03 31 2010

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Where the poor and homeless March 31 - April 13, 2010

March 31 - April 13, 2010

earn and give their two cents

D STE GE ON G I S U N AT DO

Volume 7 Issue 11

Unemployment Health care Poverty Crime Racism Homelessness

a

The skinny on health care reform and how it will affect the homeless See Page 5 & 13

35 cents for production of the paper

65 cents for the Vendor

Ken pitches the Pay it Foward Program to Readers Page 14

Group makes feast out of garbage Page 12

Census shows a decrease in homeless vets Page 6

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 347–2006 Fax: (202) 347–2166 info@streetsense.org www.streetsense.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristal DeKleer Lisa Estrada Ted Henson Mary Lynn Jones Sommer Mathis Brad Scriber John Snellgrove Michael Stoops Martin Walker David Walker Kathy Whelpley EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Abby Strunk EDITOR–IN–CHIEF Lisa Gillespie VENDOR MANAGER Gregory Martin INTERNS Sonja Doty & Mary Krulia FOUNDERS Ted Henson & Laura Thompson Osuri VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Robert Basler, Robert Blair, Jane Cave, Katie Edson, Robert Fulton, Jane Goforth, Cassandra Good, Joanne Goodwin, Roberta Haber, Erica Hall, Annie Hill, Dan Horner, Phillip Hoying, Maurice King, Brenda K. Lee-Wilson, Kim O’Connor, Gabriel Okolski, Michael O’Neill,, Katinka Podmanickzy, Sarah Birnie, Diane Rusignola, Jesse Smith, Denise Wilkins, Marian Wiseman

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Our Mission

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.

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 Washington, 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 28 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 on a monthly basis and greatly expanded 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 a nonprofit organization.

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

A year later in November 2006, the organization hired its first vendor coordinator and began partnering with several service providers.

In February 2007, the paper started publishing twice a month and to support the increased production brought on its first full-time editor– in–chief in April.

As of January 2010 the paper had 72 active ven-

We are proud members of: North American Street Newspaper Association

International Network of Street Papers

dors and prints about 30,000 issues a month.

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

200 rally against homeless project in Hawaii Residents of Honolulu’s Chinatown rallied to show their opposition to a city proposal aimed to help chronically homeless people, the Honolulu Advertiser reports.

The project is a 100-unit residence, which has a goal of getting homeless people into housing and providing help to address their problems, such as alcohol and drug addiction and mental illness. Opponents of the project say they’re worried that the project will lead to increased crime and bring more homeless people into the area, the Advertiser reports.

Area resident Harry Palmer told the Advertiser that the project should stay away from “a residential area like this with schools, churches and cultural sites.”

Opponents say they would prefer if senior housing were built in the same area, as opposed to the homeless assistance facility.

Fort Worth faces financial crunch to help homeless In Fort Worth, Texas, more than 250 homeless men and women have been housed through the city’s Directions Home program, a project that hopes to eradicate homelessness during the course of the next 10 years, the Fort Worth Business Press reports.

And while the program has clearly had positive results, some are worried that an anticipated budget shortfall later this year will mean problems for funding the project.

“It is clear to me that our mission, while not fully accomplished, is certainly in the process of being addressed. And

as I visit with my colleagues I will continue to try to make certain they have accurate information on which to base their decision to continue to support this effort,” said Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief.

The impact of the recession and the sluggish economy won’t be seen until the end of 2010, the Business Press reports.

Advocates concerned L.A. census will undercount homeless Los Angeles has begun its homeless census, but local advocates say that they’re a difficult population to fully count, the Los Angeles Examiner reports.

“The best workers to count people living on our streets are skilled homeless outreach workers,” said Rudy Salinas, a 10-year veteran of street outreach. “They know where all of the encampments are, and can encourage people to be willing to come out from their hidden places.”

But the census only allows official workers to count the homeless, not outreach workers.

Advocates from around the country echo Salinas’ sentiments.

According to the Examiner, David Gomez, a homeless advocate in Austin, Texas, said, “How do you count the homeless when their existence depends on their ability or desire to remain unseen?”

World Cup officials move homeless from stadium areas About 300 homeless have been moved from Cape Town, South Africa, in advance of World Cup festivities, Metro.

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co.uk reports.

They have been moved to Blikkiesdorp camp on Cape Flats, an area filled with roughly 1,450 families, though the area is designed for 450 people.

Ruth Tanner, campaigns director at War on Want, told Metro.co.uk that, “Rather than temporarily cleaning up for the World Cup, the South African government needs to tackle the problem of housing and improve living conditions for South Africans.”

“Homelessness and begging are big problems. You have to clean your house before you have guests,” a Johannesburg local government spokesman said.

Once the tournament is over, the homeless will be allowed to return to the World Cup site.

N.Y. falls short on monitoring nonprofit agencies New York City has handed out more than $152 million in “handshake deals” in 2008 to non-profit service providers that did not have contracts, according to an audit released on Thursday by John C. Liu, the city controller, The New York Times reports.

NYC’s Department of Homeless Services had zero contracts with providers that operate more than 10,000 units used to house homeless or poor families. Now, about 60% are controlled by contracts, the audit found.

The audit also found occurrences in which agencies were estimating how many homeless, making it difficult to determine if the agencies deserved the money they received.

There were about $953,000 in questionable payments, the New York Times reports.

Compiled by Dianna Heitz, from previously published reports.

Every homeless person has a name, a story and a hope for something better.

Kenneth came to Street Sense to work, write and support the homeless. He also spends time volunteering for the Pay It Forward Project in D.C. Kenneth lives in a community residence facility but hopes to one day live independently and publish a book of his Street Sense articles.

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

Homeless Advocates Come Together for Solutions Comprehensive plan to address homelessness developed on the national front

By Maya Srikrishnan, editorial volunteer In an effort to incorporate the concerns of local communities in their plan to end homelessness across the country, an interagency council has conducted stakeholder meetings with everyone from government workers and homelessness advocacy groups to homeless individuals in attendance.

