04 14 2010

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Where the poor and homeless April 14 - 27, 2010

April 14 - 27, 2010

earn and give their two cents

D STE GE ON G I S U N AT DO

Volume 12 Issue 12

Inside D.C.’s Crumbling Homes

65 cents for the Vendor

35 cents for production of the paper

What will change in food stamps mean for residents?

Page 7

See Page 4

New study reveals more cost efficiency in renting a hotel room than staying a shelter Page 12

See Page 4

Mentally ill received special response unit: how it’s going Page 6

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April 14 - 27, 2010

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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 vendors and prints about 30,000 issues a month.

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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 Brad Scriber Sommer Mathis Michael Stoops John Snellgrove Martin Walker Michael Stoops David Walker Kathy Whelpley Mary Lynn Jones

We are proud members of: North American Street Newspaper Association

International

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Network of Abby Strunk Street Papers 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

VENDORS Charles Armstrong, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Donna Barber, Cyril Belk, Kenneth Belkosky, Tommy Bennett, Phillip Black, Reginald Black, Andre Brinson, Robert Broome, Melody Byrd, Cliff Carle, Percy Carter, Peggy Cash, Conrad Cheek, Virginia Clegg, Aaron Conner, Anthony Crawford, Louise Davenport, Charles Davis, David Denny, Ricardo Dickerson, Muriel Dixon, Alvin Dixon-El, Roger Dove, Deana Elder, Richard Embden, James Featherson, Craig Fleming, Larry Garner, David Ger, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, John Harrison, Patricia Henry, Shakaye Henry, Shawn Herring, Phillip Howard, James Hughes, Richard Hutson, Carlton Johnson, Donald Johnson, Jewell Johnson, Allen Jones, Mark Jones, Clinton Kilpatrick, Brenda LeeWilson, Michael Lyons, Johnnie Malloy, Kina Mathis, John C. Matthews, Charlie Mayfield, Robert McCray, Marvin McFadden, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffery McNeil, Kenneth Middleton, Steven R. Miller, Jr., L. Morrow, Tyrone Murray, Charles Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Evelyn Nnam, Moyo Onibuje, Franklin Payne, Gregory Phillips, Ash-Shaheed Rabbil, Michael Reardon, Jeanette Richardson, Sean-Christopher Riley, Lawrence Rogers, Ed Ross, Melania Scott, Chris Shaw, Ronald Simms, Veda Simpson, Gerald Smith, Patty Smith, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, Leroy Studevant, Beverly Sutton, Paul Taylor, Sybil Taylor, Eric Thompson, Larissa Thompson, Deborah Tibbs, Carl Turner, Joseph Walker, Robert Warren, Lawless Watson, Paul Watson, Edna Williams, Howard Williams, Brian Wills, Ivory Wilson, Charles Woods.

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April 14 - 27, 2010

Homeless shelter suit puts grant at risk in Iowa Des Moines officials say they are concerned that lawsuits against a proposed site of a new homeless shelter near downtown may jeopardize the $4 million grant for the project, the Des Moines Register reports.

Central Iowa Shelter and Services received cash to build the facility through the state's I-JOBS program, which needs to be spent by June 30, 2013. The $4 million grant accounts for nearly half of the shelter's fundraising campaign to build a new facility.

But local business owners are worried about their properties and the proximity to the proposed shelter. And many are suing to prevent the property from being built.

"This is such a difficult issue, and we've worked so hard to get it to this point," City Councilwoman Christine Hensley told the Register. "I think the state is going to give us the benefit of doing everything they can to work with us."

Florida ordinance targets people who give to panhandlers, peddlers Officials in Fort Lauderdale suburbs are clamping down on not just panhandlers and peddlers, but also those who give to them or make purchases, the L.A. Times reports.

Under the ordinance, anybody who gives to a beggar money or an “article of value” can face a fine of $50 to $100 or as many as 90 days in jail. The same rules apply to those who buy something from someone on the street. Officials say it’s a matter of traffic safety.

Not all officials are on board though. In the March meeting, City Commissioner Suzanne Boisvenue cast the only “no” vote.

"You're going to put someone in jail for giving someone a coat when it's cold or a hamburger if they're hungry?" she told the L.A. Times. "For me, it's so wrong."

Homeless programs in Missouri running out of money A homelessness prevention program in a seven-county area of Missouri is almost out of funding, the Associated Press reports. By the end of March, the program had just $15,088 on hand; the program, however, spends an average of $20,094 each month.

The program helps the homeless but also those on the verge of being homeless. With a slumping economy and high unemployment rates in the region, the program has seen an increase in demand for its services.

Vancouver homeless plan to build tent city if shelters close Homeless men and women from seven Vancouver, British Columbia, shelters say they’ll just build a tent city if the city goes ahead with plans to close the shelters, the Vancouver Sun reports.

The shelters house more than 600 homeless people and are scheduled to begin closing on April 20. The last shelter is slated to close on April 30.

Wayne Haycock, 63, who works for a contracting com-

pany, said he can't afford housing so staying at the shelter while he works allows him to save for a place to stay.

"It's no fun sleeping on the street. The people here are decent. They help those with problems find help. Where are they going to get that if it closes? I've seen men cry," Haycock told the Vancouver Sun. The city says that it just doesn’t have the funds to keep the shelters open.

Effort aims to accurately count homeless for census The Census Bureau dispatched thousands of people to soup kitchens, homeless shelters and city streets in an effort to accurately tabulate the number of homeless on the West Coast, the Associated Press reports.

In San Francisco alone, 800 people canvassed 1,700 streets, said Michael Burns, deputy regional director for the Seattle region. In the Puget Sound area of Washington, 700 workers are being sent out to both rural and urban streets.

The problem stems from the fact that the census does not have a place to fill out for people without a home and it is based on home addresses. The bureau has partnered with local homeless advocates to help with the process.

