02 10 2021

VOL. 18 ISSUE 8

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FEB. 10 - 23, 2021

Real Stories

How Abena Disroe built her life back Recovering from the fire that nearly left her homeless

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A portrait of Abena Disroe, a poet and artist whose apartment was destroyed in a fire.

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EVENTS

// 3

NEWS IN BRIEF CDC extends national eviction moratorium through March

Photo of belongings after an eviction.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTECRUZ PHOTO / FLICKR

A Day of Love: Food Box Distribution 9:00 a.m., Feb. 13 / Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, 1964 Independence Ave. SW The Memorial Foundation will be distributing food boxes at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Site. Food boxes will be distributed Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. while supplies last. One box per car (each box feeds a family of 4). The Memorial Foundation asks that you please remain in your car with your mask on.

Register at: tinyurl.com/day-of-love-food-boxes THURSDAY, FEB. 18, 2021

UPDATES ONLINE AT ICH.DC.GOV

THURSDAY, FEB,. 11 2021

Who Are Your People? Toni Morrison’s Portrayals of the Black Family

D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness Meetings

The Half-Life of Freedom, Race, and Justice in America Today

6 p.m. / Online As part of its Black History Month programming, the D.C. Public Library will host this discussion with Michele Simms-Burton, writer and founding board member of the Toni Morrison Society.

Housing Solutions Committee Feb. 15, 3:00 p.m.

Strategic Planning Committee Feb. 23, 2:30 pm ***For call-in information, as well as meeting info for unlisted working groups, contact: ich.info@dc.gov.

Join here: tinyurl.com/toni-morrison-event

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. / Online Professor and New Yorker staff writer Jelani Cobb will host this virtual presentation, part of the American University Library’s Exploring Social Justice Series 2021-2021.

More infor can be found at: tinyurl.com/au-library-event

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

AUDIENCE EXCHANGE Doni Crawford @DoniCrawford

This just made me smile. Tag-teaming all things unemployment insurance with @TazraMitchell in @ streetsensedc. Great reporting, @annemariecuccia and Matt. Nice way to start the weekend. tinyurl.com/streetsense-covid-relief 2:38 PM - Jan 9, 2021

Saul Tea

@SaulTea2 I am currently involved with a newspaper in DC http:// streetsensemedia.com that hires people to sell newspapers on the Streets in DC. They hired me during the pandemic, and found ways to accommodate my disability.

4:05 PM - Feb 2. 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Jan. 20 extended the nationwide eviction moratorium, set to expire on Jan. 31, through at least March 31, in response to the continuing COVID-19 crisis and a direct request by President Joe Biden.

The extension comes as one in five renters in the United States has fallen behind on rent payments, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. In Washington, D.C., the total number of at-risk renters is between 118,000 and 131,000, according to the Aspen Institute. Eviction threatens to “substantially contribute to COVID-19 transmission,” the CDC said in its public health order.

“We must act to get cases down and keep people in their homes and out of congregate settings — like shelters — where COVID-19 can take an even stronger foothold,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky in a statement. The order argues that by pushing former tenants into living with friends and family or in homeless shelters, eviction elevates public and personal health risks related to COVID-19 transmission.

Notably, however, the CDC’s order remains limited in scope and protects only those who, among other conditions, have been impacted financially by the pandemic, earn less than $99,000 on an individual basis, and are facing eviction solely for nonpayment of rent. The moratorium does not aim to prevent rent collection outside of these circumstances, and its narrow applicability means that landlords can continue to pursue eviction claims against tenants for myriad other causes related to alleged criminal, public health, or contractual violations, as many housing advocates have been quick to point out.

In a letter, more than 2,000 national, state, and local nonprofit organizations, churches, private companies, and elected officials urged the Biden administration to strengthen the moratorium and require landlords to affirmatively notify tenants of its protections. “Corporate and other landlords continue to evict renters before renters know about the moratorium protections or by finding reasons for eviction other than nonpayment of rent,” the letter reads.

The administration does not appear to have responded publicly, but it has called upon Congress to further extend the moratorium and to provide additional rental assistance to those in need.

—Nick Shedd // Volunteer

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NEWS

2021 Point-in-Time count to measure COVID-19’s impact on DC homeless community

BY KATE SANTALIZ kate.santaliz@streetsensemedia.org

V

olunteers dispersed throughout the District the night of Jan. 27 to count every individual they could find on the street, in hopes of determining the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city. Every year, nonprofit organizations, homeless service agencies, and volunteers work together into the early hours of the morning to participate in the Point-in-Time count.

The PIT count, which has been an annual requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development since 2001, heavily influences how the city will allocate their resources to address homelessness. The count happens on the same day in every jurisdiction nationwide in order to avoid duplicate data. As the count of unsheltered people takes place, everyone staying in shelters is simultaneously counted and, when amenable, interviewed.

Throughout the count, volunteers conduct surveys to gain knowledge on population demographics, asking questions on topics such as age, race, length of time homeless, history of institutionalization, gender identity, and sexual orientation. A report analyzing the responses for D.C. and the surrounding Maryland and Virginia counties that make up the metro region is typically published by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments in May. However, the 2021 count included a host of new challenges. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, normal procedure had to be adjusted to account for social

Some of the locations visited during the PIT coun were encampments like this one in the underpasses on K, L, M streets NE. PHOTO BY SEAN MCBRIDE

distancing and ensure the safety of all involved. While the count would normally begin with a celebratory kickoff event to thank and energize the hundreds of volunteers involved, this year’s effort involved no large gatherings and a significant reduction in the number of volunteers.

Prior to meeting in person, all volunteers had to sign a general waiver and complete a COVID screening to ensure that no one had been in high risk situations or had any known COVID exposure. “Basically the strategy was dispersing out and limiting opportunities for people to congregate,” said Patrick Costanzo, a senior outreach specialist for Pathways to Housing D.C. who led one of the volunteer teams.

The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness (TCP) provided personal protective equipment both for the volunteers and to distribute to individuals on the streets. The only volunteers that were able to participate in the count were homeless outreach workers or individuals who had participated in the count in the past, in order to circumvent the difficulties of virtual training. Efforts were also made to pair volunteers from the same household or individuals that were already working closely together.

In addition to the logistical complications, COVID19 created new difficulties for the volunteers when conducting their surveys. “The PIT count is ideally pretty conversational, and you ask some pretty personal questions when you are trying to gather demographic information,” said Leta Davis, outreach manager for Pathways to Housing D.C. “It is challenging to do that while maintaining social distance. You kind of lose a little bit of that connection, but we always try to explain to clients why we are trying to maintain a distance: to protect them.”

The information retrieved from this survey ultimately helps provide policymakers with a snapshot of what the homelessness population looks like today. Despite the inherent difficulties that arose from social distancing while trying to have a conversation, Davis said she is “always blown away by how open to talking the folks that we are interviewing are,” and believes that “TCP did a good job doing a roughly equivalent quality of data gathering.”

One new question that was asked in this year’s survey was on the individuals’ willingness to accept a COVID19 vaccine. It was found that many of those who were surveyed were not eager to get this vaccine. “We were asking people if they would take the vaccine, and it was almost an overwhelming, unanimous ‘no,’” said Reginald Black, a member of the D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness who volunteered with the count. Black is also a vendor and artist with Street Sense Media.

“I think that is part of stigmatized information the unhoused are getting, and the lack of reconciliation between the health officials and the Black community,” he said. “I think there needs to be more information out there on what’s in these vaccines.”

In D.C., members of the Black or African American community are disproportionately affected by homelessness, with 86.4% of adults experiencing homelessness in the District belonging to this demographic.

COVID has had a huge impact on the District’s homeless community, which will likely be reflected in the PIT count

data. While the 2020 data showed a 2.2% decrease in the number of homeless individuals from 2019, the survey was conducted just weeks before the pandemic hit the U.S., causing speculation that numbers will be higher this year.