“It’s the first comprehensive plan by the federal government that will look at preventing and ending homelessness in the entire country,” said Jason Kravitz, spokesman for the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH).

Kravitz said the stakeholder input part of the plan creation was intended to help the interagency council collect views from across the country about what local communities are doing to address homelessness and what they feel are the biggest issues in addressing the problem.

“I think everyone is very passionate about the issue of homelessness,” Kravitz said. “If they’ve worked on it in their locality, they are very passionate about what works and what doesn’t work. We are trying to make [the process] as open and transparent as possible.”

Jeremy Rosen, the executive director of National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness, said the process represents a much better effort that the interagency council has done before to get feedback on homelessness issues – issues that received little attention under the previous White House administration.

“It’s commendable t h a t t h e y a re a c t u ally getting something done,” Rosen said.

It is important that the federal officials take into account the opinions and advice of those people who have the experience working on the problem of homeless-Elizabeth Curtis, execu- ness in their local areas tive director of the Mas- every day, he said.

Rosen said the next sachusetts Interagency step is to see if everyCouncil On Homelessness one’s ideas are actually incorporated into the final plan and how the

Even though we all live in different places and are day-to-day focused on different things, there was broad agreement on what works.

plan is implemented.

Stephen Thomas, a speaker with the National Coalition for the Homeless and the director of Community Outreach and Development of STREATS, a non-profit project, attended a meeting in Washington, D.C. “Everyone thought we have the same dilemma through the country, which is lack of funding,” he said.

Thomas said that everyone agreed that even though funds are set aside for homelessness, when other departments in city governments need extra money, they almost always take funds from social services, especially those funds earmarked for social services. “There is always something that needs to be paid for, but why do you have to always take from those in the greatest need?”

Thomas, who used to be homeless, said he was probably the only person in the meeting who had actually experienced homelessness, but he was amazed at the commitment and knowledge of the other people in the room. He sometimes had to explain to government officials from some agencies, like the Department of Transportation, how they played a role in helping to stop homelessness though.

He said, while in a smaller discussion group with a high-ranking official from the department, the official looked at him and said it was his first time being involved in the process of addressing homelessness and he was not sure what part transportation could play in helping.

“I had to explain to him that just because people are homeless doesn’t mean they don’t need ways to get places,” Thomas said. “They need it to seek education, job training, employment opportunities, and even just to get a meal.”

Thomas said overall, what he saw in the meetings was a genuine attempt from the Obama administration to address the issue of homelessness and that the facilitators of the meeting from the U.S. Interagency really listened and encouraged positive discussions on the problem.

“As a homeless advocate, I found it quite an honor to be invited,” he said. “And I was even more honored that in being the only homeless person in the room, I wasn’t looked down upon and they engaged me in every step of the way.”

These meetings, in addition to a Web forum, are an effort by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. The plan is being formulated as part of the HEARTH Act. The “stakeholder input” portion of the plan creation ended March 22, so the interagency council could compile all the information they collected and incorporate it into the plan.

The HEARTH Act passed on May 20, 2009, allocated millions more dollars to homelessness prevention, quickly re-housing homeless families and providing permanent supportive housing for homeless people with disabilities. The bill, which was included as part of the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act, re-authorized the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s McKinney-

I had to explain that just because people are homeless doesn’t mean they don’t need ways get places. They need to seek education, job training, employment opportunities and even get a meal.

-Stephen Thomas, speaker with NCH Vento Homeless Assistance programs, which represent the largest federal investment in preventing and ending homelessness.

Stakeholder forums were held in Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago and Seattle. More than 900 people participated in the forums across the country, according to USICH. The website allowed users to submit comments and vote on other people’s submissions, comments and suggestions. The site attracted more than 7,000 visits and more than 2,000 recorded individual comments.

Elizabeth Curtis, the executive director of the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Homelessness, attended a meeting in February in Boston, where interagency workers gathered from across New England. There were about 40 attendees at this particular meeting, who sat at small tables of four to seven people, while a facilitator from the U.S. Interagency asked them a series of questions for discussions. After each set of questions, individuals would switch tables so everyone could have the chance to exchange ideas with all those present.

“It was absolutely fascinating,” Curtis said. “Even though we all live in different places and are dayto-day focused on different things, there was broad agreement on what works.”

Curtis said that common themes that arose during the meeting included improving prevention and re-housing resources, increasing affordable housing stock through a variety of programs targeted to different types of households, developing a shared definition of homelessness, and eliminating of agency silos – barriers in exchanging information between agencies – in order to better share goals, targets and accountability.

The meetings stressed that the greatest hurdles the USICH would face in creating its plan would be coordinating the different agencies that address homelessness in some way, she said.

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

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Health Care for the Homeless: The Facts

By Sonja Doty, editorial intern With the passing of H.R.3200, “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act,” millions of people across the U.S. will be affected by the sweeping changes, from the middle-class to the low-income community.

Previously, those either homeless or without financial security who were not covered under Medicaid would either have to choose between medical care and other necessities, forego it entirely or face bills they are unable to pay.

A 2009 study of hunger in America by the non-profit Feeding America found that 24.2 percent of food provider clients were without health insurance, while 46.5 percent reported having unpaid medical bills.

In the bill’s provision for an open market, everyone would be required to get insurance. Certain groups

would be excepted, including religious groups, Native Americans and people in prison. Insurance can be either employer-provided or purchased at newly-dubbed “exchanges”—insurance marketplaces that have not yet been fully organized.

In 2008, 46.3 million Americans (15.4 percent) were without health insurance at least part of the year, an increase from 45.7 million in 2007. As of 2008, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 255.1 million Americans had insurance of some sort, either government-provided or private.

Government aid in the new purchases is still available to those at a certain level of income. The cutoff for aid is four times the federal poverty level of the individual or group.

In 2009, the poverty line for a family of four was $22,050. For an individual, it was $10,830.

Providing aid to those above the

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federal poverty level assumes that even those not technically in poverty would be subject to financial stress in the case of a medical emergency.

