02 15 2007

Human Services Chair Tommy Wells Promises More Oversight and Action, page 6

$1.00

Suggested Donation

Where the Washington area's poor and homeless earn and give their two cents February 15, 2007 - February 28, 2007

•

Volume 4, Issue 5

www.streetsense.org

Gay Youths More At Risk of Homelessness

By Jen Pearl

See

AT RISK, page 4

Cliff Carle

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youths face a higher risk of homelessness and fewer services than do heterosexual youths because of their sexual orientation, according to a new report from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Coalition for the Homeless.

Between 20% and 40% of all homeless youths – or as many as 500,000 individuals nationwide – identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), compared with between 3% and 5% of the total population, the report states.

This disproportionate rate of homelessness among LGBT youths is “a national disgrace,’’ said Matt Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “It is a further disgrace that federal programs that assist homeless young people have been woefully underfunded.’’

The recently published report, entitled “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth: An Epidemic of Homelessness,’’ offers

a range of recommendations for solving the problems of homeless LGBT youths, including the recommendation that more funding be allocated to address their issues.

While the report’s perspective is national, its numbers appear to reflect the situation in the D.C. area.

Deborah Shore, executive director of Sasha Bruce Youthwork, a nonprofit serving homeless and runaway youths, said she has always seen “a significant population of LGBT youths,’’ and that it has been increasing in recent years.

“What has been going on in the last few years is that there is great visibility of LGBT issues, and it’s such that it has caused young people to want to be who they are and not cover up the issue,’’ Shore said.

“And sometimes the family is less than tolerant about this.’’

Covenant House, a Catholic organization that caters to at-risk teens, has seen less of a prevalence of LGBT youths, but many do come through its doors. A spokesperson for the nonprofit said that about one of 10 boys it serves is gay and

A homeless man’s makeshift sidewalk bedroom sits abandoned in the snow. He, like many other homeless individuals that usually sleep on the street, likely took refuge inside one of the city’s hypothermia shelters.

Cold Snap Hits The Streets Hard

By Katherine Boyle Willy Clayborne, 56, has spent the night outside in freezing temperatures before.

“You’re so cold you hardly have time to be nervous [about hypothermia],” he said. “You’re just trying to find a hole to sleep in.”

When temperatures plunged

in January and February this year, Clayborne, a Vietnam veteran, was able to find a bed at the Central Union Mission at 1350 R St., NW. But, like many of the city’s homeless, he needed a place to stay during the day as well.

Central Union, like other shelters across the city, is normally closed in the daytime, but has stayed open

during the cold spell in order to accommodate residents such as Clayborne. At most shelters, the extended hours have meant extra work for staff.

“We’re always busy,” said the Rev. James Lewis, director of overnight guests at Central Union. “But the

See

COLD, page 5

Ex-Convict Opens Gallery to Display Prisoners’ Artwork

By Patricia Jefferson A new and unique gallery opened in the Washington, D.C., area in the fall, featuring artwork that is very exhilarating and different. Founded by Dennis Sobin and Carolyn Cosmos, the Prison Art Gallery is located at 1600 K Street, NW, Suite 501.

Sobin, who was in prison for 10 years, learned and played music on the guitar in genres such as classical, blues and jazz while in the institution. After coming out of prison in 2003, Sobin lived at the Community

together to raise funds, grants and donations, they opened the gallery last fall.

The gallery contains a variety of different types of artwork, such as portraits, watercolor paintings, oil paintings, ink paintings, drawings, abstracts and prints. For each piece of art, there is information about the prisoner’s background.

Sobin said he has a great deal of artwork in storage, and he needs businesses and organizations that have compassion and appreciate

NATIONAL

EDITORIAL

See

PRISON, page 10

Inside This Issue

No E-mail for Patients Mass. hospitals are denying mental patients e-mail access, page 7

Street Sense board president looks at other housing solutions, page 13

PROFILE

REVIEWS

VENDOR NOTES

Project Northstar tutors at-risk and homeless kids in D.C., page 3

Vendor Corey Bridges explores a taste of Italy, page 10

A new list of the most prolific vendors in January, page 14

Empowering Education A “puzzle” painting of a chair by Geoff Newman, a prison artist in California.

for Creative Non-Violence shelter (CCNV ) and taught music in the arts and education department for a year. In 2004, Sobin was able to move out of the CCNV shelter and get his own place. He had an idea about a gallery to host artwork created while in prison, which could be a way for prisoners to make money and, more importantly, have a purpose in life.

Sobin began making contacts while regularly performing music at various locations in the D.C. area.

Sobin met Cosmos in 2004, and they married in 2005. After working hard

Tasty Tuscana West

A New Shelter Plan

January Top Seller

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

2 ALL AbOUT US

Our Mission

1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 347-2006 Fax: (202) 347-2166 info@streetsense.org www.streetsense.org

bOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Egger Ted Henson Barbara Kagan David Pike John Snellgrove Michael Stoops Francine Triplett David Walker Kathy Whelpley

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laura Thompson Osuri VENDOR MANAGER Jesse Smith Jr. SENIOR EDITOR Ted Henson ASSOCIATE EDITOR David S. Hammond INTERN Rae Borsetti VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Robert Basler, Katherine Boyle, Corey Bridges, Karen Brooks, Bobby Buggs, Cliff Carle, Fiona Clem, Rick Dahnke, Carolyn Daley, Alvin Dixon El, Michelle Gaudet, Jake Geissinger, Cassie Good, Joann Goodwin, Annie Hill, Alex Hiniker, Dan Horner, John Kenny, Maurice King, Patricia Jefferson, Suzanne Johnson, Mary Lynn Jones, Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson, Jessi LeGarde, Leslie Limmer, August Mallory, Rita Marjandaro, Mandy McAnally, Jill Merselis, Mike O’Neill, Barbara Newman, Igor Norinsky, Amy Orndorff, Swinitha Osuri, Susan Pearce, Jen Pearl, David Pike, Paul Rice, Sara Schoolcraft, Chris Sellman, Jennifer Singleton, Katie Smith, Kristin Smith, Patty Smith, Isabel Toolan, Robert Trautman, Francine Triplett, Linda Wang, Marian Wiseman, Corrine Yu

VENDORS Willie Alexander, Michael Anderson, Jake Ashford, Tommy Bennett, Corey Bridges, Bobby Buggs, Cliff Carle, Alice Carter, Conrad Cheek Jr., James Coleman, Anthony Crawford, Louise Davenport, Muriel Dixon, Alvin Dixon El, Michael Douglas, Don Gardner, David Harris, John Harrison, Patricia Henry, Michael Higgs, Phillip Howard, Agula Hunter, Patricia Jefferson, Allen Jones, Mark Jones, Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson, Lee Mayse, Jennifer McLaughlin, Michelle McCullough, Carl Morris, Charles Nelson, Larry Olds, Therese Onyemenam, Ricky Pearson, Kevin Robinson, Chris Sellman, Patty Smith, Steve Stone, Matesha Thompson, Francine Triplett, Amia Walker, Martin Walker, Lawless Watson, Wendell Williams, Ivory Wilson

We are proud members of:

Street Sense aims to serve as a vehicle for elevating voices and public debate on issues relating to poverty while also creating economic opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness in our community.

Our Editorial Policy

Editorials and features in Street Sense reflect the perspectives of the authors. We invite the submission of journalism, opinion, fiction and poetry, hoping to create a means in which a multitude of perspectives on poverty and homelessness can find expression.

north american street newspaper association

The Story of Street Sense Street Sense began in August 2003 after two volunteers, Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson, approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions about starting a street newspaper in D.C. A street paper is defined as a newspaper about poverty, homelessness and other social issues that provides an income to the homeless individuals who sell it. About 25 street papers operate in the United States and Canada in places like Seattle, Chicago, Montreal and Boston, and dozens more exist throughout the world.

After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers and vendors, Street Sense came out with its first issue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies.For the next three years the paper published consistently on a monthly basis and greatly ex-

panded its circulation and vendor network.

For the first year, Street Sense operated as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless, but in October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space. In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)3 status, becoming an independent nonprofit organization.

In October 2005 Street Sense formed a full board of directors, and in November the organization hired its first employee, a fulltime executive director.

A year later in November 2006 , the organization hired its first vendor coordinator.

In February 2007, the paper started publishing twice a month, as the network of vendors expanded to more than 50 homeless men and women.

international network of street Papers

Street Sense Vendor Code of Conduct 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

February 1st to 14th Donors Paul e thorbjornsen Chantel Harley Barbara Ucko anonymous Valentine Wilber Kathryn dixon Bobby Buggs Jeremy M. Jay Jennifer and anthony Park Michael Mavretic

ed Bloomer anonymous Karen egypt Jim steen rachel K. Banov A Special Thanks to: Kathleen E. Loehr & Jesse and Carrie Sanders

Thank You!

Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $1. I agree not to ask for more than a dollar or solicit donations for Street Sense by any other means.

I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense staff and will not sell papers to other vendors (outside of the office volunteers).

I agree to treat all others – customers, staff, other vendors – respectfully, and I will not “hard sell,” threaten or pressure customers.

I agree to stay off private property when selling Street Sense.

I understand that I am not a legal employee of Street Sense but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income.

I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling the paper.

I will not sell Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

There are no territories among vendors. I will respect the space of other vendors, particularly the space of vendors who have been at a spot longer.

I understand that my badge is the property of Street Sense and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers and display my badge when selling papers.

I understand that Street Sense strives to be a paper that covers homelessness and poverty issues while providing a source of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word.

WANNA hELP?

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Laura Thompson Osuri at 202-347-2006.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor, contact Jesse Smith Jr. at the same number or come to a vendor training session on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. at our office.

(1317 G Street, NW - near Metro Center.)

OUR NEXT EDITORIAL MEETING:

Wednesday, March 6 at 6:00 p.m. at our office (1317 G Street, NW - near Metro Center.)

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

PROFILE

Provider Profile

Project Northstar: Empowering Kids Through Education

By Igor Norinsky Gary, 10, shuffles silently into the Salvation Army Center surrounded by a motley crew of vivacious children. He eases into his seat, placing his book bag on the floor and taking a bite out of the warm pizza waiting in front of him.