“It is obvious to anyone who has walked outside in D.C. that homelessness looks different than it did a year ago,” said Jesse Rabinowitz, the advocacy and campaign manager at Miriam’s Kitchen. “There is national data showing that COVID-19 could increase homelessness by about 40%, which is over 2,500 people in D.C.” Brendan O'Flaherty, a professor of economics at Columbia University, predicted a possible rise in homelessness by 40% nationwide. In D.C. specifically, O’Flaherty said that rise could be closer to 6.6%, in part because of the District's already high-rate of homelessness.

Another source of this potential increase could be due to the way the pandemic has reshaped the daily lives of people experiencing homelessness. While emergency shelters have begun operating 24/7 instead of evenings only, social distancing in congregate shelters creates challenges for clients. Without large supplies of hand sanitizer and personal protective equipment, trying to keep shelters sanitary and safe has proved difficult.

“I think overall we will see more people counted that are unsheltered, which is due to them not being counted originally,” Black said. “These were the people who were missed traditionally by the city because they were doing other things, they may be couch surfing, or they may be working.”

TCP, the quasi-governmental organization that manages the city’s Homeless Management Information System database for HUD and receives a nearly $80 million contract from the D.C. Department of Human Services to manage many outreach and prevention services including city shelters, will compile the data before sharing it with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

While it will not be released for several months, the impact that COVID-19 has had on people experiencing homelessness will likely shine through in these numbers.

New programs, such as PEP-V, which places individuals who are more vulnerable to COVID in hotels, have helped alleviate some of the surface-level problems.

Some activists say COVID-19 has served as just another reminder that housing is a human right, and when individuals live without housing, the safety and health of our community is greatly affected.

“It seems like for the past year that people have been asked to stay home for numerous occasions, whether that’s COVID, the insurrection, the inauguration, or white supremacists coming to D.C., but staying home isn't possible if you don't have one,” Rabinowitz said.

“When we think about the high-risk groups, people who are older, people who have underlying health conditions, that’s people experiencing chronic homelessness.”

Nationwide efforts to keep people home are not applicable for those who must resort to congregate shelters, or otherwise do not have a place to call home. The PIT count serves as a driver of this urgency to help individuals access the housing and health care services both them and our community need to thrive.

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Vaccine rollout begins in low-barrier shelters and PEP-V centers

BY KAELA ROEDER kaela.roeder@streetsensemedia.org

T

he District began distributing COVID-19 vaccines to people experiencing homelessness in low-barrier shelters and Pandemic Emergency Program for Medically Vulnerable Individuals, or PEP-V, centers this month.

The D.C. Department of Human Services is collaborating on the rollout with Unity Health Care, a nonprofit that offers medical services to people experiencing homelessness in D.C. This distribution is part of Phase 1B of the vaccine rollout in the District, which includes essential workers and at-risk populations.

The nonprofit vaccinated residents in all PEP-V centers the first week of February, said Dr. Anne Cardile, the medical director for healthcare for the homeless at Unity Health Care.

Vaccines are now being administered at low-barrier shelters beginning with locations with the largest number of residents and continuing to locations with the fewest people. Unlike most vaccine appointments in the District, a photo I.D. is not required to receive the vaccine at the shelter clinics.

Unity announced COVID-19 vaccinations and in-person appointments were delayed due to inclement weather Feb. 1.

But, according to Cardile, no vaccine delays occurred because no appointments were scheduled for Feb. 1. Vaccinations began on Feb. 2 in PEP-V centers.

Allocation of the vaccine to the Department of Human Services is based on estimated demand and availability and will be determined over time, according to DHS. In the first week of vaccinations, 400 doses were given, including about 340 for PEP-V clients and30 staff members.

Unity will travel to two shelters per week and remain at each location for one to two days. The names of everyone who receives the vaccine will be put into a digital system, where residents can opt-in to receive calls and texts as reminders for the second dose if able, Cardile said. In addition, people will be given a waterproof wallet with a vaccination card.

“We wanted to give something to folks when they’re being vaccinated that would be practical and help them not only in their daily life, but in something else,” she said. “A reminder to come back with a second vaccine.”

Those who receive the vaccine will also get a wristband that provides the date and time of second dose administration, according to DHS. Unity plans to return to the same shelter location exactly four weeks later on the same days of the week in order to follow up with as many people as possible who were there when they offered the first shots, Cardile said.

Non-sheltered District residents experiencing homelessness may also coordinate inoculation through their case manager or an outreach team worker, according to DHS. Free transportation is also available from the District’s seasonal shelters to the clinics at low-barrier shelters. After residents of low-barrier shelters receive vaccinations, residents of family shelters, youth shelters and other locations as well as unsheltered individuals will have an opportunity to receive the vaccine. DHS said it will take about four months to administer both doses to residents of low-barrier shelters and other locations. And those processes are dependent on supplies and staff.

DHS and Unity are focused on effective communication around the COVID-19 vaccine, Cardile said. The organizations now hold weekly town halls on Wednesdays in low-barrier shelters to facilitate sign-ups and answer questions. In addition, DHS is establishing a COVID-19 peer educator program, which is composed of residents experiencing homelessness,

COURTESY OF STEVEN CORNFIELD / UNSPLASH.COM

to share information about COVID-19 and the vaccine.

After getting vaccinated, side effects are common, Cardile said. Especially after the second dose, one can expect headaches, body aches or a low-grade fever. “That is totally normal,” she said.

Catholic Charities D.C., which oversees several low-barrier shelters in the District, noted the importance in prioritizing vaccines for people experiencing homelessness.

“We are pleased that the city has prioritized shelter residents and staff and will make the vaccine available to them,” said Amanda Chesney, the executive director for housing and homeless services, in an emailed statement. “This is indeed good news during a dark time.”

Residents cite technological barriers and poor communication On Jan. 29 and Feb 1, the D.C. Health Committee held an oversight roundtable focusing on the District’s COVID-19 vaccination process.

On Jan. 29, public witnesses testified before councilmembers, sharing their personal experiences and thoughts on the District’s communication, prioritization, and the technology surrounding vaccine appointments.

Witnesses cited hours-long holding times, website crashes, and appointment slots becoming fully booked within minutes. Several said there is a need for better communication around the vaccine, especially for older residents. Announcements about the vaccine are mostly communicated online and on social media, which can be a barrier, said Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau. Phone calls, physical mailers, and radio and cable announcements to remind people to book appointments would alleviate confusion, Nadeau said.

At-large Councilmember Christina Henderson said there is a need to “do better” when it comes to communication about the vaccine.

“For some people just pointing ... to a website FAQ is not going to cut it,” Henderson said in an interview. “They need the opportunity to talk to someone that they trust and ask questions.”

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Wayne Turnage acknowledged shortfalls in communication at the Feb.1 government witness testimony, especially when it comes to communities of color in the District and vaccine hesitancy.

“Minority communities, especially African Americans, continue to express a stubborn resistance in vaccination

programs,” Turnage said. “And it is born out of some justifiable reasons.”

According to a survey by D.C. Health, 61% of Black residents reported they would seek out vaccination, while 96% of white residents plan to get vaccinated. An inhumane past of medical experiments on minorities, like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, causes this hesitancy, Turnage said. “It gives them a jaundiced view of any type of vaccine program that’s been administered by the government.”

Strategies to alleviate this include direct contact with physicians, marketing campaigns, multilingual talking points, and a pilot program to partner with local faith communities Several public witnesses compared the vaccine sign-up to the dystopian novel and film series “The Hunger Games” at the Jan. 29 hearing.

“Access to vaccines is not a game,” said Sia Barbara Ferguson Kamara, the chief strategy officer for the D.C. Early Learning Collaborative, during the testimony. “It is life or death. Those with the access and skills live; those without die.”