According to Jenny Reed of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, 16.9 percent of D.C. residents in 2008 were below the poverty line, increasing in 2009 to 18.9 percent. She estimated, however, that those “at-risk” of poverty and financial insecurity was 106,000.

As the income of the recipient decreases, the amount of additional government subsidies increases.

Those who make the least receive the greatest amount of aid in order to buy in the competitive required insurance market.

If someone makes under 133 percent of the federal poverty level, he or she can enroll in the expanded Medicaid program. As of 2005, more than 56 million people received Med-

icaid benefits. Recent numbers are not yet available, but with a higher unemployment rate the projection of current recipients is expected to be higher.

The formula for aid is complex, but in the highest bracket of aid those who make three to four times the poverty level will effectively pay after subsidies about 10 percent of their income. As the income goes lower, so does the percentage owed, making the individual who has an approximate income of $14,000 a year only have to pay three to four percent.

No specific language in the bill refers to homeless people, but the steadily decreasing rates of taxation dependent on income levels recognizes that the health-care overhaul spans from the depths of middleclass, well above the poverty level, to those who are barely surviving.

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

Politicans Urged to Put Poverty on Top

By Sonja Doty, editorial intern Businessmen, residents, workers and advocates asked their local politicians to lead the way in addressing issues of poverty in the District to begin the Defeat Poverty D.C. campaign on March 22.

Tom Sherwood, a local political reporter at NBC Channel 4, insisted the campaign’s goals were realistic. “Saying ‘we’re going to end homelessness… and hunger’ has not worked,” he said. “It’s a bold initiative, not realistic.”

Instead, the coalition stressed it is helping to raise awareness in the local government, and is pushing politicians to take firm stances on this issue.

Andy Shallal, the owner of Busboys & Poets, discussed why politicians often overlooked poverty issues. “It’s not about money, it’s about priorities,” he said. “The money is there.”

It’s a line like a ski jump.

-Jenny Reed, the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, describing DC unemployment rates between 2008 and 2009

The panelists cited a deal proposed by the city for defense contractor Northrop Grumman, which would give them 25 million dollars in abatements and grants. “Again, its priorities,” Shallal said.

Jenny Reed of the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute ran down the results of a recent study done on poverty in D.C. “It’s a line like a ski jump,” she said, describing unemployment rates. Rates have gone from 5.6 percent to 11.9 percent, doubling between January 2008 and December 2009.

Approximately 16.9 percent of residents fell below the federal poverty line in 2008, rising to 18.9 percent in 2009. This number was brought to about 11,000 residents, according to Reed; however, the total of those at risk of poverty is more than 106,000. “Declines in poverty could be years away,” Reed said. “It takes a long time to recover.”

Valarie Ashley, the executive director of Southeast Ministry, emphasized the need for employers and job trainers to communicate about what skills are most needed. “We’re sort of training in a vacuum,” she said. “We don’t know what employers are looking for.”

Denise Rolark-Barnes, a publisher of The Washington Informer, said businesses need to look inside the community for its workers. “We can employ our own people,” she said. “Grow our own.”

Many D.C. businesses employ non-residents.

The District’s unemployment rate is at 12 percent, according to Reed.

The business done by companies has always been flawed, Shallal said. “It’s not just profit as a

We can employ our own people and grow our own.

- Denise Rolark-Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer bottom-line.”

The panelists highlighted the importance of community, especially among businesses, nonprofits, and religious initiatives. “Religious communities have a rich tradition of being active in social services,” Ashley said. “They can raise awareness at a congregational level.”

Rolark-Barnes pointed out that non-profits and faith-based often “competed” for dollars. She called out those in churches who did not “step beyond feeding the spirit.”

“It becomes a question with some, to minister to the spirit or provide social services,” she said.

“An effort must be made to break the cycle by training the young.”

“We need to knock on the doors of the elected officials,” she said. “People not in poverty increase the tax base and the vitality of the city.”

Census’ Success in Preventing Veteran Homelessness

By Caroline Hopper, editorial volunteer On March 10, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that the number of military veterans homeless on a given night had decreased 18 percent last year. VA’s Community Homelessness Assessment, Local Education and Networking Groups (CHALENG) conducts an annual census of homeless veterans.

Results show approximately 107,000 homeless veterans each night last year, compared to 131,000 in 2008 and 154,000 in 2007. However, according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV), over the course of a year twice that many experience homelessness. Only eight percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans.

The number of veterans that are homeless on any given night indicates successful progress in VA’s five-year plan, now entering its second year, to eradicate homelessness for veterans. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Erik Shinseki stated in order to eliminate homelessness, VA has to prevent homelessness from occurring.

“To eliminate homelessness, we must help more

than veterans currently without a place to live,” Shinseki said. “We must prevent approximately 27,000 new veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless from crossing that tragic line each year.”

A joint effort among federal, state and independent organizations has provided momentum for this effort. In fact, according to the VA, more than 4,000 community partners have contributed to the goal of decreasing veteran homelessness, providing a 15 percent increase in veterans served through these organizations.

VA has also partnered with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. While VA provides case management for homeless veterans and their families, HUD provides housing vouchers. According to HUD, 79 percent of those who successfully transitioned from VA-funded housing programs to permanent housing remained housed after one year.

Veterans, in addition to the multifaceted set of factors influencing all homelessness (extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care) are homeless because they live with the lasting effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, according to the NCHV.

To eliminate homelessness, we must help more than veterans currently without a place to live.

We must prevent 27,000 new veterans who are at risk.

-Erik Shinseki, secretary of Veterans Affairs “It will take dedication, creativity and hard work of many parts of American society to end homelessness among veterans,” Shinseki said. “But mostly it takes the resolve to say, ‘It is unacceptable for a single veteran to spend the night on the streets of America.’”

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

7

HIV Home Testing “Too Risky”

By Melany Bendix The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has called on government to ban the sale of HIV home testing kits to private individuals.

