06 22 2011

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Volume 8: Issue 16 June 22 - July 5, 2011

Street

sense

Read more and get involved at www.streetsense.org | The D.C. Metro Area Street Newspaper | Please buy from badged vendors

The Heat is On But are the cooling centers?

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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.

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D.C.’s summer plan for hot weather confuses the homeless community

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D.C. council passes $10.8 billion budget for the coming fiscal year

ADDRESS 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 PHONE (202) 347 - 2006 FAX (202) 347 - 2166 E-MAIL info@streetsense.org WEB streetsense.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Lisa Estrada, Ted Henson, Brad Scriber, Michael Stoops, Manas Mohapatra, Sommer Mathis, Kristal Dekleer, Robin Heller, Jeffery McNeil, Yebegashet Alemayehn ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Kristal DeKleer

VSA hosts an art exhibit showing pieces from artists with disabilities

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Street Soccer teams compete for USA Cup

Read all stories online at streetsense.org

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New Nina the Detective Story

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Mio Restaurant raises money for the Mary’s Center

WEB EXCLUSIVE

Thursday: Happy Hour for Hope in Adams Morgan

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Op-ed: Handicapped Not Human?

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Lisa Gillespie reflects on the power and luxury of writing A new issue comes out every two weeks, but you can stay connected to Street Sense every day! /streetsense @streetsensedc /streetsensedc

Cover art by Hannah Traverse

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mary Otto MANAGING EDITOR/NEW MEDIA DIRECTOR Lisa V. Gillespie VENDOR AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER Robert Weaver INTERNS Zachary Davidson, Erin Durkin, Mary Clare Fischer, Ashley Hemmy, Hannah Traverse VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Rhonda Brown, Margaret Chapman, Tracie Ching, James Clarke, Nikki Conyers, Bobby Corrigan, Irene Costigan, Sara Dimmitt, Joe Duffy, Lilly Dymond, Ashley Edwards, Garrett Epps, Rachel Estabrook, Sarah Ficenec, Andrew Gena, Steve Gilberg, Jane Goforth, Jonah Goodman, Roberta Haber, Elia Herman, Cherilyn Hansen, Adam Kampe, Trisha Knisely, Vicki Ann Lancaster, Elle Leech-Black, Lisa Leona, Sean Lishansky, Elsie Oldaker, Katinka Podmaniczky, Mike Plunkett, Willie Schatz, Jesse Smith, Lilly Smith, Mandy Toomey, Brett Topping, Melissa Hough, Kate Sheppard, Marian Wiseman, Kelly Stellrecht, Jane Cave VENDORS Michael Anderson, Charles Armstrong, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Kenneth Belkosky, Tommy Bennett, Reginald Black, Deana Black, Harmon Bracey, Debora Brantley, Andre Brinson, Floarea Caldaras, Conrad Cheek, Theresa Corbino, Avram Cornel, Anthony Crawford, Kwayera Dakari, Louise Davenport, James Davis, Charles Davis, Devon Dawkins, Michael Dawson, Chino Dean, Daivd Denny, Richardo Dickerson, Alvin Dixon El, Charles Eatmon, Richard Emden, Pieus Ennels, Betty Everett, Joshua Faison, Larry Garner, R. George, David Ger, Marcus Green, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, Lorrie Hayes, Patricia Henry, Shakaye Henry, Derian Hickman, Vennie Hill, Anne Holloway, Phillip Howard, James Hughes, Patricia Jefferson, Carlton Johnson, Donald Johnson, Mark Jones, Evanson Kamau, Mike Leach, Michael Lyons, Johnnie Malloy, Kina Mathis, John C. Matthews, Authertimer Matthews, Charlie Mayfield, Robert McGray, Marvin McFadden, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffrey McNeil, Kenneth Middleton, Gary Minter, L. Morrow, Jai Morton, Saleem Muhammad, Tyrone Murray, Darryl Neal, Charles Nelson, James Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Evelyn Nnam, Moyo Onibuje, Douglas Pangburn, Franklin Payne, Michael Pennycook, Ash-Shaheed Rabbil, Michael Reardon, Chris Shaw, Veda Simpson, J. Simpson, Patty Smith, Gwynette Smith, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, Leroy Sturdevant, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Paul Taylor, Archie Thomas, Larissa Thompson, Carl Turner, Jacqueline Turner, Joseph Walker, Martin Walker, Robert Warren, Terry Warren, Lawless Watson, Paul Watson, Wendell Williams, Edna Williams, Sherle Williams, Susan Wilshusen, Ivory Wilson, Mark Wolf, Charles Woods, Tina Wright

STREET SENSE June 22 - July 5, 2011

Philadelphia Uses Murals to Combat Homelessness Students from the Philadelphia Mural Corps Arts Program painted 30 houses as part of “A Place to Call Home,” a project that tells the story of the homeless youth who roam the streets of Philadelphia.

Along with WHYY Public Radio, the Mural Arts Program created several exhibits highlighting the issue of homelessness, including an “Art House,” which holds mixed media works, a sound mural, sculptures and an information room.

In addition, 48 Mural Corps students were photographed and interviewed by University of Pennsylvania Epidemiologist and professor Carolyn Cannuscio. Cannuscio will use these products to write a paper concerning health and housing issues in an effort to gain support from legislators.

WHYY also plans to air segments that focus on personal stories of homeless teenagers, as well as service providers and advocates.

“A Place to Call Home” is sponsored by the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, Hummingbird Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and Surdna Foundation.

Mural Corps works to give teenagers profitable skills and increase involvement in the fine arts by creating murals

NEWS

throughout the year.

Homeless Animals Get an Upgrade in Kentucky Rescue University and BISSELL Homecare, Inc. have worked together to renovate animal shelters in Rowan and Menifee County, Ky., to give homeless dogs and cats a nicer temporary home.

Students and volunteers spent eight days repairing kennels, painting the shelter, adding beds and a bathtub for dogs, as well as scratching posts and a flap-door for cats.

Rescue University, which is made of a parternship between the Petfinder.com foundation and Animal Lifeline, also gave necessities such as food, leashes and collars to the shelter and moved 65 animals to transitional housing.

The group even sponsored an informational session for animal shelter directors to educate them about proper cleaning techniques and adoption procedures.

Miss USA Contestant Gains Support After Losing Home Miss Colorado, Blair Griffith, competed in the Miss USA pageant wearing sponsored clothes after receiving a huge outpouring of support when she revealed her recent eviction from her home.

Griffith and her family have struggled since her father’s death from prostate cancer, which left behind thousands of dollars in medical bills and a lack of income.

After her mother suffered a heart attack and Griffith herself lost her job, expenses became too much for the unlucky family.

Griffith and her mother are staying at a friend’s house until they can afford their own home again.