"That close alliance, working with people at the grass roots levels ... I think it's definitely going to make for a more accurate count. We're working with people who know where [the homeless] stay at night," Burns told the Associated Press.

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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April 14 - 27, 2010

Mold, Peeling Ceilings and Roaches have Public Housing Residents Turning in Their Beds When it comes to those who live in the District’s poor public housing conditions, Latisha Martin, 31, says her twobedroom apartment in Southwest D.C. exemplifies every stereotype.

Martin describes the mushrooms growing out of her bathroom as “big” and “purple.” She does not have phone service. “The damp walls have caused the phones to go dead.”

Drug lords linger on the property, making it unsafe for Martin’s three children, who are 11, 8 and 5, to play outside.

“Why are we not allowed to sit out on our porch when we have under-aged children, and y’all have all these thugs who do not live on the property taking over your property?” Martin, a yoga instructor who cannot afford a new apartment, asked. “They (the landlords) never catch the thugs to run them away.”

Shawn Simons, Martin’s eldest, said, “Our ceilings are tearing apart, and water leaks from them.” Roaches are a problem, but the bed bugs were taken care of last year.

In an effort to pass the “Tenant Protection Act of 2009, Bill 18-42,” which is currently stalled in the Committee on Public Services and Consumer Affairs under Councilmember Muriel Bowser, a grassroots empowerment project Empower D.C., set forth an initiative to both preserve affordable housing and improve housing conditions.

Residents who are disproportionately affected by housing conditions took the opportunity to have their voices heard by participating in a listening circle on March 24, at the John A. Wilson building.

The Tenant Protection Act of 2009, proposed by Councilmember Jim Graham, who is chairman of the Committee on Public Works, as well as a member in both the Committee on Public Services and Consumer affairs and the Committee on Housing and Workforce Development, requires inspection of residential properties to ensure habitability.

The legislation allows tenants to sue landlords in court, and prevents the city from closing occupied rental properties and displacing tenants for the owner’s failure to maintain the premises in compliance with D.C. housing and building codes.

Upon examination, inspectors issue landlords a notice of violation, and give them a certain amount of time, known as the abatement period, to improve conditions. After the time frame expires, a re-inspection is carried out. If the landlords fail to make the necessary changes, they are fined. Depending upon the severity of the problem, the District can fix the problems itself and then fine the owner, or the city can continue to bill the owner, until housing conditions are

Our ceilings are tearing a part, and water leaks from them.

-Shawn Simon’s, 11, resident of Southwest D.C.

PHOTOs rpovided by

By Shivan Sarna, volunteer

Water damage, bug and roach infestations and drug dealers plague public housing units across the District. Top, mold and peeling paint plague a shower. Right, mushrooms grow on the side of an area bathtub.

habitable.

“We put people in jail last year for failure to make repairs,” said Michael Rupert, public information officer for the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA).

Tenants and tenant advocates alike have criticized the DCRA for their slow response to inspection requests. Often times the inspector does not return after the first visit to see if the landlords addressed the violations. “We hear complaints about a lack of inspection and re-inspection happening,” said Joel Cohn, legislative director for the Office of the Tenant Advocate. “Fines are not being imposed.”

Linda Leaks, a community organizer for Empower D.C., said the landlords do not have any fear of retribution. “The fine is supposed to be a mechanism for holding them accountable.”

Landlords have allowed rental buildings to deteriorate, resulting in uninhabitable housing conditions. In this situation, the District will use the nuisance abatement fund to address the violations.

“The nuisance abatement law also gives the District the ability to move in on an emergency basis,” Cohn said. “Without warning the owner, the city can use the funds to cure a problem that poses an imminent health or safety threat to residents or to the neighborhood.” The city will then “lien the property, recoup the costs, and replenish the abatement funds,” he said. “It becomes a part of the tax liability of the landlord.”

Landlords sometimes allow housing conditions to worsen, in order to encourage tenants to leave the property. The owners then use the vacant buildings to create luxury con-

dominiums. “I know this was the case three or four years ago, when the economy was booming,” Rupert said.

As higher-income people move in, current residents are being displaced. “I suspect it is intentional to allow the drug lords to roam the area,” Leaks said. “So the city can say ‘oh,

Continued on Page 7

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April 14 - 27, 2010

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Taxes Filed, Financial Planning Begins

By Diane Rusignola, volunteer The end of the 2010 tax season brings a big sigh of relief to those working for the D.C. Earned Income Tax Credit (D.C. EITC) Campaign, a coalition of Washington area non-profits dedicated to helping low-income individuals with tax preparation.

The coalition’s work does not end on tax day; the Campaign strives to promote money-saving opportunities that will continue throughout the year.

“Now’s the opportunity to take another step,” said Adam Perry, program associate for Capital Area Asset Builders (CAAB). “You’ve filed your taxes, but maybe now you want to buy a bond or take a money management class.”

The coalition has the opportunity to tell its clients about other CAAB services, such as their “Money Management 101” series, which instructs on how to budget money, build credit and use bank accounts.

“Many people come to our sites year after year,” Perry said. “Our goal is to give people as many opportunities as possible. We are trying to reduce the barriers by giving people opportunities.”

CAAB joins forces annually with Community Tax Aid (CTA) to form the overall campaign. Although they have different roles in the campaign, the groups work together to provide tax services throughout the Washington metro area.

“CAAB is the managing partner and CTA is the tax-expert partner,” Perry said. In other words, CAAB does most of the fundraising, marketing and volunteer coordinating. CTA is left to provide all the training (including refresher classes and intermediate and advanced sessions), based on a volunteer’s past experience with the Campaign.

