ARTISTIC WORKSHOPS
VENDORS
Abel Putu, Abraham Aly, Aida Peery, Akindele Akerejah, Amia Walker, Andre Brinson, Andrew Anderson, Angie Whitehurst, Anthony Carney, Apollos Robinson, Beverly Sutton, Brian Holsten, Brianna Butler, Cameé Lee, Carlos Carolina, Carlton Johnson, Charles Armstrong, Charles Woods, Chon Gotti, Chris Cole, Conrad Cheek, Corey Sanders, Craig Thompson,
Cynthia Herrion, Darlesha Joyner, Daniel Ball, David Snyder, Debora Brantley, Degnon Dovonou, Dominique Anthony, Don Gardner, Donald Davis, Donte Turner, Drake Brensul, Earl Parker, Elizabeth Bowes, Eric Glover, Eric Thompson-Bey, Erica Downing, Evelyn Nnam, Faith Winkler, Floyd Carter, Frederic John, Frederick Walker, Gerald Anderson, George Gray, Gloria Prinz, Gracias Garcias,
Greta Christian, Henrieese Roberts, Henry Johnson, Invisible Prophet, Ibn Hipps, Isaiah Brookings, Ivory Wilson, Jacqueline Gale, Jacqueline Turner, Jacques Collier, James Davis, James Hughes, James Lyles III, Jay B. Williams, Jeanette Richardson, Jeff Taylor, Jeffery McNeil, Jeffrey Carter, Jemel Fleming, Jenkins Dalton, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jet Flegette, Jewel Lewis, John Littlejohn, Josie Brown, Juliene
n 2017, we began hosting a number of different workshops aimed at helping our vendors develop skills beyond writing for our newspaper. On any given day, our vendors are illustrating, painting, recording podcasts, taking photos, rehearsing plays, organizing advocacy groups, and coming together as a community.
In 2023, artists/vendors published a book of their photography,
and shared their life experiences in an oral history project!
Cover
BY NINA CALVES, COVER DESIGN BY
Kengnie, Kenneth Middleton, Kendarius Tucker, Kym Parker, L.Q. Peterson, Laticia Brock, Lawrence Autry, Levester Green, Marc Grier, Marcus McCall, Maurice Carter, Melody Byrd, Melveon Harp, Micheal Pennycook, Michele Modica, Morgan Jones, Nikila Smith, Patricia Donaldson, Patty Smith, Paul Martin, Peggy Jackson Whitley, Phillip Black, Qaadir El-Amin, Queenie Featherstone,
Rachelle Ellison, Randall Smith, Rashawn Bowser, Reginald Black, Reginald Denny, Ricardo Meriedy, Rita Sauls, Robert Vaughn, Robert Warren, Rochelle Walker, Ron Dudley, Ronnell Wilson, S. Smith, Sasha Williams, Shawn Fenwick, Sheila White, Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov, Starchild BLK, Sureyakanti Behera, Susan Wilshusen, Sybil Taylor, Tasha Savoy, Tim Holt, T.K. Hancock, Tonya
Williams, Vincent Watts, Warren Stevens, Wayne Hall, Wendell Williams, Wendy Brown, William Hargrove, William Mack, William Shurford, William Young, Willie Futrelle, Zero
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ashley McMaster, Blake Androff, Clare Krupin, Chris Curry, Cole Ingraham, Jonquilyn Hill, Matt Perra, Michael Vaughan Cherubin, Michael Phillips, Nana-Sentuo
The
COVER PHOTO
KEVIN AKAKPO
D.C. homeless services body delays strategic plans amid staffing shortages
JENNA LEE Editorial Intern
The District’s only agency solely focused on homelessness will soon have just one staff member due to a city-wide government hiring freeze, leading the agency to scale back its work.
D.C.’s Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) brings together homeless service providers and government agencies to discuss the District’s response to homelessness, including Homeward D.C. 2.0, the city’s strategic plan to reduce homelessness by 2025. The ICH is designed to have seven staff members, but after a series of departures, it currently has just two, which limits the work it can take on. Another departure is scheduled for August.
As a result of the agency’s “limited capacity,” it’s cutting back on operations. The ICH’s committees and workgroups will meet only three or four times a year, instead of monthly, and hold off on certain legislatively-mandated actions like finalizing its 2025 work plan and 2024 annual report, ICH Director Theresa Silla said at a May 13 ICH Executive Committee meeting. The work plans and annual reports are required to ensure ICH is adhering to Homeward D.C. 2.0 and the city is making progress towards ending homelessness. D.C. is set to draft a new strategic plan to end homelessness by the end of the year, partially based on work from the ICH.