Griffith’s father was a fan of the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants so Griffith said he would be close to her heart as she competed on Father’s Day. Though Griffith did not make it to the quarterfinals of the pageant, she said in prior interviews that she already felt like a winner, thanks to the kind gestures from so many.

National Report Finds More Homeless Families Family homelessness across America rose 20 percent during the recession years of 2007 through 2010, and families now represent a larger share of the total sheltered population than ever before, a newly released federal report found.

“It’s not surprising given the economic crisis we’d see an increase in homeless families,” said U.S. Housing and Urban

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 with the idea to start a street paper in Washington, D.C. They saw it as a means of empowering the area’s poor and homeless and decided the paper would cover homelessness and other social issues.

After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers, Street Sense published its first issue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies.

About a dozen vendors sold the first issue of the paper. For the next three years, it was

YOUR DOLLAR

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published monthly as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless. 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, Street Sense hired its first vendor coordinator and began partnering with several service providers.

In February 2007, the paper increased the frequency of publication to twice a month.

65%

Each vendor makes a personal investment in Street Sense, by purchasing is- Directly sues at a rate of 35 cents per copy. This aids the money helps cover our production and vendor printing costs for the paper, while still allowing the vendors to sell the paper at a low price and substantial profit.

Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, releasing the department’s 2010 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress.

The report, based on data collected from thousands of communities nationwide also found a marked shift in the geography of homelessness during the economic downturn. Emergency shelter use in cities actually declined from 1.2 million to 1 million people between 2007 and 2010. But during those same years, shelter use in suburban and rural areas rose from 367,000 to 576,000.

Homeless Utah Man Inherits Large Sum of Money A homeless man who lives on the streets of Salt Lake City and Ogden, Ut., will be able to have a more normal life after his brother, who died of cancer last year, left him a “significant” amount in his will.

Max Melitzer has declined to talk to the media right now but is considering holding a press conference next week.

Private investigator David Lundberg was hired by the brother’s family and has been looking for Melitzer for two months. He said Melitzer, who has not communicated with his family since September, was excited about the prospect of the future.

Compiled by Mary Clare Fischer

Vendor Code of Conduct

In order to support the increased production, Street Sense brought on its first full-time editor-in-chief in April.

Today, Street Sense has four professionals, more than 100 active vendors and nearly 30,000 copies in circulation each month. The newspaper has become a major source of news for Washingtonians, providing content on issues which often go uncovered by the mainstream media.

Street Sense is a member of the National Association of Street Newspapers (NASNA).

35% Supports costs

1. I agree not to ask for more than $1 or to solicit donations for Street Sense by other means.

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

3. I agree to treat others respectfully. I will not “hard sell,” threaten or pressure customers.

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

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

6. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling Street Sense.

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

8. I will stay a block away from another vendor.

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

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

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Body temperatures above 104 F can be life threatening. Hyperthermia is classified as body temperatures greater than about 100 F.

Searching for Relief

A spot check reveals cooling centers are not always open on mandated heat alert days

By Erin Durkin and Zachary Davidson Editorial Interns As the heat index soared past 95 degrees on June 9, the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency declared a heat emergency in the city, a signal that cooling centers in local homeless shelters should be opened and available for use.

Even so, when Street Sense approached the Open Door shelter on that heat alert day, several people sat outside, cooling themselves with fans or pouring water over their heads. The Open Door shelter is one of seven shelters the city has named for the homeless to use as a cooling center when the alert is called. However, the door was locked. After knocking on the door, these reporters were told the shelter was closed, even though the alert had been declared.

Though severe heat does not gain the attention of severe cold, hot weather is blamed for claiming nearly 700 lives annually while the cold takes about 600 lives, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Heat has already been blamed for two deaths in the District this summer, according to the city medical examiner.

It is not clear if either of the deceased were homeless due to the extremely limited information released by the examiner’s office. The homeless face special risks for hyperthermia, where extreme heat overtaxes the body’s ability to function. Homeless people have limited options in terms of places to go to get out of the heat, and may also lack access to drinking water.

Many also suffer from chronic illnesses and other medical conditions that make them more vulnerable. The elderly and very young are also vulnerable.

From 1999 to 2003, a total of 3,442 deaths resulting from exposure to extreme heat were reported.

These homeless shelters double as cooling centers if an alert is sent out by the DC Homeland Securty and Emergency Management Agency: Open Door Women’s Shelter/ John Young Shelter 425 2nd Street NW 801 East Homelessness Assistance Shelter St. Elizabeths Campus NE House of Ruth/Madison Facility 651 10th St. NE New York Avenue Shelter 1355 New York Avenue NE Adams Place Shelter 2210 Adams Place NE DC General Cafeteria 1900 Massachusetts Ave. SE If you need transportation to any of these sites, call the cooling center hotlin number at: 1-800-535-7252

This Google map shows different homeless shelters and recreation centers that double as cooling centers.

COURTESY OF ERIN DURKIN

The city’s 2005 Homeless Services Reform Act, which requires the city to provide emergency shelter to the homeless in freezing weather, stipulates that cooling centers be made available to homeless individuals and families whenever the “the actual or forecasted temperature or heat index rises above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.” The law adds

the following: “The term hyperthermia shelter does not include overnight shelter.”

The city’s cooling centers for the homeless are located in emergency shelters, but they are intended to offer only a place to stay cool during the hottest weather. They do not offer beds, as are provided in the freezing winter

The homeless services component usually means using existing facilities but you can’t always get into the facilities because they are full. What if you call the hyperthermia hotline and they say the beds are full?

-Scott McNeilly, staff attorney for the Washington

Legal Clinic for the Homeless

Heat related illness include heat exhaustion, heat rash, heat cramps and more serious conditions including a heat stroke. weather.

“For the homeless,” explained Fred Swan, of the D.C. Department of Human Services, “the low-barrier shelters are opened as cooling centers during the time when the alert is called.

When the temperature with the heat index is 95, the emergency shelters reopen. They stay open until the alert is called off. At 7 p.m., [the cooling center] turns into a shelter again,” said Swan.

The severe heat usually abates after Continued on Page 5

Mild cases of hyperthermia can be treated by drinking water and sitting in a cool, dark place.

STREET SENSE June 22 - July 5, 2011

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Local

Lack of Resources Plagues Homeless Continued from Page 4

From 1999 to 2003, males

dark so beds have not been required, accounted for 66 percent of Swan said. If the heat alert remained in deaths and outnumbered effect into the night, people would not deaths among females in be forced to leave, though beds would all age groups. not be guaranteed.

“As long as the alert is on, they will but it closed permanently last fall. allow [the homeless] to be there,” said When these reporters tried to find Swan. the John Young Shelter for women, A shelter hotline van, operated by the they found that the shelter was listed United Planning Organization, circulates at the wrong address. They had to wake through the city, providing water and a homeless man from his slumber to ask responding to calls for rides to the coolwhere the shelter was located. ing centers, Swan said.