While emphasising that HIV testing is key to both prevention and obtaining lifesaving treatment, SAMA said rapid HIV tests—where the result is immediate without having to send the test to a laboratory— should only be used by regulated facilities, and not by individuals at home. This, according to the association, is due to “the danger of people committing suicide after being informed of their HIV positive status, or even following misinterpretation of the results of the home test kit”.

“The danger of similar tragic incidents happening once people are encouraged to conduct home testing cannot be excluded.

Similarly if a person goes for counselling before they do their own test they might as well be assisted in doing the test,” said

SAMA chairman Dr. Norman Mabasa.

“Let us not create a situation where we wait for disaster to happen by encouraging potentially risky practices where people discover their HIV status at home unmonitored.”

The association acknowledged that the home testing kit could be preferred by those who are concerned about being tested at their local clinic or hospital for fear of being recognised by family or colleagues, but argued that it is crucial rapid HIV testing be conducted according to the same ethical standards as laboratory HIV testing, and this includes pre and post-test counselling by a trained professional.

“Although SAMA fully supports testing as it is essential for people to know their status, we do not support the ad hoc sale of home testing kits. We will do everything in our power to make presentations to government to ensure that devices of this nature are distributed responsibly,” said Mabasa.

He added that the association will lobby

for it to become compulsory for merchants selling the rapid HIV tests to make counselling available with each sale.

The National Department of Health has also discouraged people from using the kits, while the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has weighed in on SAMA’s call to government, saying the home testing kits are “too risky.”

“We encourage people not to utilise them. When doing an HIV test it’s very important o know why you are doing it, and to have a proper support system,” said TAC General Secretary Vuyiseka Dubula.

She also raised concerns about the efficacy of home testing, as a confirmation test is needed. “All HIV tests must be confirmed.

The worry with self-testing is that it’s not always possible to confirm the results. Some people may not be able to afford to buy a second kit to confirm their results.”

However, the medical head of an HIV and AIDS organisation in KwaZulu-Natal has said home testing will help fight the

spread of HIV in South Africa where, according to researchers, less than 25 percent of adults have been tested and only one in ten people needing treatment are receiving it.

Dr. Krista Dong of iTeach—which is overseeing a rapid HIV testing pilot programme in the Umgungundlovu district of Pietermaritzburg under the guidance of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s bioethics committee—maintained that it is possible for people to be home-tested and still receive adequate counselling.

“A free HIV self-test, similar to a home pregnancy test, supported by counsellors accessible by cell phone, will empower patients to test in private when they are ready,” she said.

Reprinted from The Big Issue South Africa © Street News Service: www.street-papers.org

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

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Photos by Jane Ca

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ave, office volunteer and photographer

March 31 - April 13, 2010

Train Ride I stumble onto this train; the stench of yesterday follows me.

I am tired and struggling.

Every eye in the car shifts towards me with a judging glance.

I carry bags filled with my hopes and dreams of yesteryear dreams that never came true because life's wrath intervened, forcing me out of my apartment and into the bitter cold where I now live alone, not only by myself but away from the grasp of humanity.

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By Joaquin M. Turley, Jr.

Because few take the time to actually see me, I set up shop to live outside even in the coldest seasons.

Maybe all three, but I digress.

Who really knows?

They just look at me and see a societal failure in a crowd of winners.

My skin, filled with many cuts and lesions, exposes my flesh in its truest fashion

And while they're on this train going home to perfectly cooked dinners,

and takes away most of life's satisfaction.

I sit trying to find a way out of this winter

Now people stare at me, causing the pink, black and blue scars to show.

My shoes lean from the weight of the stares coming from my fellow peers.

Is it pity, sorrow or disgust?

where the snow has piled up and forced me on this train that is starting to grow colder than the streets by the minute.

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

Word

Match

A’s

Match the innovator with their product!

1. William G. Morgan

A. I invented volleyball

2. James Weldon Johnson

B. I was the founder of the city of Chicago

3. William F. Lamb

C. I designed the Empire State Building

4. Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable

D. I wrote the lyrics to “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

5. Shigeru Miyamoto

E. I designed the popular video games Super Mario

By Patrick Azarius

Bros. and The Legend of Zelda

REVIEW

Street Sudoku

By David Rubin

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7 The restaurant offers a wide variety of burgers in a sporty atmosphere

8 8

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This week’s answers

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2 7 8 9 5 3 1 6 4

6 2 5 8 3 7 4 9 1

9 8 3 4 1 2 5 7 6

7 4 1 5 6 9 3 2 8

4 6 7 3 9 5 8 1 2

5 1 2 6 8 4 9 3 7

8 3 9 7 2 1 6 4 5

for watching games. In addition, the waiters are welcoming.

You will want to return, especially after trying their thick and juicy burgers. I have tried and enjoyed all 13. The sauces are flavorful and memorable. My favorite is the tangy “Californian, Dude” with bacon, melted cheese and avocado sauce.

The “Big Turkey” is a delight. The “Black-n-Bleu” and the “Cowboy” are wonderfully spicy. The “Big Kahuna” is sweet and will keep your taste buds bursting.

Located at 601 F Street Northwest (202-637-8889), the hours are from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily. In addition to burgers, the restaurant offers chicken wings (which come with several mouth-watering sauces), pizzas and a variety of sandwiches that will brighten your day as you watch your favorite sport.

And, of course, there is a bar to get you in the right spirit.

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By Patricia Jefferson, former vendor

It wasn’t the green awning and patio seating, but the picture of the huge hamburger covering the window next to the entrance that drew me in.

I saw the menu with the different fixings for the burgers. They are called the “Mighty Thirteen Burgers of Character.” The Greene Turtle offers these unique burgers with their own names and toppings to match.

This sports bar and grille originated in Ocean City, Md., in 1976. The D.C. location opened in the spring of 2007, next to the Verizon Center.

There are several locations in other cities as well.

The place is spacious, dimly lit and sports-oriented. Jerseys and pictures of our favorite players are hung on the walls. There are plenty of television sets (including in the booths)

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The Greene Turtle Adds Pizzazz to Hamburgers

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Will Write For Food:

Writer’s Group

March 31 - April 13, 2010

meets every Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Street Sense office.