Aspects of the campaign, such as its goal, have evolved over the years. “The Campaign was first formed [in 1987] to advocate for a D.C. earned income credit,” said CTA’s Executive Director Teresa Hinze, via email. “After the credit was enacted, [the mission became] to conduct public education campaigns to make sure D.C. residents knew about the earned income credit and how to claim it.”

Perry echoed Hinze’s sentiments, noting that Washington had the highest fully-refundable earned income tax credit in the country, a huge success for the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute.

“The original goal was to inform people about the D.C. EITC,” Perry said. “It then became more about getting people to actually file their taxes.” The key now is to gain people access to other financial opportunities.

The Campaign was originally housed at the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, but CAAB took over as coordinator during the 2005-2006 tax seasons.

“We kind of took on taxes as a side project and it’s grown into what it is today,” Perry said. “I’m happy with it, as it’s made sense for us.”

According to Hinze, D.C. EITC Campaign sites serve more than 6,000 filers each year, which constitutes more than 50 percent of the filers served by all volunteer programs in those service areas combined.

Miren Beitia works part-time at CTA and dur-

“Traveling tax road show” seeks to help the low-income cope during tax season

ing the campaign she oversees the program as a site manager. With five Campaign locations in the District alone, CTA strives to provide services at as many places as possible.

“People know we’re here, crazily enough,” Beitia said. “We have a couple of sites in Southeast, we’re in Arlington on Tuesday nights, we’re in Alexandria on Wednesday nights; we’ve been in Hillcrest Heights in PG County. It’s sort of the traveling tax road show.”

Campaign organizers have learned from the program’s successes and failures over the years. Perry said in past years, after the tax season had ended, savings promoters worked with clients solely via email. However, CAAB came to realize that many of their clients did not have access to email, and those who did have access did not use it regularly.

As a result, this year savings promoters became part of the tax process for the first time.

Promoters make up the smaller facet of the Campaign’s volunteer corps, as tax preparers are of prime importance. Although the two groups have separate functions at tax sites and their pre-volunteer training differs (preparers have to take an eighthour course on tax law, in addition to four hours on the campaign’s software), Perry stressed that both are essential to the Campaign’s success.

“Some people are scared by numbers and want to stay 100,000 million miles away from tax forms,”

Perry said. “Others like to talk to people, so they’d rather be savings promoters.”

This year, the Campaign had roughly 500 volunteer tax preparers and 50 volunteer savings promoters. Although there were fewer sites than last year, they were open more often.

Where exactly does Perry recruit 500 plus volunteers from each year? “The go-to areas are nonprofits and community partners, law firms, law students, banks and financial institutions, and accounting firms,” he said. It helped that 43 percent of volunteers from last year returned for the 2010 tax season, proving that most of their success lies in the volunteers and staff members.

Perry doesn’t yet have the final figures for the amount of individuals that were helped this season though he expects big numbers. With only nine CAAB employees and two-and-a-half CTA employees, both organizations remain small in numbers but big in heart and dedication.

Hinze, for example, was hired by CTA in 2001 after first volunteering and then becoming a board member.

“I came on temporarily—I thought,” she said. “I really am dedicated to the work and happy to still be here.”

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April 14 - 27, 2010

Mentally Ill Emergency Response: “Hit the Ground Running” in Providing Care

By Mark Rose, volunteer

PHOTO by Mark Rose

Gerard (not his real name), a 28-year-old Middle Eastern man diagnosed as bipolar, financially had everything in life.

But recently, during a manic episode, he threatened one of his parents with physical violence over money.

Linda Miller, staff social worker with the D.C. Department of Mental Health’s Mobile Crisis Services (MCS), got the call from Gerard’s distressed mother. Miller worried about her particularly since she had planned to stay with him alone in his apartment.

Gerard’s parents were eventually able to calm him down, and his mother agreed to not stay in his apartment. The next morning, Miller and an MCS psychiatrist met with the parents to discuss options. The mental health professionals educated the parents about pertinent psychological issues such as bipolar disorder—with which Gerard was only recently diagnosed—and the psychosis that brought on his manic outbreak. Miller told the parents that an untreated disorder can occasionally lead to violence.

“You have to set limits and you have to protect yourself,” Miller said about the parents in a telephone interview.

“Parents can’t be open to a son’s increasing impulsivity and possible violence. Sadly, families are often shocked by the family member becoming different than his usual social, lovable self.”

They advised the parents to set more limits about what they give Gerard, who, in his manic periods, wants even more money. The MCS team referred all three to case management services: he already had a psychiatrist but refused to take his medicine.

Mobile Crisis Services employs social workers and mental health professionals to provide appropriate emergency care.

MCS, which has operated since late 2008, is the District government’s main responder to people in psychiatric crises. we’ve done a fabulous job in the city; we’ve responded to waiting room area. Staff psychiatrists and other medical proWith 17 trained mental health professionals on staff, they can homicides and other crises, and we respond quickly to ev- fessionals can stabilize a patient’s condition and give time to come into a crisis situation, stabilize distressed individuals, ery crisis,” Gibbs said. “You make contact with some of the recover. Vasquez said that his unit often refers patients there counsel them and make referrals for follow-up psychiatric most acute vulnerable individuals who need the treatment before sending them to out-patient social services. More and other social services. than half of the patients he brings are brought involuntarily but don’t know how to go about receiving it.”

Crisis Services Director Luis “Lucho” Vasquez, one of three Gary Yingling, who once served in the Presidential Honor with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Department, trained social workers on staff, is proud of his team’s efforts Guard for Ronald Reagan, is a peer counselor on the team. he noted. to date. “We’ve been able to hit the ground running.”

MCS treats adults, while a separate unit for children is run He is also bipolar and suffers from post-traumatic stress “There was such a need for it that it caught on right away; disorder. Yingling values the connections he can make with by Catholic Charities but funded by the District. people started calling right away,” said Vasquez.