According to Shirley Brooks, day-time “If someone wants to go to the coolsupervisor at the John Young Shelter for ing center, they can call the hotline,” women, there were several people who said Swan. The number for help is the did not know how to find the shelter. same as in the winter: 1-800-535-7252.

“I have a lot of people call me to find The city’s winter plan for the homethe site. There seems to be a general less takes months of work and the inlack of information,” she said. Howvolvement of homeless advocates and ever, she also said that word of mouth service providers as well as city officials tends to be stronger than the informawho are part of the city’s Interagency tion the government puts out.

Council on Homelessness.

Inside the shelter, there are 85 beds “There is a summer plan but it’s a far available for women who need a place more disjointed process and the ICH is to sleep. Usually the shelter is not not involved,” said Scott McNeilly,staff open during the day, but according to attorney for the Washington Legal ClinBrooks it will be opened when an alert ic for the Homeless. He worries about is called. the city’s overburdened homeless serAcross the street from the John Young vice system and people in need falling homeless shelter a group of women, through the cracks during the summer. most of them homeless, gathered in the “There are more and more hot days, heat, without much hope of being let and the hot weather is lasting long into inside. They did not want to give their the night. The homeless services comnames or be photographed, they said, ponent usually means using existing fabecause they did not want to face recilities but you can’t always get into the percussions from the shelter. facilities because they are full. What if According to one woman, the temperyou call the hyperthermia hotline and ature could be 94 F early in the mornthey say the beds are full?” he said. ing and but the shelter would not open DC Homeland Security released sevbecause an alert had yet to be called. eral lists of senior centers, recreation centers and homeless shelters that are A man cools himself off during a heat wave in Washington D.C. A heat alert will be Others said that on heat alert days the shelter has a designated for use as cooling centers called if the heat index is above 95 degrees.

COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES capacity of 85 during the sumSymptoms of a heat stroke inmer. However, only clude extremely hot body temper- people and once the homeless shel- People most vulnerable to heat health conditions. service. ature, hot dry skin, rapid strong that is reached On the list the DC ters will provide related illness are the elderly, in- The Barney Neighpulse, throbbing headache, diz- p e o p l e a r e 24-hour services, fants, obese and those on pre- b o r h o o d H o u s e Homeland Security turned away. ziness, nausea, confusion, and p r o v i d e s s e v e r a l released of homeand there are only scription medications.

“It’s not reunconsciousness. senior centers and less shelters, there seven available for ally going down nutritional centers were a couple disthe entire city. the way they According to Edwinta Jenkins, a proj- that can also double as cooling centers crepancies that could prove problematic say it is. They have a staff that sits ect manager for Barney Neighborhood when an alert is called. However, these if someone was searching for a 24-hour there for a paycheck,” one man said House, senior citizens are especially vul- centers are not required to shelter the cooling center. For instance, the La Casa with tears in his eyes. nerable to the heat due to preexisting homeless, nor do they provide 24-hour shelter in Columbia Heights was listed,

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Mayor Vincent Gray’s original budget proposed to cut over $75 million from human services. Chairman Kwame Brown’s budget restored slightly over $27 million to these services.

Cuts Force City to Prioritize

By Hannah Traverse Editorial Intern In an 11 to 2 vote, the D.C. Council approved on Tuesday, June 14, a $10.8 billion budget for the coming fiscal year.

The plan, proposed by Chairman Kwame Brown, closes a budget gap of over $320 million while still funding vital safety net services.

The budget restored $17 million for homeless services, $1.2 million for Interim Disabilities Assistance and $4.9 million for cash assistance to poor families. Advocates for the poor and homeless were discouraged because these restorations did not make up for all the cuts in Mayor Vincent Gray’s proposed budget, yet they expressed relief that the deepest reductions were averted. The restored funds will go toward, among other things, keeping homeless shelters open beyond the winter season, providing help to people awaiting federal disabilities payments and maintaining operation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Meanwhile, advocates say they are continuing to worry about the fate of other human services programs that did not make it back into the budget and that are too far down on the list of priorities to likely receive anything from the city’s projected revenues. Because the city is expected to take in at most about $80 million in additional revenue, only the top few items on the priority list will receive funding.

Of the revenues the city anticipates, about $22 million will go to the city’s capital budget. Half of what is left afterwards will go to the city’s reserves. The remaining money will then be allocated to services not in the budget based on their rank in the spending priority list.

Much of the June 14 hearing focused on how to spend the projected revenues.

Council members debated how to prioritize which projects and services not included in the budget should receive funding. Items ranked below five on the funding priority list, including Housing First, a program geared toward placing chronically homeless people in permanent supportive housing, and the Housing Production Trust Fund, would face austerity measures.

The council debated whether to give

$32 million of incoming revenue to the Department of Health Care Finance to fund the city’s contract with a managed care organization (MCO) that provides health services for low-income D.C. residents. Mayor Gray suggested this spending be a top priority, but because the need was only proposed on June 3, many on the council wanted to withhold the money until they could research the $32 million shortfall claimed by the Department of Health Care Finance.

“The idea that we should be asked to provide $32 million in funding for something we have not had a hearing on, we have not been provided any information on, is offensive,” said Councilman Jack Evans (D-Ward 2). In a 7 to 6 vote, the council agreed to keep the $32 million on the list of spending priorities as the second item to receive funding.

“Let’s say we say to the administration, ‘It’s your fault. You find the other $32 million.’ It’s not like they’re going to find it from appropriations that impact them.

It’s going to impact our whole city,” said Councilman Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6), justifying his support for the spending.

Jenny Reed, a policy analyst at the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, said the funding is important.

“They are going to need some money to allow DC to continue providing for people in the HealthCare Alliance Program,” she said. “It’s just unfortunate that these pressures come up and push other priorities further down the list.”

In a 12 to 1 vote, $1.8 million was set aside as the top spending priority to

INFORMATION COURTESY OF COALITION OF HOUSING AND HOMELESS ORGANIZATIONS

maintain the operation of Green Teams and Clean Teams. These are programs that provide street and sidewalk cleaning services in several wards, as well as jobs for many ex-offenders. Without this funding, employees of these programs would be out of a job.

“I think this amendment creates a priority that we can all support … people who are putting their lives back together, who are rebuilding their families,” said Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), the council member who proposed making the teams top priority.

Councilman Phil Mendelson (D-AtLarge), frustrated that $10.8 million to hire police officers was placed fourth on the list of spending priorities, was the only person to vote against funding the

teams. Without additional funding, the D.C. police force will shrink to about 3,700 officers by next July, the smallest it has been in about five years. Above hiring police officers on the priority list is $12.5 million to place nurses in D.C. public schools.