The Writer's Group needs laptops; email: info@streetsense.org if you can help

April Fools Day While the first of April is all about fun and jokes, we hope that you understand that what makes you laugh, can also make you cry.

BUGS OR FIRE

by David Rubin The new building,on fire, Everyone is running,no tire, Exterminator is coming,on hire, Fooled by alarming,no mire, Plan of waking,on wire.

David volunteers and is working on his own novel. Contact: Stonepotts2000@ yahoo.com.

9

The Fool of Fools

by Reginald Black

I pity the fool of fools. They perch on garbage cans like pigeon stools.

Sitting around with nothing to do.

Who Who are you? The fools cry. '' Look at us we work.'' The people reply.

Reggie’s Reflections- Offer Accepted!

By Reginald Black I was forced to leave the hood. My hideout was locked and I couldn’t access the apartment. The whole day I was worked dreading the end of the day, but soon it was time to close. As I waited for the area to die down, a friend came by. His offer sounded reasonable, but what would his spouse say? He told me she would understand, and that they had helped another. As we departed I couldn’t help feeling nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was still hopeful. We arrived and they talked it over. She agreed and I began to unpack. Finally, I thought. '' I have a roof again.'' Would this last I wondered, and if so, how long would I have the option of this place being my home? But most of all I knew for one night I had a home.

Reggie hosts The Writer's Group Meetings. Contact: Rblackstreetreporter@ gmail.com.

APRIL WHO IS REALLY THE FOOL

by Robert Warren

APRIL WHO IS REALLY THE FOOL. COULD IT BE THE BUD OF THE FLOWER THAT BLOOM TO SOON, ONLY T0O HAVE COLD APRIL WINDS BLOW IT AWAY. IF ONLY IT HAD BLOOMED ANOTHER DAY. COULD IT BE THE FOOL WHO THINKS HE CAN CHANGE, GOD CALENDER DAYS, HIS TIME WILL COME ANYWAY. COULD THE FOOL BE THE FARMER WHO PLANTED HIS CROPS TO SOON, ONLY TO HAVE HIS CROPS LOST TO RUIN. MAYBE THE FOOL IS THE MAN WHO TOLD ME THAT LIE. THAT WAS THE DAY HE SAID MARVIN GAYE DIED. COULD THE FOOL BE THE MAN WHO THOUGHT HE KNEW THE DAY THAT CRHIST WILL RETURN TO YOU. DON’T BE FOOLED BY WHAT PEOPLE SAY, MAKING FOOLS OUT OF US THAT IS THE DEVIL’S WAY. COULD THE APRIL FOOLS BE KIDS GROWING UP TO SOON? NOT GOING TO SCHOOL IN APRIL. SPRING THE GOOD DAYS APRIL BRINGS! NEVER TO LEARN THE LORD'S GOLDEN RULES, DON'T LET APRIL MAKE FOOLS OUT OF YOU. Robert is a member of The People for Fairness Coalition. Contact: Robertwarren47@yahoo.com.

And in the blink of an eye, it all changed. Now those fools I pity are standing in the rain. '' Look at those fools playing in the rain.'' That's what I heard the people saying.

Little do they know, I am scheming something in my brain. In a bed one of these fools will not be laying.

Breaking, breaking down the street. There is a shelter bus I got to meet.

Or I will end up like that April fool, who played so long they missed their chance for a bed to sleep.

MIS-INFORMATION IS POWER

by David Rubin

Derieved from BBC WWII archives where we can all play a fool about April fool day.The landlady was a Nazi spy defying Sir Francis Bacon famous statement,'Information is power'.In this case,'Mis-information is power!'.

Characters are welcomed the lead role defined by Chris Foulkes,an engineer.

David volunteers and is working on his own novel. Contact: Stonepotts2000@ yahoo.com.

PRODUCTION, HOSTING, LAYOUT AND SUPPORT: Patty Smith, Reginald Black

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

Food From Trash at the ‘Anarchist Picnic’

By Bryan Yannantuono, editorial volunteer

By Maria Stoyadinova, editorial volunteer

PHOTO CREDIT

It is only fitting that an organization called Food Not Bombs has its D.C. headquarters in the shadow of a military installation-turned-entertainment complex. Founded in 1980 to protest the rising violence and militarization of society, Food Not Bombs chapters now span the globe, feeding vegetarian and vegan meals to the homeless and hungry.

Their unifying belief is that society promotes brutality far more than it promotes compassion. From the media’s obsession with violence to the billions of taxpayer dollars spent on military equipment, the group believes that society is plagued with death all around. Noting that millions of people starve every day even though enough food exists to feed them, Food Not Bombs rejects the status quo for practical idealism.

With chapters in more than 1,000 cities worldwide, the D.C. chapter had previously been dormant when a couple of friends kick-started it again in July 2009. Like other chapters, all members are volunteers and the group is leaderless. Members are free to come and go as they please with no strict commitment. As one member, Kennedy Nadler, describes it, Food Not Bombs is an “anarchist picnic.”

Most people are not aware of the tremendous amounts of food thrown out every year, fewer still that a group like Food Not Bombs exists to reclaim it. Having recently moved to the District, I have found the waste painfully obvious. That said, I was pleased to help put a stop to this madness by preparing, distributing and later eating some of the District’s squandered sustenance.

In the spirit of activism and waste reclamation, chapters typically do not buy the meals that they prepare. Instead, they collect from donations or dumpster-dive. Yes, much has been salvaged from the trash, a testament to industrial waste. And I dare you to find more satisfying food in the city.

One day we ate banana bread, salad, Italian bread, roasted bell pepper stew, fresh hummus, apple sauce and fruit salad. Another time we had vegetarian chili, fried rice with garbanzo beans and a

Criminal Records a Large Roadblock for the Homeless Community

Members of the D.C. chapter feast on scavenged food.

rich, hearty stew of potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and broccoli.

Food is for all who pass by, and a number of the city’s homeless population takes advantage of it.