Before the roundtables, Ward 7 Councilmember and Chairman of the D.C. Committee on Health Vincent Gray sent a letter to Turnage demanding technological changes to the vaccine process, including the establishment of a waitlist instead of the current weekly enrollment process, as well as improvements to the vaccine appointment site.

“These recommendations seek to ensure that we are providing equal access to our most vulnerable populations, such as seniors and those with unreliable access to technology, and that we are proactively educating and easing access to vaccines with the goal that all District residents will participate and we can end this public health crisis,” Gray wrote.

Co-signers includeNadeau,Henderson, and Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto.

When asked if other states or cities had a model of distribution of the vaccine that D.C. should consider, Pinto noted the need to consider an area’s population, electronic infrastructures, and other unique factors when evaluating effective distribution.

“We can look towards other major cities to see what they are proposing, but I believe that we must continue implementing and perfecting a tailored approach that ensures an equitable distribution among District residents that addresses our unique needs within the region,” she said.

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NEWS

D.C. indoor regulations limit hot meal and warm space availability

BY MONIQUE WILSON AND BEN GUTMAN

monique.wilson@streetsensemedia // ben.gutman@streetsensemedia.org

P

recautionary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, such as virtual worship services and limited indoor dining, have hurt the homeless community’s ability to find hot food and a warm place to escape D.C.’s largest snowfall in two years.

Community spread of the coronavirus has surged in 2021, with a daily case rate of 30.9 per 100,000 residents through the week of Jan. 27 and hospitals at more than 90% capacity.

Many churches and restaurants that offered free hot meals to food-insecure residents at the beginning of the pandemic are no longer able to do so and as a result some have begun offering bagged lunches instead.

However, several social services have adjusted their distribution model to keep a consistent supply of hot meals.

Miriam’s Kitchen in Foggy Bottom has been able to keep hot meal services going uninterrupted since the beginning of the pandemic. Instead of having guests indoors, they’ve set up their kitchen in an outdoor courtyard under tents. The organization uses high-quality hot meals to build relationships and engage people in social services, said Deputy Director Adam Rocap.

“We still have most of the services we would have had indoors during our mealtimes,” he said, “like helping people access their stimulus checks, helping people connect with housing assessments or housing options, and other benefits.”

Outside of Miriam’s Kitchen, Darryl Green, an individual experiencing homelessness, said that many of the places he used to go for hot meals are closed. Miriam’s Kitchen and Charlie’s Place are the best organizations offering hot meals downtown, said C-Money D Greatest. Both men expressed frustration over the lack of access to public restrooms and indoor spaces to stay warm during the pandemic.

Rocap said Miriam’s Kitchen has been concerned about those issues too. Miriam’s Kitchen has made restrooms available in an outdoor trailer on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “We did a lot trying to help the city and advocate for the city to open up a daytime warming center that’s at the downtown services center location that we’re really excited about,” Rocap added.

However, other organizations have not been able to offer these services due to health concerns.

Christy Harris, an administrative clerk at the Salvation Army Sherman Avenue Corps, said they have stopped allowing people to use the restrooms inside. “It’s a thing we have to do to protect ourselves as well as others,” Harris said. “It’s not something that we want to do, but it’s part of our procedure here.”

Similarly, Charlie’s Place, based in Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Kalorama, has largely prohibited clients

Tent encampment off of Virginia Ave. NW across the street from Mariam’s Kitchen.

PHOTO BY BEN GUTMAN

from using indoor facilities, although they occasionally let people use the bathroom and wash clothes. They’ve also struggled to maintain hot meal service with limited volunteers available to prepare and serve food to their clients.

This past summer, Charlie’s Place formed partnerships with Wawa and Starbucks and has continued an ongoing relationship with the Moby Dick chain restaurant to help serve individually packaged meals once a month, said Marie Graves, director of external affairs. In addition, every Tuesday from April to June, volunteers took food to Franklin Park and Dupont Circle to “start filling in the gaps” in meal distribution while the area’s larger

organizations adjusted their operations to limitations imposed by the pandemic. “Being a smaller organization makes us more nimble and able to creatively provide food,” Graves said.

However, without its usual number of volunteers, Charlie’s Place has been unable to consistently serve hot meals, and the lack of access to indoor facilities have impeded their sense of community.

“I’ll be thrilled to allow guests to come in and take a nap and socialize” when the church reopens indoor services, Graves said. “We know people, we miss people, we have funerals for people. The fellowship and friendships are missed.”

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// 7

SSM FAMILY UPDATES

Despite 100% FEMA reimbursement, DC says it does not plan to expand the PEP-V program

BY KATE SANTALIZ kate.santaliz@streetsensemedia.org

T

he cost of hotels and similar facilities used to provide safe shelter to people experiencing homelessness since the start of the pandemic will be covered entirely by the Federal Emergency Management Administration, according to guidance released by the White House on Feb. 2. The document clarifies that an executive order signed by President Joe Biden the day after his inauguration to expand this use of FEMA funds through Sept. 30 is also retroactive, back to January 2020.

Prior to this executive order, the D.C. Department of Human Services was paying 25% of the costs to run its Pandemic Emergency Program for Medically Vulnerable Individuals, and was being reimbursed by FEMA for the other 75%.

PEP-V was introduced on March 17, 2020 to keep people whose age or underlying medical issues make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 out of congregate shelters, instead providing hotel rooms.

On Feb. 8, a new coronavirus-related death was recorded among people experiencing homelessness in the District, bringing the total of such losses to at least 24 since the health crisis began. Four hundred and eight-three people who were in shelter had tested positive as of that day, according to city data.

Despite the increased funding, there are no plans to expand the program. “It is not off the table, but at the same time, I do not want to set the expectation that this is something we are poised and able to do right now,” said DHS Director Laura Zeilinger, citing other non-federally reimbursable costs associated with PEP-V sites and an overall lack of capacity There are currently three PEP-V sites operating: the Hotel Arboretum, which was hosting 175 guests as of Feb. 5; the Holiday Inn, hosting 261 guests; and the Fairfield Inn, hosting 188 guests. The end goal of the program is to place the individuals being served into Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), then fill their spots with people who are waiting that qualify for the program. Since the start of the program, 133 PEP-V clients have moved into housing. And 36% of current PEP-V residents, or 226 people, have been “matched” to permanent housing.

However, the rate at which people have been being placed into permanent housing is lagging in comparison to the number of individuals currently waiting to get into PEP-V. The Department of Human Services is placing approximately 15 people per month into permanent housing, while there are 555 people waiting to be placed into PEP-V as of Feb. 5.

“You can see from the data they have that if they get 30 people in a month, that’s a big deal,” said Wes Heppler, counsel for the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. “You’ve got 550 people on the waitlist. So if you are getting about 30 people housed up and moved out of PEP-V every month, that’s going to take about 5 years before you clear out enough space for people to get in.”

Between Jan. 22 and Feb. 5, DHS welcomed 32 new guests into the program over the last month. The program was at 91% capacity, with 69 available beds, according to DHS. Plans to match eligible individuals with the available beds

were expected to resume Feb. 8.

“Not every cost that we have inside the PEP-V hotels is federally reimbursable, and we work to maximize the federal dollars,” said Zeilinger. “Some of the medical services are able to achieve reimbursement but not necessarily the case management support and all of the level of staffing that it takes to run those sites.”

Local funding for PEP-V had come from the city’s emergency funds for the health crisis and not DHS’s fiscal year 2021 budget, according to Zeilinger.

She said that setting up a PEP-V facility requires a lot of time and “a tremendous amount of staffing and logistics.” Zeilinger emphasized that DHS is instead focused on administering what is already in place and moving people from PEP-V into PSH. To set up a PEP-V site, it can take several weeks to a month to lease and staff a hotel, according to DHS. “ I know that it does take time, and that it is hard work and it doesn't happen overnight, ” Heppler said. “The fact is that it has been over three weeks now since FEMA announced its 100% reimbursement policy, so in the time that they made that announcement to now, they could have been well on their way to setting up another PEP-V site. Just the fact that it does take time to set up, to me, is not a reason to not do this.”