In a hearing on May 25, the council decided to begin taxing profits from out-ofstate bonds as a source of revenue. A hot button issue during the June 14 hearing was whether to allow bonds purchased before October 2011 to remain tax-free.

Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) proposed to put aside about $13.5 million at the top of the spending priority list to keep currently owned bonds tax exempt. This proposal failed, however, in a 7 to 6 vote.

VSA, which originally stood for “Very Special Arts,” is now known as the International Organization on Arts and Disability.

The organization was founded over 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith.

STREET SENSE June 22 - July 5, 2011

ART

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Creating Art from the Inside Out

By Erin Durkin Editorial Intern The alteration of a life, a shift in view, a drastic change of reality.

This is the theme for the art exhibit Shift, hosted by VSA, the International Organization on Arts and Disability.

The show is up in the Terrace Gallery at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts until June 30. The art displayed was contributed by 17 different artists with a wide variety of disabilities. The art portrays the journey these creators took when their lives were changed by their disabilities.

On June 9, four of the artists and one of the jurors who reviewed the artwork spoke to a crowd of 50, explaining their inspirations and their ideas about the art.

Jamie McLellon, one of the jurors of the exhibition, said that she reviewed 316 submissions from around the world.

At the time, the jurists were not aware of the artists’ disabilities and judged the work purely on aesthetic quality.

Upon entering the gallery, visitors first encounter work by Bruce Monroe, a man who had to leave a successful career when he was diagnosed with AIDS and cancer.

“I worked for a long time, and my doctor told me, ‘If you want to live you have to retire,’” said Monroe. “It was dramatic and traumatic at the same time.”

Monroe’s work features a mannequin that was cut apart in several places and then coated in truck bed liner. The title is 501,310/1,077,972, a reference to the number of people who tested positive for HIV when Monroe was diagnosed compared to the number of people who have tested positive to date, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Juxtaposed to the sculpture is his Self Portrait at Fifteen, where several holes were cut out of paper to create a human shape.

“Normal humans are supposed to have 700-1200 T-cells,” said Monroe.

“Fifteen years after I was diagnosed I only had four T-cells. Each hole represents a T-cell that is missing from my body.”

Another artist at the panel was Mare

Vaccaro, who has a condition called alopecia universalis, which means no hair can grow on her body. Her photography in the exhibition explores the ideas of femininity and what makes the female form beautiful. At the panel she was wearing a reddish brown wig.

“I wear hair because I show the world what you think is real and then show you what is real,” she said as she removed her wig.

Vaccaro said she considers herself a “blank canvas,” and that she experiments with the ideas of what is feminine. One of her featured portraits, Secrets, is a photo of herself wearing a collar with lace. She said she made all of the collars and the lace was from the 1800s.

Other photographers included Gwynneth VanLaven, whose life was changed when a car hurtled over the sidewalk and crushed her leg against a building. But this was not her first time dealing with disability.

“I was ill my whole life growing up,” she said. “It was a big transition going from a private to a visible disability.”

VanLaven said her work in the art show is about risk. She would like to blur the distinctions between people with disabilities and people without disabilities.

“In photography you can have happy accidents,” she said.

In the center of the exhibit is a giant silver apple called Tzimtzum II. The creator is William A. Newman, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was 31 and now relies on a wheelchair for mobility.

Most of his art reflects the different challenges that he has faced with his disability. He created a series of paintings known as the Blue Dream Series, which reflected his world when the multiple sclerosis affected his vision.

“I lost sight in one of my eyes and for about a year I saw everything blue.

I really liked seeing in blue,” he said.

His featured works in the exhibit, Tzimtzum II and his oil painting Total Solar, explore the cycle of life without a definite start or finish. Both works take on a circular shape indicating motion and infinity.

Bruce Monroe’s Self Portrait at Fifteen and 501,310/1,077,972 portray the damage of the HIV virus.

COURTESY OF BRUCE MONROE

Though all four of the artists at the panel said they are now comfortable and are accepting of their disabilities, some of their family members and previous friends are not.

“My mother cries whenever she sees me without hair. When my friends come over my wig comes off,” said Vaccaro. “I cover my head because the skin is very sensitive and vulnerable to skin cancer.”

VanLaven said there are extreme views of invisible and visible disabilities.

“With an invisible handicap, people assume that I can do things, and with a visible handicap they assume that I can’t,” she said.

In the end, the artists felt that their art gave them a way to show their perspectives on their disabilities and show that their disabilities do not define them.

“It’s a way for me to exert control over the virus. As a structure, it’s really quite beautiful, which makes me feel creative,” said Monroe.

Kurt Weston is legally blind due to HIV/ AIDS-related cytomegalovirus retinosis, but this does not keep him from photography.

He uses a scanner for his camera, producing vivid and morphic images.

COURTESY OF KURT WESTON

8

SPORTS

More Than a Game

Street Soccer USA

By Ashley Hemmy Editorial Intern

The Sacramento versus New York game was tied, two to two. And the clock was running out: 10…nine…eight… seven.

It was time for sudden death.

Sacramento missed the goal. It was New York’s turn.

“GOAL!” The team went wild, jumping up and down and embracing. The Sacramento team walked over and shook begin.

In spite of the searing heat, this year’s Street Soccer USA Cup brought plenty of excitement to the Washington Kastles Stadium from June 10 through 12. Every player who came to brought a story of personal struggle as well.

Street Soccer USA uses the game of soccer to help get homeless men, women and youths off the streets. To be eligible to play, competitors must have been homeless for the past 18 months, have been making their livings as street paper vendors or have been enrolled in drug or alcohol rehabilitation.

Players from 18 different cities across the country attend practices during the 16-week season. They also set both shortThis year, Minneapolis captured the cup. But everyone who played gained strength and living skills, organizers said.

“Street Soccer is not about being a good soccer player,” said founder and CEO Lawrence Cann. “It’s about being a good human being.”

Cann got the idea for Street Soccer USA while he was participating in a community service project called Community Works in North Carolina and saw how many young people were on the streets with nothing to do, and no direction in life.

“They had a lot of anger, frankly,” Cann said. “They needed physical activity or sports to keep them motivated.” tional league was developed in 2008. This year, 16 ambassadors were selected as a pool, and from that, eight will represent the U.S. in the Homeless World Cup, which will be held in Paris, France in late August. D.C. Knights player Milton Marquez made it into the pool.

“Soccer is something I’ve always wanted as a kid, and I never had the chance,” Marquez said. “I guess this means to never give up, and I love it.”

Marquez was playing soccer while at Neighbors Consejo, a

program that offers shelter and rehabilitation to the Latino homeless in D.C., when he met Abdul-Baki and other Street Soccer volunteers.

