03 20 2019

$2

VOL. 16 ISSUE 10 MARCH 20 - APRIL 2, 2019

Real Stories

Real People

suggested donation goes directly to your vendor

Real Change

“Can you help me out?”

Should you give money to people who panhandle?

Our vendors provide a range of answers informed by their own experiences. pgs 10-11 STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

@ STREETSENSEDC

2 // ST REET SENS E ME DI A / / MA RCH 2 0 - A PRIL 2, 2019

BUSINESS MODEL

© STREET SENSE MEDIA 2003 - 2019 1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347 - 2006

streetsensemedia.org

info@streetsensemedia.org VENDORS

How It Works

Street Sense Media publishes the newspaper

Each vendor functions as an independent contractor for Street Sense Media, managing their own business to earn an income and increase stability in their life.

$2.00 YOUR SUGGESTED

$.50 Vendors pay

DONATION

per newspaper copy

goes directly to your vendor, empowering them to overcome homelessness and poverty

NO CASH? NO PROBLEM.

Pay vendors with the Street Sense Media app!

S treet S ense M edia . org /A pp

AVAI LABL E

VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT

Shuhratjon Ahamadjonov, Wanda Alexander, Gerald Anderson, Charles Armstrong, Katrina Arninge, Lawrence Autry, Charlton Battle, Reginald Black, Emily Bowe, Rashawn Bowser, Debora Brantley, Andre Brinson, Laticia Brock, Donald Brown, Elizabeth Bryant, Brianna Butler, Dwayne Butler, Melody Byrd, Anthony Carney, Alice Carter, Conrad Cheek, Curtis Clark, Anthony Crawford, Kwayera Dakari, Michael Daniels, Louise Davenport, James Davis, David Denny, Reginald Denny, Ricardo Dickerson, Patricia Donaldson, Nathaniel Donaldson, Courtney Dowe, Ron Dudley, Jet Flegette, Jemel Fleming, Johnnie Ford, Cornell Ford, Duane Foster, James Gatrell, Kidest Girma, Chon Gotti, George Gray, Marcus Green, Levester Green, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, Marion Harris, Richard Hart, Lorrie Hayes, Cheryl Hill, Ibn Hipps, James Hughes, Joseph Jackson, Chad Jackson, Henry Johnson, Mark Jones, Morgan Jones, Reggie Jones, Jewel Lewis, John Littlejohn, Scott Lovell, Michael Lyons, William Mack, Ken Martin, Marcus McCall, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffery McNeil, Angela Meeks, Ricardo Meriedy, Kenneth Middleton, Amy Modica, Richard Mooney, L. Morrow, Collins Mukasa, Evelyn Nnam, Moyo Onibuje, Earl Parker, Aida Peery, Hubert Pegues, Jacquelyn Portee, Angela Pounds, Robert Reed, Henrieese Roberts, Chris Shaw, Patty Smith, Gwynette Smith, Ronald Smoot, David Snyder, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Archie Thomas, Eric Thompson-Bey, Jacqueline Turner, Ronald Turner, Michael Warner, Robert Warren, Vincent Watts, Sheila White, Angie Whitehurst, Wendell Williams, Sasha Williams, Susan Wilshusan, Ivory Wilson, Curtis Wright, Latishia Wynn

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mary Coller Albert, Jeremy Bratt, Brian Leonard, Jennifer Park, Dan Schwartz, John Senn, Aaron Stetter, Annika Toenniessen, Daniel Webber, Shari Wilson

As self-employed contractors, our vendors follow a code of conduct.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

1. Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $2.00. I agree not to ask for more than $2.00 or solicit donations for Street Sense Media by any other means.

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

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

7. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when distributing Street Sense.

COMMUNICATIONS & SALES MANAGER

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

VENDOR MANAGER

2. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense Media staff and volunteers and will not sell papers to other vendors.

3. I agree to treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and other vendors, respectfully at all times. I will refrain from threatening others, pressuring customers into making a donation, or in engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices.

4. I agree not to distribute copies of Street Sense on metro trains and buses or on private property.

5. I agree to abide by the Street Sense Media vendor territorial policy at all times and will resolve any related disputes I have with other vendors in a professional manner.

9. I understand that my badge and (if applicable) vest are property of Street Sense Media, and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing Street Sense. I will always display my badge when distributing Street Sense.

10. I agree to support Street Sense Media’s mission statement. In doing so I will work to support the Street Sense community and uphold its values of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity.

INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR? New vendor training: every Tuesday and Thursday // 2 p.m. // 1317 G St., NW

The Cover

The Street Sense Media Story, #MoreThanANewspaper

A panhandling sign used by a couple in San Francisco, California, in 2010.

Originally founded as a street newspaper in 2003, Street Sense Media has evolved into a multimedia center using a range of creative platforms to spotlight solutions to homelessness and empower people in need. The men and women who work with us do much more than sell this paper: They use film, photography, theatre, illustration, and more to share their stories with our community.

Our media channels elevate voices, our newspaper vendor and digital marketing programs provide economic independence. And our in-house casemanagement services move people forward along the path toward permanent supportive housing.

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

PHOTOS BY “BROKENSPHERE”

Wikimedia Commons

Brian Carome Eric Falquero Jeff Gray

Gladys Roberts

EVENTS & WORKSHOP MANAGER Leila Drici

CASE MANAGER Colleen Cosgriff

WRITERS GROUP ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Willie Schatz

OPINION EDITORS (VOLUNTEER)

Rachel Brody, Arthur Delaney, Sara Reardon

ADVISORY BOARD John McGlasson

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Grace Collins, Aaron Raubvogel, Jordan Tobias, Noah Telerski

EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS

Ryan Bacic, Jason Lee Bakke, Roberta Haber, Thomas Ratliff, Mark Rose, Andrew Siddons, Sarah Tascone, Jenny-lin Smith, Jackie Thompson, KJ Ward

OFFICE SALES VOLUNTEERS

Miya Abdul, Bill Butz, Jane Cave, Emma Cronenwethe, Pete Clark, Orion Donovan-Smith, Maria Esposito, Roberta Haber, Ann Herzog, Bill Magrath, Alec Merkle, Nick Nowlan, Sarah O’Connell, Leonie Peterkin, e Versluysen, Natalia Warburton

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

EVENTS

// 3

NEWS IN BRIEF Homeless advocates claim $35.5 million in FY2020 budget could end chronic homelessness in DC

BY AARON RAUBVOGEL aaron.raubvogel@streetsensemedia.org

On March 7, a group of activists affiliated with the homeless advocacy coalition The Way Home Campaign demonstrated in front of the Wilson Building to raise awareness for an additional $35.5 million they want in the budget for fiscal year 2020. They say the investment would be enough to end chronic homelessness for 1,140 individuals and 177 families in D.C. At the event, six people who previously experienced homelessness spoke, and many others stopped by to show support. Participants made signs with various quotes from homeless individuals and wrote in chalk on the sidewalk phrases such as “No person should die on the street” and “Housing is a human right.”

Tuesday, April 2 // 6:15 pm – 8:30 pm NYU Washington, DC // 1307 L Street NW Friendship Place has invited regional and national experts to discuss Homeward D.C., a strategic partnership (between the D.C. government, nonprofit providers, advocates, persons experiencing homelessness, business partners, and the philanthropic community) to end homelessness in the area by 2020. Reception begins at 6:15 p.m. and the Symposium begins at 7 p.m.

Moderators: Ray Suarez, NPR. Speakers: Laura Zeilinger, D.C. Department of Human Services; Kristy Greenwalt, D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness; Waldon Adams, Pathways to Housing D.C., Jennifer Knox, Washington Interfaith Network; Bruce McNamer, Greater Washington Community Foundation. Info: www.tinyurl.com/FP-Symposium2019

MARCH 5 - 24

UPDATES ONLINE AT ICH.DC.GOV

TUESDAY, APRIL 2

“Silent”

D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness Meetings

Environmental Gentrification: The Case of Anacostia

Strategic Planning Committee March 26, 2:30 pm // 441 4th St NW Shelter Conditions Committee March 27, 1 pm // 441 4th St NW Youth Committee March 28, 10 am // 441 4th St NW Housing Solutions Committee April 3, 1:30 pm // TBD* *likely 1800 MLK Jr Ave SE

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Foundry United Methodist Church 1500 16th St NW

Atlas Performing Arts Center 1333 H St NE The Dublin-based theater company Fishamble presents a touching and challenging story of McGoldrig, a homeless person who once had splendid things. But he has lost it all – including his mind. He now dives into the wonderful wounds of his past through the romantic world of Rudolph Valentino.