In December, an occupancy report of available shelter beds and subsidized housing units in D.C. showed that permanent supportive housing placements were more than 90% full — providing limited options for PEP-V clients to move out of the hotels. With no plans for new PEP-V facilities, it seems unlikely that the 555 eligible individuals will have access to non-congregate shelter in the near future.

Shernell Thomas PHOTO BY ROLANDO APARICIO VELASCO

At the beginning of this month, Shernell Thomas, a longtime Street Sense Media vendor through 2018, died in her sleep at the age of 75. After writing a tribute for her brother when he died in 2014, Shernell also became an occasional contributor to our paper. An essay and illustration by her were part of a collection recognized as a finalist for the International Network of Street Papers awards in 2016. May she rest in peace.

If you knew Shernell and would like to write a tribute to her for publication in a future edition, or would be willing to be interviewed as we research her obituary, please contact editor@streetsensemedia.org. If there is a public memorial service, those details will also be shared in our publication and on our social media channels as they become available.

Athiyah Azeem contributed to reporting.

BIRTHDAYS Rochelle Walker Jan. 11 AUTHOR/VENDOR

Ivory Wilson Jan. 29 ARTIST/VENDOR

Our stories, straight to your inbox Street Sense Media provides a vehicle through which all of us can learn about homelessness from those who have experienced it. Sign up for our newsletter to get our vendors' stories in your inbox.

Holiday Inn on Rhode Island Ave. NW is one of three DHS PEP-V sites. IMAGE COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

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ART

ABENA DISROE LOST HER HOME IN A FIRE. SHE HAS WRITTEN A BOOK OF POEMS ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES. PHOTO BY RODNEY CHOICE

There’s FIRE in Her Spirit

BY ABENA DISROE // Volunteer

I lost everything in an Aug. 31, 2018 fire at Hopkins Apartments on Capitol Hill, which completely gutted my unit.

“The cat that I was babysitting saved my life, seriously,” I told the Hill Rag at the time. “Otherwise, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”

I was asleep on the couch at home that Friday. The cat woke me up by gently clawing my neck and chest. I couldn’t see anything through the haze while lying there. It only got worse when I plunged into thick smoke as I stood up. Realizing my apartment was on fire, I ran out. But the cat didn’t follow me.

Once I noticed, I ran back into where the fire was. It was filled with so much black smoke that I had to feel my way around.

I felt the cat by my foot, reached out to grab it, and made my way out as I was gasping to breathe.

The D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services were on their way to put out the fire but the two fire trucks collided into each other. Blocks away from where we needed them, one of the trucks jumped a curb and crashed into someone’s front yard.

When they finally arrived, the paramedics found me unconscious in a stairwell, lying there with the cat. They later told me they had to revive me twice. My memory is unclear, but I believe it based on how my ribcage ached. People tell me that I am lucky my ribs were not cracked or broken when the paramedics pumped my chest during their rescue efforts. I’m glad that I’m alive and I thank God every day that I am still here.

The cause of the fire was ruled as “undetermined,” according to D.C. Fire and EMS. It completely gutted my apartment and temporarily displaced tenants from four other apartments due to the smoke and water damage.

I want to share with all the readers of Street Sense the insight, wisdom, and courage that I inherited from this tragedy. I want to help anyone who has gone through hardships and loss to the point of giving up.

I lost much more than physical possessions I gave a lot to that community. I was the president of the Hopkins Resident Council and a resident in the complex for over four years. I spearheaded programs to contribute to the

growth and strength of our neighbors. Shortly after moving to Hopkins, I formed a team of children to help keep the community clean and free of debris. We started meeting on Sundays as the “Green Clean Up Team” to pick up litter in the neighborhood. With this same group of youth, in the small living room of my apartment, I started a 4-H Club, a book club, a cooking club, and a poetry-writing group that collaborated with visual artists, dance, and drumming. The youth loved it.

They started inviting other youths to come to “Ms. Abby’s,” which is what they started calling me.

I was able to form a partnership with the 11th Street Bridge Project and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) to pilot a community garden project. I got the residents engaged in planting kale, tomatoes, corn, turnips, okra, cabbage, herbs, and fruit trees. The garden boxes were painted by groups of community children with the assistance of an internationally known artist, Rafiki Morris. These were all efforts to foster positive activities and healthy habits in the community.

The passion grew in me to provide a free summer meal program to the children, so I took an all-day food-handling certification class and passed. As I went through the course, I was inspired to bring the certificate opportunity to other community residents to help them get employment or start their own food-service businesses. If nothing else, the credential usually gives you an advantage when applying for restaurant jobs. I persuaded UDC to offer free food-handling classes to Hopkins residents.

You have to offer programs that will truly empower people in your community. Programs that both educate and lead to employment. I refused to listen to others who said that the residents did not want to work for themselves and would not show up if we provided a resource like this. Well, let me tell you that more people than could fit in the class arrived early, and all but one passed the exam.

After all that, I saw my life turn to dust. I lost everything.

Yes, I miss some of my belongings: the gowns that I wore in the American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant, for which I was second runner up in 2017; my classic LPs; and my collection of African art. But what I really mourned was the loss of irreplaceable items: a video of my now-grown daughter experiencing snow for the first time, baby pictures of her and her brother, and photos of my great-great grandparents.

I also lost all the video footage of my poetry performances at The Kaffa House where I founded The Poet’s Den, an open-mic platform for spoken-word artists, musicians, storytellers, and playwrights from the age of 5 to 95. A review in the Washington Post once said Kaffa House was “where the underground poetry scene in D.C. began.”

The Kaffa House has long been closed but The Poet’s Den, like me, lives on. There are still venues that want The Poet’s

Den vibes and, when asked, I bring together some great poets of all ages to present a culturally stimulating, musical, and poetic storytelling program. I’ve brought together artists from the D.C. metro area and beyond. Poets have come in from Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, and other cities. Some even came from as far as Africa and Europe. Over the years, this incredible project has been featured in Howard University newspaper, the Washington Informer, the Washington Sun (whose last stories were published in 2018), the Metro Herald (which shut down in 2018), the Afro, and many more. I used to have clippings from every single article. While some were lost, others survived the fire because, thankfully, I didn’t save all of them in the same photobook.

That apartment was my home and it contained a lifetime of memories. I thought I was safe and secure, but I had become homeless.

Help from my community Kelly Waud, an ANC commissioner at the time who I had worked with before, was a life saver. She set up a GoFundMe page to help when the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA), which owns the Hopkins Apartments, said they could no longer pay for my hotel lodging.

[Editor’s note: When asked about the fire, and resources provided to tenants in its wake, DCHA said “The District of Columbia Housing Authority does not comment on personal information of any of its customers. In general, when a unit is affected by fire, the customer is housed by the authority and given a per diem. DCHA offers available units to meet the customer’s family size and needs. If DCHA is found to be responsible for the cause of the fire, as stated by D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services professionals, the agency will compensate the customer further, if necessary.”]

“Mama Abena is a staple to Chocolate City. May you find comfort in knowing you are appreciated and loved,” wrote one contributor to the campaign, which raised a total of $6,201.It was because of Mrs. Waud’s call to action and other residents that knew of my community work that I was able to focus on trying to get my affairs in order.. I am at the top of my health now, but after the fire I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which I attribute both to the incident and the stress that was involved when trying unsuccessfully to receive compensation from DCHA for my losses.

I was also diagnosed with a breathing issue because of all the smoke inhalation. I thank God for that GoFundMe, which

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

Disroe’s apartment was destroyed in a fire.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ABINA DISROE

enabled me to pay for lodging in an Airbnb for a time and to immediately buy some more clothes and shoes to wear. I was without a stable place to call home for five months, which seems like a year when you are living out of two suitcases and constantly moving.

This was so very difficult until a neighbor found me and said she and her husband wanted me to stay with them until I found a place to live.