With the help of Street Soccer USA and his coach, Omar Abdul-Baki, Marquez has managed to transform his life. He found a job in construction and an apartment to live in. He pays for everything and is able to support himself. “All these people, like Omar , have helped so much,” Marquez said. “We’ve learned there are other ways to live than on the streets.”

Some players, especially those who moved from other countries, are advanced while others have never touched a soccer ball before. But they are all there to play the game.

“Players gain a positive attitude,” said Abdul-Baki, the director and one of the coaches for the D.C. Knights and Arling-

ton Tigers be succes Accord ers achie employme “Home munity,”

Along w

to grow b And the Street other. Som “The C said. “It’s

STREET SENSE June 22 - July 5, 2011

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A Cup hits Washington, bringing homeless

s. “If they can be successful in soccer then they can ssful in other things in life.” ding to Cann, about 75 percent of the soccer playve positive outcomes in other areas of life, such as ment or housing. elessness is the symptom of the breakdown of comCann said. “And sports create social bonds, which

After a 16-week practice season, soccer teams comprised of homeless players from all over the country play against each other in the Street Soccer USA Cup. D.C. Knights players, dressed in blue, give it their all in a USA Cup game against Sacramento: Dalitso (bottom left) Milton Marquez (left and above) and, in yellow, goalie Kenneth Belkosky (right).

PHOTOS BY AYANA BELLAMY

Part of a Team

By Kenneth Belkosky Vendor I had a wonderful time at the Street Soccer USA cup on the weekend of June 10th through June 12th. It was great playing as goalie with the DC Knights. Even though I have never really played in competition before, it is something that with better training I will try again. What’s more, I proved

with attending weekly practices, players attend off-

both physically and mentally. e game doesn’t end with the Cup. Soccer grads form new teams and play against each me work as coaches or informal mentors.

Cup isn’t the ending but the beginning,” Abdul-Baki s the bridge to the next step in their lives.”

which is now in a splint, but my teammates and friends showed they really cared about me. As a DC player, I also get to help one of my teammates the people I met from around the country, and a medal I will wear all the time. I even got a Mohawk haircut. I just hope that my customers like it!

10 10 NINA THE DETECTIVE: A NEW CHAPTER

Fiction

Nina Gets a Date and Gets Back to Work

By Ivory Wilson Vendor

Nina is out on the pistol range shooting at a target with her long barrel Colt 44 revolver and hitting her marks. The detectives in the department respect Nina and make sure they don’t get in her way! Glambi is the new detective from New York City, just recently transferred to Chicago. He is shooting at a target with his 9MM pistol, but hitting and missing it. Nina is in the firing lane beside him. Nina stops shooting, looking at Glambi’s misses. Nina laughs and says, “That’s great shooting, if the person shooting back is shooting blanks.” They laugh and Glambi notices how “nice looking” Nina is. Glambi says, “For a beautiful detective you shoot like a gunfighter. Not too many women can handle a big gun.” Nina laughs.

Glambi asks Nina if she would like to go to dinner. Nina stops smiling. It has been a long time since a man held her in his arms. Nina looks at Glambi, not letting him know he has a chance. She says, “Glambi, keep practicing your marksmanship.” Nina walks away. Glambi takes a look at her as she is walking past. He smiles and says to himself, “Yeah, she likes me.”

Unknown to Nina, Glambi has a gambling problem. He lost his wife and kids because of it. Glambi owes some bookies big dough back in NYC. He lost betting on the horses. He transferred to Chicago trying to hide from the collectors. However, thugs from NYC have information that Glambi is living in Chicago and they are planning on paying him a visit.

Nina is rolling down the road in her four-gear Hemi-Boss Mustang.

She drops into second gear, makes a u-turn in the middle of the street, shifts into third, gunning the motor then shifts into third and heads back to the shooting range. Back at the target range, Glambi is walking to his car.

He sees Nina coming back and smiles.

She drives up smiling and says, “I will go to dinner with you tonight, as long as I can bring Harry along.” Glambi asks, “Who is Harry?” Nina smiles and says, “My big gun.” Glambi smiles and says, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Nina shifts into first gear, burning rubber, fishtailing down the road. She is rolling on the highway – the 429 Hemi engineer humming. She drives to her grandparents’ house, gets out of the car and picks up the morning paper off the lawn. She sees her grandparents, Steve and Ann sitting on their porch swing, holding hands. She is thinking they are one of the reasons she became a detective – to protect them and keep them safe from harm. Her grandparents are in their golden years.

Nina’s grandmother never forgets to leave out a glass of milk and cookies when Nina stays out late at night.

Nina takes a shower and thinks about Shaggie and the way he talked about sex: “going to get your freak on.” Nina smiles and starts to dance in the shower as she runs through her mind going out with Glambi tonight. Dressed and looking forward to her evening out, she drives to the department and walks in.

Capt. Newton looks out of his office window and sees Nina talking to Glambi. He signals her to come into his office.

“What’s up, Captain?”

“Close the door and sit down. I have some good news for you. The DA’s office, after finally completing their investigation of the Officer Warren shooting,

ADFOSTERMAN, STREET SENSE

has decided to drop all charges against you, ruling the shooting justifiable. How are you feeling, Nina? Have you taken enough time to get by with this?”

“I’m fine, Captain. Ready to come back to work today.”

Capt. Newton sits back in his chair and says, “Are you sure?”.

“Yes, sir,” Nina replies.

“Good, good,” he says. “Now that you are back, I got a call about a homicide at 1115 Harp Lane. The victim is an Anthony Thorpe. He was found shot to death. Nina, you are one of my best detectives and I need this case solved as soon as possible. The mayor has been all

over me about these unsolved murders in our city.”

“OK Capt., I’ll get right on it.” Nina gets up and turns to leave.

“Nina,” Capt. Newton says, “Take that new detective, Glambi, with you on this case.”

“Sure, Capt.” She goes over to Glambi “Come on, we’ve been assigned to a new case, a homicide.”

Glambi asks, “Do I have time to drop off my car? It’s been running sluggish.”

“Sure, I’ll follow you there,” says Nina.

To be continued...

Street Sense offers our vendors the chance to share their stories and poetry every Monday from 10 to 11 a.m.

STREET SENSE June 22 - July 5, 2011

11

Writer’s Group

Old War Stories

by Robert Warren

Old war stories of times gone by The struggles of men who do in life what makes men die.

Oh how the children weep and the new widows cry, All for their independence, how men lie, Who hunger for the moon light war games of seek and hide, But what will the day light find.

Fresh troops afoot marching in lines.

Man in a hurry trying to find The dead of the moonlight war games.

The Jones family was collateral damage, Not much left to find.

No glory or hero in these stories Old as war itself Lost in time.