INFO: www.solasnua.org/theatre

Committee schedules only.

For issue-focused working groups, contact ich.info@dc.gov.

One of the most polluted rivers in the U.S. has long been the dividing line of income inequality in D.C. As housing prices increase, those who have suffered its environmental effects are being pushed out, just as the river is finally getting clean.

INFO: www.tinyurl.com/EG-Anacostia

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

AUDIENCE EXCHANGE International Network of Street Papers @_INSP

Aaron Alexander

On a board displayed at the entrance to the Wilson Building, demonstrators and passersby responded to the quetsions “Why is ending homelessness important to you?” and “What do you wish people knew or understood about homelessness?” Responses included “Do better”, “It’s not just an individual problem, it’s a systemic issue”, and “Because my family was evicted 4 yrs ago and I’m still feeling the effects.” PHOTO BY COLLEEN COSGRIFF

Two weeks later, Mayor Muriel Bowser made several monetary promises for the fiscal year 2020 budget when she delivered her annual State of the District address on the University of the District of Columbia campus. These included $26 million toward implementation of the city’s strategic plan to make homelessness “rare, brief, and nonrecurring” by 2020, $11 million for short-term housing programs, and $200 million for affordable housing.

However, Mayor Bowser did not mention anything about the specific investment targets outlined by The Way Home Campaign.

During Bowser’s address, several audience members who believed those investments were not enough started shouting “This is our home!” and “Stop the war on the poor!” before being asked to leave.

The mayor’s full preliminary budget proposal will be released on March 20. Up-to-date schedules for review and markup of the budget by the D.C. Council are available at www.dccouncilbudget.com.

@RabbiDoubleA

@streetsensedc vendor Franklin has been writing poetry for 50 years, and is now regularly published in the #streetpaper he sells. Read some of his work here. https://t.co/rZedwO3ZWG #OurVendors

Angie Whitehurst from @streetsensedc telling stories of homelessness, pain & resilience— including her own—to our Social Action Committee this morning at @adasisraeldc — thank you.

8:42 AM - 6 MARCH 2019

11:47 AM - 10 MARCH 2019

Follow more headlines at StreetSenseMedia.org/news

4 // ST REET SENSE ME DI A / / MA RCH 2 0 - A P RIL 2, 2019

NEWS

PHOTO BY TATIANA BROWN

DC should double investment in affordable housing fund, think tank says

BY CUNEYT DIL @cuneytdil

This article was first published by www.thedcline.org on March 12.

T

he D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, a progressive think tank, argues in a new report that the District needs to double its yearly investment in the Housing Production Trust Fund in order to account for rising construction costs and the affordability crisis faced by the District’s poorest residents.

Since 2015, Mayor Muriel Bowser has allocated $100 million per year to the fund, the city’s main source of money for creating and preserving affordable housing units. The Housing Production Trust Fund also gets money from the District’s recordation and transfer taxes.

With $200 million in dedicated annual funding, the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute says, the District would be able to expand on the number of units it produced in 2015 — when the available $100 million could have created and preserved as many as 1,140 units based on an average per-unit loan amount of $72,500, according to the report.

Today, the $100 million commitment is enough to fund just 710 units based on an updated per-unit cost of nearly $120,000, the report says.

Ahead of Bowser’s planned unveiling of the fiscal year 2020 budget on March 20, the mayor’s office did not respond to a question about whether the mayor would consider adding $200 million to the fund next year.

However, in her March 18 State of the District address, Bowser pledged a more modest increase to $130 million for the trust fund in fiscal year 2020.

But in a statement, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Brian Kenner said the administration will “ramp up our production and preservation of affordable housing to better meet demand,” citing the second-term agenda Bowser described in her Jan. 2 inaugural remarks.

“That means producing 36,000 total units of housing in D.C. alone — including at least 12,000 affordable units across the income spectrum, and 240,000 units across our region,” Kenner said. “This will involve taking a fresh look at all affordable housing tools, planning strategies and funding sources.”

A spokesperson for at-large D.C. Council member

Anita Bonds, who chairs the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, said in a statement Tuesday that she has “long advocated” dedicating $200 million or more annually for the trust fund.

“She is keenly aware of the rising construction costs and realizes that if the District is to meet its goal of preserving and creating 12,000 affordable units by 2025, the city would need to spend around $1.4 billion, that is at the estimated cost of $120,000 per unit,” says the statement from her office.

In its annual report for fiscal year 2015, the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development reported that loans and cash expenditures from the fund created or preserved 1,342 rental and for-sale units. The 2015 report is the most recent annual report available online.

In fiscal year 2018, the city spent $167.6 million from the fund to help produce or preserve 1,641 housing units, according to the 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Kenner’s statement referenced delivery of more than 7,200 affordable housing units in Bowser’s first term.

The D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute’s proposed funding increase would keep pace with the rising cost of construction and additionally help the 27,000 households in D.C. that “spend more than half of their income on housing.” (In fact, $230 million would be needed to fully support them, the report said.)

“Given these needs, funding the Housing Production Trust Fund at $200 million would ensure that the city produces more new affordable units than in 2015 — rather than losing ground — and would bring D.C. closer to a 10-year plan to meet its housing challenges,” wrote Doni Crawford, the author of the report released on March 10.

Crawford proposes finding the additional money in the city’s $4.06 billion general fund. In addition, the report calls for the District to do what some advocates have suggested in recent years amid a period of economic prosperity for the city as a whole: use the budget surplus to ease the housing crisis. In fiscal year 2018, the District used $40 million from the $200 million budget surplus to bolster its cash reserves — a savings measure mandated by the mayor and council in 2010, the report said.

“This rule will ease when 60 days of operating reserves is reached — we’re currently just two days short,” Crawford wrote. Once that mark is achieved, the District will have enough cash on hand in its “rainy-day fund” to

operate the government for two months in the event of an emergency or economic downturn, fulfilling a longtime goal set by city officials but criticized by those who say the money is needed for pressing needs.

But lawmakers may be hesitant to dip into the reserves after Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt announced last month that the District lost $47 million in revenue due to the partial federal government shutdown. That news in part led council members to shelve a property tax cut last week.

Yet the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute argues that “savings is important, but it is even more imperative that we … invest some of the surplus in more affordable housing for the people hurting most.”

The think tank’s report notes that black residents have experienced a particularly steep climb toward economic recovery since the Great Recession of 2008. In the District, 88 percent of extremely low-income and rentburdened households are headed by a person of color, a previous report from the institute found.

The report comes amid discussions on other aspects of the Housing Production Trust Fund. Last month, at-large member Elissa Silverman and five other council members co-introduced a bill that would provide more transparency into decisions on which projects get funding. One provision would require the District to release information about a bidder five days after it applies for a grant or loan from the fund. Anita Bonds, chair of the Committee on Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization, co-introduced the bill but has not yet scheduled a public hearing.

The Housing Production Trust Fund was established in 1988 by D.C. Council legislation. Since 2002, part of its annual funding has come from 15 percent of the revenue from real property transfer and deed recordation taxes, the report said. This dedicated funding source is subject to fluctuation, however, because it’s dependent on the real estate market.

The report suggests a “mansion tax” that would raise the taxes for the “wealthiest households” on real estate transfers and properties. Real estate transfers and property in the District are currently taxed at a flat rate.

The institute published a separate document in February on the suggested mansion tax.

The March 10 report said a hike on wealthier households could “generate $74 million in revenue, some of which could be used for the production and preservation of affordable housing in areas of higher opportunity.”