“I hate to keep delaying the annual update, the annual work plan, and the strategic plan, but I do think we need to be focused on budget oversight and understanding the impact of cuts to homeless services,” Silla said at the meeting.
The staffing shortage comes after ICH failed compliance checks earlier this year by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which found the body did not develop work plans or submit annual updates to the mayor’s office in fiscal years 2021 and 2022, when the ICH was also understaffed.
In April, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser froze government hiring and pay raises due to federal cuts to the city’s budget. Before the mayor’s hiring freeze took effect, ICH had finalized recruitment for seven open staff positions, Silla said at the meeting. But cuts forced from the hole in D.C.’s budget created by Congress, $530,000 in personnel and $113,000 in non-personnel, prevent the agency from incurring any more costs this fiscal year, Silla wrote in an email. ICH submitted a waiver request
BIRTHDAYS
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
Brian Carome
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Darick Brown
DIRECTOR OF VENDOR
Marcus McCall July 3
ARTIST/VENDOR
EMPLOYMENT Thomas Ratliff
VENDOR PROGRAM ASSOCIATES
Aida Peery, Chon Gotti, Nikila Smith
VENDOR PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
Ann Herzog, Aiden Eisenschenk, Beverly Brown, Madeleine McCollough, Roberta Haber
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Annemarie Cuccia
DEPUTY EDITOR Donte Kirby
EDITORIAL INTERNS Alaena Hunt, Fiona
form to the Office of the City Administrator to allow the body to hire during the freeze, but had yet to hear back as of May.
When ICH staff member Jill Carmichael’s contract expires in August, Silla will be the only staff member at the agency until October, when the FY 2026 budget will allow the ICH to hire more staff, according to Silla. Until then, the agency also has to limit “non-personnel costs,” like paying for venues for in-person meetings and audio and visual services like Webex.
For now, ICH is cutting back on meetings, limiting them to a maximum of five per month. In addition, Silla said the agency will be prioritizing “critical” projects like responding to the proposed budget and making the annual winter plan, while putting others on hold. A slideshow presented at the May 13 meeting lists the updated timeline for the work and strategic plans, as well as the annual report, as “TBD.”
In an email, Silla told Street Sense she will establish a more concrete schedule for the reports once she can onboard new staff.
These aren’t the first delays. Last year, ICH delayed the approval of its work plan — originally supposed to be finalized Dec. 10 — until March, though it still has not been approved. The agency also faced delays approving the 2024 annual report due to difficulty in getting ICH Full Council members, who have to vote on the report, confirmed.
The OIG audit released at the end of 2024 found the agency failed to develop work plans to support Homeward D.C. 2.0 in FY 2022. The report recommended the ICH develop processes to “ensure adherence to the strategic plan,” including creating work plans.
“The ICH did not design consistent and reliable methods to track its committees’ responsibilities in HDC 2.0’s implementation and did not establish a process to monitor activities and compliance requirements,” the report reads.
The ICH’s strategic reports and work plans provide insight into the realities of homelessness in the city. The draft of the 2024 annual report, for example, outlines disparities in housing placements for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and the strategic plan guides the homeless services system as a whole..
“We have to be really careful in terms of how we are proceeding so that we are smart and strategic in the options that we are making,” Silla said at the meeting.
Greta Christian July 8
ARTIST/VENDOR
Riley, Franziska Wild, Jelina Liu, Jenna Lee, Mackenzie Konjoyan, Madi Koesler, Nina Calves, Sachini Adikari, Sam Belmar
WEB INTERN Zachi Elias
GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN Kevin Akakpo
Maurice Carter July 10
ARTIST/VENDOR
ARTISTS-INRESIDENCE
Alexandra Silverthorne (Photography), Bonnie Naradzay (Poetry), David Serota (Illustration), Leslie Jacobson (Theater), Roy Barber (Theater), Willie Schatz (Writing), Molly Pauker (Watercolor),
EVENTS AT SSM
ANNOUNCEMENTS
□ The Street Sense offices are closed Friday, July 4, for Independence Day!
□ The 2025 Sell-a-Thon continues in July! $50 prizes at the end of July and August. Paper sales and customer kudos earn you points. Pick up QR code flyers at the office and ask you customers to do a customer kudos for you!