For all soldiers will have their time to die Brought back in stories to be told of days of war gone by.

Men check men for silver, no gold The saddest story is a soldier who lives to grow old Too old to remember His life is just stories of war to be told

VIOLET EYES

By Chris Shaw

Dearest Lady, Your dark kohl embellishment only Matched your very Very Violet Eyes.

Not violent, as was the bawdy slattern “Mawtha.” And did you and Dick Ever battle as fiercely Off the Screen?

Briefly we were neighbors in Upper Georgetown.

I confess, sweet Liz, I once ‘joaned’ you about that sequined turban You sported in seventy-six, But I came to revere that senatorial Spouse you had at the time, For the Virginia Gen’leman Far exceeded mad tea parties In real credibility.

And the grande dame with the violet orbs Championed my Michael J, and world wellness, and All of us poor folks all around, And in doing so-Became so much more Beauteous, To God.

12

STREET SENSE June 22 - July 5, 2011

Review

Winning Strategies LLC manager Robin Leeds and Mary’s Center founder and CEO Maria Gomez were the Chefs of the Day for the event [left]. The plancha salmon in saffron-fennel brother with fingerling potatoes, asparagus and lemon butter was one of three entrees guests could select to support Mary’s Center [right].

High-scale Food Helps Out Homeless

By Ashley Hemmy Editorial Intern Mio Restaurant is known for an always-changing Latin menu comprised of creative dishes full of spices. The community-driven restaurant is also known for its Chef of the Day Program, where everyday people take charge of the kitchen to support and raise money for a different foundation.

On Saturday, June 11, the chefs of the 35th event of the Chef of the Day series were Maria Gomez, founder and CEO of Mary’s Center and Robin Leeds, manager of Winning Strategies LLC, a public affairs and political consulting firm.

Every table at Mio Restaurant was full of chattering customers who were all there for the same reason: to benefit Mary’s Center, a one-stop shop that provides medical, social and vocational services to those who could not afford such assistance otherwise.

The menu was Jewish-Latin themed, a blend of two very different cultures and very different tastes.

Three starters, three entrees and three desserts were available to choose from. My favorite of the entrees was the plancha salmon on fingerling potatoes and asparagus cooked in a saffron-fennel broth and preserved lemon butter. I’ve had many salmon dishes,

but this one was savory and warm. Combined with the saffron-fennel broth, it was perfect.

One of the starter dishes was two bright red peppers stuffed with peppers, quinoa and corn in a green herb aioli sauce. The unique blend of spices made it difficult to slow down when eating.

The chocolate and olive oil mousse was my dessert of choice and I was surprised by how large the dessert was. It was a unique pairing; the combination of chocolate and olive oil was creamy, thick and delicious.

Mary’s Center received $10 of the $50 price tag for the meal. With 63 Chef for a Day meals sold, combined with money raised from auctioning off a 7-night stay for two at the Divi Phoenix Beach Resort in Aruba and additional donations, the event raised $2,680 for the Center.

The money will directly fund more than 20 programs the center offers, including mental health care, family literacy and adolescent after-school programs.

“We try to give back to the community that we’ve received so much from,” said Karla Iguina, who owns the restaurant with her husband Manuel.

Gomez said the reason Mio Restaurant was selected was because it had a strong sense of community. The people attending the event were made up of

friends of both the Mary’s Center and the owners of Mio Restaurant and random walk-ins that decided to help benefit Mary’s Center.

What started off as separated tables enjoying dinner turned into a party, with people walking from table to ta-

ble to make conversation and dance to Latin music by the bar.

“Everyone came from different backgrounds and cultures,” Karla Iguina said. “What a great opportunity to support something we believe!”

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARY’S CENTER

The restaurant was full of friends and supporters from both Mio Restaurant and Mary’s Center.

Op-Ed

The No-Talking Point Zone

By Jeffery McNeil Vendor

McDonald’s jobs. Truth is, just about the only jobs besides the ones in burger joints that are not getting outsourced to some To change or reform cheaper country are the tax atanything, you need to torneys, accountants and lobbygive people the facts. ists, who are on the payroll to Here are the facts: find ways for corporations not to Even with unemploypay taxes. ment at 9.1 percent, When I ask fans of capitalnot everyone’s rolling ism why unemployment is so up penny wrappers. Corhigh while companies are makporate profits rose 3.3 ing enormous profits, percent to a stag...if you’re looking for I try to listen without gering $1.39 trillion losing my temper. They dollars. According work, Mickey D’s may that jobs can’t to JP Morgan Chase be hiring. I guess they’re explain be created because corProjects, estimated flipping a lot of burgers porations are being hinearnings will climb cause the executives are dered by the corporate 10 percent a year through 2013. While fattening up on profits. tax rate. The 35 percent tax rate makes it imposcorporate earnsible to hire anybody who ings have been on doesn’t know how to find steroids, the labor market has been woefully anemic. The Bu- loopholes. Corporations do have a point. reau of Labor statistics says there are 13.9 The tax rates for corporations in America million Americans out of work. Eight per- are among the highest in the world.

So should you feel sorry for them? After cent are women, 35 percent are non-white and if you add the 25 percent of teenagers, all they are the ones who create jobs. Let’s this means 68 percent of the unemployed go to the chalkboard. Although the corporate tax rate in the U.S. is 35 percent, are non-white males.

Although the unemployment numbers what do corporations actually pay in taxes?

An article written in the New York Times look dismal there is a white light! There were 54,000 jobs created. Morgan Stanley by David Kocieniewski published March 24, estimates due to the April 19th hiring day 2011, goes into detail about how Ameriby McDonald’s, Ronald McDonald created ca’s wealthiest companies align themselves roughly 30,000 jobs. So if you’re looking with government officials, allowing them for work, Mickey D’s may be hiring. I guess to put their hands in the cookie jar and they’re flipping a lot of burgers because tell the American people they need to cut the executives are fattening up on profits. government spending without raising taxes.

Although there is a disconnect between Welcome to Free Market Capitalism. After bailouts, tax cuts and budget talks, the Wall Street and Main Street I am an optijob creators produced a whopping 24,000 mist. I believe to combat greed is to get jobs in May, when you take out all the new the facts and educate yourself.

13

Handicapped Not Human?

By Veda “Catwoman” Simpson Vendor Recently workers constructing a condominium building at First and M Street NW hit an underground line, knocking out power in parts of Northwest and Northeast for four days. Did all our modern technology help, given that this was a heat emergency? No! I live at 1145 North Capitol St. NW and it was survive the best way you can! The whole building is run by electricity. I’m in a remote wheelchair and have to go out every day to get my medication.

I could not charge my chair to do this because of the power outage, so I was without my medication for three days and anything else that I needed! Of course, I can’t cook or do anything else and it was scorching outside! It was as if we were meat sizzling on a grill!