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 5

A Ward 4 church made it possible to build 99 new units of affordable housing

BY NOAH TELERSKI noah.telerski@streetsensemedia.org

T

he Emory Fellowship, a United Methodist for one-bedroom apartments reamined open on the Beacon’s Congregation in Ward 4, has been holding website when Street Sense went to press. their Sunday worship services in a nearby The housing units are particularly needed for “veterans, school for more than two years. It was a seniors, and individuals transitioning from homelessness,” hardship they knowingly undertook when they according to a city press release. Rents range from $1,231 per decided to build affordable housing for the month for a studio to $1,828 for a three-bedroom unit. Eighteen surrounding community. of the 99 units will provide permanent supportive housing to At the physical center of the development is the refurbished families making less than 30 percent of the AMI. Emory church. The building’s façade and original stained-glass The first person to move into a Beacon apartment in window are most of what remains of the January, Rosa Lee, opened her apartment original structure. Rev. Joseph Daniels to church officials for a tour after the Jr., Emory’s lead pastor, said he believes ribbon cutting. “The new apartment is the layout of the development, built absolutely beautiful,” Lee said. “I really around the church, is symbolic of the love it, I really do, and that’s why I was community and public work that his so happy to show it off.” congregation has long strived for.

Part of what she loves is the ability to “The church was always the center live independently at age 71 in a safe and of community life, and so for people to affordable community. “I can continue to see that, not only visually but to be able have guests over on Sundays like I did at to experience it in real time, lets people my previous apartment,” Lee said. “I just know, particularly those who have gotten feel right at home.” frustrated with faith communities, that Mayor Muriel Bowser, who served as Councilmember Brandon Todd there is hope, that there are people who Ward 4 councilmember before being elected get it and people who want to improve mayor, spoke at the ceremony. The mayor people’s lives,” Daniels said. reminded attendees of the commitment she made in January The newly refurbished sanctuary was standing-room only to create 36,000 new affordable housing units by 2025. The on March 13 as city officials and church leaders gathered to Beacon broke ground on Oct. 7, 2016, and received $17.2 celebrate the completion of the new Beacon Center complex. The million from the D.C. Department of Housing and Community development features 99 affordable housing units, community Development’s Housing Production Trust Fund, $21.6 million spaces, and commercial space alongside the renovated church. in bonds from the D.C. Housing Authority and $16 million Two-thirds of the units had already been filled. from low-income housing tax credits.

Located at 6100 Georgia Avenue NW in Ward 4, the Beacon Three days prior, the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute released contains one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and studio apartments. They are all set aside for people earning less than 60 percent of the area median income, a number set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as the middle income for the D.C. metro region that is used to determine eligibility for housing assistance programs. Only the waitlist

“Today we don’t just celebrate the building of a structure, we celebrate the building of a community.”

A community room in the Beacon Center PHOTO BY NOAH TELERSKI

Mayor Muriel Bowser joins Rev. Joseph Daniels Jr. and other city and church officials to cut the ribbon on The Residences at the Beacon Center. PHOTO BY NOAH TELERSKI

a report recommending the city double the size of the HPTF, to $200 million, to keep up with growing construction costs.

The HPTF was allocated $100 million in fiscal year 2018 — Bowser’s annual proposal since taking office and the highest contribution proposed by any administration to date.

Rob Fossi of The Community Builders, the nonprofit real estate developer that built the Beacon Center, credited Daniels with his determination to make the project happen. “There is no such thing as an insurmountable obstacle between the pastor and completing a righteous mission,” Fossi said. “Successes like this change lives, and you cannot put a price on that.”

Within the residential spaces at the new complex are a number of community rooms and a fitness center. A basketball court was also built under the church. The Beacon Center will also serve as home to the church’s mission arm, Emory Beacon of Light, Inc., which provides services such as an immigration clinic, a neighborhood clean-up team, a food pantry, and weekend food programs for children who receive free or reduced lunch. There are also plans for new programs in the new space, including a health clinic and a culinary training program.

Housing programs are not new for Emory. Since 1994, Beacon of Light has provided transitional housing services to more than 150 families while they save for more permanent housing since the program began, according to its website.

The organization has owned a three-story house to be used for housing programs since 2008.

“Today we don’t just celebrate the building of a structure,” said Ward 4 Councilmember Brandon Todd at the ribboncutting. “We celebrate the building of a community.”

The interior of one apartment at the Beacon Center. Each unit comes with appliances, including a washer and dryer. PHOTO BY NOAH= TELERSKI

OPINION

These local programs help low- and moderate-income people get the most from their tax return

BY ARTHUR JOHNSON // AJjohnson@streetsensemedia.org

A

s the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, many people are racing to get their returns filed and get their hands on what they hope is a sizable refund.

One of the biggest challenges District residents face when trying to fulfill their obligation to the IRS is finding a qualified and reputable tax preparer to file their return.

There are no national licensing requirements for the tax preparation industry, which makes it perfectly legal for tax preparers to pop-up during the filing season, to charge clients exorbitant rates or skim from the refund they would receive, or to simply bungle the job. A bill introduced in the Senate in July, The Protecting Taxpayers Act, aims to address these problems by empowering the IRS to oversee all paid tax preparers, among other things. However, similar legislation has been considered in years past and such concerns date back to at least 2002. In 2010, an effort by then-IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman to impose similar regulations was struck down in U.S. District Court, which said the IRS did not have this authority, something The Protecting Taxpayers Act would change.

Most tax preparers charge for their services and many national chains, such as H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt, focus their energies on getting you a large refund, not because they care about your finances but because they will try to sell you

Free Tax Preparation Centers For residents without dependents who earn less than $35,000 and residents with dependents who earn less than $54,000

Southeast UPO Ralph Waldo “Petey� Greene Community Service Center 2907 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, SE Mondays except 4/1, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. // By appointment only: 202-231-7903 Special service days, walk-in only: Saturday 4/7 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Tuesday 4/17 from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. *Service limited based on number of available volunteers Language of Service: English SE Community Credit Center at Good Hope Road Shopping Center 2831 Alabama Ave SE Wednesdays 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Walk-in only Language of Service: English

Northeast River Family Strengthening Collaborative 3917 Minnesota Ave, NE Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. // Walk-in only Language of Service: English

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 7

CELEBRATING SUCCESS on a refund advance loan, for which they will give you an a similar tax credit, according to the D.C. Office of Tax and amount (usually up to around $3,000) in the form of a check Revenue’s website. Taxpayers in the District who qualified for or a prepaid debit card. A 2019 Consumer Reports analysis the federal EITC and did not claim the District Low Income indicated that for all major tax preparation chains, interest or Tax Credit are eligible for a D.C. EITC of up to 40 percent fees related to cash access and withdrawal were applied to of the federal EITC. Individuals who do not qualify for the refund advances. However, these services may still be useful federal EITC may also qualify for the D.C. EITC if they are to someone under serious financial pressure. a non-custodial parent age 18-30 who has paid court-ordered The mission of the nonprofit Capital Area Asset Builders is child support for at least 6 months of the year. to help people with low to middle incomes achieve financial In practical terms, a family of four with an income of independence through measures such as $24,000 would be eligible for $6,400 as tax preparation, financial education, and the federal EITC and $2300 as the D.C. assistance with the process of qualifying EITC, for a total of $8,700, according to to purchase a first home. CAAB offers Leitmann-Santa Cruz. free financial education and money One of the big challenges many management classes. They encourage people face in claiming the credit is saving to meet your goals and they that there is a sizable percentage of even have a program that matches the the population that is unbanked or amount you save, called an Individual underbanked. Because they do not have Development Account (which would be bank accounts and because the credit a great place to put some or most of the comes in the form of a debit card, these money you receive from a refund). individuals may find themselves paying In a recent interview with Street Sense large fees to receive their money.

Media, CAAB Executive Director Joseph Rather than use a paid tax preparer, Joseph Leitmann-Santa Cruz, Leitmann-Santa Cruz said one of the most it may be in your best interest to Capital Area Asset Builders successful policies for lifting people out work with a free organization that is of poverty is the Earned Income Tax concerned with helping you receive Credit. This specific credit is aimed at low- to middle- income the largest refund you qualify for with no strings attached. taxpayers, primarily those with children. It is a progressive CAAB provides free tax preparation services in Northeast, credit, which means that it phases out as your income increases.