According to Mental Health Department Director Stephen people in psychiatric distress and the trust he can estabSo did other emergency responders that are part of D.C.’s lish.

Baron, MCS has all the financial, staff and facility resources mental health community. When it began, MCS was already “My connection with people is a matter of trust; people it needs at an annual budget of rougly $1.5 million. Vasquez known to the police and fire departments, social services with mental health disorders have a hard time trusting peo- agreed that his team is well-equipped to fulfill its mission. and other mental health agencies. Vasquez said his team re- ple who don’t have a disorder.” Because of this solidarity, Yin“I think it’s done a great job,” Baron said in a telephone sponds to about 10 calls a day. They are on duty in two shifts, gling's patients are more likely to listen to his advice and seek interview. Responding to about 1,500 calls in 2009, the team providing 16-hour coverage a day. proper medication. Moreover, he is able to credibly convey expects to respond to about 2,000 this year. “I think they’re Mental health specialist Theresa Gibbs said, “You get to that there is hope: he overcame his problems and now has a doing just what they need to do… they’re dealing with crime help persons when they’re at their most vulnerable state; you stable job and a house in Southwest D.C. and grief.” have to build a rapport in the first two or three minutes. That MCS has statistics to show for its work. According its own “It’s another person [the mental health victim], not a initial contact of caring is very important in that person’s strange person who is mentally impaired.” If police or staffers data, MCS worked with 2,243 individuals in its first year, 810 long-term treatment.” Gibbs added that that was impossible behave aggressively toward patients, Yingling acts as advo- of which resulted in hospitalizations, voluntary or involunat other mental health non-profits, where she spent the first cate, explaining their position and what they might need. tary. A majority of those hospitalizations possibly prevented 10 years of her career. “Here you are in somebody’s most priRosetta Price, another peer counselor with the unit, says suicides and/or homicides. vate, intimate business. When they let you in at that point to her history of schizophrenia helps her connect with clients.

Vasquez thinks MCS is here to stay. “What’s been imporhelp them, it’s so rewarding.”

“I’ve always wanted a job where I can really help someone. tant is that we’ve become essential to a lot of different service Iesha Edwards, a team mental health counselor, had I can identify with them and what they’re going through.” agencies. It would be hard to go back to not having this. This about six years of mental health experience before joining She counsels patients that illness is not a setback, and that fills a real gap and need…. We need to be able to continue the crisis unit. She said her MCS interview “didn’t feel like they can recover and accomplish their goals. “You are there and hopefully to grow.” an interview; it felt like … people sitting down to talk about to help them, to watch them blossom.”

Vasquez doesn’t expect his and his team’s efforts to be permental health.” Gibbs said, “Everybody who works here is MCS is part of the department’s Comprehensive Psychi- fect, just effective. “We work so hard to help folks that are so my friend.” atric Emergency Program (CPEP). It also has a psychiatric vulnerable. At the end of the day, I’ve learned to be satisfied Gibbs sees a high impact for MCS' operations. “I think emergency room for those in acute episodes and a recovery/ for giving my best effort.”

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7

Asset-Holders Newly Eligible for Food Stamps, Limits Loosened

By Sonja Doty, editorial intern The expansion of the food stamps program is just another "tool in our utility belt," claimed D.C. Councilperson Michael Brown on April 6 at a press conference. The Food Stamp Expansion Act of 2009, authored by Brown in March 2009 and effective March 15, 2010, broadens the provision of food aid to include an initial estimate of over 4,500 previously ineligible individuals.

Katie Kerstetter, from the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, spoke about the necessity of the move, citing an overall increase in unemployment in the past two years. "Food stamps went up 30 percent," she also said.

Two separate initiatives were created by this Act. The Categorical Eligibility Initiative loosens restrictions on who can receive food stamp assistance, making the upper limit of income 200 percent the poverty level and removing limits on assets altogether.

Previously, anyone whose income exceeded 130 percent of the federal poverty level or who possessed financial assets over $2,000 could not qualify for food stamps. The current poverty level for an individual in D.C. is $10,830; for a family of three, it's $18,310. Under the old rules, a single person making $20,000 a year would not be eligible.

Categorical Eligibility also provides instant food stamp eligibility for those already enrolled in a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)funded program.

A second initiative stemming from the Act, the Heat and Eat Initiative, combines the food stamps program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) by automatically enrolling food stamp recipients into LIHEAP. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps pay cooling and heating bills for those in need of aid.

LIHEAP's automatically enrolled participants will receive a minimum of $1 in annual benefits from the initiative. Benefits in place before the new initiative are unaffected by the enrollment, making the annual benefit an addition, not a replacement.

The Heat and Eat Initiative will also allow recipients to exclude the $276 utility allowance each month from

PHOTO by Sonja Doty

Continued from page 4 the crime is so bad, it just makes more sense to close down the property.’”

Another reason for the neglect is due to “absentee landlords,” who collect rent without maintaining the building. “They may be willfully unaware what D.C. law requires them to do as landlords,” Cohn said.

With the introduction of the “Proactive Inspection” program last year, the DCRA made efforts to inspect those buildings with serious violations on a more regular basis than other buildings. Further, they are working to inspect, on a more frequent schedule, every rental building in the District. “One of our major duties is to make sure that rental properties throughout the District are safe for the tenants,” Rupert said.

Robert Walker, 56, said, “My place is full of mice droppings at all times.” Walker lives in private housing in the Southwest area.

Walker, who has not worked for three years, earns his income through disability checks and unemployment benefits. His unemployment benefits amount to $100 a week, after taxes. He pays a third of his income on rent.

Dissatisfied with the maintenance of the apartment, Walker formed a tenant association. Tenants in the building gathered for their first meeting in his apartment, and voted for positions. “We are going to make a difference,” he said.