□ Find a list of vendor announcements and other useful information just for you at streetsensemedia.org/ vendor-info.
Debbie Menke (Watercolor)
EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS
Andrew Chow, Alina Edwards, Benjamin Litoff, Chelsea Cirruzzo, Dan Goff, David Fucillo, Kathryn Owens, Matt Gannon, Taylor Nichols
VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT
Read this democratically elected code of conduct, by vendors, for vendors!
1. I will support Street Sense Media’s mission statement and in so doing will work to support the Street Sense Media community and uphold its values of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity.
2. I will treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and fellow vendors, respectfully at all times. I will refrain from threatening others, pressuring customers into making donations, or engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices.
3. I understand that I am not an employee of Street Sense Media but an independent contractor.
4. While distributing the Street Sense newspaper, I will not ask for more than $3 per issue or solicit donations by any other means.
5. I will only purchase the newspaper from Street Sense Media staff and volunteers and will not distribute newspapers to other vendors.
6. I will not distribute copies of “Street Sense” on metro trains and buses or on private property.
7. I will abide by the Street Sense Media Vendor Territory Policy at all times and will resolve any related disputes with other vendors in a professional manner.
8. I will not sell additional goods or products while distributing “Street Sense.”
9. I will not distribute “Street Sense” un--der the influence of drugs or alcohol.
10. I understand that my badge and vest are property of Street Sense Media and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing “Street Sense” and will always display my badge when distributing “Street Sense.”
Bonsu, Stanley Keeve
Hundreds in D.C. could lose housing assistance as federal funds end
JENNA LEE Editorial Intern
Hundreds of D.C. residents could lose their federal housing assistance early as funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) dry up.
The D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) received notice from HUD in late March that funds for the 2021 Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program — a $5 billion federal initiative to help the most vulnerable homeless populations find housing during the pandemic — will run out in 2026. Like other public housing agencies across the country, DCHA was prohibited issuing new vouchers starting April 9. With no new money coming from HUD, current voucher holders will retain their assistance only as long as DCHA’s existing funds last, after which tenants may stop receiving payments.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 588 households received EHV vouchers in D.C., and if all of them were to lose assistance, homelessness in the District could increase by 13%.
Kim Johnson, policy manager at the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said that what makes the cuts especially “tragic” is that EHVs were designed to help the people at the most immediate risk of homelessness, so if people currently on the voucher fail to receive future payments, it is likely they will become homeless again.
“They don’t have a plan B,” Johnson said. “Without this assistance, they’re going to be thrust back into housing instability and, in the worst cases, homelessness.”
DCHA spokesperson Alison Burdo said in an email the agency had issued vouchers to all EHV applicants who were confirmed before April 9 — the date HUD set to prevent the issuance of new vouchers — and those applicants are in the leasing up process.
Rent prices have steadily increased since 2020 in the District, hiking 12% from 2023 to 2024 — the highest rent increase among all major metropolitan areas during that time. The loss of federal support comes as the District begins to tighten its budget and scale back on safety net programs, such as Rapid Rehousing, which has stopped accepting applicants for the fiscal year, and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Launched under then-President Joe Biden as part of the 2021 American Rescue Plan, the EHV program aimed to assist those experiencing homelessness or attempting to flee domestic violence, human trafficking, or sexual assault. The program was slated to last through the end of the decade, but HUD cited “historic” increases in rent prices as a cause for funds running out earlier than expected, leading the department to focus on ensuring remaining funds extend the program “as long as possible.”
“Adding new families to EHV at this point is inconsistent with the goal of protecting currently housed EHV families for as long as possible,” the HUD letter reads.
Steve Berg, chief policy officer at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said that in addition to increasing rents, dwindling funds could be a result of state housing authorities issuing more, shorter-term vouchers in the hope that Congress would continue to fund the program. Now, the likelihood of continued funding has changed.
“The bigger reason is they just put out more vouchers than Congress had originally thought they were going to put out,” Berg said.
The impact of federal funding cuts to HUD is compounded by the fact that many local and state jurisdictions, including the District, are also facing funding issues, which could limit states’ ability to make up for federal cuts with their own services, Berg said.
“There are a lot of advocates around the country who are hoping that there is some state or local money available to fund the EHV vouchers if the tenants are gonna get evicted otherwise,” Berg said. “In many communities, it’s a bad year for local funding as well.”