Reveling at the genuine generosity and respect for the community, a friend of mine said, “Instead of having a clear line between the giver and the receiver, everyone felt equal and welcome.”

Though I’ve only just started to volunteer my time with Food Not Bombs, I already feel a strong sense of camaraderie with the people I have met: nonprofit workers, local students and even a high school teacher. Just recently, a dozen students from Colorado State University offered their time as part of their Alternative Spring Break, which focused on homelessness in America. And that doesn’t even begin to cover the homeless.

In short, Food Not Bombs is about extravagance without waste. It is about recycling waste into productivity. It is about rebelling against the status quo.

And it is about having fun.

Food Not Bombs prepares meals every Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at 1834 A St. S.E., directly across from the Stadium-Armory Metro Station. The group then convenes at the fountain at Dupont Circle around 4 p.m. to pass out food. All are welcome.

The room was quiet—the quiet that precedes a public event. The lull did not last long. While the audience waited for the arrival of speakers from the Community Defender Division of the Public Defender Service, Eric Sheptock, an event coordinator for the Franklin Shelter Street Law Series, invited them to share any personal concerns regarding the expungement (permanent removal) of criminal records. And that’s when the quiet ended.

In Washington, D.C., and across the country, people with criminal records are often denied employment, making it difficult for them to begin a new life. A criminal record can include records of arrests that did not result in convictions. One person shared that his record of an offense committed more than 40 years ago still haunted him.

The overarching theme emerging from every corner of the auditorium was exasperation with a law that stamps people with the label “criminal” and does not allow them to erase that label for the rest of their lives. The inability to expunge past offenses was said to be another contributor to the “mental illness of poverty,” in which people deprived of the chance to start over become trapped in perpetual deprivation.

Some said this poverty trap could be forcing many to return to crime, creating a vicious cycle. Others referred to the criminal records conundrum as a problem that transforms the homeless shelter into an extension of prison—a place where you are ultimately trapped, this time not by bars and guards, but by a label. Still others dubbed it the new wave of discrimination holding back people and communities.

When the Public Defender Service speakers arrived, the discussion shifted to the D.C. law that permits some criminal records to be sealed, meaning that private (but not government) employers are prevented from accessing them. However, the Record Sealing Act can only be applied to people who were found innocent, people who have not had a felony conviction (except for a Ball Reform Act felony), people who have never committed a misdemeanor classified as ineligible and people who do not currently have a pending case (unless it is for a minor offense).

The personal accounts of many audience members seemed to suggest the Act would not apply to most with criminal records. Some told stories of legal complexities and numerous procedural hurdles they faced when trying to have their records sealed, claiming that even if you are among the small number who qualify, you may still have a long battle ahead of you. The chances of having a record expunged might be even slimmer.

Another legal development discussed at the event was a pending bill that would not allow employers to discriminate against a candidate based on his or her criminal record until after a job offer is made (at which point they could still choose to dismiss the candidate), unless the offense or arrest is directly related to the job in question. Many thought such a law would be a step in the right direction, as it would allow people to represent themselves based on their current skills and aspirations, rather than on their past activities (at least during the interview and application process).

The speakers also educated the audience about housing assistance, mentoring, job training and other services the Public Defender Service provides to people struggling to re-enter the workforce. As many said throughout the afternoon, someone who has already paid their debt to society should not repeatedly get penalized for the same mistake their whole lives. Everyone deserves a chance to develop their true potential, and we should ensure that the law provides people with that opportunity.

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13

March 31 - April 13, 2010

Making Sense of the Health Care Bill Mending the System

By Joaquin M. Turley, Jr., editorial volunteer The debate on health-care is currently raging. Millions of people are getting sick every day and they don’t have enough money to afford it. These people fall victim to the big insurance companies, while the companies get rich off the people’s unfortunate circumstances. The field has continuously shown no compassion when it comes to providing affordable health care. Something as imperative and necessary as health insurance should have been fixed decades ago, but now there is finally a plan to help people.

As we all know President Barack Obama has been pushing and pushing for a type of universal health care reform, where everyone will be able to have health insurance. This idea is extremely revolutionary in a time where a recession is in full effect and lower income families have to choose which necessities of life are more important than others. This bill will help their dilemma because it gives people the option of not only choosing their health insurance, but also deciding how much they want to pay to gain that insurance.

Why the GOP has been fighting Obama every step of the way has baffled me. This type of resistance to a plan that is going to help millions of uninsured Americans is telling of the GOP mindset.

Their mindset is selfish, as they would like to see the rich get richer and the poor become only poorer.

I am speaking of their actions as a whole. They have done nothing but try to block or distract the President in order to delay the vote; they have become the party of “No.” Obama even had to delay trips to Indonesia and Australia, where he would work to improve relations, in order to stay in Washington and push through the bill.

It is sad that Obama has had to deal with such bitter partisanship in his tenure as president. My question to you as a reader is why? Is the public missing the underlying message that the Republican Party is sending with their actions? Perhaps Obama is actually trying to help Americans without a hidden agenda of his own. Republicans say they support

Now, That’s Reform

health-care, though not this bill.

Why is it then that they did not do anything while Bush was in power for eight years?

People need the government, but the government also needs the people. So it is almost safe to say the government could possibly be rigged in such a way that people will always need to run to this institution for help. Obama’s plan is liberating the public to a degree. This plan will give people the freedom to choose their insurance instead of being locked into a situation where they deal with an insurance company that will raise premiums to an impossible height.

In addition, now Americans do not have to worry about being dropped from their insurance because they have preexisting conditions.

We all understand the plan to end the strife regarding health-care is not perfect (nothing is) but it is definitely a step in the right direction. What is Obama as the President of the United States of America supposed to do? Sit around as some other presidents have done and watch people live their lives hanging by a string called hope? No! A president should be a fearless leader willing to go the extra mile for the people that put him in his position. In my view this is what we finally have. We have a president willing to work in the people’s favor, who is willing to put his reputation on the line to fight for something he believes in. He has endured bitter criticism and spent countless hours over the past year debating health care, though his determination and vision has finally brought hope for the American people.