Cohn said, “The reason tenants are organizing is because they are sick of uninhabitable living conditions in the building.”

Councilmember Graham first got involved with providing tenant rights after visiting the Clifton Terrace apartments on Clifton and 14th streets Northwest. Officials had called it the most troubling housing complexes in the nation. In addition to no running water, drugs dealers and prostitutes looked for customers around the bedraggled buildings. The owners had so many violations that they were forced to sell the building. Graham, believing something had to be done, proposed and drafted numerous legislations to extend and tighten the District’s rent control laws, as well as to end the abusive and illegal evictions of tenants.

“There was limited to no recourse for tenants dealing with slum landlords,” said Brian Debose, Graham’s communications director. “The councilmember changed the easy playing field.”

The purpose of the listening circle was to close the communication gap between low and moderate-income tenants living in unsanitary conditions and their elected officials. The testimonies of those at the listening circle will be written up, and personally delivered to councilmembers. “This is our effort to put the pressure on the people with the power to make the change,” Leaks said.

“They (the councilmembers) will ignore us as much as they can,” she said. “It’s only when we join together and really be persistent and have tenacity that we can get change made.”

April 14 - 27, 2010

Speakers (including D.C. Councilperson Michael Brown, speaking) at the press conference outlined the changes effected in food stamps and LIHEAP.

their net income, the after-taxes amount by which assistance is determined. The lower net income preserves LIHEAP recipients' eligibility for other benefits.

On hand at the press conference were representatives from D.C. Hunger Solutions and the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute. They provided statistics on hunger in the District as well as the story of one mother in particular.

Vell Perkins testified at the hearing concerning this Act when it was originally proposed. A mother of four, Perkins said that she has had trouble providing for her family even though she has a full-time job.

Her salary, she said, has been frozen as rent increases. Although she had applied for food stamps prior to the Act's passage, Perkins said she was "just over" the previous income limit and is only now eligible.

According to the Hunger in America 2010 report conducted by the nonprofit organization Feeding America, 20.7 percent of those surveyed who went to pantries, kitchens or shelters

providing food were ineligible for food stamp benefits because of their income level.

However, the Food Stamp Expansion Act of 2009 will ensure "the basic need for just having food in the house" will be met, said George Jones, executive director of local non-profit Bread for the City. He added that approximately 5,000 households would receive assistance.

Brown emphasized the low cost of the bill for the District-none at all."This is the greatest expansion act in the city's history," he said. "No local dollars are being used."

Food stamps are a federally funded program, which leaves the District to cover administrative costs. Both councilmembers Brown and Cheh brushed off these costs as minor and worth it in light of the anticipated economic stimulus. "$15-20 million in new benefits will turn into $35 million in local business activity," said Brown.

"It's significantly higher dollars for our folks."

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April 14-27, 2010

Beautiful Rose

by Sybil Taylor

What a beautiful rose And bloomed so beautifully A sun of beauty

A glory of sunshine

A beautiful horizon

Sweet songs of birds

Sweet smell of roses of all kinds A glory of heaven: nature A wonderful blossom Shining so brightly As a big smile bloomed out from the sunflower nearby What a beautiful light of love A wonderful sunshine of beautiful Roses all so lovely Sweet roses of Love

Photos by Jane Cave

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April 14-27, 2010

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Pictures by Ken Belkosky, pictured right

In 1917 a Cherry Blossom fell from the sky.

Carefully crafted from Japan’s most watchful eye.

And now to no one’s surprise, it’s popularized.

We now celebrate a Japanese tradition with American pride.

In the homeland of Japan it appears different, they see more than rare beauty.

They see honor and a symbol that’s worthy of great prestige.

Here, it’s immeasurable beauty has overtaken thee.

American recognized a custom and climbed aboard the Japanism band wagon.

Oh yes in 1917 Ms. Taft got on her knees to start a legacy.

For several generations, even the ones after me.

In the homeland of Japan such a beautiful creature is not only viewed but respected.

From the mighty Samurai dying young for its honor and cause.

To the delegate geisha pouring sake at picnic viewings.

The cherry blossom’s legacy will always be intact indeed.

So much so that every spring’s eve.

Brings thousands to a basin.

To view a blossom’s beauty held in the sun’s safe haven -By Joaquin M. Turley Jr.

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April 14-27, 2010

A’s Word Finder,

by Patrick Azarius

D W F Q W E T F Y O

O I F G A C H I J O

M E D M H O N R B P

I S H T D L A M V R

N T G A W N T A Y I

I V E T I Y N M C Z

O C A W T S M E O

Z V R E

Q X W L

E T A C

G I W O

N M E N

A B L O

E R K M

E

N S O P L K N N B N

O E L E M E N T A E

Y X M T N A E R Y P

W E H F N A V T D Q

M E I X

T L Y P

M K U A

R R O Q

Street Sudoku

By David Rubin

8

2 7

2 5

6

4 9

3

6

9

1

5

1

9 8

8

1

2

1

4

6 8

5

2

1 7

3

7

8

This week’s answer

9

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Element Firmament Empyrean Welkin Dominion Timbrel Monocle Prize

5

3

2

9

8

7

9

5

1

2

4

6

6

4

7

1

3

8

6 1 4 8 3 7 5 2 9

7 4 3 2 5 8 9 6 1

1 8 2 3 6 9 7 4 5

9 5 6 4 7 1 8 3 2

2 7 1 6 8 5 3 9 4

4 3 5 7 9 2 1 8 6

8 6 9 1 4 3 2 5 7

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Will Write For Food:

Writer’s Group

April 14-27, 2010

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

Advocates Speak Out!!!!!

After reading an article printed in The Washington Examiner, we felt the need to express our concerns. Hopefully, you will also see that the issue of poverty includes all of us.