But he is not there just for the food. Gary, like dozens of other children in homeless or low-income families, attends Project Northstar tutoring programs throughout the city in hopes of finding a caring environment where he can better his education.

“When Gary was a young boy, his father passed away,” Gary’s mother, Renee, explained. “He was too young to remember, but growing up here and without a father wasn’t easy, especially with all the things he saw around him.”

When the price of staying in their apartment soared, Renee saw two options: get yet another job to supplement her meager wages or move out. Though remaining in her home was by far her preference, the ever-rising costs of living meant there was really only one option.

“And that’s when we became homeless,” Renee said.

The entire family was able to stay off the street through the efforts of a program that caters to the special needs of single women with children, providing them with transitional living accommodations until they find a way to get back on their feet.

“It was here that we heard about Northstar.

Other peoples’ kids were going, so I sent mine.

I’ve been very happy with the work they’ve done with our children ever since.”

Project Northstar was formed in 1989 by a group of community leaders to serve children who are homeless or living in foster care,

public housing or underserved communities.

The concept is simple: hold weekly one-onone tutoring sessions, numerous extra-curricular events and special weekend activities in drama and the arts for students in the first through twelfth grades.

Pre-screened tutors work with one student over the course of a year, concentrating on improving the child’s math and reading skills and assisting in other specialized subjects of value to the student’s enrichment. A case manager tracks academic progress and advises each child’s family on school choices.

There are currently 200 children in the program being served at six tutoring sites throughout the city. Volunteers can reach the sites by Metro or transportation arranged by the program, and all of the children receive free transportation to and from the sites. Each session begins with a nutritious meal and ends with a group meeting in which tutors share students’ accomplishments.

While the program has now been running for 18 years, the basic formula has remained the same since its inception.

“It has always operated as it does now,” said Brian Carome, the program’s executive director. “Sites have changed and the program has grown considerably. The case management that is now provided is also relatively new.

But the program has been volunteer-centered with a one-on-one approach.”

Prospective volunteers fill out an application available online and commit to one year of weekly sessions and at least one weekend activity a month. Coming from a variety of professional and personal backgrounds, the quality and diversity of the volunteers have been at the center of the program’s success.

Lindsay McCann, a tutor who works in biochemistry and genetics research, says that being able to work directly with disadvantaged

Tutors and students work hard for 90 minutes each week at one of Project Northstar’s many sites.

children in a tutoring and mentoring capacity has been both challenging and rewarding.

“Project Northstar is a great cause and can really change the lives of individual children who haven’t had the most advantageous educational and familial backgrounds,” McCann said. “My greatest challenge has been figuring out how to make the best use of the two hours we have together every week, and also how to connect to someone with such a different background than my own.”

For McCann and many other volunteers, the ability to help a single disadvantaged child succeed is a work in progress and offers a mere glimpse of what is possible when ordinary people choose to act toward one extraordinary goal.

What does all this mean for Gary?

In his first few months of working with his

tutor, his resolve and curiosity have allowed him to excel beyond expectations. As for his mother, the knowledge that her children have access to a genuine and dynamic group of mentors has made life that much easier.

“For now, we’ve been very lucky,” Gary’s mother, Renee, said. “Northstar has been good to us. Report cards are much better.

Teachers call to tell me how well they’re doing. The older ones can’t stop talking about it and the younger ones come crying to me about why they can’t go, too.”

And when asked how she has managed to stay so positive, she offers a warm laugh and says: “It’s been a struggle. But I will always take good care of my kids.”

For more information visit www.projectnorthstar.org or call 202-223-0144.

Donate to Street Sense My Information

I will donate:

Name:__________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________ City/State/Zip:__________________________________________ Phone:____________________E-mail:_______________________

___ $70 for one restaurant review

___ $50 for two vendor awards each month

Please make checks payable to Street Sense

___ $100 for postage each month ___ $200 for the vests of 15 new vendors ___ $500 for monthly rent and insurance ___ $1,200 for the printing of one issue

Street Sense is a 501(c)3 . All donations are tax deductible.

Mail to: Street Sense, 1317 G St. , NW, Washington, DC 20005.

___ Another amount of $_______ ___ Another amount of $_______ for vendor: ________________

Additional items that Street Sense needs: * Messenger and tote bags and backpacks for vendors

* Shredder for office

* Bottled water to hand out to vendors

* Laptop computers with at least Windows 2000

* Hats, gloves and warm socks for vendors

and 10 GB of storage space

Please call 202-347-2006 or send an e-mail to info@streetsense.org if you have any of these items to donate.

4 LOCAL NEWS

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

AT RISK, from p.1 that three out of 10 girls it serves are lesbians.

Carolyn Austin, Covenant House director of service management, noted that sexuality-related issues are just one category of the many reasons teens become homeless.

“We don’t have an enormous amount of gay, lesbian and transgender youths, but they do come through the door,” she said. “But there are many other issues: those that are victims of physical and sexual abuse and even those involved in human trafficking.”

Along these lines, the report found that while family conflict is a major cause of homelessness for youths overall, familial conflict over a youth’s sexual orientation or gender identity presents a special problem.

“There are a multitude of reasons these young people become homeless, but ultimately, family conflict is the primary cause,’’ said Nicholas Ray, author of the report. “Over a quarter of those who came out to their parents were told to leave home.’’

In fact, 50% of gay teens experienced a negative reaction from their parents when they came out, asserts one study cited in the report. Another study states that more than one third of the youths who are homeless or in the care of social services experienced violent physical assault when they came out.

Homelessness also makes LGBT youths more vulnerable to mental health problems and substance abuse because they experience the combined stresses of homelessness and sexual-orientation discrimination, the report states.

Many LGBT youths also report harassment and discrimination from shelters and service providers because of their sexual orientation. In one case, a shelter in Michigan forced youths identified or perceived as being LGBT to wear orange jumpsuits to distinguish them from other clients.

Transgender youths face special problems, the report notes, citing studies indicating that one in five transgender individuals need, or are at risk of needing, homeless shelter assistance. But some of these youths are ostracized by shelters and agencies that serve their lesbian, gay and bisexual peers.

“Shelters often create unsafe and hostile environments by imposing gender-enforcing behavioral rules and dress codes, causing many transgender youths to wind up on the street, engaging in risky survival and coping behaviors,’’ the report adds.

“This report is the first of its kind, and we hope it will educate a lot of people about this issue,” said Michael Stoops, acting executive director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. He noted that there is an overall

“Over a quarter of those who came out to their parents were told to leave home,” Nicholas Ray said.

lack of research available on LGBT youths.

The report proposes some solutions, and it highlights model programs that provide support for homeless LGBT youths.

The report urges an increase in federal funding for programs under various youthrelated acts. Additionally, it recommends that youths be allowed to receive health services on the federal level without the consent of their parents, particularly when they have been kicked out of their homes after revealing their sexual orientation.

On the state and local levels, the report asserts that funding streams should be established to provide housing for all youths, that recipients of funding should commit to safe and appropriate treatment of LGBT youths, and that shelter and housing space should be allocated specifically for LGBT youths.

The report also recommends that service providers be trained in cultural competency for working with LGBT youths and the issues that accompany their homelessness.

In the Washington area, Covenant House does not offer any specific services to the LGBT population. However, Sasha Bruce Youthworks works closely with the Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League to offer LGBT individuals various services. Executive director Shore said that more services for these teens are definitely available in D.C. “For people working with homeless youths, [this prevalence of GLBT youths] has been something we have known for years,” she added. “But it’s wonderful to finally have acknowledgement of this.”

Laura Thompson Osuri and David Pike contributed to this article.

IN bRIEF

Oversight Office Set Up At Family Shelter A D.C. Council panel will be setting up a satellite office on location at DC Village, the city’s troubled shelter for homeless families, in order to provide oversight of the shelter and offer residents more help.

The shelter is home to over 50 homeless families with children, and was the subject of a special report last year by the city’s Inspector General. The report found that DC Village is not providing the apartment-style housing it was ordered to provide, which would allow each family a level of privacy and autonomy. Instead, accommodations are dormitory-style. There are also employees who have not had background checks working directly with children, and entry to the building is not fully secure.

Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), the new chair of the Council’s Committee on Human Services, announced the new on-site office at a February hearing on DC Village. He said that he is concerned not only about safety, but also about resources.

“I am deeply disturbed about the lack of activities for the residents – job training opportunities, day care opportunities, the opportunity to prepare one’s own meal,” Well said. “How can we expect people to get back on their feet if we don’t provide them with the most basic opportunities to re-enter the workforce and re-establish a stable home?”

- Rae Borsetti and David Hammond

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

LOCAL NEWS

Housing, Homeless Programs Suffer in Federal Budget

By Rae Borsetti The proposed budget for fiscal year 2008 falls short in many areas when it comes to spending on homelessness and low-income housing, according to many advocates. But the Bush administration contends that the budget allocations are more than sufficient to meet the increasing needs.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s homeless assistance programs were allocated $1.586 billion in the fiscal year 2008 budget released in early February.

Though this is $145 million, or approximately 10% more than the administration’s proposal in the 2007 budget, it is actually 8% less than the 2007 budget passed by the House and waiting for a vote in the Senate.

This overall decrease is expounded by rising operation costs and the proposed budget’s cuts of both affordable housing and health care programs that benefit the homeless community, funded under the Department of Health and Human Services.

The administration’s 2008 budget “will not be adequate to keep existing programs in place, meet the goals it has set around ending chronic homelessness, and address unmet needs,” said Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness The National Low Income Housing Coalition added that the budget neglects housing

needs and that “the Bush Administration appears to be unconcerned about the most serious housing problems of American families.”

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson, however, is pleased with the budget, which includes a $1.6 billion increase in HUD’s funding overall. He credits the president with “making certain that HUD’s budget once again includes record funding for those who might otherwise be living on the street.”

Additionally, Jackson said that the budget prioritizes “programs with measurable, documented results.”