Southeast and Northwest D.C. All CAAB tax preparation sites The EITC is designed primarily to help families deal with the are available to residents who have no dependents and make rising costs associated with taking care of children. less than $35,000 and residents who have dependents and an There are income qualifications for the EITC. If you are income of less than $54,000. single, you cannot have earned more than $15,270 in 2018 Two of those clinics are located and run by the business and if you have children, the amount you can earn and still schools of George Washington University and Howard claim the credit tops out at $49,194 for a parent of three of University. You also have the option to file your tax returns more children. If you are married and filing a joint return, the online for free if you make no more than $66,000. To take amount for three or more children is $54,884. advantage of this option, visit www.tinyurl.com/file-free-IRS. The District of Columbia provides eligible taxpayers with

“One of the most successful policies for lifting people out of poverty is the Earned Income Tax Credit.”

Edgewood Terrace // 601 Edgewood Street, NE, Sundays, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m // Walk-in only Language of Service: English

Northwest CentroNia // 1420 Columbia Road, NW Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

By appointments only: 202-332-4200 extensions 1017 or 1075 *Walk-ins served when space is available Language of Service: English and Spanish Wardman Court Community Center 1350 Clifton Street, NW Thursdays, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. // Walk-in only Language of Service: English McPherson Square (Until 4/2) Address provided when appointment is confirmed Monday - Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Thursdays, 1:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sundays, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

By appointment only: 202-830-1480 or.CommunityTaxAidDC.org Language of Service: English, Spanish and Chinese

Gadget Center, Howard University Address provided when appointment is confirmed Tuesdays and Thursdays 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

By appointments only: 202-684-8228 or howarduniversityvita@gmail.com Language of Service: English Jubilee Jobs 2712 Ontario Road, NW Monday - Thursday, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

By appointment only: 202-830-1480 or CommunityTaxAidDC.org Language of Service: English and Spanish George Washington University Duques Hall, 2201 G St, NW Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Sundays, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Walk-in only Language of Service: English, Spanish and Chinese Each of these sites is managed by Community Tax Aid DC, with support from Capital Area Asset Builders, the IRS, D.C. government and others. www.tinyurl.com/dc-tax-prep

On March 12, the Street Sense Media intergenerational theater group, Devising Hope, performed at Busboys & Poets on 14th and V Streets NW. Devising Hope is a partnership with the Educational Theatre Company. Several participants have been labeled by the photographer.

PHOTO COURTESY OF REED SANDRIDGE

“I had so much fun on that stage this evening ... Life is too short not to have fun and to talk about homelessness.”

Aida Peery // Artist/Vendor

BIRTHDAYS Joe Jackson March 24 ARTIST/VENDOR

Charles Armstrong March 26 ARTIST/VENDOR

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

www.StreetSenseMedia.org/newsletter

8 // ST REET SENSE ME DI A / / MA RCH 2 0 - A P RIL 2, 2019

ART

The Hobo: Black Fields declares, “Real men wear pink!”

BY DUANE FOSTER Artist/Vendor

PREVIOUSLY: Black Fields had to try many psychiatric medications before he found something that helped more than it hurt. Even once he settled on something, Medicaid covered less than half of what Black found he needed each month. Just as he was running out of this month’s supply, his mother called to say she may have cancer. A mammogram had discovered two tumors. He panicked...

T

he revelation that Black’s mother may have breast cancer evoked memories of him being lured into participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 10k by the manager of the Starbucks he panhandled outside of.

The fact that Makeeba, the Starbucks manager, was married didn’t curtail his attraction. It wasn’t his desire to participate, but he was so enamored with the woman that she could have asked him to accompany her to Hell and he would have followed.

Makeeba picked him up that morning at the Anacostia Metro station. The entire ride she blasted Notorious B.I.G.’s song “Things Done Changed.” Her antics mimicked someone getting amped for a Title Fight or Championship game. She had even looped the last verse, “(bleep!), my momma got cancer in her breast / Don’t ask me why I’m mutha(bleep!) stressed, THINGS DONE CHANGED!” There was a booth set up at the starting point where Black was bombarded with pink accessories and informational pamphlets concerning the disease. Not only did he learn about the victims, but he also learned about the four stages of breast cancer and the medical advancements in treatments.

There was a video playing and he immediately recognized Sandra Lee, the host of the culinary show his mother watched religiously. “They giving out recipes, too?” Black asked the booth attendant.

“No, she’s beat the disease and now is a spokeswoman for finding the cure,” the young attendant answered. “This is an HBO documentary that chronicles her treatment, ‘Rx: Early Detection, a Cancer Journey With Sandra Lee.’” Black was blown away when he found out about the notable individuals who have overcome the disease: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Janice Dickinson, Shannen Doherty, Sandra Lee, Rita Wilson, Joan Lunden, Giuliana Rancic, Andrea Mitchell, Wanda Sykes, Peter Criss, Christina Applegate, Sheryl Crow, Cynthia Nixon, Melissa Etheridge, Edie Falco, Jaclyn Smith, Suzanne Somers, Carly Simon, Olivia Newton-John, and more.

“Peter Criss...?” he questioned. That’s when he learned men are susceptible to breast cancer.

Black picked up a pamphlet filled with photos of notable figures. He had no idea that the “big C” had torn down impressive women such as Nina Simone and Elizabeth Edwards.

Memories of his rendezvous with Tina came to mind when he saw Nina Simone’s photo. Black dated Tina when he was 19. She was 22 years his senior and held the title of “Sugar Mama” for more than three years. He never had to worry about how he was going to get the newest Air Jordans when he was with her. Nina Simone’s Greatest Hits CD was always in Tina’s rotation.

The image of Elizabeth Edwards reminded him of the evening he and Tim were in an alley off Mississippi Avenue smoking a dipper and listening to Majic 102.3. The broadcast was interrupted by the news flash detailing her illness. The two immediately sidestepped discussing her illness to banter about the infidelity of her husband John Edwards, then a U.S. Senator and presidential hopeful.

More photos included Fannie Lou Hamer, Ingrid Bergman, Bette Davis, Hattie McDaniel, Linda McCartney, Rosalind Russell, Lynn Redgrave, Naomi Sims, Vivian Vance, Dusty Springfield, Marianna Komlos, Rachel Carson, Srividya, Gloria Grahame, Susan Strasberg, Audre Lorde, Patricia Roberts Harris, Julie Ege, Syreeta Wright, and many others.

“Hattie McDaniel...?” he read aloud. He always felt contrasting emotions of pride and shame when watching her perform in “Gone With The Wind.”

As the race got underway, Makeeba walked much faster than Black and soon left him behind. He laughed when he thought about deviating from the race at 7th and Pennsylvania. Being as though he had no other interest in the benefit, he bent the corner on D Street, and walked to 2nd Street, to the CCNV homeless shelter.

They would always awaken to the aroma of Smithfield Cherrywood bacon and the sounds of WHUR 96.3, or whatever ‘80s R&B she was feeling at the moment. Patti LaBelle was a favorite.

There was an open air drug market where, on any given day, nearly a hundred people would be congregated buying, selling and smoking K2, “synthetic marijuana” sold under many different names. They had “Reggie,” which was not that potent. For veterans like Black, they had “Salt and Pepper” that was very potent and, in some cases, lethal. One hustler revealed that his recipe was parsley, charcoal and bath salt.

Black’s intention was to smoke a blunt and meet back up with the race participants. However, he never made it back. He walked to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and sat on the wall of names of officers killed in the line of duty. The last thing he remembered was firing up the blunt, but that’s it.

He woke up hours later, still sitting on the wall. His pockets had been picked and his North Face bag was gone. When Makeeba asked him the next day what happened, he said, “I got in the Poop-out van.” This was the vehicle that was in place for individuals who didn’t have the stamina to finish the race.

As the impact of his mother’s avowal set in, he reminisced about the summer of ’92, when tragedy struck. He had always heard the cliché that “…death strikes in threes.”

First, his uncle Harold died from an heroin overdose. A few weeks later, his cousin Polo was found riddled with bullets on 52nd Street, NE. His government name was

Jamal, but he gained the nickname Polo because he only wore clothing designed by Ralph Lauren. To this day, no one knows who killed Jamal or why.