Reason To Fight-

Robert Warren There is always that feeling out there that people need to stop asking for help, because,we just can’t afford to do anything more. After reading an article that was published in the Washington Examiner I picked up that feeling. Being,An advocate and a lifelong D.C. Resident, I sometimes feel the Examiner couldbe a little more caring to put it nicely. The article in question entitled End of Liberals in the District. Other words in the article can give one the thought the people who need help,in the district are always asking for something, and when you give it to them they don’t know what to do with it. Before testifying before D.C. councilman Tommy Wells at a scheduled public hearing to review operations at the homeless shelter located in D.C. General Hospital. Listening to the staff of Families Forward testify, the thought came to mind the are people really getting fat off the homeless. I don’t know if that was true but, they all were big people. I do believe we don’t have money to waste just for people to have jobs. Those of us so-called begging bleeding heart liberal advocates, that in some cases don’t receive a dime for the work they do, don’t deserve the comments made by Ms. Barras. Maybe she should mau mau her way over, and volunteer some of her time with her conservative friends and help to make people lives better. I forget that’s what the President & Mrs.Obama have been saying. With the way the economy is right now, we all have to volunteer our time to help those in need. But, as usual some only offer words of gloom and doom to those in need of our help. The 5 year plan to end homelessness in the District of Columbia gives hope that we all can come together. I know that won’t be easy with so many people in the homeless community not having trust in the Mayor and the Local Government. The plan is to provide services the advocacy community and service providers have been wanting for a long time. Like most plans it can only work if we all come together and get behind it. There is an opportunity with this plan coming together to really help make people lives better. You can see a lot of thought has gone into changing people lives and making their homelessness as short as possible. Being the Focus God willing, we be able to do the job.The cost is always the number one reason people find a reason to fight for those in poverty.

Robert is a member of The People for Fairness Coalition. Contact: Robertwarren47@yahoo.com.

Governmental Detactment

- Joaquin Turley Jr The recent article posted in the Washington Examiner touched on how the D.C. budget is dwindling before our very eyes and cannot pay for every cause. Some funding for some programs has been cut. I understand we are in a recession, times are hard, and the government cannot always swoop in and save the day. How can we as human beings not help one another in this most desperate time in history? This proves that the human condition is a selfish one, but when do we stop and finally pay attention to something other than ourselves? This type of article shows the mentality of America as a whole, because the government spends yearly cash on things it can do without but cannot help the homeless. This sort of detachment from the people is a scary one. There are people struggling for the essential things we all need to live life. Things that most people take for granted on a daily basis. How is it bad to give these necessities to people who cannot afford it? The government has to understand that this is what advocacy groups for the homeless are asking. They don t want this money, they need it for healthier conditions of life. Give money, so these humans can live in the same basic conditions all the rest of us may take for granted.

Joaquin also attends Morgan State University. Contact: Joaquin.Turley@yahoo.com.

Why Name Call

- Reginald Black After reading an article in the March 25th edition of The Examiner, I felt the need to speak out for the advocates of the homeless. Ms. Josetta Barras wrote “ Advocates for the homeless who think they can Mau Mau officials into funding year-round shelters for an endless number of families and individuals should thing again.’’ These words seem to speak to every person that is homeless, or those who would see it end.

These same advocates for the homeless go out to feed the many encampments. They also provide clothes and medical services. The advocates this writer spoke of have also have been homeless or are experiencing homelessness. There will always be those who call the advocates for the homeless beggars, but while they name call. It is the advocates who are giving ideas and attempting solutions to the problem.

Check out our new writing coach Lee McAuliffe Rambo. 35 years as a print and broadcast journalist working for media outlets in Paris, New York, Los Angeles and the District.

The Red Casanova-

David Rubin Rarely will you find governments dishing out a great deal money for public usage. The Red Casanova was an East German SSD spy called Carl Heifmann, who defied this norm in 1959. It was Carl’s intelligence and sexagenarian ace moves that softened the government to open up. These are constants that rarely change.

David volunteers and is writing his own novel. Contact: stonepotts2000@yahoo.com.

Reggie’s Reflections- GirlFirend ???

By Reginald Black I was now staying with a childhood friend. Getting back to normal was harder than I thought. Things went smoothly until one night I overheard the question “ Doesn’t he some girl he can stay with? ” This would imply I have a girlfriend. How is that possible? What is it about a man that promotes the idea that he is tied to someone? I walked around confused the next day. It through me for a loop, does everyone that see me assume this? I asked around the chat room and the resounding response was there is someone for everyone. But what did this mean? And who was it for me? The questions kept piling up until it strained my mental searching for an answer. The idea of some distant fan intrigued me, but there was no telling if that was true. So how could a homeless man have a girlfriend? I couldn’t figure it out, but each day you learn something new.

Reggie hosts The Writer’s Group Meeting Contact: Rblackstreetreporter@gmail.com.

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

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IN MY OPINION

Is the Solution to Homelessness Impossible to Achieve?

By Stephen (Steve) Thomas “Is the USA ready to address homelessness?� Does that sound strange to you? I’d think that question would be, “Is the USA ready to end homelessness?� To that, the answer is no. However, this country, this administration, is ready to address homelessness. Let’s examine addressing homelessness vs. ending homelessness.

At any given moment, there are 3.5 million homeless people in the United States.

The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families and children, with 1.35 million children being homeless during the year. In all, 150,000 veterans are homeless and 600,000 veterans will experience homelessness during the year.

Think about the number of jobs created and the money involved in the maintaining of homelessness. The services, outreach workers, organizational staffing, clinical staffing, shelters, case management, soup kitchens, subsidized housing and utilities.

To end homelessness, this country would need to create affordable housing for all. Good luck with that. Then there would have to be a living wage that would ensure that you could pay for your affordable housing. I won’t hold my breath on that one. Then we’d need universal health care.