There are a lot of people who rely upon machines to live. These people should have someone to knock on their doors every hour. The only time someone came to my place was when the resident manager came by to see if I wanted a popsicle. That’s not something I can eat because I’m a diabetic. Section 8 barbecued out back but nobody This heat is a killer. knocked to ask if I wanted someSomeone could be dead thing to eat. They had a bus out and the management front but how was I to know? No one came to tell me of this. I live wouldn’t know about on the backside of the apartment it for a long time; until complex and could not use my TV they smell it! or a radio to find out what was going on.

This heat is a killer. Someone could be dead and the management wouldn’t know about it for a long time, until they smell it! People don’t care about the homeless, so why should they care about us? I guess they feel our time is drawing near anyway.

We filled out papers to compensate for spoiled food but I guess I have to die before they can reimburse me. I called the Mayor’s Command Center and they were no help. They just kept connecting me to Pepco.

I take care of my cats the best way I can.

So, I ask you – “Is it true that if you are handicapped and a senior you are not considered human?”

VENDOR WORDS BY DAVID DENNY Insignificant Others Insignificant Others are The ones we never mention Even though they nod and wave We never pay attention In close proximity Still we cannot see Nor hear their voice

Nor hear their song Nor even hear their plea So when you cross the path Of that insignificant other Stop one moment, take your time And say “Hello My Brother”.

I remember a book named Insignificant Others. The homeless are treated like insignificant others in our society. They are walked past, stepped over and sometimes inadvertently kicked. This is just a daily routine over a discarded candy wrapper. People have become indiffer-

ent and de-sensitized to this tragic event that unfolds in front of their eyes on a daily basis. The ignored, the shunned, the ostracized, the insignificant others. The face of the homeless tell this all so tragic story: Defeat, disillusion, pain, fear, turmoil, devastation, hopelessness…etc.

14 Our News

Hardships and Rewards of the Vendor Life

By Hannah Traverse Editorial intern Kids from DC SCORES recently joined Street Sense vendor Martin Walker for the “Vendor for a Day” program.

DC SCORES is an after-school program that teaches kids about poetry and community awareness while also engaging them in good sportsmanship on the soccer field.

“Vendor for a Day” allows student groups to spend a morning selling Street Sense and learning about poverty firsthand. The students, who come from across the country and represent a diversity of ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, earn money for the vendor they are paired with. The kids from DC SCORES, under the guidance of their writing coach, Lee Goldstein, spent this past spring learning all they could about homelessness and poverty. Their learning experience eventually culminated with service projects involving the homeless.

On a hot day in late May, the DC SCORES kids followed Martin up to Farragut Square to see exactly what it takes to be a Street Sense vendor. It was sweltering outside, but the kids maintained high spirits as they kept in mind that every dollar they made would go towards helping Martin support his son.

Sales were slow when the kids first started. It was discouraging for the students to see so many potential buyers breeze past. The students experienced just how tricky it is to be a successful

PHOTO COURTESY OF DC SCORES

Kids from DC SCORES participate in the “Vender for a Day” program, which takes them right on D.C.’s streets where they try to sell newspapers in the summer heat to support vendor Martin Walker and his son. Walker took them to Farragut Square.

Street Sense vendor, and they recognized the importance of maintaining an upbeat attitude even in the face of rejection.

At the end of the day, the DC SCORES students had $100 to hand over to Martin. Their morning of hard work ended with real results.

As one student said, “At first, I was

We’re lucky to have a home... but our chairs need some help.

Please help us out by donating chairs to our office!

Tax-deductible, plus you’ll be helping out a worthwhile cause.

Contact robert@streetsense.org Love, Street Sense

shy and didn’t want to ask people anything, but then I got over it. We went from corner to corner trying to get people to buy the newspapers, and it was annoying and hot. I got frustrated because most people said no while I was asking the questions. I still didn’t give up but I felt like I wanted to. That all changed when I felt the increasing

Donations Needed

money in my pocket, ready to be given to Martin to make his troubles slightly easier. So in the end, it all paid off.”

Read more about the DC SCORES students and their homelessness service projects on the DC SCORES blog at http://dcscores.blogspot.com/

all people are

Welcome

here

Join us in worship on Sundays at 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 5:30 pm Homeless Outreach Hospitality Fridays at 9:00 _____________________________

Foundry United Methodist Church A Reconciling Congregation

1500 16th Street NW | Washington DC | 20036 202.332.4010 | foundryumc.@foundryumc.org

www.foundryumc.org

Service Spotlight: 801 East Men’s Shelter, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital

By Mary Clare Fischer Editorial Intern Every night, when the sun sets, most businesses close their doors to the public. Yet the 801 East Men’s Shelter, located on the east campus of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, begins their business at this time, instantly becoming a place of refuge for hundreds of homeless men in the metro area.

Open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., 801 East is one of six nighttime shelters in Washington for men over the age of 18. In addition to a bed, residents receive dinner, breakfast, shuttle service downtown and access to a case manager, who facilitates future housing and job options. And from November to March, 801 East also acts as a hypothermia emergency shelter.

Unity Health Care, an organization that works throughout the city to provide health services to the poor and insured, provides health services at the shelter Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Besides its 12-hour emergency service and health benefits, 801 East offers a six-month rehabilitation program for drug addicts and alcoholics. The program begins with a 30-day blackout period, which limits participants’ interaction with friends and family in order to help them focus on recovery. To be accepted into the program, men must have D.C. police clearance within the past 30 days, a TB shot within the past six months and must be drug/alcohol free for at least 72 hours. Interested clients can call (202) 561-4014 Mondays through Saturdays excluding Thursdays.

Though 801 East is funded by the Archdiocese of Washington, the shelter appreciates donations. Go to https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/sslpage. aspx?pid=479 to make a contribution today.

DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS HOTLINE 1-888-7WE HELP (1-888-793-4357) www.dcfoodfinder.org

SHELTER Calvary Women’s Services 110 Maryland Avenue, 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 Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393–1909 www.newhopeministriesdc.org/id3.html Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232–7356,www.communityofhopedc.org Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE (202) 610–9600, www.covenanthousedc.org John Young Center (Women) 119 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469, www.catholiccharitiesdc.org

My Sister’s Place PO Box 29596, Washington, DC 20017 (202) 529-5261 (office) (202) 529-5991 (24-hour hotline) N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060, www.nstreetvillage.org Samaritan Inns 2523 14th St., NW (202) 667 - 8831 http://www.samaritaninns.org/home/ New York Ave Shelter (Men 18+) 1355–57 New York Avenue, NE (202) 832–2359

FOOD Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232–3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplac Church of the Pilgrims (Sundays only) 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387–6612, www.churchofthepilgrims.org Thrive DC Breakfast served Mon.-Fri., 9:30-11 a.m.