“You do not know me,” I said.

But their response was simply, “We know of you, and we are here to help you.”

I cried with relief and gratitude that there were people who did not know me and were willing to open their home to me. I tried to give them money, but they would not take it. I now live in Adams Morgan in a very nice community which I happen to love. When I signed the lease and was given a key, I rushed to open the door to sit on the floor and pray as I inhaled blessings and exhaled gratitude. Everything is so very accessible where I live now. I can walk to the grocery store, cleaners, restaurants, and the drug store. Living here, you do not need a car.

When I first moved into my new apartment, I could not sleep in my bed because of the nightmares of the fire and how I narrowly escaped. I felt like if a fire happens, then I will be by the door to escape. I jumped every time I heard a fire siren.

It was all so stressful. It was then that I realized that I had not healed from that devastation. I always questioned in the back of my mind, “Is it safe here?” I still talk to many of the residents at Hopkins. I still get calls asking for resources that are needed to help them in their lives, and I still counsel the youth about school and the stress they are feeling with COVID-19 and so many other things. I feel like they are my children too. One mother, Ms. Rachael, revealed to me when I went back that her son cried many times because no one reported to the residents that I had survived. The youth and many others thought that I had died. I loved my community because of the people, and their work with me to make it a better community to live in.

Lessons from my journey Never give up, even when you really do not know what to expect from day-to-day. I needed to focus on what was most important, and that was rebuilding my health and finding a new home. I had to put everything aside, but I kept writing. I realized that to have a passion for something is essential, it is life-saving mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. That passion to write kept me more focused, and kept me more hopeful for whatever the outcome could be.

During this time of moving from place to place, praying that I would find a new place to live, I started back writing and

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Disroe holds up a copy of her book, “Fire In The Spirt.” PHOTO BY RODNEY CHOICE

promised myself I would complete my book of poetry with pictures, “Fire In The Spirit.” And last fall, almost two years to the day of this life-changing tragedy, I published that book.

You can find it now on Amazon and Kindle, or get it from me directly to receive a personal autographed copy.

Poetry is therapy. Before all of this happened to me, I was contracted through a D.C.-based healing center to work with cancer patients. While the cancer patients were receiving chemotherapy, I was guiding each one through a healing process using poetry. Healing cannot take place if you cannot talk about your pain. I found that everyone will not be able to talk about it. But if you can get it out of you, whether you talk or write, the healing will begin.

I used that same process on myself and began to write everyday, which was very healing for me. I still have many thoughts and poems that I wrote which are not in the book.

Perhaps that will be my next book, which will be focused more on healing. Because I focused on healing through writing, I am much stronger than before. Focusing passionately on your gifts keeps your spirit happy and makes your soul smile. This will keep you on your journey of strengthening your purpose.

I cannot tell a person how to be strong enough to weather the storms. What I am able to share is to let you know that you are never alone. There are always people out there who will assist you, encourage you, inspire you, motivate you and support your healing. But you must stay on your feet and let people into that space that has caused you so much pain, by telling your story.

Seek out those who have experienced what you are going through and call upon those who have seen you consistently doing great works in your community, or even in your own life. Success does not come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently. On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from being navigated through it, not just by yourself, but with the help of others who care.

Yes, there will be haters that are happy to see you fail, who have been waiting and hoping one day you will fall down. So many people do love and care about you, don’t focus on the people who do not.

One of those community members who helped me in the wake of the fire I had just met at the time: Allison McGill.

But she not only helped me then, we still keep up with each other today. She just drove by to purchase one of my books a couple of weeks ago.

You must be, and remain, fearless in the face of adversity.

Never stop learning, use your imagination whenever possible, and remember where you came from — but never lose sight of where you are going. It is during times of pain and loss that being patient is everything. Sometimes you have to go through the worst to get to the best. Give time some time.

I also learned that people who shine from within do not need the spotlight. So, continue to radiate love and light regardless of what you are going through. Always remain thankful and grateful for everything. One day you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s light and survival guide.

On every journey in your life, inhale blessings and exhale gratitude. Never be afraid of losing — be more scared of having the wrong people around you while you are winning.

Using your past experiences to help others through their present is the most impactful, inspiring lesson of never giving up. Remember that if money and material things make you believe that you are better than others, then you are the poorest person on earth.

In closing I want you to know that there is a reason for everything. During hard and difficult times, keep pushing forward for the better times. Just maybe, you were assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved.

“Fire in the Spirit” and more information about Abena Disroe are available at https://iamabenadisroe.godaddysites.com/

DIRECT YOUR THOUGHTS

BY ABENA DISROE

Direct your thoughts Nothing negative will be caught in your mind at any given time Focus your energy that is the key to gaining success while being your Best.

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OPINION

Dems have got to play tougher

BY JEFF TAYLOR

The pundits said it was doubtful but possible that Democrats could retake the U.S. Senate. And yes, the odds were against it. Yet here we are with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer! Democrats have won the grand trifecta! They have the mandate! And President Joe Biden ain't playing around. He's getting right down to business.

And why not? We're the good guys! We're the ones on the right side of history! Yet already there is whining from the GOP of Biden's leftward lurch. The honeymoon doesn't appear to be destined to last for very long. And we'll find ourselves in a position, yet again, where the minority tries to reign over the majority.

The vast majority of Americans want a truly fair economy that works for everyone. They want regulation of the banks. They want a clean environment. They want to know the foods they eat and the medicines they take are safe. They want to be able to have access to quality health care. They want access to a quality education. They want equal opportunities for gainful employment. And the vast majority of Americans don't want these things just for themselves but for all Americans. They recognize the concept of community and that a rising tide raises all boats.

One must wonder, of the significant minority of voters who cling to so-called conservative values, how many would remain in that camp if they were ever to understand that they are being lied to and have been lied to for decades? I realize right-wingers such as Meghan McCain are offended at Katie Couric's suggestion that some amount of deprogramming is in order. But the fact is, Couric is absolutely right. Deprogramming is in order. And as quickly as possible to save as many lives as possible. These poor souls have been hoodwinked but good. Right-wing corporate and political powers have made ruthless use of the science behind political marketing tools. (Funny how right-wingers turn to science when it suits their purposes.)

The mainstream media really has a pivotal part to play moving forward. (They certainly played a pivotal role in getting us here in the first place!) After so many years of misleading and outright lying by Republicans the media has only recently been up to their responsibility of calling out the lies. But only since the insurrection of January 6 has the media been brave, and I use that word loosely, enough to challenge the liars in real time, face to face, or so to speak here in the COVID-19 era. This press accountability must not abate. The shouts for more press accountability should only increase. The truth must go marching on!

The mainstream media really has a pivotal part to play moving forward. The shouts for more press accountability should only increase. The truth must go marching on!

Chuck Todd, George Stephanopoulos, and their colleagues need to challenge their guests and each other every time the truth is compromised in any way. For instance, right-wingers (and some so-called left-wing pundits, out of some unexplainable need for neutrality) love to talk about Biden's leftward lurch. The media (and of course Democrats) needs to push back from a number of directions to put this ridiculous myth to rest. Poll after poll shows a majority of the electorate are, on the issues, actually left of center. I did catch Martha Raddatz calling

They have to choose

BY ANGIE WHITEHURST

January 6 was a breach, a deviation, defiance of the right to freedom of speech, the laws of the land, and the constitution of the United States. The “Proud Boys,” whom former President Trump told to “stand back and stand by,” are outside of all of that. They attempted an insurrection in the United States capitol. We are better than that! They wreaked havoc, and fortunately they lost.

Now, we know how the Native Americans feel, and the African Americans slaves felt. They had reason to rebel, but these few perpetrators of a failed coup d’etat have no validity. They had the support, underwriting and permits to stage an event on D.C. soil, compliments of the “swamp drainer.”