Major cuts occurred in juvenile justice and delinquency prevention and in rural housing.

The Community Services Block Grant would be completely eliminated.

Smaller cuts include those in community health centers and health care for the homeless and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs.

These smaller decreases in funding will be significant when compounded by rising operating costs.

Programs that remain the same or have slight increases will also be affected by rising operations costs. One important program, the Section 8 Choice Voucher, is an example of this. Though its funding was increased by $80 million, this only accounts for half of 1% over its projected 2007 funding.

“This is several hundred million dollars

COLD, from p.1

Cliff Carle

cold and the climate conditions make it a little more frantic and a little more hectic.”

“It spreads you thin,” Lewis added. “You have to serve the needs of more people throughout the course of the day, so activities you would otherwise be focused on are divided.”

And it doesn’t look as though the rush will let up any time soon. “(The staff) and I think it’s one of the longest streaks, almost a month now, of uninterrupted hypothermic nights,” said Chapman Todd, the division director for Catholic Community Services, which works with shelters throughout the city.

Consequently the city and service providers have responded and are going above and beyond the standard Winter Plan to make sure people who typically live on the streets are safe and warm.

“Our priority is to save lives,” said the D.C. Department of Human Services spokeswoman Debra Daniels. “We don’t want any deaths from hypothermia, and we’re working our hardest to make sure that we bring the homeless in.”

The department has added three hypothermia vans to its regular fleet of six vehicles to search the city for homeless people who need transportation to a shelter. Additionally, more employees are directly engaged in the outreach effort and are helping bring the homeless indoors.

Daniels also said that Human Services has partnered with D.C.’s Department of Health, the Department of Mental Health and the Emergency Management Agency to provide vacant beds while the freezing temperatures last.

The police are on the alert as well, and

A homeless man stays warm with a van to block the wind, a heavy coat and a cup of coffee.

officers have been reminded to look out for homeless people who may not be capable of deciding themselves whether or not to take shelter, Daniels said.

“There is a situation, for instance, where you have a homeless person who is heavily intoxicated and not in the best position to make the best judgment about their life…in terms of being out in freezing weather,” she said. “The police could take the individual to the Department of Mental Health Sobering Center at DC General.”

Even before the cold weather hit, the D.C. government has been running a media campaign asking the public to help ensure no one is left out in the cold. Ads on television and in local newspapers (including Street Sense) encourage citizens to call the Hypothermia

less than would be needed to keep the program running at its existing level and would necessitate cuts to the program,” according to the National Alliance.

A few important programs do receive increased funding, such as homeless assistance and Housing for Persons Living with AIDS (HOPWA). However, HOPWA’s $14 million dollar increase in funding was much more than made up for by cuts in housing for lowincome seniors and persons with disabilities.

The Low Income Housing Coalition called this “just what this Administration has done in the past: – shift funds from one vulnerable population to another.”

Like the 2007 budget proposal, the 2008 proposal is likely to undergo many changes before it is adopted. The National Alliance is especially hopeful that the budget will see increased funding of affordable housing.

“Without increases in affordable housing,” Roman said, “community efforts to end homelessness are doomed to failure.”

Budget Changes: Housing and Homelessness Program

FY 2007 Proposed FY 2008

Section 8 Vouchers

Difference

$16 billion

$16.08 billion

0.05%

Public Housing

$6.43 billion

$6 billion

-7%

Comm. Development Block Grants

$3.68 billion

$2.94 billion

-20%

Social Services Block Grant

$1.7 billion

$1.2 billion

-30%

Community Health Centers

$2 billion

$1.94 billion

-4%

Housing for the Elderly

$727 million

$567 million

-22%

Community Service Block Grants

$630 million

$0

-100%

Housing for People with Disabilities

$238 million

$126 million

-47%

Source: National Coalition for the Homeless and National Alliance to End Homelessness

Shelter Hotline number at 1-800-535-7252 to report any of the homeless who are outside in freezing weather.

“Clearly, pedestrians will see homeless persons that a van won’t see because of where the person is – in a doorway, tucked away someplace they could only be seen by a pedestrian walking by,” Daniels said.

Consequently, there have been no official homeless hypothermia deaths this season as of Feb. 12, according to testimony from Tommy Wells, chair of the D.C. Council’s Committee on Human Services. However, many homeless people report that they know of people who have died this winter because of the cold.

And with the cold weather persisting, private providers are also stepping up to help.

Many area shelters that normally close during the day are remaining open so the homeless will be able to spend the day indoors.

Even Franklin Shelter in downtown D.C. opened its doors during the day even though it is typically open only at night, even during hypothermia alerts. These alert days are part of the city’s Winter Plan and require that when the temperature dips below freezing, certain buildings and shelters remain open for homeless people to stay warm.

During the cold spell, Todd and his staff at Catholic Charities also frequently work with the city’s Hypothermia Shelter Hotline to find beds for homeless people who arrive at a shelter that has no vacancies.

“To my knowledge, no one has been turned away. The approach we have is, if anyone’s coming in, even if the facility is full, we’ll either accomodate them or work with the hotline to find a space somewhere,” He said.

Because of the demand for indoor accommodations, residents like Joseph Remson, 56, often try to arrive at their top-choice shelter

early. “I like a clean place,” said Remson, who is on a waitlist for subsidized housing. “I try to be as early as I can, otherwise they will send me to a different place.”

Still, with the temperature remaining low, there have been reports that the Open Door Shelter at 2nd and D streets in Northwest, did not have any heat for more a couple of days.

Todd also said that the heat has been “dicey” at Franklin School shelter, a districtowned shelter where Catholic Community Services provides services. He noted that the heating system is not adequate to keep it at a warm temperature. “(The weather is) hard on the people served by the shelter system,” Todd said. “Especially when there a lot of days where it’s too cold to go about their normal routine.”

We care. We help. We heal.

Quality Primary Care Services for D.C. Medically Underserved and homeless Individuals……

For information on medical services in homeless shelters call 202-255-3469. For an appointment at any of our community health centers call 1-866-388-6489

We want to help. We want to help you.

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

6 INTERVIEW

MY Two Cents

Human Services Chair Goes Back to Basics on Homelessness

Patty Smith: What do you expect the Committee on Human Services to handle this year, and Chairman of D.C. Council’s what are your own priorities?

Committee on Human Services Tommy Wells: I think that it’s important for us to get back to being sure that the mission of each agency that provides human services is clear. I think that we get caught up in lawsuits, funding streams, the crisis of the day, and we lose track of, what was this government agency supposed to really be doing anyway – why did we create it? And is it doing that? For example, if you have a service to help people find housing, it doesn’t matter how many times you’ve met with that person, if they haven’t found housing.

The basic standard that I’m asking all of us to start with for human services is that the first level is, is this humane, what we’re doing?

Just ask yourself, is this humane? We need to do that wherever we interact in folks’ lives, especially take control of their lives – are we being humane?

Tommy Wells

‘‘

Services Reform Act. Are there parts of those plans that are a priority to you?

Wells: We’re looking through the plans now and we’re wanting to also do a couple things. One is how do the plans fit with what we know today?

Say if we embrace the housing first concept rather than services first – does the plan square with that? But more importantly, what were the performance measures that the government said they would meet over the past year with the funding we gave them?

Hammond: Do you have hearings scheduled and topics in mind, and do you have goals that you plan to set out for people to reach?

Wells: The first hearing related to this is going to be Feb. 21, and we will hear what the concerns are from the community, but we’ll also be asking the agencies, did you do what you said you were going to do?

Hammond: And what if they didn’t?

Wells: It depends on what they didn’t do. Let’s say that an agency was going to build something, and if they say we didn’t build it because another part of government didn’t do their part, we’re going to find out why they didn’t do it.

For example, historically the [District] government would provide a couple million dollars each year for residential drug treatment for youth, and every year the government never did it, and the City Council kept providing the money. We’d have to find out, why didn’t you do that? And then what you do is you either take the money out of that and say, well, you don’t get that money and you put it somewhere else, or you use your subpoena power to say, you’ll be back every month – give me a work plan with dates and come in monthly and report on your progress. You know, subpoena the mayor and say, why didn’t you do it?

Hammond: What can a City Council committee do to help untangle a problem before it gets that far, or to a court overseeing the operations?

Wells: You start with, what is it supposed to be accomplishing? Then I believe you use what’s available to you, which could be withholding funds, or repeated oversight hearings. Early on it’s the confirmation hearings, and saying, what are you going to do? We’re not going to move your confirmation forward if you don’t have a plan. I think that it also means possibly rearranging their budget. If there is another agency that’s doing better, move it over there.

‘‘

Tommy Wells (D) is the new D.C. Council member for Ward 6, which stretches from Southwest, to Capitol Hill, to Florida Avenue, Northeast. Wells has been a social worker with D.C.’s child protective services agency, director of the Consortium for Child Welfare, an ANC commissioner, and a member of the D.C. Board of Education.

Wells is the new chair of the Council’s Committee on Human Services, overseeing agencies charged with helping the poor, the vulnerable, and the homeless. Street Sense associate editor David Hammond and vendor/ volunteer Patty Smith, met with Wells at his office to discuss his plans and priorities for human services.

We have to see the shelters, we have to see where we’re at, and we have to think through what our goals are. I don’t believe in running human services by the headlines in the Washington Post, so I think we have to get in the field.

David Hammond: When you look at the D.C. Department of Human Services, do you have in mind a description of why their programs exist?

Wells: For example, we had a preliminary meeting with the Child and Family Services Agency and when they left they said, I can’t believe you didn’t ask us about our lawsuit – it’s a lawsuit they’ve been under since 1991. They’re obsessed with meeting the performance measures and getting out from under their lawsuit. I’m concerned with, are they serving children and families? And then I can measure how much the lawsuit has to do with this.

Hammond: You are inheriting some roadmaps for homeless policy, including the city’s ten-year plan to end homelessness, and the new Homeless

Hammond: Many people are eager to know whether you will be having some of your hearings in shelters, which Adrian Fenty did when he chaired the committee, and whether you plan to invite shelter residents and other program clients to testify at the hearings.