These were major disappointments, but he wasn’t really close to either. So moving on wasn’t difficult. The third death was a much more traumatic experience.

One of Black’s favorite relatives growing up was his “Auntie” Josephine. She was actually his great-aunt on his mother’s side. She was a vibrant and athletic woman, who always took Black on excursions that would include activities such as bike riding, basketball, and swimming.

Some of his fondest memories were occasions when he would sleep over. He and his cousin Chipmunk, would stay up past midnight playing the original Nintendo NES system. “Tecmo Bowl,” Mike Tyson’s “Punch-Out!!” and “Double Dribble” were the favorites.

Chipmunk was Josephine’s grandson. Chipmunk’s mother was polysubstance dependent and usually M.I.A. To prevent Chipmunk from being entered into foster care, Josephine took over custody of her grandson.

Taunting isn’t a strong enough word to describe their antics. Some of the most original trash talking was born in Chipmunk’s room. Black doesn’t know who was the loudest, him and Chipmunk or Auntie Josephine.

“Y’ALL NEED STOP MAKIN’ ALL ‘DAT DAMN NOISE – I’M TRY’NA GIT SOME SLEEP!” she’d yell periodically. The threat always followed, “IF YOU DON’T, I’M TAKIN’ DAT DAMN GAME AWAY FROM Y’ALL…WATCH!” Sure enough, they would hear her heavy footsteps stomping down the hall before she burst through the bedroom door. The ruckus would be silenced as Josephine pulled and tugged at the wires and cords as she removed the Nintendo from the room. “Y’all lil’ (bleep!) gotta git ‘n bed – RIGHT NOW!!!”

They would always awaken to the aroma of Smithfield Cherrywood bacon and the sounds of WHUR 96.3, or whatever ‘80s R&B she was feeling at the moment. Patti LaBelle was a favorite.

The bacon, scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, and fruit topped pancakes would always be exquisite. “Ya’ mama can’t burn like me – can she, Black?” she’d joke while they devoured their rations.

Josephine and Black’s mother frequently spoke over the phone. He could remember all the chatter surrounding Josephine diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer. Soon after, her health and appearance began to deteriorate.

His heart was shattered the first time he saw her after she had begun radiation treatment. He found it difficult to maintain eye contact. She had lost a significant amount of weight and her long and pretty gray hair had fallen out.

The last few months of her life were the most difficult to watch. The cancer had spread and the physicians had thrown in the towel. The pain she experienced was constant and consistent. She was put on a round-the-clock morphine drip and given a death sentence of six months or less.

She always spoke of “bouncing back.” These aspirations would never be fulfilled. In less than two years, the fight was loss and she passed. Black hoped his mother wouldn’t suffer a similar fate.

To be continued. This is an excerpt of Duane Foster’s manuscript “The Black Fields Chronicles: THE HOBO.” You can read the entire series at www.streetsensemedia.org/duane-foster

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

On March 15, Rep. Ilhan Omar (right), a Democrat from Minnesota, spoke at a rally in front of the U.S. Capitol as part of the international student walk out to protest inaction on climate change. Omar took the opportunity to restate her argument that “Our homeless crisis is America’s dirty little secret. This year we’ll spend around $700 billion on the military.

With an investment of up to $20 billion, we could house every homeless person in the U.S.” PHOTOS ESSAY BY REGINALD BLACK Artist/Vendor

REBEL RAE, A D.C. NATIVE, PERFORMED AT THE DEMONSTRATION. Photo by Sue Dorfman

THIS SIGN REFERS TO GRETA THUNBERG, THE 16-YEAR-OLD ACTIVIST BEHIND THE INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE STRIKE WHO HAS BEEN NOMINATED FOR A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE. Photo by Sue Dorfman

// 9

1 0 // S T REET SENSE ME DI A / / MA RCH 2 0 - A PRIL 2, 2019

OPINION

To Give or Not To Give On Feb. 1, the Street Sense Media opinion editors received this inquiry with the subject line “Thoughts on Panhandling.”

I appreciate the mission of Street Sense, and I am wondering if anyone there — editors, writers, or vendors — has thoughts on the best approach to deal with requests for money. In Fairfax County, I noticed that the police encourage those who want to help to try to refer panhandlers to various agencies or charities rather than giving money. I am thinking that most of the homeless in DC are not so far from churches, which would be able to make the necessary referrals, and many of the homeless may already know where to turn.

Given the bad things that might come from direct handouts (buying drugs or alcohol, for instance), I just wondered if the Street Sense community had a strong opinion one way or the other. I don't know if you'd want to address this in a future issue, but it might help those like myself who wonder if there is a "right" approach.

Kind Regards, Joe Here is what our vendor-artists had to say. Send your questions and views to opinion@streetsensemedia.org.

Let God be the judge

BY WANDA ALEXANDER

M

y opinion on homeless people asking for money on the streets is... it depends on their needs.

There are a lot of homeless people asking for money where I sell my papers on King Street in Alexandria, Va. I walk up to them and tell them about Street Sense papers and that they can come and work for Street Sense. Some of them take the number down.

I was one of those people before I came to Street Sense and I really needed help. Sometimes people buy them food plus give them money. Sometimes those in need don’t even have to ask. There are many good Samaritans out there. One girl that I knew very well, it was on a Monday morning, and I saw people just dropping money where she slept.

She was just lying there. Money was everywhere around her.

One man came by and touched her to tell her to pick up her money and she did not move. Come to find out she was dead.

Whatever they do with the money, let God be the judge because we don’t always know their needs. We might be saving someone’s life or just having a conversation with them. You can give in so many ways. I will let God be the judge.

Wanda Alexander is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

What’s in your heart?

BY ANDRE BRINSON

If you’re wondering whether to give money to a person asking for it, don’t do it unless it is from your heart. I am sure people who donate have had some kind of bad feedback from time to time. But keep in mind that many or even most panhandlers either have or have had some type of mental or emotional problems.

I have panhandled before and horrible things have been said to me. And trust me, even selling Street Sense does not mean it is always a good day. I know vendors who cannot handle someone not speaking to them or not buying a paper. I tell them to focus on doing what they set out to do.

I am sure people say nasty things to us or don’t buy our papers because some of us don’t look approachable. So, vendors, remember: be polite; keep an open mind; and, smile. Hey, I don’t have teeth, but I can STILL smile. And also remember good overrides evil — every day.

Andre Brinson is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

How will they survive?

Will you help them?

How your hard-earned money is spent

I am a native Washingtonian, a Street Sense vendor, and an advocate for the homeless. The homeless community needs constant donations. We need food, clothing, and shelter. But most of all we need housing. How will homeless people earn money if people are told not to donate?

We all are in need of something.

We should remember how we have gotten to where we are. There are great disparities in our world. Not lending is one of them. Someone once said, “Lend to everyone who begs from you, and expect nothing more than being in the act of giving.”

Money is how people obtain housing.

Homeless people are homeless because they are isolated from money, because they can’t see ten days down the road like you can, and because they can’t even see tonight. They have to survive, and tomorrow is not guaranteed. People should think about giving because we may not meet the next day. We must have money because it is the only way to obtain housing.

So I ask people in Fairfax: What would happen if you did not give to individuals? How will they survive?

Will you criminalize them? Will you help them?

I've been abused all my life. My father beat me in the head and other places with a baseball bat and other blunt objects. He whipped me on my naked back. He made me watch when he beat my mother with extension cords. I was molested by one of my father's friends.

When I told him, he told me I was a liar.

I was always told I was stupid and would never amount to anything, just like my mother. I've tried to prove him wrong. But I've failed again and again, like when I tried for two years to get my G.E.D. and didn't. So I started to believe him after a while. Maybe he was right.

I respect people and approach people with a "Good morning, everyone" or "Have a blessed day." But sometimes people can be very rude and nasty. Even when they are, though, I understand. I don't judge people. It was hard to break the wall down. But now I see the light inside.

I've been clean from drugs for four years. I'm never going back. I dress cleanly and appropriately to have a positive approach to life. I save the money I earn from selling Street Sense to help my children and to pay my bills.