In weaker democracies, we know what would have happened. The military would resolve it and announce a change of government on the radio. We also know that if Black Americans had mobbed Congress, there would have been mayhem, death and blood running in streets across the city. Such double standards, all based on the color of the skin of the guilty, criminalized before birth.

How sad. Killed before being born Black.

We know 74 million people voted for the big bad Democrat. We also know the white mindset rejected the election outcome and propelled severe — and lethal -— disobedience.

My community is Black people and other ethnicities not seen as “white” — or just plain old American. The pawns of white fear were grossly manipulated by the might of out of sight, and the insanity of heartless power.

We know what it is. The rest of the non-colored have to decide whether to stand by that way of life, or make a complete U-turn. In 1969, Federal Bureau of Investigation director J. Edgar Hoover declared the Black Panthers to be America’s greatest threat to internal security. Now, it is his kind, riding ignorance and fear. The white power face of Dixie cannot look away from that place. It is fake and they need to turn cable television off, no recording necessary.

Get over it and find humanity.

Destroy America, and you destroy yourself.

Angie Whitehurst is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

out a right-winger whining that it's really a 50-50 nation given the split in the Senate. I can't recall her exact words but Raddatz pointed out that that 50-50 split was a not a very accurate representation of the American electorate.

Good on her! More of that please!

How many of you dear readers knew that leading up to the election polls actually favored Trump on the economy?

How could the electorate have been that conned on such a crucial issue? Personally, I equally blame Democrats and the media for insufficiently warning the American electorate that they were in fact being conned by one of the best con men in the United States.

But why should the electorate ever look to the GOP for economic prosperity? Consistently, for more than a century, Americans have prospered more under Democratic administrations than their opponents. As a matter of fact, economically, we can, with fairly great optimism, expect things to turn around in the Biden administration but it will take some time. And Democrats will have to play tougher, as ruthlessly as necessary to get their (our, the American people's) agenda passed into law.

I'm for preserving the filibuster if possible, but ending it if necessary to get things done. The hell with Mitch McConnell and his obstructionist minions.

You want to know why McConnell is really opposed to the Democrats' platform? He knows it's what would really make the American people happy! Which would in turn greatly diminish GOP power for generations to come. It is way past time to ditch Mitch once and for all.

He's finally out of power and it must remain that way! If Schumer is up for playing McConnell's game now that he holds all the cards, Democrats could potentially hold power until Mitch is either dead or in a nursing home.

But Democrats, all Democrats, have got to fight tougher.

Everything is on the line. Get it done now!

Jeff Taylor is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

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A lack of bipartisanship is hurting housing in America STEVE LILIENTHAL

That U.S. Senator Rob Portman is retiring is unlikely to be regretted by most Street Sense readers. He’s a Republican from Ohio. There are plenty of votes he cast over his years in office that will not please many Democrats — and there will probably be more before he retires.

But Portman played a key role in negotiating last December’s FY 2021 bipartisan funding agreement, which provides $25 billion for emergency rental assistance. “Stable housing is a key factor to keeping people out of poverty, and the COVID19 pandemic has made this issue more important than ever,” he said in a December statement.

He and his Democratic colleague Colorado Senator Michael Bennett co-sponsored the Evictions Crisis Act, parts of which were incorporated in the agreement. Their bill drew praise from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Years ago, Representative Stewart McKinney, a Republican from Connecticut, was a lead co-sponsor of the McKinneyVento Homeless Assistance Act of 1986, which provided federal money for homeless shelters. Co-sponsors included 99 Democrats and 12 Republicans including Representatives Marge Roukema of New Jersey, Connie Morella of Maryland, and Nancy Johnson of Connecticut.

But the atmosphere regarding bipartisan cooperation— especially regarding human needs issues such as homelessness and housing—has changed significantly, particularly in the House, where districts are often packed with one party’s voters or the other.

Back in 1989, I remember a conversation with a colleague at the conservative research foundation where I worked. He combined the buoyant positivity of Franklin Delano Roosevelt with a Newt Gingrich-style “movement conservatism” that often overrode traditional conservatism’s desire for stable,

orderly change.

He’d just met with a pollster and remarked that the electorate agreed with so much of the conservative agenda that it was imperative to go back and repolarize the electorate even more.

That should have been a warning flag as to how our country would develop.

In years past politicians from both sides of the aisle with very different political views combined to advance programs that helped low-income Americans like the food stamp program.

Over time, that repolarization — particularly during the Gingrich-led GOP in the 1990s, the tea party, and the Trump years — involved advancing an agenda premised on “less taxes, less spending, less government, more freedom.”

But that “freedom" comes at a cost to low-income Americans.

The 2019 Gallup “Not Just a Job” report showed most low-income workers lacked benefits from employers such as health care, disability insurance, maternity/paternity leave, and retirement benefits, compared to higher income American workers.

It’s worth noting how in years past politicians from both sides of the aisle with very different political views and from very different districts combined to advance programs that

helped low-income Americans like the food stamp program.

In a 2017 article for The Atlantic, congressional scholar Norm Ornstein noted how Senators George McGovern (D-SD) and Bob Dole (R-KS) clashed bitterly over Vietnam policy yet ended up working together on the Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs to support the food stamps program.

Such alliances in this more polarizing era happen but more rarely — particularly as reapportionment has packed U.S. House districts to be “safe” for one party or the other and it is now even more complicated after the Trump era. Democrats in Ohio could elect someone like Tim Ryan or Amy Acton, Democrats likely to run for Portman’s seat. But Ohio went for Donald Trump in 2020.

In a 2012 commentary, economist Bruce Bartlett cited conservative-minded leaders, such as Britain’s Winston Churchill and Germany’s Otto von Bismarck, who supported elements of the welfare state, to ensure social stability and to preserve capitalism, albeit in a less laissez-faire form.

As America struggles with increased food and housing insecurity in the wake of the pandemic, it would be worthwhile to see the GOP reassess its mindset, embracing the standpoint suggested by Bartlett.

Of course, an open-minded, fair intra-party debate will never occur in the foreseeable future given how Trumpism dominates the House GOP, much of the party’s ranks in the Senate, and its allied organizations and media outlets. Then, there’s the GOP House leadership’s refusal to convincingly rebuke its members who embrace conspiracies and authoritarianism, an even greater obstacle to its becoming a responsible opposition party — not one devoted to sheer obstruction. Meantime, our civic and social fabric remains in the intensive care unit.

Stephen Lilienthal is a freelance writer living in Washington, DC.

Who knows best?

BY CHARLIE MUSOFF

A common narrative about people experiencing homelessness is that they’re all drug addicts, and a common judgment people make about them, in turn, is that if they’d only have made smarter choices, they could’ve avoided this fate. While it’s true that many people experiencing homelessness also struggle with substance abuse, the causal relationship between the two is not as simple as, if someone gets addicted, then they will become homeless.

Rather, the onset of homelessness and the onset of substance abuse--or other mental illnesses--don’t fit onto a neat timeline because either can come first. Just as someone might lose their home because their money goes toward feeding their addiction and not toward paying their rent, so too might someone turn to substances and develop an addiction because they are caught in a hopeless cycle of sleeping outside and not making enough to put a roof over their head.

Additionally, the problem often isn’t making “smart” choices; it’s having “smart” choices to make in the first place.

If anything, seeking the numbness and escape that substances provide is a natural response to the stress of homelessness-or the stress of scraping together rent when living paycheck to paycheck, for that matter--and it might be the best coping mechanism available. These two factors reinforce each other and can trap people if no one gives them the tools to steer

themselves onto an exit ramp. And, the inverse is also true: even if one condition subsides, the other may persist, leaving further damage in its wake.