Wells: Of course. They should call our main number at (202) 724-8072. We are taking signups for the February 21 oversight hearing.

I also think it’s really important for me to get out of here for site visits and field trips so that I can see what my staff is seeing. We have to see the shelters, we have to see where we’re at, and we have

to think through what our goals are. I don’t believe in running human services by the headlines in the Washington Post, so I think we have to get in the field. The users of the services of the government can help us do that.

Smith: When I stayed in a shelter 6 a.m. came so fast - you had to get up and take all your luggage with you. Last year the Human Services Committee was asked to help facilities stay open all day so homeless people can have a place to stay in the daytime. Will you try to help that happen?

Wells: In some ways, that’s inhumane. We need to find out where the mayor is on doing that.

Hammond: Your campaign website said that as an ANC commissioner you worked on a plan to reduce crime and vagrancy in your neighborhood.

Tell us about that.

Wells: We had a pocket park on Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, a block and a half from a soup kitchen, which was a block from a church that allowed people to spend the night in their parking lot. We had a group of homeless who panhandled in front of a couple of stores and they drank in the park. It was a good-sized group that was having quite an impact. I put pressure on the liquor store to not sell single containers of beer. I went to the church and asked that they do exactly what the hotel did on the Hill – that it’s fine if people sleep there, but staff it. I went to the soup kitchen and asked them to do the same, that they take responsibility for their patrons.

If they’re going to be fighting, littering, do what the Hawk ‘n’ Dove [tavern] does, which is break up the fights and clean up the empties – nothing more than being a good neighbor. And I went to the National Park Service to put in a sign that said no drinking in the park. The church where they spent the night, the pastor spent a couple nights out there and the fights were so dangerous that he felt like the people out there were at risk. They made a decision to no longer allow them to sleep there.

Hammond: And if the city would fund staff to keep shelters open all day, would that help take this kind of pressure off neighborhoods?

Wells: I think so.

Smith: Georgia Avenue, H Street, Northeast, and other parts of Ward 6 and D.C. are all facing redevelopment. It seems like all of this is for the well-to-do. Where do the homeless fit in and what can the Human Services Committee do as the city changes with this redevelopment?

Wells: We have a fairly good-sized homeless shelter off of H Street, Northeast in Ward 6. To the best of my knowledge there is no movement to remove that shelter. I do think that bringing a better economic vitality to H Street will create more economic opportunities for the folks living in the shelter there to find pathways to jobs.

Hammond: And I think we’re also thinking of low-income people in general, not just homeless people.

Wells: That’s who are in trouble in this area. We do have a fairly broad range of apartment houses in that area.

Smith: Is that for low-income people?

Wells: Those are mostly market-rate apartments.

My goal is that nobody gets displaced that does not want to be displaced.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

in other news By Mandy McAnally California.: LA’s Skid Row Homeless Seek Options Recent efforts to reduce crime and blight around Los Angeles’ Skid Row have forced the homeless population out of the downtown and put a strain on homeless service providers in other areas.

About 875 people were living on the streets around Skid Row in January, compared with 1,345 people at the same area during that period the year before, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Shelters and homeless service organizations in surrounding communities including Echo Park, South Los Angeles, Hollywood and Santa Monica say they have noticed a significant increase in new clients over the past few months (AP/Guardian Unlimited, 2/1).

Delaware: Advocates Seek $3M for Housing Authority Homeless advocates in Delaware called on lawmakers to include $3 million for the state’s Housing Authority in the fiscal year 2007 budget. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner requested about $4 million be included in the budget for affordable rental units and $7.5 million to help the Housing Authority preserve an extra 288 apartments statewide. Later this month the Housing Authority is expected to release a 10-year plan to address homelessness (Jackson, News Journal, 2/6).

Maryland: Cities Discuss Building Homeless Shelter City officials from College Park and Greenbelt say they are discussing plans to build a homeless shelter in one of the two cities. In 2005, more than 160,000 people in Prince George’s County, where both cities are located, used emergency or transitional shelters, according to Maryland’s Office of Transitional Services. College Park councilman John Krouse said the cities would discuss funding and location for the shelter at their April meeting (Carter and Ngbea, Gazette, 2/9).

Montana: Statewide Survey of Homeless Launched The Montana Continuum of Care Coalition, a group of homeless care providers, has launched its third annual survey of the state’s homeless population.

The group’s three-page survey asks homeless residents to describe their living conditions, health, family backgrounds and work and military histories. Homeless participants also are asked to note the duration and frequency of their homelessness and the factors that led to it. Results from this year’s survey are expected to be available at the end of February (Benzel, Billings Gazette, 2/10).

New York: Warming Shelters Open, Outreach Expands New York City officials have opened temporary “warming centers” for the homeless in response to the freezing temperatures. The centers are located where the city government received the highest concentrations of telephone calls about lack of heat, Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office said. The Department of Homeless Services has also stepped up its outreach to homeless residents and postponed some shelter procedures to get people out of the cold more quickly (AP/Newsday, 2/6).

North Carolina: HomeAid Expands Into Charlotte HomeAid, a national nonprofit provider of housing for the homeless, has opened its 19th nationwide chapter, in Charlotte, N.C. The new chapter will be called HomeAid Charlotte and will build transitional housing for individuals and families who are temporarily homeless (Prime Newswire, 2/6).

Washington: Homeless Encampment Ousted From Lot A group of 40 homeless people who set up camp in a vacant lot in Olympia to protest ordinances they say unfairly target the homeless are now receiving support from area churches. Olympia does not allow tents to be used as permanent structures, but courts have allowed churches to house the homeless in tents, under freedom-of-religion protections, city spokeswoman Cathie Butler said.

Butler also said the city does not approve of tent cities for health, safety and sanitation reasons and would require a church to apply for a conditional-use permit for the encampment (Byrd, AP/Seattle Times 2/10).

Massachusetts Mental Health Wards Restrict Access To E-mail

By Paul Rice

about hospitals’ lack of emphasis on the rights of their patients. “They’re not enforceable,” he tells SCN, “and that’s what we’re trying to remedy.”

Jonathan Dosick is another patient advocate who is working on changing the legal text of the Rights to include more actual enforcement at the hospital level. The bill has been introduced to the legislature multiple times over the last few years, failing each time. Advocates are trying again this year, with a new draft.

“Basically, it provides for an appeal process for violations of the Five Fundamental Rights, something that doesn’t happen now. Generally, DMH complaints filed tend to disappear, or are ‘investigated’ by hospitals,” Dosick said.

With a lack of patient advocates who aren’t employed by the hospital, even if the rights were changed to include email, there would remain no guarantee that the rights would be observed.

“You may only be in hospital for three days, but in that time you can lose your friends and your job,” says Cathy Levin. “It’s not unlike going into prison and having someone lock the door.”

The difference being that most prison inmates have access to e-mail these days.

People living in certain mental health facilities in Massachusetts are not being afforded access to e-mail, cutting them off from an important conduit of communication with the outside world.

The “Five Fundamental Rights Act,” passed in 1997, was a piece of legislation that guaranteed certain rights to inpatients at mental health facilities, including the right to “sealed, unopened, uncensored mail,” postage and stationary, the right to visitors of “your own choosing daily and in private, at reasonable times,” and the right to “reasonable access” to a telephone in order to make and receive confidential calls.

Since the rights were enacted before the Internet was widely accessible, there is no mention of access to e-mail, an increasingly common means of communication. When people enter a mental health facility, although they might have access to written letters and the telephone, administrators are not required to allow access to e-mail and the Internet.

“It’s a huge issue to be cut off from the outside world – being bored out of your mind is not therapeutic,” says Cathy Levin, editor of the Voices for CHANGE Newsletter, a publication from MPOWER, a local mental health advocacy group staffed mainly by current and former psychiatric patients.

“When I was in the hospital, I called my father every night Reprinted from Spare Change News in Boston, and it comes before I went to bed,” she recalls. “It was enormously helpful courtest of the Street News Service, which brings together dozto feel loved, because the staff doesn’t love you.” ens of street papers throughout the word. For more stories visit Levin believes that providing access to e-mail should be a www.streetnewsservice.org. right taken as seriously as the telephone or receiving letters.

“This way, you can keep all your balls in play while you’re away.”

One hospital where there is no access to e-mail is the Cahill ward at Cambridge City Hospital. Spare Change News editorial assistant Amanda Morley recently spent a few months at Cahill and found the lack of access to be a point of huge stress, as she has four or five close friends with whom she communicates only via email. She tells SCN that e-mail would have made her time there much easier.

“It would give me a little sense of companionship, to get messages from people and not feel so alone,” she says.

“It boosts your energy and your mood. Even just a small message really makes a difference.”

Whether or not language about e-mail is inserted into the “Five Fundamental Rights,” a problem may remain with the enforcement of those rights.

“People in psychiatric hospitals have very few rights at all, and those rights can be taken away by a staff member instantly,” says Howard D. Trachtman, executive director of the Boston Resource Center at Boston Medical, a peer-topeer meeting place for people dealing with mental illness issues.

Adrian M. Fenty, Mayor, Government of the District of Columbia Trachtman is concerned

Help Bring the Homeless in from the Cold

CALL THE

Shelter Hotline 1 800 535-7252

LOCAL NEWS & PHOTOS PHOTOS & POETRY POETRY

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

February Sixth On a stormy Monday night I listened to the voice of the howling hawk – a sound of terror and danger for some, but, for most, just a concrete reflection of numbers in a forecast Most never see fingers that cannot be moved and never feel blood that thickens, slows and finally, stops its flow The brutal hawk blows decaying leaves and street debris across the sidewalks, grates and alleys that are home for some; its steely fingers penetrate through layers of blankets, clothing and flesh

Clif Pi

Tuesday evening, three random strangers told me “Stay warm tonight,” but none offered shelter.

Here’s a hope: that those three slept restlessly in their warm beds that night

Vend “the M Carle h taking d photos Washing this mon highligh abstrac of everyd from l trees to t ceil

And here’s a thought: next morning, I learned that a man I’d seen many mornings at my breakfast table would be seen no more; before then, I had never known his name And I felt the blood that thickens, slows and finally, stops its flow and I felt the mourning for those who quietly leave this earth, their names unknown until it’s too late to speak to them.