Dinner for women and children, Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m.

STREET SENSE June 22 - July 5, 2011

15

Community Service

St. Stephens Parish Church 1525 Newton St, NW (202) 737–9311, www.thrivedc.org

www.georgetownministrycenter.org Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328–6608, www.marthastable.org

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

Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW (202) 682–1005, www.ccdsd.org/howorwc.php

Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW (202) 452–8089, www.miriamskitchen.org

Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675–9340, www.sashabruce.org

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

So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW (202) 797–8806; www.some.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES

Academy of Hope GED Center 601 Edgewood Street, NE (202) 269-6623, www.aohdc.org

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 1640 Good Hope Road, SE (202) 561–8587, www.breadforthecity.org Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW (202) 364–1419, www.cchfp.org Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060, www.nstreetvillage.org Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112 Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050, www.friendshiphouse.net Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (202) 338–8301

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Catholic Community Services 924 G Street, NW (202) 772–4300, www.ccs–dc.org D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW (202) 347–8870, www.dccfh.org Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW (202) 347–0511, www.cflsdc.org Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010, www.foundryumc.org Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731, www.grm.org Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332–2874 www.ccs–dc.org/find/services/ JHP, Inc. 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 544–9126, www.jobshavepriority.org Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202) 889–7702, www.samaritanministry.org

SHELTER HOTLINE: 1–800–535–7252

VENDOR PROFILE: PATRICIA JEFFERSON

Becoming a Better Writer

THE LAST WORD

The Luxury of Storytelling

By Lisa Gillespie Managing Editor

By Zachary Davidson Editorial Intern Patricia Jefferson didn’t miss a beat when she agreed to be featured in Street Sense. As a strong woman with a background in administrative skills, Jefferson came to her interview with a written biography of her life in the past several years.

She wrote that years ago as she lost her income from being laid off, she moved into her mother’s house as her rent suddenly became unaffordable. By 2000 her mother moved out of the D.C. area.

Jefferson wrote, “I had no other relatives to stay with in town. After living in my van for a while, I eventually came to the District, and was told about Open Door Women’s Shelter.”

According to Jefferson, at the time Open Door was located in a trailer, which made life tumultuous and put “obstacles” in front of her that she had to overcome. However, after Open Door moved to its permanent facility, Jefferson discovered that living in a shelter became an “advantage” to her.

The stability that Open Door provided allowed Jefferson to rehabilitate a leg with chronic pain and soreness. Jefferson attributes good food and rest to literally helping her get on her feet.

By spring 2005, when Jefferson was filling out numerous applications throughout the city, she said, “while coming to Union Station I noticed a guy selling a newspaper. He said, ‘Street Sense!’ I looked and then he said, ‘do-

nation.’ I said, ‘For what?’ He said, ‘To give to the homeless.’ I didn’t respond and kept walking,” said Jefferson.

Jefferson said she never considered selling Street Sense until she attended one of the paper’s events. She said, “I was inspired and someone said to come back for a training session. So I did in July 2006, and have been selling the paper since that time.”

She added, “I am still looking for gainful employment, where I can continue to utilize my administrative skills.

But in the meantime, I will continue to sell Street Sense, because this is an experience that provides me with sales experience. In addition, I have been able to develop my writing style. I have written several articles for the paper, including restaurant reviews and a movie review.”

Jefferson sells Street Sense during the business days, downtown on F Street, from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 22 - July 5, 2011• Volume 8 • Issue 16 Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005

Permit #568

Mail To: Remember, only buy from badged

vendors and do not give to those panhandling with one paper.

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

I couldn’t help but think of Ivory Wilson. I sat on the grassy knoll overlooking the Wesleyan University campus, having my work torn to shreds by editor-in-residence Mike Rosovsky as he took my hard news background and made it softer, more literary. The question for me was how to interject more life into a story I pumped out, tight deadline lingering, after just a couple hours of interviews and research. I was surrounded by novelists, people who are almost nutjobs, people who can spend months, even years, on a 50,000 word story, produced through dozens of revisions. I don’t have that luxury.

Going to the 2011 Wesleyan University Writers Conference was a luxury. For the past year and a half, I’ve worked parttime at Street Sense, spending a small fortune on lunches and coffee, making connections in the freelance world to find work for those other 20 hours in the week and perhaps one day, a full-time job. Spending five days, surrounded by writers, thinking about my work, was like being back in college. My responsibility was to think, write and make connections. I didn’t have to worry about selling a great story idea, but the possibility of doing just that became very real during the last days of the conference.

I had a great book idea I discussed with a New York Times reporter (I even got to watch her work - it was like watching a deity pen a religious text). Then I went to a seminar on writing a book proposal. ‘Write the proposal, sell the book idea, write the book.’ But when I spoke with the National Journal editor after his lecture and told him my idea and my circumstances, he said I needed more big-name magazine and newspaper clips before I could sell a proposal. All journalism is not equal.

Life is not equal. How would Ivory Wilson respond if Rosovsky had a chance to tear through “Nina the Detective, Part 3”? Or how would Lis Harris, staff writer at The New Yorker, respond to Jeff McNeil’s nonfiction? I wish Chris Shaw could have met Tung-Hui Hu, a fellow in poetry, who sat next to me on the train back.

Street Sense vendors are perpetually bringing in work to publish in the paper.

Some hand-write manuscripts on torn pieces of paper, some have the luxury of using the library computer or even their own home computer. Some to dictate

their words to an intern because they cannot write. But they have thoughts.

Writing and creativity transcends class and the social constructs that keep people separate. But those constructs are no less real. All new Street Sense vendors are told they have the opportunity to write for the paper, and to boot, get paid for it in free papers. When worrying about survival, it’s a crazy foreign idea to get paid to think. A luxury. Sometimes we have to hold vendors work because we don’t have enough space. It can be crushing, because the papers they get from their work helps sustain them.

Just like a delayed freelancer check can mean I can’t buy groceries, it can mean they buy dinner for a few nights.

At one point in the conference, I told someone I was a journalist at Street Sense, a small bi-weekly newspaper in D.C. covering poverty and homelessness, sold on the sidewalk by the homeless and impoverished. Blank stare. It’s not a name-dropper like some publications might be. I felt bad for a few minutes.

But that same blank stare is the stare that our vendors and homeless people sometimes face. It’s a look of, “You do not matter, you are not worthy of my glance, you are nothing.” The thought of our vendors gave me courage to explain to him the work I do and the work they do.

Wilson was waiting for me this morning, with the newest copy of “Nina” and stories of her popularity with customers. He read an excerpt, just as proud as most of the writers I’d met at Wesleyan. Maybe one day a literary agent will snatch “Nina” up for a book.

For all writers, our gift serves to tell stories, either our own or others’. The same is for Wilson.