When clients have shared more about their addiction with me, my initial impulse had been to convince them that seeking treatment was the best option. I spun myself in circles trying to put together the most logical arguments and feeling flummoxed at clients’ every retort. Unwittingly, I fell into another common judgment of people experiencing homelessness, particularly those also struggling with substance abuse: that they can’t make their own decisions. As the rationale goes, now that these folks are addicted, they need someone else who knows better to teach them how to get out of their situation. People who only give their homeless neighbors food, not cash, out of concern that they’ll go blow any money they get on drugs are a good example of this perception in action. And so was I. The piece of the picture I was overlooking--the piece that my supervisor helped me hone in on--is that my clients don’t need me to tell them that their substance abuse is a problem. They are often the ones who bring up the idea of seeking treatment, but, understandably, they also tend not to be immediately ready to put their whole lives on hold to give themselves over to an untrustworthy medical system. As such, my goal has changed from persuasion to preparation. Starting from the shared

baseline understanding that my clients eventually need to go to the hospital in order to break this cycle, they and I can now focus on how to get from point A to point B. If a client isn’t ready to start in-patient treatment today, why not assemble two changes of clothes for when he is? If one of his concerns is not having any money to fall back on once he’s detoxed, why not work on claiming his stimulus check now? I can’t force my clients to do anything; all I can do is support them as they set themselves up to meet their goals.

I hope that baring this misstep can help other people recognize how their own internalized biases against the homeless community play out and serve as motivation to change those behaviors. Transforming our individual interpersonal dynamics with our homeless neighbors doesn’t constitute systemic change, but it can make that work possible and spur it forward.

The more that people understand that homelessness and substance abuse are intertwined and that people experiencing them know what they need but don’t always have the resources or the choices to get it, the more we can each implement these takeaways and this empathy into whatever work we do. For me, this is what that practice is starting to look like. I encourage you to figure out what it looks like for you.

Charlie Musoff is a case manager with Street Sense Media.

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ART

Above the Law

BY ROBERT WARREN Artist/Vendor

My thought of the day is the words people say.

I never knew ignorance could be so profound, and if the Lord teaches us by the pen, and reading is fundamental, why haven’t we learned?

For no man is above the law of Moses.

No doubt Moses knew the law, and Abraham was one of the believers, And Christ Jesus’ blood is on their words Like the blood on their hands.

And the blood on our democracy And on those who would stand up for justice.

And if those were Black and brown men

our sacred ground is stained with their blood, for they labored and laid the bricks Of the foundation, shaken but not broken, That our forefathers gave for us to stand on, that no man is above the law.

And if the President pardons himself for a moment in time his story will hold him accountable For the blood on his words like the blood on his hands.

Every man must understand and know that no man is above the law.

The grave will not cheat justice, a promise from our Lord, for the law then will be questioned:

“Why did Lady Liberty die on this day?”

The truth will be told that the Devil is a liar and justice is not blind.

For the thought of white supremacy, a white man’s laws, they stained the halls of Congress.

With our eyes we all saw those who believe that they are above the law With a Q on their chest.

The task is to make America great again, to uphold the rule of law, to shout it from the mountaintops: No man is above the law.

Hands off my dome!

BY FREDERIC JOHN Artist/Vendor

Get your grubby hands off of my dome: Don’t you know it’s my spiritual home?

Squawking, hawking Sliming sacred shrines— Your “freedoms” are no rarer Than mine.

Those who revere Shall stand right here— Great fate, not hate Shall persevere!

(Bene Deux Aquila…)

Riot at the Capitol

BY ANTHONY CARNEY Artist/Vendor

The Trump rally was a disgrace for our country. He feels that white privilege is a way of life for his supporters. That is not the case. We are brothers and sisters, no matter your skin color.

We all bleed the same color. I am proud to be an American.

We are a melting pot of people. God does not judge you by your color but by your heart. It takes a big heart to do the right thing. Spread love.

Rioters attempting to force their way into the Capitol during the attack on Jan. 6. PHOTO BY BEN BURGESS / K STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

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Getting off the streets

BY DANIEL BALL Artist/Vendor

I ain’t got no stimulus check. I ain’t got no money. But I got my food stamp card last year, around my birthday in October.

And I’m applying for my Medicare card.

I used to stay in a park on 18th Street NW. But now I’m off the street. I live with my aunt in D.C., which has been really

good. We had a nice Christmas. My cousin played all that holiday stuff on her TV, Christmas carols and whatnot. I didn’t even know she could get all that music on it.

She gave me a necklace for Christmas, and a ring. I told her I would cherish it. That’s what I’m gonna do.

Reverse The Curse:

Pulling down strongholds

BY REGINALD DENNY // Artist/Vendor

the company we keep. I heard it said that “birds of a feather Circumstance or situation befalls all of us who have a life. flock together.”

“If it ain’t one thing, it’s another,” just as Richard “Dimples” What we do today will definitely affect our tomorrow! A Fields wrote in his classic song. lot of us thrive on trying to get people to like us. Many of us In this journey we call life, there is sure to be adversity, have parameters and boundaries in which we choose to move trial, and triumph; but in the midst of it all, what is important and operate that promote positive outcomes. But we sometimes is how we deal with these bouts of uncertainties. get caught up in the foolishness of others by trying to be a We must be ever so careful how we tread and very selective people-pleaser.We ought to seek those of like-mindedness who about the words we speak. Because the words we speak into strive to obtain success. We each ultimately have the last say-so the atmosphere have power to create or to destroy. “For the concerning our own circumstances. The battlefield is in the mind. weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through This is where the real war is waged against us. The battle God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4) we fight today is spiritual, not with the flesh. God has given The Bible says that the sins of the father are visited upon us a weapon of war against temptation: the Holy Bible. He, the children unto the third and fourth generation…this does too, has given us His blessed Holy Spirit in which to fight the not have to be our plight or our story. assaults and insults of the enemy. The promises of God give Just because mommy and daddy drank alcohol and smoked us victory over the attacks of the enemy. cigarettes does not mean you have to follow in their When we fill our minds with God’s word, we have footsteps. We have a choice to make and it is solely up the ability to pull down strongholds. When we put on to us to make the wise and right decision to refrain the whole armor of God, we can stand against the from such activity. devil’s schemes. But we must take every thought Some things are DNA-related, such as eye and captive through obedience to Christ. hair color; nose and lips and eyebrows; the way Our words have power! We can either speak life we walk and the way we may talk. These are or death to a situation. We must be alert and soberjust some of the physical attributes that may be minded. It is then that we have the ability to resist passed on to us, which are out of our control. the enemy’s prompts by standing firm in the faith.

We have to be accepting of these attributes.

We must declare and decree that we are more But when it comes to choosing how we live, than conquerors and know that there is nothing those choices are solely our own. There that can separate us from the love of God. comes a time in our lives when we need to We must know that there is no temptation stop playing the blame game and pointing uncommon to man. But God is faithful, He fingers at everything and everybody outside will not let us be tempted beyond what we of ourselves. No matter what may contribute can bear. And when we are tempted, He will to our circumstances, we each have the last provide us a way to endure it. God gives us a say at what we do and how we live our lives. peace that surpasseth all understanding and He To thine ownself be true! I heard it will not suffer our feet to be moved. said that “as he thinketh in his heart, so is We may have trouble in the world, but we he” (Proverbs 23:7). Most times, if we’ve are overcomers through the word of God! already thought it out, it’s just like we’ve Blessed be the name of the Lord. “Now unto already done it in our hearts. We must change him that is able to keep you from falling, and to the way we think and act. One way to do “Put on the whole present you faultless before the presence of his this is by surrounding ourselves with positive armour of God.” (Ephesians 6:11-24) glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God people who are like-minded, who get our PHOTO COURTESY OF situation and not our problems. Negative people GERHARD JANSON / PIXABAY our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (1 Jude 24-25). are a detriment to us, so we need to choose wisely

Who would send a king

BY DON GARDNER Artist/Vendor

To a world full of turmoil and strife?

To a people not worthy to live But willing to die, Set in their own ways, and turning God’s word into a lie Hard-headed, sottish, hateful and despised?

To look down to see his creation I wonder, did he cry?