Long Life

- David Harris

I might be a freak But God is with me He’s with all of us Who kept faith in God God I love the man I’m with That’s because he treats me right This is my dream You and God knows He’s who created my soul And knows what’s inside my heart Yea I might have been misled Maybe cause of the devil But I believe God’s stronger than that And God has got to be behind me Cause I’m alive And still high I pray not to die And to do good things It’s far from over I have just begun I ain’t no where yet And this will take off If T.V. belongs to the devil Then God is about to take over It’s past time to create some good God forgive all of my wrong Cause my intentions are good.

– Baby Alice

The ceiling at the Metro Center. It’s unique and reminds me of a waffle iron. (Maybe, I shouldn’t take pictures when I am hungry.)

This is a tree in a park near the Capitol, and the lighting is just from a street light. It looks like the root of a tree to me, the inverse of what it is.

This is a tree in a park near the Capitol, and the lighting is just from a street light. It looks like the root of a tree to me, the inverse of what it is.

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

iff’s ics

dor Cliff Moose” has been dozens of all over gton, and nth he is hting the ct beauty day, sites leafless the Metro ling.

PHOTOS & POETRY

I Was An I Think Princess I was an I think princess Or something of that kind But that was in my other life And I left that behind Right now I don’t know what I am I have no place to go I walk and walk these streets at night And sleep in peoples’ doors Dirty snow: the essence of D.C. winters. I like the macro of this picture and how it makes the snow look almost appetizing.

I find food where I can find it I may beg you for some change Why can’t you see that I’m somebody My life was just rearranged I had a little setback You know how that can be I didn’t think that drugs and booze Would get the best of me I drank a little bit sometimes It was only social drinking Perhaps I socialized too much That’s what I now am thinking So I let some things get out of hand I didn’t hurt no one All I ever wanted to do was to have a Little fun Everybody in the world Has a vice or two In fact, I know some people Who have quite a few

This is a close-up of a flower in the Smithsonian garden. Again, I love the macro of this photo and how huge the pistils look.

But go on, don’t you all worry ‘bout me Just do the best you can I’m telling you my story So that you can understand Don’t look at me so ugly I know that I look sad I’ll have you know right here and now This here ain’t some ole hag I haven’t always been this way In my other life back when I was a “princess’’ And I tell ya I’m gon’ be one again

This is just an ordinary office building near Metro Center. I love the depth of field in this picture. It makes kind of dizzy.

– Barbara Newman

10 FEATURES

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

My Turn At the Table By Corey Bridges

Beauty and Taste Come Together

Rae Borsetti

Corey admires his tri-colour lasagna at Tuscana West.

Tuscana West is a fine Italian restaurant located at 1350 Eye Street NW on Franklin Square. I had the opportunity to dine there on Wednesday afternoon with Street Sense intern Rae Borsetti. We were duly impressed with the décor, which created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Among the highlights

were a brick oven, a fireplace and large murals spanning each room of the restaurant. When we first looked at the menu, we weren’t able to decide because everything looked so good.

The service was excellent and attentive throughout, although we did have to be seated a second time because they sat us in one room before realizing they needed to use it for a party. Still, our waiter was very friendly and the food was all delivered very quickly.

I ordered a Caesar salad for an appetizer, and Rae had the mista salad. The presentation of both salads was beautiful.

This was a theme throughout our meal.

I ordered lasagna tri-colour for my entrée. It was also presented exquisitely. My first bite was mouth-watering. I tasted every ingredient, from the spinach down to the tomato. My date had a portabella mushroom topped with crab and mushroom sauce. It was one of the most delicious things she had ever eaten.

Then, for dessert, I ordered tiramisu. I savored each and every bite. Rae’s fruit tart was a plate full of fresh berries, their natural sweetness complemented by the sweet sauce without being overwhelmed by it.

I washed the meal down with two glasses of Coke, and she drank a cup of green tea, finishing off an excellent experience.

Even the restrooms were beautiful and well-maintained.

For $70, it was a pricey lunch, but it was money well spent given the savory cuisine and the classy atmosphere. I can still taste my delicious meal. For anyone looking for a fine Italian restaurant, I would certainly recommend Tuscana West.

Corey has been a vendor for Street Sense for four months. He is originally from Baltimore and is looking to go to college.

PRISON, from p.1

FRESH START CATERING Celebrating Ten Years of Serving More Than Just Great Food MENU SELECTIONS SIGNATURE HORS D’OEUVRES

Maryland Crab Cakes Chicken Satay with spicy peanut sauce Smoked Salmon Pinwheels Artichoke & Olive Crostini

SIGNATURE SANDWICHES

Roast Beef & Watercress Wrap Veggie Hummus Wrap Thai Basil Chicken Salad Basil, Mozzarella and Roasted Red Pepper Sandwich

VEGAN VEGETABLE CURRY

Fresh vegetables with tofu in a rich and spicy curry sauce, served over steamed rice with carrot-daikon slaw

ROPA VIEJA Pulled flank steak with spicy sofrito sauce, served with black beans and Spanish rice

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Fresh Start Catering 425 2nd ST NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 234-0707 | freshstart@dccentralkitchen.org www.dccentralkitchen.org

Patricia Jefferson has been a vendor for Street Sense for eight months, and plans to write many more articles in the future.

How Do You Go to the Bathroom When There Isn’t One? “I pray that nobody is looking and get in the bushes and take a squat.” – Cassandra Thomas Cassandra was homeless for four years and just turned 40 in November

“I never go anyplace where there is no possible use of a bathroom.” – Veronica Maynard Veronica has been homeless for three years.

“Depending on my location, I use a bucket or glass and have another someone keep watch as I squat. It’s extremely challenging and dehumanizing” –Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson I am a Street Sense vendor and have been homeless four years, four months, one week and six days as of the date of this publication.

“No matter what, I find three walls away from traffic and go.” – Pat Pat was homeless off and on for 10 years.

“If I can’t find a secluded building I just go right where I’m at.” – Randy Randy is from South Carolina and has been homeless for eight years.

“I find a dumpster and sneak behind it.”

– George Riviera George has written poetry for Street Sense. He has been homeless off and on for a number of years.

“I look for a gap between two buildings.” – Rodney Conard Rodney has been homeless off and on for eight years. He is 33 years old.

Brenda Karyl LeE -Wilson

Fresh Start Catering offers professional catering services while employing graduates from DC Central Kitchen’s Culinary Job Training program, further preparing them for employment in the food service industry.

good art to offer storage space. The First Trinity Lutheran Church, located at 309 E Street, NW, stores some of the gallery’s artwork in addition to hosting quarterly events to raise funds for the gallery, said the Rev. Thomas Knoll. Also, the Third and Eats restaurant, which employs the homeless at Third and E streets in Northwest and is owned by the First Trinity Lutheran Church, displays portraits from the Prison Art Gallery for viewing and for sale.

On the last Sunday of every month, which Sobin refers to as “Justice Sunday,” the Prison Art Gallery hosts an event for the public at no cost that features the available artwork. These events give the public an opportunity to view the variety of art and enjoy poetry, music and food.

Usually there is an advocate speaker as well. The next event will be held on Feb. 25 at 2 p.m., featuring Susan Galbraith from Our Place as the guest speaker. The topic will be “Women Coming Out of Prison – Help with Services.”

Newsstands throughout the D.C. metropolitan area display the Prison Art Gallery name and will include the newsletter “Art For Justice,” which will feature a variety of topics and information on the gallery and the artwork of prisoners.

So drop in at the Prison Art Gallery — it will be well worth it. The gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and weekends 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Helpful Hints from The Homeless By Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson

(From left to right) Randy, George and Rodney take break from their hot meal at the 9:30 Club breakfast program.

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

FEATURES & GAMES 11

Cryptogram

bOOK rEVIEW

Paying for Slavery and Jim Crow: Is The Time Now?

MH OJLTC VW FMPW MI HKW NJJY OWYW HJ ZWH WEWF KUTI JI HKW RJFWS HKUH MG GNWFH MF GHLCSMFZ HKWR.

– VMTT EULZKUF Hint: I = F

January Solution: All endings are just new beginnings, but you have to decide to make it so.

– Allen Jones (Street Sense Vendor)

Street Su-Do-Ku

Reparations: Pro and Con

By Alfred L. Brophy (Oxford University Press, 2006)

should be responsible for redressing the racial abuse of a single member of the community; community-building legislation to include school, job and health care to help the most needy; direct payments to individuals; and land redistribution. There is logic in these but few proponents, on grounds that it would be difficult to estimate the overall cost and to decide who should be paid.

Brophy argues that this gap between proponents and opponents could be bridged through an attempt to quantify the costs of slavery and Jim Crow, and then to agree to the nature of the harm caused.

He believes that this echoes the current trend in the reparations movement, which focuses less on money and more on an understanding of history and its implications for the present. “In its place, they seek a better understanding of the history of slavery and how its legacy and that of Jim Crow has left its stamp on the African-American community.”

Justice may be on the side of those seeking reparations but, according to Brophy, “it looks from this advantage to be hopeless politically.” Fearing the worst, he writes, “Reparations may prove to be yet another instance in which black Americans will have to be content with the knowledge they have contributed more than their share of blood to the development of America.”

But there is hope offered too: “Reparations, if carefully crafted, thus hold out the hope of accomplishing two important goals: correcting an injustice and building something more positive for the future. Maybe those goals are still attainable.”

– Robert Trautman

This Su-Do-Ku puzzle was put together by vendor Chris Sellman who says he is obessed with this game.

He promises that the puzzle below is easy to solve, but warns it may get beginners hooked!

Just fill in the numbers 1 through 9 without repeating a number in any column, row or box.

5

8 3

8

1 2

6

4

7 5 5

2

1 9 4

8 7 5 3

January Solution

There is a wide consensus that slavery and the ensuing Jim Crow laws did persisting harm to African-Americans, but there is no agreement on what, if anything, should be done to right the wrongs. This lack of consensus demonstrates the gaping disparity between blacks and whites in wealth, poverty rates, education and health care.

