEARM

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