Who would send a king Full of love — He came from above, Said the angel to the women on earth, You would bear a son And you will name him Jesus at birth.

Not revealed to a stranger But to the shepherds who came to a manger And saw him first, Raised in iniquity, Bruised for our transgressions.

The Father, The Son, The Holy Ghost.

God in three persons Healed the sick, and made the blind see, Made the lame walk, so all could be free, Rejected, afflicted, and denied by his own But he still offered heaven, to be a blessing and your new home.

Sentenced to death by Rome, On the cross he was not alone Our burdens he bore And your sins he washed away.

In the tomb, where he once laid He rose in three days, just like he said.

I wonder, was it the blood My savior shed?

For the Bible speaks of the ways that I must be led: Just believe every word that I have read And on his name, that is what he said.

For He is coming back again In a blinking of an eye And I will be caught up with him And I won’t have to die, For He is God Almighty, The beginning and the end, The king of kings.

Now you tell me who would Send a king.

1 4 // ST REET SEN S E ME DI A / / FE B . 1 0 - 2 3 , 2021

Answers

FUN & GAMES

Sudoku #1 5 1 7 8 4 6 9 3 2 6 3 2 5 7Sudoku 9 Puzzles, 1 1, Book 1 8 4 Volume Novice 8 4 9 1 3 2 6 7 5 1 6 8 7 5 3 2 9 4 4 7 5 2 9 8 1 6 3 2 9 3 6 1 4 5 8 7 7 8 1 4 6 5 3 2 9 3 2 4 9 8 1 7 5 6 9 5 6 3 2 7 4 1 8

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1

© 2013 KrazyDad.com

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, #5 each column and each Sudoku 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

SUDOKU: Fill in 9 puzzle 3 6 2 7 8 1 4without 5 guesswork.

If the you use logic you can solve the blank squares so that 6 shows 7 9order8 to solve 3 4the puzzle.

2 5a logical 1 Need a littleeach help? row, The hints page Use it to column identify theand next square you should solve. Or use the answers page each 3 8 7 4 1 2 6 9 5 if you really get stuck. each 3-by-3 block contain all of the 4 9 1 2 6 7 8 5 3 digits 1-9.

8

LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION >>

When I reflect upon the number of disagreeable people who I know have gone to a better world, I am moved to lead a different life.

8 5 1

9

Novice Sudoku Puzzles, Volume 1, Book 1

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

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No. 9: Umbrella Phantasy

BY SAUL TEA Artist/Vendor

This is page nine of a 13-part song book accompanying the “Hell’s Bottom Congress Of Puppets” folk opera, created by Saul Aroha Nui Tea. The song is loosely inspired by “Hotel California” by the Eagles.

Look for the rest of the opera in future editions of Street Sense and find music videos made with puppets of the characters, along with more information about the project, at congressofpuppets. blogspot.com.

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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COMMUNITY SERVICES

SHELTER HOTLINE Línea directa de alojamiento

(202) 399-7093

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE Línea directa de violencia doméstica

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Education Educación

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Clothing Ropa

Legal Assistance Assistencia Legal

Case Management Coordinación de Servicios

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

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

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

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

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

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

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento

1-800-799-7233

Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento

// 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JOB BOARD Waiter Logan Tavern // Logan Circle Full-time or part-time // 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. // Weekend availability required Logan Tavern is hiring a server for morning shifts. Servers who excel may have the chance to work behind the bar. This job is a good fit for someone “with gaps in their resume, or who have been out of the workforce for the past 6 months or more.

REQUIRED: Six months experience working in a restaurant.

APPLY: https://tinyurl.com/logan-tavern-job or apply in person at 1423 P Street NW between 2-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Health information assistant Breathe Free Sinus and Allergy Centers // Downtown D.C. Full-time The health information assistant will be responsible for logging all patient information as well as providing customer service as the public face of Breathe Free Sinus and Allergy Centers.

REQUIRED: None listed.

APPLY: https://tinyurl.com/health-assistant-job

Cargo person Amazon // BWI Airport

Full-time // 4 10-hour shifts per week // 11:00 p.m. - 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.

This position will require loading cargo from Amazon warehouses onto airplanes. This includes handling, moving, stacking, stamping, weighing, measuring, labeling, etc., and constructing and dismantling boxes when necessary.

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Member host — concierge Landing Full-time, part-time or contract

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

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

Landing is a network of furnished luxury apartments. Landing member hosts perform duties such as meeting with members and potential members to provide guided tours, assisting in move-in day logistics, and offering world-class customer service.

REQUIRED: None listed.

APPLY: https://tinyurl.com/landing-conciergejob Hiring? Send your job postings to editor@StreetSenseMedia.org

Joy!

BY ROCHELLE WALKER Artist/Vendor

I got joy in my soul I got joy in my feet I won’t step back I am not too old I got joy in my soul I got joy in my hands I will receive peace

Sasha combing her daughter Eboni’s hair. COURTESY OF SASHA WILLIAMS

Eboni’s Birthday

I got joy in my eyes I like to blink And through faith, I truly see

BY SASHA WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor

I want to write about so much that is going on in the world but to keep sane I have to write about my oldest daughter turning eight. It’s a lot to celebrate not only ‘cause it’s the beginning of Aquarius season but her milestones are spectacular. She went to the salon for the first time and I was emotional ‘cause it is her time to shine and get treatments and get pampered. So many blessings and it’s just the beginning cause my birthday is next month. I ain’t in no rush ‘cause it will be the end of Aquarius season and the beginning of the next sign so yes I am a cusp but enough about me… I asked Eboni what her birthday wish was and she said, to be with me and Onyx forever.

I am just emotional and excited and just loving my girls and they are so strong and brave and make me smile regardless of what I am going through.

Strengthened in Song

BY REV. JOHN LITTLEJOHN Artist/Vendor

What is the meaning of “song?” One definition is “a short poem or other set of words set to music or meant to be sung.”

The Holy Bible talks about songs in the Book of Exodus.

“The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.”

When French villagers helped Jewish refugees hide during World War II, some sang songs in the dense forest surrounding their remote town to let the refugees know it was safe to come out from hiding. The Holy Bible talks about songs once again, in the Book of Job, 35:10: “But none saith, where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night.”

Those mostly Protestant people in Nazi-occupied Le Chambon-sur-Lignon opened their homes to their brothers and sisters from another faith, risking everything. Led by local pastor André Trocmé and his wife Magda, they gave refuge to more than 3,000 people.

In another dangerous time, David sang when his enemy Saul sent nighttime assassins to his house. His use of music wasn’t a signal but a song of gratitude that conveyed his trust in almighty God, his refuge. David rejoiced, “I will sing of

I got joy in the word of God I obey the commandments I love knowing how to trust Him I got joy in death I believe in eternal life I got joy in my bones He’s got to be The one true God That brings joy to my soul.

Eboni’s birthday cakes. PHOTOS BY SASHA WILLIAMS

Thank you for reading Street Sense! your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love, for you are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble.” (Psalm 59:16) The Holy Bible says that songs are a way to be filled with the Spirit: “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19) It also includes singing to find strength when rejoicing in God. “You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely … But I will sing of thy power, yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning, for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will sing, for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.” (Psalm 59: 9-10 and 16-17) How do you feel when you’re singing your favorite praise song?

David’s praise, and the villagers singing in Le Chambon, offer an invitation to bless God today with our singing, making melody to Him despite the worries of life. His loving presence will respond by strengthening our hearts. Why do praise songs inspire us to feel stronger?

It is truly a blessing when we can give cheerfully to those in need and receive cheerfully from those who just might have more than they need. Amen! “Give and it should be given back to you.” (Luke 6:38) Dear God, strengthen my heart with praises that transform my fears and worries into worship of you. Amen!

From your vendor [FEB. FEB. 10 10 -- 23, 23, 2021 2021 || VOLUME VOLUME 18 18 ISSUE ISSUE 88

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