If these wrongs are to be righted, what should be done, and, beyond that, what can be done? There is wide and oftenheated debate in the book Reparations: Pro and Con by Alfred L. Brophy (Oxford University Press, 2006), a dispassionate discussion of who suffered, who benefited, and what can be done—from offering apologies to paying money, more commonly known as reparations.

Brophy, a professor of law at the University of Alabama and an acknowledged scholar on reparations, explains the difficulties inherent in the issue: namely, can the injustices of yesterday be corrected today, and how?

In addition to this he examines two other major issues: how to make African-Americans “whole” and what that entails—what would a black American be without slavery and Jim Crow?

Opponents of reparations cite opinions similar to those offered by author David Horowitz: there is no one group clearly responsible for slavery; no one group that benefited exclusively from it; only a small number of Americans owned slaves; and others gave their lives to free slaves.

Those opposed to reparations also argue that the opportunity to live in the United States has more than offset past harms—that black Americans are well off by world standards, and that welfare payments to blacks, much of these through Great Society social programs, already total an estimated at $75 billion a year.

Why are reparations being discussed more today than in the past? Brophy cites the recent reparations and apologies to other groups, including Native Americans for lands taken and Japanese Americans for their incarceration during World War II, as well as to victims of the Nazi Holocaust. He also suggests that the rapidly decreasing commitment to affirmative action in the legislatures and courts has shifted the nature of the debate to the compensation of descendants of slaves and to redressing the current effects of slavery, as well as discrimination in the 20th century.

Proposed reparations include: truth commissions to investigate the historic roles of current corporate and university involvement in slavery, and the issuance of the appropriate apologies; allowing victims of crimes to individually pursue payment from governments on the grounds that the community as a whole

Solve the message below to discover a famous, meaningful quote on poverty and homelessness.

3

6

6

2

8

4

5

9

7

3

1

4

5

7

3

8

1

6

2

9

9

1

3

6

7

2

8

4

5

8

9

6

5

2

1

3

1

7

2

3

4

7

1

8

5

9

6

5

7

1

9

3

6

2

8

4

7

8

9

2

4

5

1

6

3

3

6

2

1

9

7

4

5

8

1

4

5

8

6

3

9

7

2

7 9

1

4 2 9

3 7

4 2

8 5

6

2

Flowers from Jail

Prison art by Jorge Pluas, incarcerated in New York state. This piece was done in pencil and pen on a manila file folder. Typical of many prison artists who don’t have regular art supplies.

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

12 EDITORIALS

Letters From SEattle By August Mallory Dear Street Sense Readers, Once again, I am greeting you with joy from a new domain. I can say that Seattle is different from Washington in many ways. Many laws on the West Coast are extremely different from those in the East, and the rules of many nonprofit organizations are especially different.

I want to tell you of an incident that occurred just recently, on Feb. 4. I was at a place called Connections in downtown Seattle. Connections is a drop-in center of sorts with a computer lab, and clients can come in for breakfast and lunch and to escape the elements for a while.

One particular incident there threw me for a loop. A client got very sick while sitting in the waiting room and asked for an ambulance. Would you believe that because of a ridiculous rule adopted by the center, the staff would not call an ambulance for this person? Another client with a cell phone had to place the call. I could not believe this. Here is a very sick individual in need of medical help, and staff would not as much as call an ambulance.

This is not the first time I have witnessed something as stupid as this. There are a lot of nonprofits in this area with stupid rules. I was thinking, if this person had died while on the center’s property, somebody would have a lot of explaining to do. From what I understand, Connections is run by the City of Seattle, so it was a good opportunity to write the mayor. I had heard that the mayor is not a very easy nut to crack.

For some reason, Seattle has a lot of strange laws; it reminds me of Los Angeles. When you hear homeless people talk about the way they are being treated, it’s enough to make you want to walk right up to City Hall and jump right into the mayor’s grip. Often, one has to deal with the arrogance of many people.

I’m not saying that the homeless cannot be arrogant. Homeless people can be very demanding and terribly obnoxious, rude and selfish. I have dealt with homelessness for a long time, and I can tell you that when I say that homeless people are arrogant, you better believe it. In many ways I can understand why, but there should be a balance as to when to be defensive and when to act in a civilized manner.

Here in Seattle, I have also noticed that there is a terrible crack epidemic, and I think that is what is keeping many people down and out. Crack cocaine is nothing to play around with; once you are hooked, you are hooked, and it may take almost forever to get you off of that junk. That’s all I hear around here: “Where can I get some crack?” Crack addicts, alcoholics, devil worshipers, glue sniffers, all sorts of freaks, perverts, weirdos and God only knows who else is hanging out in and around Seattle.

As I close, I just want to say that despite Seattle’s shortcomings, this is a good city. I can’t really say it’s a great city, but it is a good one. For a businessman like me, Seattle is an open market. This is my letter from Seattle. Thank you for reading this issue of Street Sense.

Count Your Blessings

By Bobby Gene Buggs

A

lot of people take things for granted, until we observe what’s considered to be less for tunate, and then we acknowledge our blessings by counting them!

Take me for example. Although I like to dress nice, and keep a decent haircut, these necessities can be expensive and I often find myself running out of cash. Even so, I find myself thanking God about the few and little things that He has blessed me with and continues to bless me, considering employment is not an option for me because of my disabilities.

Now look at the area homeless population in general, where there are approximately 12,000 people with nowhere to live in the D.C. area, according to official figures.

Although there are a lot of people who are happy to contribute to nonprofit organizations and volunteer services for the homeless, it must sometimes feel as if their efforts aren’t making much of a difference. This is partly because dealing with homeless people can be hard work - keeping up with so many mood swings, different personalities and potential hidden agendas. This gets to be very exhausting for staff members and various volunteers at times as they struggle to help end individual homeless issues. Service providing

gets frustrating especially when these issues seem to have no solution other than to keep providing. I know it feels like a real battlefield, and spiritually it is.

It can be equally exhausting for a homeless person, dealing with referrals and long waits for placements in housing. And a lot of people see homeless people as not wanting to work.

The fact is that often they do want to work but the employment offers are short-term and unreliable. This creates difficulties with sustaining or maintaining residency.

Which brings us to Street Sense and the opportunities it gives its vendors. Street Sense gives its vendors a sense of stability, security and direction. For example, when one starts a new job, a vendor can use his 75% of contributions for the newspapers for transportation or lunches while working toward the first pay period. It also creates a sense of worth above the average panhandler. Street Sense also gives you, the contributor, something in response for your donation. This initiative has strengthened homeless awareness in the District of Columbia’s community as well as in the surrounding areas.

Street Sense is one of the blessings in my life, and it helps so many others. But what other solutions are available? Please send your ideas and solutions that would help us work toward a modern approach to ending homelessness.

Bobby has been a vendor for Street Sense for nearly three years. He wants to start his own clothing line one day. You can email Bobby at bobbybuggs@yahoo.com.

August was the first vendor for Street Sense and was with the organization for three years. He now lives in Seattle, and is on the editorial board of the street paper there. You can reach August at: carriergroup2009@yahoo.com.

What our REaders are Saying...

Dear Street Sense, Thank you for printing the beautiful story about Donna Raye Hendricks and Bread for the City in your most recent edition of “Street Sense.” We are so honored to be in your newspaper!

We are also blessed that a “Street Sense” vendor recently made a donation to Bread for the City using funds they earned selling your paper. I’ve been a fundraiser for the past four years, and this is the most generous and sincere gift I have ever received. I will never forget it.

Kristin Valentine Director of Development Bread for the City

N Street Village was founded in 1973 by Luther Place Memorial Church as an ecumenical community endeavor and has since thrived and grown to become a separate financial and legal entity. The winner of The Washington Post 2006 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, N Street Village empowers homeless and low-income women to claim their highest quality of life by offering a broad spectrum of services and advocacy in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, serving over 600 women a year.

Dear Street Sense, Yesterday I purchased your Feb.1 to Feb. 14 issue from Mark Jones, Vendor #17. His courtesy and graciousness reminded me of the efforts your vendors always make — they make themselves known but are in no way obtrusive or offensive. This is without even reading your very fine paper, on which I will comment in future correspondence.

Thanks you for a great service.

Sincerely, Valentine Wilber

www.nstreetvillage.org ∙ 202-939-2072

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

EDITORIALS 13

MAURICE SPEAKS

Winter Arrives, Housing Delayed

F

or a while, it was looking as if we would be spared the ravages of winter this year.

People were still clad in summer attire well into January. News commentators repor ted that the unseasonably warm weather was a result of El Niño and not global warming; they also remarked that businesses that depended on the winter season were suffering as a result.

Obviously they spoke too soon, because the characteristic winter cold eventually did hit us and did it with a vengeance. Temperatures in the entire region plunged from a spring-like warmth right into the midst of hypothermia cold with no time for transition whatsoever.

The onset of hypothermia season always has grim significance for the homeless. This year the homeless face a particularly difficult situation during hypothermia season, as the hypothermia shelter at CCNV, the largest in the District, is unavailable due to renovations being done in the facility. In an attempt to offset the problem created by the renovations, CCNV has chosen to continue to do intakes during the hypothermia season to fill the available beds that remain in the shelter.

While hypothermia beds are a short-term solution for the winter’s wrath, the real question is whether a long-term solution can be found so that the homeless can get out of these shelters and find permanent housing. The trend that seems to be evolving in the District makes that possibility look very bleak.

Very little effort seems to be made toward creating affordable housing. Instead, buildings of

condominium apartments seem to be springing up like mushrooms after spring rain all over the District, perhaps with the intention of “cleaning up” poor neighborhoods but with the end result of leaving low-income persons with nowhere to go. If that trend continues, many people now in the District may well be experiencing future winters out in the cold.

Somehow when plans are made, the poor and the homeless are always overlooked. The former mayor made it clear in no uncertain terms: homelessness was not a priority under his administration. The problems that create homelessness do not go away, however, and homelessness will not vanish until those problems are addressed.