Now keep your eyes on how this plays out in this administration. These three things would eliminate the top causes of homelessness, thus basically ending it.

Unfortunately, we tend to be greedy and self-absorbed and do not respond to the everyday tragedy of homelessness with the same intensity as an earthquake in Haiti or an animal extinction.

I love the United States of America and would not rather be anywhere else. I’d just like us as the American people to show an equal amount of care and contribute an equal amount of money and show an equal amount of concern for those that find themselves homeless as you show for those of other countries and your dogs and cats.

Shelters On The Outs, Make the Move For Permanent Housing

By Maurice King, volunteer On March 30, the Department of Housing and Urban Development released a study that found that providing homeless families and individuals with short-term shelters costs more than renting permanent housing.

The study included interviews with 9,000 families and individuals in six different cities. The average bill for a month in an emergency shelter ranges from $2,500 to $3,700. For that amount, it would be possible to rent an apartment.

Why are the homeless still directed toward shelters (which are almost always crowded beyond capacity) instead of beg installed in permanent housing? If providing housing and services according to a person’s needs costs less, why support an overpriced system that sustains homelessness?

Wouldn’t it make more sense to effectively eliminate homelessness when doing so is clearly more economical than maintaining a mechanism that falls short?

The report examines 2004 to 2006 and does not begin to address the wave of homelessness generated by the recession.

shelters to suitable housing.

The only excuse for not doing so would have to be that communities have an interest in keeping the homeless in their homeless condition.

It will take time for communities to redevelop their programs in the direction that the report indicates is less expensive. The big question now is, will the people in charge actually respond to this report, or will they continue to sustain the status quo? In a time of recession, the sensible thing to do would be to spend less, not more, and to end homelessness for good.

There can be little doubt that the majority of homeless people would be far happier in conventional housing instead of occupying shelter space. It would be a win-win situation to enable these people to live as members of mainstream society at a lower cost. It would be wonderful if homelessness could be ended at a saving to the public budget.

It would be a winwin situation to enable these people to live as members of mainstream society at a lower cost.

With the increase in homelessness since the dates of the study, the urgency to provide permanent housing is even greater.

The findings of the study support the Obama administration’s efforts to help the homeless. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of last year allotted $1.5 billion to prevent homelessness. But 1.6 million homeless people nationwide are still stuck in shelters.

The argument “We can’t afford it� falls flat in light of the study's findings. If communities are already spending excessively to sustain the shelter population, there should be little resistance to reducing costs by moving the people currently living in

Need Help?

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www.samaritanministry.org Samaritan Ministry’s Next Step Program helps people who are homeless, have HIV/AIDS, and others in need make changes for a better life. Program participants meet with staff members to set goals in employment, housing, health care and other areas. Goals are reached one step at a time with staff providing resources and offering encouragement and support. There are no religious requirements for participation.

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April 14-27, 2010

I Have Risen

By Sybil Taylor I have risen from the hurting scares of love. I have risen from the pain of resentment, the sadness I faced over love, the wounds that never healed. The pain will always be there, a heart of gold that did the best it could when others didn't, wasted love that wasn't promised to me.

But with the love of God I have risen to a new horizon and a beautiful sunset. I will not let the pain override me again. I am as strong as a warrior, a pioneer, a powerful sister who has learned the facts of life and who enjoys life with God. There is no greater love but with God. God is my peacemaker, father, friend, companion, my love of my ever-life who cared for me when others didn't love me or care for me, who didn't even shed one tear for me; in distress, only God is my peacemaker.

I will not let the pain overtake me again, the stress I faced, the sadness, the sickness, being weak and not able to function, with no support, no kind thoughts, no "Oh, how do you feel, Sybil? Are you okay?" The pain of love, the pain of rejection.

All I could do was show love and support, caring when others didn't, going overboard on very difficult tasks to please someone, going out of my way to extremes for the love I once knew. I got turned down and rejected. I realized I wasn't good enough in the eyes of the one I once loved, wasn't perfect for that TLC, wasn't the height of attraction or taste, the center gal.

The eye catcher dream of never-was-good-enough-to-love-me for who I am. Where did I go wrong? My Lord is keeping me at peace. Maybe one day, just once in a blue moon, my dream will come true. Until then, I deal with the love I have, never to be in pain again. My Lord is my Love, who has never left me.

I am strong and my head is lifted up.

One Dog Under God

By Chris “Sky” Shaw Sometimes I like being left alone, Whereas other times I’d rather have my master’s voice Than a big juicy bone.

I heard my master one night late, Cursing his fate — "O, the emptiness, the futility Of it all!" Then he turned My way....

"But you, silly pup, Who bark and whine Yet seldom complain, What in the Hell have you got For brains!"

Then I waited 'til the morning Following This human tirade, As Boss Man made His way to a Greek funeral.

Most of the talk was Greek to him. (‘Twas an old chum of his father, Known only as "Pop.") When all the folderol came to a stop, Padre raised his hands over the gent’s Ashy face (and you know, we canines Don't do open casket stuff!)

And exclaimed, "All in this life of what good we do Would be WORTHLESS, MEANINGLESS, If there were no life after this one, no?"

Upon my dear master’s return, he leaned over, Gave me a hug, and shared the above With me. Whereupon I responded, readily, with a "RUFF! RUFF!" He laughed then, but I believe he knew That I believe that "next life" stuff.

Could it, might it maybe, Be true?

Two Lovers

By David Denny The promises we made on the old school steps, Sealed with a kiss that would have staved off fears, Visit me in the present day And call back all the fears.

The vows of two lovers, sincerely made— Through deceit and deception, they fade.

To denial and shame they run, All of our vows undone.

Always ready to speak in lies, Never able to face truth’s eyes.

Two lovers’ dream, now all faded, Two lovers’ hearts forever jaded.