I was able to visit my children in Ohio because of Street Sense and the good people who support me in my struggles.

So, THANK YOU!

Reginald Black is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

Ibn Hipps is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

BY REGINALD BLACK

BY IBN HIPPS

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

/ / 11

ILLUSTRATION BY IBN HIPPS // ARTIST/VENDOR

Everyone has the right to survive

BY ANGIE WHITEHURST

Panhandling is a strange word. I’ve certainly never seen a pan hand anything out.

We use the term “hand out” negatively as if it is bad behavior and there is something wrong with the person asking for a hand -begging, pleading and sometimes with a whisper asking for help.

Panhandlers have every right to live and to try to survive. I might not like to see, hear, or be approached, but I do not have the right to deny the right of subsistence to anyone.

Yes, I see the junkie panhandling for just enough money to get a fix or something to eat. And yes, I hope that they get what they need and that they do not go crazy, become enraged and subsequently hurt themselves and or someone else.

And with the fentanyl opioid crisis -- if I give them money which they use to buy that lethal stuff and then they die -- I feel bad and tell myself that was their choice.

BY JACKIE TURNER

I have also come across women asking for money to buy diapers, baby formula and food for their family. And I watched them purchase those items at the grocery store.

When people are in need, it is the human nature that makes us give and hope we are doing a good deed.

The laws and the enforcers of those same laws would have you ignore, walk away or tell the panhandlers where to seek help.

If you saw someone drowning what would you do? If you witnessed a car accident and saw someone trapped in a car, what would you do?

You would help and you would also call for help!

Panhandlers are trying to help themselves.

If you don’t like panhandlers then do something about it — end hunger, poverty and homelessness.

Although most people are kind, sometimes it is difficult to give someone money. So when people buy Street Sense from our vendors, that’s a good thing because we are working.

And if you want to give one of us more than two dollars, you can do that with the Street Sense app. But doing either of those is different from giving someone cash for nothing.

When people give, they should do it from the heart rather than to regulate what I do with the money. Remember, you can’t get drugs with a quarter and you can’t buy much food with a dollar. Think about that, cynics. And also remember that if you want to help people, buying Street Sense is the best way.

Angie Whitehurst is a Street Sense Media vendor and artist.

Jackie Turner is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

I learned to forgive

BY JEFFERY MCNEIL

Some of the things written about homeless people can be erroneous and absurd. From experience, I learned not to judge people that are down in skids because one day that could be you.

As with anything, if you want to help the homeless you must do your research first. People that are intelligent in business and investing can be utterly clueless when it comes to dealing with the streets. If you were buying a home one intelligently, they would research every detail. With donating to panhandlers, however, they randomly decide that if one experience with a homeless person was horrible, they then try to paint all homeless people as lowlifes.

I never cared for people who label or categorize others in neat little boxes. People who are homeless or panhandlers are not monolithic.

Some panhandlers have been out there for years and built up a clientele while some have issues and are begging for change to survive.

The Bible says the poor will always be among us. I usually don’t give to panhandlers, but over time there have been people I know who were doing well, then fell. And I learned to forgive because we all have afflictions that one day will destroy us. So if I have a few dollars that I won’t miss, I will donate. However, if you feel giving money to someone will stress you, then don’t give donations. Volunteer at a

Give from your heart

church or soup kitchen. Be of service in another way.

I learned that if someone asks you for money you must make the determination if the person’s sincere or a con man. There’s been times I offered sandwiches or other items and been told to go to hell because they wanted money. I also had times when someone asked me for change, I told them to bleep off, and then someone else gave them a twenty dollar bill.

There are many resources in Washington, D.C. that help the homeless with things like writing resumes and getting an ID. If homeless people desire income there are programs such as Street Sense and Labor Ready.

In the eyes of the panhandler you’re not that important. Money isn’t everything. As a vendor, some donations are not worth it, if the people feel they need to moralize or lecture you on why someone behaves the way they do. You don’t know the panhandler’s situation.

They probably feel depressed that they’re not doing something else so the last thing they want to hear is someone bellyaching about giving them money.

Jeffery McNeil is a Street Sense Media vendor and artist.

Buy them something to eat

BY SHEILA WHITE

Panhandlers make it bad for street people who are working, like our Street Sense vendors.

Some panhandlers surely want money for questionable activities; others want money for legitimate activities. Either way, when panhandlers ask for a dollar to buy something to eat, just buy them something to eat. Then, if they reject the food, please don’t spend your money on them again.

Street Sense vendors sell papers to educate the public about what’s going on in the world. So remember: it’s okay to help them and others out when they’re doing the right thing. Conversely, it is not acceptable when they do the wrong thing. In the end, it is your decision whether to give them the money they’re requesting.

Sheila White is a Street Sense Media vendor and artist.

1 2 // S T REET SENSE ME DI A / / MA RCH 2 0 - A PRIL 2, 2019

ART Mac and Jenny: Middle class and misunderstood

BY IBN HIPPS // Artist/Vendor

In the principal's office.

Principal Collins: Your mother is on her way for the second time in one week. What’s the matter, Mac? Is everything OK at home? Are you having problems in your classes? I know kids can be mean at times, but they are all good kids once you get to know them. You’re an “A” student and active in all sports. Maybe your mother can help me understand what’s going on in that head of yours.

Mac watches his mother, Dr. Johnson, enter the principal’s office. She stands 5’11” tall, a light-skinned, thick woman sporting a pearl-white lab coat with a name tag that reads “Dr. Khadijah Johnson.” She’s a doctor at a local veterinary hospital where she spends a lot of time caring for abandoned, stray, and wounded animals.

Principal Collins: How are you? I’m sorry to interrupt another day of work, but your son here has gotten into a fight for the second time this week.

Mrs. Johnson: Another fight, Mac?! What’s the matter with you?

Principal Collins: I asked your son if everything is OK at home.

Mrs. Johnson: EXCUSE ME? Principal Collins: Yes. I also asked him if he is getting along with the other students. I’m aware that he’s new here at Frederick Moore High.

Mrs. Johnson: Thanks for asking, but home is fine, if you must know.

Principal Collins: Well, Dr. Johnson, help me understand why Mac is so violent and always getting into one altercation or another.

Mrs. Johnson: Mac, wait outside while I finish talking with Ms. Collins.

with long jet-black hair, enchanting eyes and full lips.

Her head is leaning on the wall where she sits. Mac is swooning. His first thought is, “She doesn’t look like the normal Frederick Moore student.”

Mac (With a confident tone of voice): Hey! What’s wrong? I always see you here. Sorry, my name is Mac. Mac Johnson.

Jenny: You always see me here? Only as much as you always hear yourself! I don’t feel good. My mom is on her way to take me home. I have a very bad headache and the nurse say I have a fever. Hey, you’re pretty popular with our team, the Silverbacks, aren’t you? I’ve seen you play a few times when my mom is late picking me up.

My name is Jenny Middleton. I’ve been going to school here for a little over a year.

Mrs. Johnson: Ms. Collins, I’m not making any excuses for how Mac has been acting. I work long hours and he spends a lot of time alone at home. I wanted to send him to an all-boys private school, but he insisted on enrolling in Frederick Moore, what he says is a “normal” school. Please give it some time. He just needs to find some good friends.

Principal Collins: I understand that you and your husband work hard to provide a good living for your son. I know that you love and care for his well-being.

But can you see that being alone more than not is taking a toll on your son? He’s been enrolled here for six months and still hasn’t made any friends.

Jenny: So, why you always at the principal’s office if you just got here?

Mac: Mom—

Mac: Haters. Frederick Moore has a lot of haters.

Jenny: Tell me about it. I’m a little different because I wasn’t born in America. And everyone here likes to remind me of that.

Mac: Where you from?

Jenny: I was born in Ethiopia but raised in Minnesota.

Then me and my mother moved here to Washington, D.C., maybe six years ago.

Mac: I’m a Washingtonian, born and raised in that city life. First time going to this school though. Mom takes care of animals instead of me and Dad is the local dentist. We live in the suburbs.