Affordable housing is increasingly growing into a pipe dream in the D.C. area as gentrification becomes the reality that governs the region.

More and more low-income persons will be put in impossible situations when it comes to housing unless something changes in their favor.

Even persons with moderate incomes are feeling the pinch. One of my friends who has lived in Adams Morgan for years has complained that he may soon be forced to relocate as rental prices continue to soar beyond what he is able to pay.

He is not the only person who I have heard complain of the rising costs in the District, putting them into a tight squeeze that has them facing a difficult situation regarding housing.

As Mayor Fenty launches his plans to make Washington into a city of international caliber, many people are hoping that these plans will include ways to make the city more livable for them rather than ways to drive them out.

Time will tell if their hopes are well justified.

Let us hope that more and more people will not find themselves out in the cold.

Maurice King has been writing editorials for Street Sense since January 2004, and is also in the process of publishing a book. If you have any comments, e-mail him at benadam@cyberdude.com.

My Story on the Streets

I

have been homeless for three years. I became homeless after my wife drained my savings when I got out of the Marines. She eventually divorced me.

I grew up in foster homes and I spent 10 years in the Marine Corps and had been stationed in Iraq and the Philippines.

I have no kids or family and am currently looking for a nice woman to date.

I am also currently looking for a job, preferably in the hospital-

ity sector and have many applications out and in the works. I am hard-working and dedicated to anything I do. If you know of any that are available, please contact Street Sense.

I love Street Sense because they gave me a job when no one else would. Street Sense has given my life back to me.

I would like to say thanks to Street Sense and thanks to all my readers who have supported me in the last few months.

– Michael Higgs

If you are homeless, formerly homeless or just in tune to poverty issues, your thoughts and editorials are welcome. Please e-mail content to info@streetsense.org or mail it to 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

No New Shelters

By Robert Egger

L

ike many Washingtonians, I walk our streets and wonder how we got to the point where hundreds of men and women are left outside to fend for themselves.

Along with just about every resident of our city, I long for a remedy.

But just as I believe that it is wrong to think we are fighting crime by building new prisons, we are equally deceived and will be doubly disappointed if we think that building another big shelter in Washington will solve any problems.

There are currently five large shelters in operation right now—the New York Avenue Housing Assistance Center, La Casa, 801 East, Emery, and the Federal City Shelter. Not one of these shelters has ever been adequately funded. None offer front line staff more than modest wages and most have to rely on donations of food and office equipment. And if you want a real eyeful of how we do currently do business in D.C., then drive by on a morning when it’s raining and watch old, mentally ill women being put out into the elements when the overnight shelters close at 7:00 a.m.

So I’ll be the bad guy and say it: Why are we considering renovating the Franklin School Shelter when we can’t support the programs and people we already have?

I’ll tell you why—because we always go around the problem rather than address it head on.

So let’s address some things—head on. Here are my suggestions.

1. Mayor Fenty should immediately gain control of federal funding and develop new homeless policies.

The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness, a government funded nonprofit that oversees the shelter system, is a holdover from the years when the feds demanded an alternative to the Barry administration. In all their years of oversight, the Partnership has not moved us beyond anemic programming in old buildings. The District government should get rid of this extra layer, take control of these resources and use them with the sense of urgency and innovation that is the benchmark of this new administration.

2. Fund efforts to help the homeless at a level that allows for innovation.

Existing shelters must receive the funding required to provide first-rate case management in buildings that have certificates of occupancy. They need to be pest free, with adequate heat and ventilation, and must be equipped so that meals can be served safely. They must also be accessible and adaptable for the handicapped and elderly.

We then need to hold administrators and contractors fully accountable for first-rate services, provided with civility and respect.

3. Deal with mental illness.

The vast majority of shelter residents should never have been allowed to fall into homelessness in the first place. They need basic case management to move up and on. As a city and a society, we should share mutual shame for the way we treat our mentally ill, who should not be left to wander the streets.

There are some solid first steps we can take to break this cycle. First off, the D.C. Police need to develop a “Crisis Intervention Team” modeled on proven efforts in other cities. Having a team of trained officers who partner with outreach workers to deal with the mentally ill in moments of clarity and crisis could elevate our ability to help folks off the street and into programs better suited to meet their long term needs. But that only works if, once stabilized, these men and women have a place to go beyond a shelter.

4. The mayor must push for a seismic shift in our housing policies.

Shelters were never supposed to be the answer. What we need is tens of thousands new units of housing built for all income levels in every ward of the city. This will demand all the money we can muster and amazing new levels of public-private partnerships.

But, more importantly, it demands a serious, citywide conversation about our priorities. We cannot continue to “walk for the homeless,” drive vans out to feed them in our parks and feign concern when the weather turns, and then fight like wolves to keep affordable housing, community based treatment programs or group homes from being built in our neighborhoods.

You want a solution to homelessness — well so do I. These ideas, and not a new shelter, is where the conversation needs to begin.

Robert is the Street Sense board president and the president of D.C. Central Kitchen. He also recently wrote the book “Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient, and Rewarding for All.”

14 STREET SENSE NEWS

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

VendorNotes Semi-Monthly in the Cold We have officially started publishing two issues a month and so far have had moderate success with sales. What we have come to realize is that the weather is a great determining factor. The unpredictable February cold snap has had an effect on customers who, like everyone else, have been in a rush to get to their offices to escape the cold or rain.

Many vendors are also staying inside, and rightly so; with hypothermia alerts, the shelters are open all day.

Still, a few brave vendors, like Phillip Howard, Corey Bridges, Charles Nelson, Kevin Robinson and Bobby Buggs, stayed true to their posts for a few hours each day, supported by several sympathetic readers.

In spite of these adverse conditions, we have been getting great feedback from our customers, both old and new. They have said how pleased they are that the paper is publishing twice a month, giving them an even greater opportunity to be aware of current events that affect the poor in this community. And vendors are so excited that several have asked when will it be that we start going weekly!

Thanks to all those vendors and customers who challenge nature and support our efforts to get this valuable product to the public.

The Human Factor We must acknowledge the efforts of Street Sense vendors Chris Sellman and Corey Bridges for the work they did in helping a member of our community move into his new apartment. This may seem like a trivial event until you

UpComing Events

By Jesse Smith

Corey and Chris stepped up to help a fellow homeless person move.

consider that the person in question is autistic and was getting minimal help from the Department of Human Services in relocating. (The man’s name is being withheld for privacy reasons.)

The client called Street Sense seeking help because someone told him that we might be able to provide the service he needed to resolve his problem. Although we didn’t have the service, we did have concerned people; in fact, Chris coordinated and executed all of the tasks involved in the move.

It is people like Chris and Corey who make us such a valuable resource for the community. Thanks, guys.

Clarendon Blitz February 20 Street Sense vendors plan to hold the first mini-blitz in the Clarendon section of Arlington, Va., on February 20, just in time for the area’s Mardi Gras parade. This will be the first attempt in our blitz campaign, where half-a-dozen vendors go to a new area to sell and promote Street Sense — complete with banners and signs — for a few hours.

We are planning to have one blitz per month, and want to go to areas where Street Sense is now not com-

monly available. If you have a suggestion for a future blitz location, please e-mail me at jesse@streetsense.org.

Sing Out for Shelter Benefit Concert to Help the Homeless

Happy Birthday I would like to wish myself, Jesse Smith, a very happy birthday. I was born in Washington at the former Gallagher Hospital, now known as D.C. General Hospital, on February 24 during some year in the 1900s. I won’t give my exact age; I’ll just say that I can remember horse-drawn fresh fruit and vegetable wagons. Those were the days ...

When: Saturday Feb. 22, 8 p.m.

Where: Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Avemue, NW Who: The concert is organized by The Augmented Eight, a nonprofit men’s a cappella singing group, and will benefit the Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place, Christ House and the church’s Metropolitan House.

What: A concert featuring the Sidwell Friend’s Chamber Chorus, The Augmented Eight and other a cappella groups.

How Much: $25 general admission, $10 students and seniors, $50 preferred seating, free for children under 12. Tickets are available at the door.

Top Vendors for January

Conrad was the star Street Sense vendor for January, selliing 1,315 copies.

1,000 or More Papers Mark Jones 400 or More Papers Bobby Buggs Muriel Dixon Phillip Howard Kevin Robinson Martin Walker Most Valuable Vendor Chris Sellman Every 15th of the month issue we will now be running a list of the top sellers, so stayed tuned for more.

Get Twice as Much Street Sense Each Month Delivered Right to Your Door!

Do you want to continue to support Street Sense throughout the year?

Order a subscription today.

Not only will you receive 24 issues packed with all our latest news, poetry and photography, you will also contribute to raising awareness about poverty in the Washington area.

___ YES! I want to subscribe to Street Sense for just $40 a year for 24 issues. ___ YES! I want to give half of the cost of a subscription to my favorite vendor: ____________ Name: __________________________________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________ State:_______________ Zip: ______________ Phone: ___________________________________ Email: ________________________________ Please make checks payable to Street Sense.

Mail to: Street Sense, 1317 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Thanks for your support!

Empty Bowls A Night of Dinner and Poetry When: Thursday, March 8, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: St. Charles Benedict Hall at St. Charles Church, 3304 Washington Blvd., Arlington, Va. Who: This annual event will benefit SOME and all of the programs it provides to the homeless What: In addition to a soup and bread supper, donated from surrounding restaurants, participants will get to keep a handcrafted pottery bowl of their choice made by local artisans.

How Much: $20 Committee on Human Services Hearings When and What: All meetings will be held at the Wilson Building, Room 412. Persons wishing to testify about the performance of any of these agencies may call 202-724-8072.

Where: Department of Disability Service: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services: Friday, March 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Children and Youth Investment Trust: Friday, March 2, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

New Poverty Commission: Friday, March 2, 6 p.m.

If you are a nonprofit or government agency that has an event or announcement you would like to publicize, please send all the details to info@streetsense.org.

Is Your Computer Crying Help?