Love

By David Denny Love is all a facade, Struggling to hide the fear, To decorate the present veneer.

Still residuals of deception shine, And gloss never truly refines, Always lurking there between the lines.

Vestiges forever remain, Bringing back unbearable pain.

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Happy Birthday, April Vendors!

Richard Hutson #342 4/24/87

Robert Broome #215 4/24/76

Margaret Jenkins #314 4/14/50

Larissa Thompson #338 4/21/68

Veda Simpson #271 4/9/55

Your thoughts and editorials are welcome.

Please e–mail content to editors@streetsense. org or mail to 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.

FOUNDRY A Reconciling Congregation Invites you to join us in worship on Sundays at 9:30 and 11:00 AM Homeless Outreach Hospitality: Fridays 9:00 AM

Foundry United Methodist Church

1500 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 332-4010

www.foundryumc.org

Street Sense’s Cat Lady Gets Personal

By Veda Simpson, vendor 271

So many people want to know about me and my cats, my homeless friend Mary drew a picture of them.

I’m Veda Simpson, vendor at 13th and G Street, Northwest. My day starts at 6 a.m., rain, snow, sleet or hail. I’ve been waiting 13 years for disability benefits under Section 8, and I want to thank my Creator, Street Sense and my new friends at 13th and G for changing my life. I used to live in abandoned buildings and houses with no heat, water or TV, and the constant threat of losing electricity, but I never lost faith.

God brought a kitten into my life three years ago, and she had seven babies. I spent $700 to get them spayed and neutered, never leaving them nor they me because He wanted me to take care of them. Wherever I went, they went, sleeping in a twin bed.

They have insurance and food. It’s hard to feed them all, but I do.

Where I work, I have lots of new caring friends. I’m thankful for that. They have helped me in many ways: talking, praying and buying papers. I have a very good lawyer friend who helped me move, and folks gave me many things for my apartment.

I know that with the help of God and my friends, I’m going to make it.

To all my new friends: Don’t change. You have helped me in many ways to make it, and I’m going to hold on to all of you. My cats are thankful for you, too. I used to have associates; now I know what it means to have friends. They call me by name. May God bless and keep you for understanding to help people like me.

Everyone needs a chance. I used to say, “Lord, help me to hold out until my chance comes.” Now I say, “Thank you, Lord. I just want to thank you, Lord.”

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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

April 14-27, 2010 Thrive DC (breakfast Mon-Fri, 9:30-11, all welcome/dinner for women and children, Mon-Fri, 3-6 pm) St. Stephens Parish Church 1525 Newton St, 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

John Young Center (Women) 119 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469 www,catholiccharitiesdc.org

Unity Health Care, Inc. 3020 14th Street, NW (202) 745–4300 www.unityhealthcare.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

Whitman–Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW (202) 797–3500; www.wwc.org

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

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 (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 and 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 Massachusetts Avenue, NE (202) 371–1937 www.travelersaid.org/ta/dc.html emergency travel assistance

Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U Street, NW (202) 328–5500 www.legalclinic.org

WVSA Literacy for Life 1100 16th 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

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(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 2921 11th Street South 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

April 14-27, 2010

THE LAST WORD

By Jeffery McNeil, vendor

VENDOR PROFILE

Charles Armstrong

By Sonja Doty, editorial intern Charles Armstrong was born March 26, 1957, and grew up in southern Maryland with five sisters and two brothers. He relocated to D.C. in 1979 after his wife got a job as a teacher.

He describes himself as having been “in and out of jail,” though he prefers to concentrate on the good points in his life, especially his jobs at Whole Foods, Safeway, McDonald’s and in landscaping.

Armstrong first discovered Street Sense through a friend and was encouraged to join by a Tenleytown vendor.

He initially became homeless when he lost his job and got involved in “one bad thing after another,” including drugs. However, he is happy to say he currently lives in a one-bedroom apartment and is hoping to get rehired at the Waterfront.

For right now, though, he said he enjoys working at Street Sense.

“I love it; it gives me a chance to interact with people on a one-on-one basis,” he said. “I love people, like my mom. She loved helping people. I must have picked it up from her.”

Armstrong has a daughter, 29, with

Since Street Sense’s beginning, we have relied on volunteers to help people struggling with homelessness get back on their feet. Street Sense provides wonderful opportunities for those who want to do community service, complete an internship or learn about homeless and poverty issues while providing opportunities in writing articles and learning about other forms of journalism.

There are many volunteer positions available regardless of background. In particular, we are looking for several office volunteers. The only qualification is a willingness to help. What's more, it gives you a forum to speak out on homeless and poverty issues you can’t find that in other media publications.

We offer a morning (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and an afternoon (1 to 5 p.m.) whom he isn’t in contact. shift, and we are looking for several volunteers to commit to one or He shared with us some of his likes: more shifts per week. The opportunity is ideal for college students, people with flexible schedules and retirees. Office volunteers serve on Movies: “Love them.” the "front lines" of Street Sense, distributing papers to our vendors so Washington Redskins. | miDCity Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity | ShopSports: | Eat | Explore they can sell the papers on the streets and earn an immediate income.

Food: Lobster. “I can’t always afford it, Eatsuch | Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat Explore | miDCity | Shop but| I like it.”

Office volunteers also help with administrative tasks in the|office, as Internet research and data entry.

Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | If you work 9 to 5, there are also opportunities to volunteer by con| miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore tributing to the writing, editing and layout of the newspaper. We have City | Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore | mi a circulation of around 30,000 papers a month.

Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity If you are a Street Sense vendor who enjoys writing and you're looking to get interested in being more involved, you can with an interest | Eat | Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity | Shop in writing. Come join Writer’s Group every Wednesday and give your Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | input on how to make the paper better. miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore | miDCity | Shop | Eat | Explore If you are interested, please contact our office at (202) | 347-2006.

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