It is about time someone in the political arena fulfills their campaign promises. It’s about time someone in a powerful position really cared about what is happening in America instead of unwinding at his private ranch when disasters occur.

Maybe this is the beginning of a great change in the faulty governmental thinking that has plagued America for far too long.

By Maurice King, editorial volunteer After 100 years of trying to implement health care reform, finally HR 3590 has become a reality and has heralded in a new era in the United States. It was the topic of discussion in the government and the media for over a year before its passage.

Some unrest over the bill still exists in the Republican Party, which opposed the bill from the outset, and John McCain said that the Republicans will repeal the bill. For now, however, the bill is law.

Some people have already said they are glad the struggle is over so that it will be possible to discuss something else for a change. Many people express doubt as to what impact the bill will practically have. The only real way to know what the bill means is to read it, and that is quite an undertaking: its 10,909 sections span over thousands of pages.

The bill does not currently provide for a public option, which is a disappointment to many. The bill specifies that purchasing health insurance is mandatory, but for persons who cannot afford the insurance, subsidies will be available.

At least that is what the summary of the bill seems to imply, but my experience has been that some people always fall between the cracks, so I have a “wait and see” status. I would

Health Care & the Homeless

like to see that everyone will have health-care, so I am hoping to see an improvement.

Enough nay-saying went on during the bill’s history. The Republican Party remained unswerving in its opposition to the bill throughout.

We heard talk of the United States becoming a socialist nation because of the health-care bill, although I felt that such talk bordered on hysteria.

The bill did not provide for a singlepayer health-care system similar to the systems in European countries; it empowered insurance companies by requiring everyone to have health insurance. My own sentiments were for a single-payer system, as I lived with such a system for 22 years while living abroad and had no problem with it, but detractors tried to say that such a system would lead to rationing of care and, as Sarah Palin herself put it, “death panels”. I fail to see how these ideas did not apply to the existing broken system; insurance companies also deny coverage and drop persons from coverage as they see fit.

I truly would like to believe that the passage of this bill will improve health care in the United States.

The status quo was untenable and demanded change long before now.

The bill is law now, and the talk of a socialist state resulting from the bill’s passage has proven to be so much hot air. Some dissent still exists; I wonder if that will intensify or dissipate with time. The real test will be in the implementation of the bill, and it is too early to judge that. I am hoping for the best; it’s the only sensible way to be.

Over a thousand sections and five binders of health care legislation make up the new bill.

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March 31 - April 13, 2010

Fishing for Sales

By Jeffrey McNeil There are many ways to catch fish. There are all kinds of theories discussing what works best. Some prefer lures, others prefer jigs. Outdoor vending is a lot like fishing; you need skill, technique and experience. The more you cast your line the more skillful you become.

The best fishermen become aware of their surroundings.

They are passionate and strive to become better fishermen.

They know the environment, what lures to use and how to catch trophy fish.

Sales are no different, if you really want to move merchandise and get your product flying of the shelf.

These are some sales tips I learned selling papers; Recreational fishing is fun, commercial fishing is work. To sell many papers you have to radiate enthusiasm. Show interest and joy. When you show a passion for what you do it becomes contagious and draws people to you. When you look sad, desperate and only out there to make money, you should consider finding another path. Selling Street Sense newspapers helps people become aware of the homeless situation.

Happy people are buying people. When there is lots of laughter and happiness, this is a good place to set your bag down and cast your line. People are not in a hurry and are in the mood to hear what you have to say. I learned a few positive words can turn a frown into a smile. Be pleasant and approachable and say “good morning.” This can result in a lifelong customer. When the crowd is smiling, there will be buying.

Find which lures will work. There are some days when you can’t sell enough papers; there are some days you have to grind it out. Try many lures like a nice outfit, or a performance, such as a jingle or a poem. When all else fails, signs and poems usually do the trick. It is also important to be versatile and adapt to the trends of the crowd; this makes selling papers fun and entertaining.

Fishing the current to sell papers—timing is everything.

Knowing what times to sell is knowing the tides. The morning crowd: People are on their way to work. Depending on the weather, their mood will be different. If it is raining, they will most likely be grumpy. To get morning sales you usually have to get people out of their lethargic state. Subtlety works better to convince someone to buy papers.

The afternoon crowd: Sales get a little easier during this time of day, as people are in a better mood. Many are having lunch, and will buy the paper after they are done eating.

The evening rush: This is my favorite time. People are on their way home, and want something to read. This is the best time to find customers. I sometimes arrive early for the evening rush and wait for the high tide. Five o’clock to seven o’ clock is a great time to sell. Fridays are a great time to sell; Mondays and Tuesdays are usually much harder.

Finding where to fish: You can’t make sales, if you don’t know what you are looking for. I look for corners where there are traffic stops, where people cannot pass too quickly.

Look for hot dog stands, grocery stores, drug stores, bookstores, and places where musicians are playing.

Last but not least: It is not the paper, it is the person behind the paper. People come up to me all the time and ask what areas I go to. I learned it doesn’t matter; if you are friendly and approachable, you will sell papers.

photos by Kenneth Belkosky

14

Ken’s Take on The Pay it Foward Project

By Kenneth Belkosky, Vendor 225

I know I’ve written many times about the Pay It Forward Project, which works around the world and here in the U.S. On the weekend of March 13, I had fun working at a book fair. That Sunday, I worked with Wendy Farrell, one of the founders of the PIFP. The two of us and another volunteer passed out pillows to homeless individuals around Union Station.

Then we went to the shelter at 2nd and D Street to pass out more items to homeless people.

The PIFP still needs help with what they do. Right now they have a fundraiser selling bracelets for $2 each.

You can order them by calling Wendy Farrell at 703627-6377 or Denise Bobba at 703-405-5795. You can send a check or money order, with a letter stating how many you want, to Pay It Forward, P.O. Box 903, Ashburn, VA 20146. They would love to have your help.