Jenny: Well, I live in one of the roughest, craziest parts of the city, where I hear and see things I don’t want to see. Where I live, it smells bad and there’s trash all over the streets. Dealers plague my neighborhood and prostitutes hang out there all night.

Mac: Wow. Well I’m the only child in my house. What about you?

Mrs. Johnson (interjecting): I give you everything you ask for. And in return, another problem at school. Your father is gonna want to put you in the Quiet Room. Is that what you want, son?

Mac: But Mom… it wasn’t my fault.

Mrs. Johnson: It’s never your fault! Whose fault was it this time, Mac? Mac goes into mute mode for a second, feeling like his mother wouldn’t understand.

Mac: Mom, it’s like the kids hate me. I stay to myself and that don’t work. Like, this time, two dudes bumped me at the same time and all my books and paper and everything went flying. So I beat ‘em up. Last month, someone broke into my locker. The week after that, I sat my lunch tray on the table to go get me some juice and, when I came back, my burger was gone. The week after that, I turn my head to say “Hi” to someone that I think is cool and someone else spat in my cereal.

Mrs. Johnson: What?! Why didn’t you tell me all of that before?

Jenny: Just me an’ my mom.

Mac: I don’t know. Figured I had it under control. I didn’t want “Mom and Dad running to the rescue.” That would have made things worse.

Mac: Well then we do have something in common, we are both spoiled. That’s what people say when you are the only child in your family, right?

Mr. Johnson pulls up to their house at the same time as Mrs. Johnson with Mac. As they get out and walk toward him, Mrs. Johnson tells Mac that his father doesn’t look happy.

Jenny: I am not spoiled. I am poor, living in the ghetto.

Mrs. Johnson: Well, he’s suspended again, Babe.

Mac: Well, I’m home alone a lot, so my parents buy me video games and such to keep me busy.

Mr. Johnson: He’s spoiled. Mac, go in the house, unplug your big screen, box up your game system and all your games, and I’ll talk to you later.

Jenny: Not me. Look, what did you say your name was?

Principal Collins: You’re so welcome, Dr. Johnson. If there’s anything more I can help you with, I’m just a phone call away.

Jenny: Well, Mac Johnson, I am tired and sleepy. So, good chat, but I am going back to sleep.

Meanwhile, in the lobby of the principal's office: love at first sight. Mac heads out to the waiting area. As he prepares to sit, he notices a beautiful, dark-skinned girl

Mac’s father, Dr. Nicklis Johnson, is a very well known dentist. He owns his own practice, which makes Mac’s family financially stable. Mac wants for nothing, though he sometimes prays for a little brother or sister to have someone to care for. He spends a lot of time alone and feels unloved and unwanted. That’s why he acts out and cries for attention. Mr. Johnson is strict when Mac gets in trouble in school. It’s a long ride home, anticipating what his father will say.

Mrs. Johnson: So, what’s the problem, lil’ boy? You know your father is going to be very upset.

Mrs. Johnson: I’ll let his father talk to him. Thank you, Ms. Collins.

Mrs. Johnson: No, but thank you. My husband and I can handle it just fine.

Jenny, with her eyes closed, listens to Mac get up and leave. She peeks out of one eye and sees a mug on his face that would scare a lion!

Mac: That’s twice as long as me.

Mac wants for nothing, though he sometimes prays for a little brother or sister.

Mac: Yes, Ma.

be thinking about most of the time.

Mac: You have a very short memory. Mac Johnson.

Jenny leans her head on the wall and closes her eyes.

Mac’s mom soon walks out of the principal's office with that look that lets Mac know instantly that he is in trouble.

Mrs. Johnson: Mac, let’s go. You know your father’s going to be very upset with you. I don’t know what you

Mac: But— Daaad!!!

Mrs. Johnson: Boy, do as your father say!

Mac heads into the house mad, feeling like no one listens to him.

Mrs. Johnson: Hey, Honey.

Mr. Johnson: Hey, Baby. Missed you.

The parents hug and kiss as they walk into the house.

To be continued.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

When you young

BY REGGIE JONES Artist/Vendor

Listen

You know, when you young, you feel good.

You feel like you have the rest of your life to get things in order. But time waits for no one.

I’m 40 years old now and ran around all through my young days. I was “trying to get my life together,” as they say. But I still haven’t seen the results I thought I would, which makes me feel cheated out of having success.

But you know what? I’m gonna hang in there. I think we all should hang in there until our time comes. Keep doing what you’re doing, no matter the results. Keep on pushing, ‘cause you never know what’s meant for you that is still to come. And maybe what you don’t get on Earth, you get in heaven.

Take care, all.

BY RON “POOKANU” DUDLEY Artist/Vendor

Listen, you need to pay attention to the words that I'm spittin’ I hope you listenin’ This my verse, for everybody that need to be heard This the voice for all the people, this my spoken word What should a man do if he only had one slice of bread?

Should he eat it, or split it with his family instead?

A wise women told him to eat it He brought his family back a loaf, just what the family needed Now that's a real man, with a real woman that listens and understands Life can be wild Or life can be crazy simple like a child I'm about to get deeper Do you listen to the preacher? Let the devil deceive ya?

I rebuke Satan ‘cause it’s just too much love for all of the hatin’ I hope you still listening

The best

My aunty use to tell me, “You ain't got a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out.”

But she still told me to never doubt The world is full of obstacles but anything is possible

is yet

to come

March means more than the end of winter. It means that the college basketball extravaganza called March Madness has arrived. As a fan of college basketball, I watch the tournament and enthusiastically root for my top teams.

My all-time favorite team is the Georgetown Hoyas, formerly coached by a man I have great respect for, John Thompson Sr., who is now retired.

When I’m able to tune in early enough, I always look forward to listening to the broadcasters talk about the upcoming game and the pre-game drills where players shoot practice shots and warm up with teammates.

Our life on Earth is like the pre-game in basketball: it is interesting and full of promise, but it doesn’t compare to what lies ahead. Just think of the pleasure of knowing that even when life is good, the best is yet to come!

And when we give cheerfully to those in need, or receive a donation from those who may have more than they need, it’s an investment in heavenly treasure.

In times of trouble, homelessness and suffering, sorrow, or sickness, we can find

// 13

BY REV. JOHN LITTLEJOHN Artist/Vendor

hope as we reflect on the truth that a pain-free, tearless, hopeful and helpful eternal life awaits us all in Heaven, where God and Jesus is.

The Bible talks about “above” in the book of James 1:17. It says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

The future God has promised us enables us to see all of life in new dimensions. While this may be a great life, the best life is still to come, for me and for you.

It is a wonderful privilege to live in the light and not in the darkness. Let us, then, be true and faithful and trusting with self and others.

In this way, we can serve the Lord every day.

When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.

In Heaven above, there is love, peace, kindness, happiness. It is a paradise of your wildest dreams. There is no sorrow or suffering on Earth that Heaven can’t heal. You must have belief that there is a God and a Heaven and that there is a Jesus and a country called Israel, Amen.

I saw a kid on the news with three published books I saw a kid from the hood who grew up around crooks.

I saw a snake get cleaned up by a rake I seen a shovel almost touch the devil Listen, I saw man with no legs driving I saw a man that lost it all with his head up, still smiling We don't play dice we just gamble on life We listen to the wrong instead of the right Damn Bill Cosby, R. Kelly, Mike Tyson, 2Pac and Makveli I am blackface but I'm not a n***** She said my skin too dark, I told her, “Cry me a river” Is Tekashi69 and Michael Cohen snitchin’?

MAGA hat and a noose, is Jussie Smollett trippin’?

What a Black History Month Remember Rosa Parks when we couldn't sit in the front?

Thanks to Martin Luther King, we finally free Not free enough for you, but free enough for me Listen, what if the world just stop, No more peace, no more love and hip-hop?

What if the world stop turning, No more learning as the world keeps burning?

What if the sun stop shining, the moon stop glowing?

Now everybody's frozen What if the world just stop, No more peace, no more love and hip-hop?

Pay attention

1 4 // ST REET SEN S E ME DI A / / MA RCH 2 0 - APRIL 2, 2019

FUN & GAMES

Sudoku #4 4

8

1 4

Answers

3

2 6 5 7 scratch area

SUDOKU: Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1-9.

LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION >>

5

8 7 3 6

3 Sudoku #1

5

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

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

6

1 9

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

5

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

7

9

Š 2013 KrazyDad.com

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

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

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

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

1

5

4

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

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

2 5 1 8

7 4 6 3 9

7 2

5 8

3 6

4 9 1

Mistaken for Love

BY PATTY SMITH // Artist/Vendor

Super-Tough Sudoku by aKrazyDad, Love is like fireball Volume 1, Book 1

Feel disillusioned? I've got some great new illusions ...

4

Super-Tough Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 1, Book 1

Sudoku #2 Falling from the sky 3 4 9 1 6 2 7 5 8 My whole 5 1 3was 4 torn 6 9 8 world 7 2 apart 5 9 you 1 3 4 2 7 6 8 I met The moment 7 1 8 5 3 6 9 4 2 5 6 2 9 7 4 3 8 1 You 3 4 2 to 8 care 9 seemed 1 5 7 6 6 9 7 4I know 2 3 8 1 5 Because, 4 2 5 7 1 8 6 9 3 It is not the way you treated me 1 8 3 6 9 5 4 2 7

Or the way your love set me free Sudoku #4 6 lonely 5 1 4 highway 2 9 8 I walk3this 1 2 4 9 8 7 3 5 With my 7 8head 9 6hung 3 5 down 1 2 Searching 5 love 8 2 6 4 9 7 3for 6 3 2 4 9 1 8 7 8 5 1 7 2 6 4 3 Any 9old4 woman 8 5 6 will 3 7do1 9 Any old woman has4 to5 do 2 1 6 8 7 5 7 3 2 1 9 6 4 Sudoku #6 8 5 9 6 1 3 6 4 4 2 7 3 3 1 5 2 6 7 2 1 9 8 4 7 5 9 3 8 2 6 8 9 7 4 1 5 Sudoku #8 7 1 9 3 2 5 4 8 8 3 6 7 9 6 1 5 4 2 7 9 5 8 3 6 1 9 2 4 6 4 8 1 3 7 5 2

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

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

4 1

7 6

4 1

5 9

2 3 8

3

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

8

5

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

Redemption

BY RONALD SMOOT Artist/Vendor

Let me please introduce myself (I couldn't resist!): I'm homeless. I'm just back after spending 22 months in jail.

And I'm working on my goals for the rest of my life.

I've had to start all over. I had to get new everything: identification, birth certificate, Social Security card, and health insurance. I'm in transitional housing for 90 days.

I had a housing voucher before I got locked up and I'm trying to get it back. At least I'm back on the list.

One goal is getting a job so I can take care of my needs.

I hope I get something permanent. Another is permanent housing, so I won't be on the street doing the wrong things. I also am going to mental health counseling so I can stay focused on my plan.

I'm tired of going to jail. I'm doing whatever it takes to finish my CSOSA (Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency) paperwork early so I can get my life back when my parole expires.

I don't know what the future holds. I do know I just want to stay positive, be successful, and enjoy my life.

I also know this organization saved me. Without it, I would be in more trouble. With it, I can make money to put in my pocket. It's good to be a Street Sense Media vendor!

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

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

COMMUNITY SERVICES

SHELTER HOTLINE Línea directa de alojamiento

(202) 399-7093

YOUTH HOTLINE Línea de juventud

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE Línea directa de violencia doméstica

(202) 547-7777

Education Educación

Health Care Seguro

Clothing Ropa

Legal Assistance Assistencia Legal

Case Management Coordinación de Servicios

Food Comida

Employment Assistance Assitencia con Empleo

Transportation Transportación

Showers Duchas

All services listed are referral-free Academy of Hope Public Charter School 202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Place NE aohdc.org

Bread for the City 202-265-2400 (NW) // 561-8587 (SE) 1525 7th St., NW // 1640 Good Hope Rd., SE breadforthecity.org

Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Good Hope Rd., SE calvaryservices.org

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

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

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

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

Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 Eye St., NW fathermckennacenter.org

Food and Friends // 202-269-2277 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org (home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc)

Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW ID (Friday 9am–12pm only) foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 2114 14th St., NW marthastable.org

Community Family Life Services 202-347-0511 // 305 E St., NW cflsdc.org

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

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

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

D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 202-347-8870 // 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW dccfh.org

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento

1-800-799-7233

Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento

1-888-793-4357 Laundry Lavandería

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

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

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

New York Avenue Shelter // 202-832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave., NE

JOB BOARD Food Service Worker MedStar Washington Hospital Center // D.C. Full time, Day / Evening / Night Shift This position is responsible for cleaning and assisting in all areas of the food service department at the hospital. Additionally, this position is responsible for washing pots and pans and receiving shipments.

REQUIRED: High school diploma, ability to add, subtract, and read APPLY: www.tinyurl.com/food-service-medstar

Third-Shift Grocery Store Clerk Harris Teeter // 1631 Kalorama Rd NW Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org

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

This position requires excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to lift up to 60 lbs, and the completion of a paid training course which will teach general product knowledge and provide an orientation. REQUIRED: High school diploma or 3 months of related experience APPLY: www.tinyurl.com/clerk-harris-teeter

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

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

Beacon Roofing Supply // Rockville, MD This position requires the unloading and loading of roofing materials from a vehicle to a conveyor belt at a construction site. Must be able to regularly lift and move up to 100 lbs of supplies.

APPLY: www.tinyurl.com/beacon-roofing

Entry Level Caregiver Unity Health Care // 202-745-4300 3020 14th St., NW unityhealthcare.org

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

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

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

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

// 15

Brightview Senior Living // Bethesda, MD Part Time This position is responsible for providing genuine and exceptional care to the seniors living at the Brightview Senior Living cenuine and exceptional care to the seniors living at the Brightview Senior Living community.

REQUIRED: high school diploma and an interest in working with seniors.

APPLY: www.tinyurl.com/brightview-senior

Night Cleaner – Housekeeping Hyatt Regency Washington Full Time

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

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

This position is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the public areas of the hotel at night. Must be able to work at night and push/pull moderate weight.

APPLY: http://tinyurl.com/dc-hyatt-night

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

Woman Mother, that great, great, grand lady

BY ROBERT WARREN Artist/Vendor

My aunt, Marian, may she rest in peace, and my mother, Edeth. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBERT WARREN

That phenomenal woman, my mother

And when I hear my mother’s laugh,

My mother taught me to believe

The great-great-grandmother she be

The world’s alright with me

In the better part of my heart

Something my mother said to me about life:

Maybe, one day, I will know my grandma

I have pictures of my grandma in my mind

“Who has time for dying

When the angels come for me

I think about my Father’s mother

when there is yet living to do?

Or when the trumpet is blown

And how maybe she saw me smile

And still is the water,

And even the sea full of raindrops

Remembering that ancient Black woman,

just a raindrop in the sea

Shall give up its dead

The Queen of the Nile

For we all shall taste death,

That old Mother Earth

I can see you in my mother’s eyes

and then there’s life anew”

Wrinkled and nearly blind

A month, a day, a year

Have you ever seen a newborn baby smile?

When that day comes

To remember every second of this life

The look of satisfaction

Souls and spirits will be purified

That I, the son, the man, the father

in that old lady’s eyes

So says the Lord

Love you

Little Glass Rectangle

BY JAMES DAVIS // Artist/Vendor

The little glass rectangle controls our day We sometimes check our phone before we even pray

The little glass rectangle will cloud your world and invade your space Warning! Erase, erase, erase!

The little glass rectangle controls our mood We get full of Instagram before we get full on food

From your vendor MARCH 20 - APRIL 2, 2019 | VOL. 16 ISSUE 10

WWW.INSP.NGO

The little glass rectangle makes us silently vicious to no end So easy on Facebook to unfriend The little glass rectangle controls our fate Don’t believe me?

Just keep texting on your date

Thank you for reading Street Sense!

5.5 million READERS

Wi-Fi strings and 4G Geppetto moves.

ILLUSTRATION BY REGINALD BLACK, ARTIST/VENDOR

9,000 VENDORS

100+

STREET PAPERS

34

COUNTRIES

24

LANGUAGES