Call Vendor Chris Sellman for computer repair and upgrades at (202) 725-0482 References available at Street Sense: 202-347-2006.

Patty’s New Typing Service Needs A Name.

Vendor Patty Smith is looking for a name for her new typing service.

Please send curious and unusual names to her at: pattyscoffee@ netzero.com.

And if you need assistance typing documents for a reasonable price, please contact Patty at the e-mail above or call 202-667-9100.

FEATURES 15 SERVICE PROVIDERS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 15

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

Community Service Index WASHINGTON, D.C. SHELTER Calvary Women’s Services 928 5th Street, NW (202) 783-6651 www.calvaryservices.org Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW (202) 745-7118 www.missiondc.org CCNV (Men and Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393-1909 users.erols.com/ccnv/ Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232-7356 www.communityofhopedc.org DC Village (Family) 2-A DC Village Lane, SW (202) 561-8090 www.dccfh.org/DCVillage.html Franklin School (Men) 13th and K streets, NW (202) 638-7424 Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842-1731 www.grm.org John Young Center (Women) 117 D Street, NW (202) 639-8469 http://www.ccs-dc.org/find/services/ La Casa Bilingual Shelter (Men) 1436 Irving Street, NW (202) 673-3592 N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939-2060 www.nstreetvillage.org 801 East, St. Elizabeth Hospital (Men) 2700 MLK Avenue, SE (202) 561-4014 New York Ave Shelter (Men) 1355-57 New York Avenue, NE (202) 832-2359 Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 Mitch Snyder Place, NW (202) 639-8093

FOOD Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232-3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplace Church of the Pilgrims 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387-6612 www.churchofthepilgrims.org Dinner Program for Homeless Women AND the “9:30 Club” Breakfast 309 E Street, NW (202) 737-9311 www.dphw.org Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842-1112

Hypothermia Hotline: 1-800-535-7252

Food and Friends 219 Riggs Road, NE (202) 269-2277 www.foodandfriends.org

(202) 682-1005 http://www.ccdsd.org/howorwc.php hygiene, laundry, lunch, phone and mail, clothing, social activities

Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW (202) 452-8926 www.miriamskitchen.org

Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675-9340 www.sashabruce.org counseling, housing, family services

The Welcome Table Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW (202) 347-2635 http://www.epiphanydc.org/ministry/welcometbl.htm

MEDICAL RESOURCES Christ House 1717 Columbia Road, NW (202) 328-1100 www.christhouse.org Unity Health Care, Inc. 3020 14th Street, NW (202) 745-4300 www.unityhealthcare.org Whitman-Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW (202) 797-3500 www.wwc.org

OUTREACH CENTERS Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW (202) 265-2400 AND 1640 Good Hope Road, SE (202) 561-8587 www.breadforthecity.org food pantry, clothing, legal and social services, medical clinic Comm. Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW (202) 364-1419 www.cchfp.org housing, medical and psych care, substance abuse and job counseling Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939-2060 http://www.nstreetvillage.org meals, hygiene, laundry, social activities, substance abuse treatment Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675-9050 www.friendshiphouse.net counseling and mentoring, education, youth services, clothing Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (202) 338-8301 www.georgetownministrycenter.org laundry, counseling, psych care Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328-6608 www.marthastable.org dinner, education, recreation, clothing, child and family services Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW

So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW (202) 797-8806 www.some.org lunch, medical and dental, job and housing counseling

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Bright Beginnings Inc. 128 M Street NW, Suite 150 Washington DC 20001 (202) 842-9090 www.brightbeginningsinc.org Child care, family services Catholic Community Services of D.C. 924 G Street, NW (202) 772-4300 www.ccs-dc.org umbrella for a variety of services D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW (202) 347-8870 www.dccfh.org housing, substance abuse treatment, employment assistance Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW (202) 347-0511 www.cflsdc.org housing, job and substance abuse counseling, clothes closet Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332-4010 www.foundryumc.org ESL, lunch, clothing, IDs Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332-2874 http://www.ccs-dc.org/find/services/ meals, hygiene, laundry, clothing JHP, Inc. (Jobs and Housing) 1526 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (202) 544-9126 www.jobshavepriority.org classes and employment Jubilee Jobs 1640 Columbia Road, NW (202) 667-8970 www.jubileejobs.org job preparation and placement National Coalition for the Homeless 2201 P Street, NW (202) 462-4822 www.nationalhomeless.org activists, speakers bureau available Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE , AND 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202)889-7702 www.samaritanministry.org HIV support, employment, drug/alco-

hol addiction, healthcare St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 1514 15th Street, NW (202) 667-4394 http://stlukesdc.edow.org food, counseling St. Matthew’s Cathedral 1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW (202) 347-3215 ext. 552 breakfast, clothing, hygiene Travelers Aid, Union Station 50 Mass. Avenue, NE (202) 371-1937 www.travelersaid.org/ta/dc.html national emergency travel assistance Virginia Williams Resource Center 25 M Street, SW (202) 724-3932 www.dccfh.org/VirginiaHse.html family housing Wash. Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U Street, NW (202) 328-5500 www.legalclinic.org legal services

MARYLAND SHELTER Comm. Ministry of Montgomery Co. 114 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville (301) 762-8682 www.communityministrymc.org The Samaritan Group P.O. Box 934, Chestertown (443) 480-3564 Warm Night Shelter 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499-2319 www.cmpgc.org

FOOD Bethesda Cares 7728 Woodmont Church, Bethesda (301) 907-9244 www.bethesdacares.com Community Place Café 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499-2319 www.cmpgc.org Manna Food Center 614-618 Lofstrand Lane, Rockville (301) 424-1130 www.mannafood.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES Community Clinic, Inc. 8210 Colonial Lane, Silver Spring (301) 585-1250 www.cciweb.org Mobile Medical Care, Inc. 9309 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda (301) 493-8553 www.mobilemedicalcare.org

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Catholic Charities, Maryland 12247 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring (301) 942-1790 www.catholiccharitiesdc.org

shelter, substance abuse treatment, variety of other services Mission of Love 6180 Old Central Avenue Capitol Heights (301)333-4440 www.molinc.org life skills classes, clothing, housewares

VIRGINIA SHELTER Alexandria Community Shelter 2355 B Mill Road, Alexandria (703) 838-4239 Carpenter’s Shelter 930 N. Henry Street, Alexandria (703) 548-7500 www.carpentersshelter.org Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless 3103 Ninth Road North, Arlington (703) 525-7177 www.aachhomeless.org

FOOD Alive, Inc. 2723 King Street, Alexandria (703) 836-2723 www.alive-inc.org Our Daily Bread 10777 Main Street, Ste. 320, Fairfax (703) 273-8829 www.our-daily-bread.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES Arlington Free Clinic 3833 N Fairfax Drive, #400, Arlington (703) 979-1400 www.arlingtonfreeclinic.org

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Abundant Life Christian Outreach, 5154 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria (703) 823-4100 www.anchor-of-hope.net food, clothing, youth development, and medicines David’s Place Day Shelter 930 North Henry Street, Alexandria (703) 548-7500 www.carpentersshelter.org laundry, shower, workshops, hypothermia shelter Legal Services of Northern Virginia 6066 Leesburg Pike, Ste. 500 (703) 778-6800 www.lsnv.org civil legal services Samaritan Ministry 2924 Columbia Pike, Arlington (703) 271-0938 www.samaritanministry.com social services, employment services, HIV/AIDS services

If you are an area nonprofit serving the homeless and wish to be included in this index please e-mail all the relevant info to info@streetsense.org.

Street Sense . February 15-28, 2007

Matesha Thompson

VENDOR PROFILE

PHOTO FINISH

The Aliens Have Landed

By Cliff Carle

Vendor Photographer

Matesha Thompson, 32, was born and raised in Washington. She attended Coolidge High School, but in spite of her best efforts had to forgo getting a diploma due to family responsibilities. She also admitted that she was a lot more interested in street activities than a formal education.

Matesha then went to Greensboro, N.C., where she enrolled in the Henderson Job Corps to study in the Culinary Arts program. Then she traveled to Barstow, Calif., where she worked as a child-care specialist.

She returned to Washington, entered the D.C. Street Academy and earned a GED certificate. She worked in the D.C. area as a Certified Nursing Assistant for seven years, concentrating primarily on elderly and disabled persons. She continued to work until an illness forced her to abandon her profession, at least for the moment.

Matesha is declared by the Department of Health as physically disabled and lives in an apartment in Northwest with another vendor, Muriel Dixon.

How did you become homeless?

Living with relatives became mentally and physically unbearable so I decided for my own well being that I would be better off making it on my own.

This spaceship sci-fi scene is really a boat docked atthe Southwest Waterfront with the lights of the boats reflecting off the ice.

Why do you sell Street Sense?

I became sick, needed cash and selling Street Sense was a quick and easy way to get money to pay some of my bills, and also the information and articles presented in the paper are very important to the general public and this is a way to get that information out.

What advice would you give someone that is homeless?

To get off the street takes time. If you continue to do what you’re supposed to do, you will be successful.

StreetFact The Bush adminstration’s budget proposal for HUD’s homeless assistance programs in 2008 is up 10%, compared to its 2007 proposal, but is 8% less than the 2007 budget passed by Congress.

(For more information on the budget, turn to page 5.)

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I wish to have my own business as a health care professional.

Favorite Music Jazz, R&B, rap, and oldies but goodies Favorite Food Spaghetti, pasta dishes Favorite Movie “Love and Basketball” Favorite Book Anything by Maya Angelou

Matesha reminds customers to buy only from badged vendors and not to give to those panhandling with one paper.

Source: National Alliance To End Homelessness

February 15-28, 2007 • Volume 4 • Issue 5

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Mail To:

Get Street Sense Style!

Buy a stylish long sleeve, 100% cotton, chocolate brown

Street Sense T-shirt.

Just fill out this form and send it, along with a check for $20 to Street Sense: 1317 G Street NW, Wash, DC 20005 Name:__________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________ City/State/Zip:__________________________________________ E-mail:_______________________: Size:_____________________ Stock is limited, so send your order in today!

Interested in a subscription? Go to page 14 for more information.