Ken and project members handed out pillows and other items at Union Station

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WASHINGTON, D.C. SHELTER Calvary Women’s Services 110 Maryland Ave, NE (202) 289-0596 (office) (202) 289-2111 (shelter) 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 Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Ave SE (202) 610–9600 www.covenanthousedc.org Housing, education, job prep John Young Center (Women) 119 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469 www.catholiccharitiesdc.org My Sister’s Place PO Box 29596 Washington, DC 20017 office (202) 529-5261 24-hour hotline (202)-529-5991 shelter and other services for domestic violence victims N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060 www.nstreetvillage.org 801 East, St. Elizabeths Hospital (Men) 2700 MLK Avenue, SE (202) 561–4014 New York Ave Shelter (Men 18+) 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 (Sundays only) 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387–6612 www.churchofthepilgrims.org

March 31 - April 13, 2010 Thrive DC (breakfast Mon-Fri, 9:30-11, all welcome/dinner for women and children, Mon-Fri, 3-6 pm) 1525 Newton Street, NW (202) 737–9311 www.thrivedc.org Food and Friends 219 Riggs Road, NE (202) 269–2277 www.foodandfriends.org Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW (202) 452–8089 www.miriamskitchen.org 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 Community 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 Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112 Green Door (202) 464–9200 1221 Taylor Street NW www.greendoor.org

housing, job training, supportive mental health services Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050 www.friendshiphouse.net counseling, 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/family services Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW (202) 682–1005 http://www.ccdsd.org/howorwc. php hygiene, laundry, lunch, phone and mail, clothing, social events Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675–9340 www.sashabruce.org counseling, housing, family services 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 Academy of Hope GED Center 601 Edgewood St NE 202-269-6623 www.aohdc.org 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 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 DC Food Finder Interactive online map of free and low cost resources. www.dcfoodfinder.org Community Family Life Services

305 E Street, NW (202) 347–0511 www.cflsdc.org housing, job/substance abuse counseling, clothes closet Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010 www.foundryumc.org ESL, lunch, clothing, IDs Gospel Rescue Ministries drug, alcohol program (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731; www.grm.org 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. 1526 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (202) 544–9126 www.jobshavepriority.org training 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 National Student Partnerships (NSP) 128 M Street NW, Suite 320 (202) 289–2525 washingtondc@nspnet.org Job resource and referral agency Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE , AND 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202)889–7702 www.samaritanministry.org HIV support, employment, drug/ alcohol 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 emergency travel assistance

Wash. Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U Street, NW (202) 328–5500 www.legalclinic.org WVSA Literacy for Life 1100 16 Street, NW (202) 296-9100 www.wvsarts.org GED preparation and work force education

MARYLAND SHELTER Interfaith Works 114 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville (301) 762–8682 www.iworksmc.org The Samaritan Group Inc. 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 Avenue, 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) 493–2400 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

15

(301)333–4440 www.molinc.org life skills classes, clothing, housewares Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless 600–B East Gude Drive, Rockville (301) 217–0314; www.mcch.net emergency shelter, transitional housing, and supportive services

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 The Arlington–Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless 3103 9th 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 #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

Shelter Hotline: 1–800– 535–7252

S treetS ense.org

March 31 - April 13, 2010

THe LasT Word Unpaid and working hard

By Sonja Doty, editorial intern Interning at Street Sense has its shares of ups and downs. I’ve learned more about the homeless community, politics, service providers and human dignity than I have in my whole life. On the other hand, it can be chaotic and hard-fought.

Sometimes the greatest deterrent is being unpaid.

I never really considered myself poor or financially lower-class. We never went hungry in my house, and there was never a real choice between doing one thing or another.

It was only when I went to college that I had a real sense of making tough financial choices. Especially in registration and exam time, the added stress of making payments and taking out loans made me fear ever talking to my father about money because it would stress him out. The excitement of starting or finishing the semester was almost constantly dampened by the knowledge that debt was accumulating beyond control.

When I attended Campus Progress’s panel on financing internships for lowincome college students, I went in there looking for a story. I came out feeling hopeful, and more than a little invested in the topic. As I said above, Street Sense has been a wonderful experience, but I came close to never experiencing it because it wasn’t paid.

My semester-long program is half-internship, half-classe and I have a paid-for apartment, but transportation, school materials and food are all on my own budget. I have a $40-a-week income from cleaning a house, which I thought would be enough.

What’s striking about this is, as the panel brought up, the slanting allows for high-income students to get into the avenues of power, thus marginalizing those of different backgrounds and perspectives. Low-income students are prevented from rising in influence—and the low-income community suffers from it.

I’m from the middle-class, and the growth that Street Sense has given me regarding the lower-class only emphasizes how much more could be done, how much more those of lower-income have to say. Internships are great things, so let the great things be shared with those who have the potential to do something innovative with them.

Gwyn Smith

Vendor ProfiLe

By Sonja Doty, editorial intern G w y n Sm i t h w a s b o r n i n 1 9 4 5 i n Salisbury, North Carolina. Smith has been homeless in California, Massachusetts and D.C. She recently found an apartment to live in, but says it’s hard with the high rents.

Expecting to find a job and get her own place, Gwyn volunteered to leave her house after her mother died to allow for her sister’s family to move in. She lived on the streets and soon began drinking and experimenting with drugs.

Gwyn has been clean for 17 years.

“I went through a lot of counseling and am quite proud,” she said.

In Delaware, she worked as a substitute teacher in the ‘90s. Recently, she worked with homeless people in a shelter in D.C. She broke her ankle, and hence had to stop working. She hopes that her ankle will heal within the month, so she can get another job, whilst still selling papers part time.

Gwyn also writes poetry and hopes to contribute to Street Sense. She sells papers in the Northwest sector, near L Street.

“It’s supportive, nice, friendly. It’s nice to have a job again,” she said about working

at Street Sense.

Gwyn shared with us some of her favorites.

Favorite movie: The Bourne series with Matt Damon.

Favorite food: Homemade corn muffins Favorite music: R. Kelly

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