The funding complications come as President Donald Trump’s proposed FY 2026 budget aims to slash HUD funding by 45% and cut $26.2 billion from the department’s rental assistance programs. The proposed budget in effect seeks to end Section 8 — the federally funded Housing Choice Voucher System that served as a model for the EHV program — and send federal rental assistance funds to states to “design their own rental assistance programs based on their unique needs and preferences.”
Meanwhile, in D.C., no new vouchers will be issued and other homeless services and social safety net programs face cuts. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser proposed her FY 2026 budget in May, including a $3.3 million cut to the District’s Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program. The budget also includes proposed changes to Medicaid eligibility, making childless adults and adult caregivers whose income is $21,597 or above — 138% of the federal poverty level — ineligible for Medicaid. The mayor’s office expects the change to affect more than 25,000 people.
While Congress could extend the EHV program, Johnson said many lawmakers do not have the “appetite” for continued funding, especially in a year when federal programs are facing budget cuts. Advocates now see the challenge as convincing lawmakers of the importance of housing services programs, so even if they don’t fund EHVs, they put money into other programs.
In D.C., Councilmember At-Large Robert White, who chairs the Committee on Housing, released a report recommending changes to the mayor’s proposed cuts of certain housing programs, but did not recommend any additional funding for local housing voucher programs like PSH.
The impact of homeless services cuts could be compounded by cuts to other social safety net programs locally and federally, like Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, as families will have to spend more on necessities like food and health care and less on housing, according to Johnson. D.C.’s Committee on Health, chaired by Councilmember At-Large Christina Henderson, also recommended changes to the mayor’s budget, including creating a program to supplement coverage for those who will lose Medicaid.
“We’re just putting more and more pressure on these households that really don’t have the flexibility of funding and simply don’t have the money to make these ends meet without additional assistance,” Johnson said.
Ward 8 candidates on housing
ALAENA HUNT Editorial
Last February, an estimated 86,500 people were left without representation on the D.C. Council when former Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White was expelled due to bribery charges. On July 15, Ward 8 voters will decide between four candidates, including White, in a special election to determine their new councilmember.
With funding for D.C.’s Permanent Supportive Housing vouchers stagnant, encampment closures happening weekly, and funding for public services under attack, the stakes are high for a ward where 53% of households face a high housing cost burden, according to DC Action. DC Health Matters data says that around 87% of the ward is Black, and the median household income is $50,855, far below the city’s average of $106,049. The ward is also home to 20% of the District’s public housing properties, according to the city’s data.
The candidates on the ballot are Sheila Bunn, Mike Austin, Salim Adofo, and Trayon White. Though White’s trial is scheduled for January, he still has a base of supporters. Bunn and Austin also seem to have gained support, based on recent straw polls. There are also three write-in candidates for the election: Mary Roach, Oliver Roy, and Delonte Ford Singh. In a questionnaire by Opportunity DC, Sheila Bunn, Mike Austin, and Salim Adofo responded to questions about abundant and affordable housing. All three said they support reforming the housing permitting process, making recently built buildings exempt from the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, and implementing the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Amendment (ERAP) Act of 2025, which would allow judges to grant evictions while someone has a pending ERAP application.
Salim Adofo has served as an advisory neighborhood commissioner since 2018 and was elected as chair of ANC8C in 2021. He has worked with Empower DC as a tenant organizer. His website states he hopes to address quality and affordable housing, including expanding homeownership, turning vacant properties into housing, and providing housing for returning citizens. He told Opportunity DC he hopes to rehabilitate the 20% of public housing units that are vacant and make them available for people in need, as well as advocate for more inclusionary zoning policies.
Sheila Bunn has been a public servant for 30 years, most recently serving as the chief of staff to former Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray. She also serves on the board of directors at Martha’s Table. She lists housing stability as one of her key issues, emphasizing the importance of homeownership. She told Opportunity DC she hopes to invest in housing that is affordable for working-class families, and the Washington Post that she believes affordable housing should be spread more evenly throughout the city. Her other priorities include creating an affordable cost of living and bringing better food options to Ward 8, which is a food desert.
Mike Austin grew up in Ward 8 and has served as the chairman for ANC 8C, as well as attorney and vice president at United Medical Center. While working as a staffer for former Ward 8 Councilmember LaRuby May, he worked on a bill that prevented the increase of property taxes after development. Although his website does not include housing as a key issue, he told Opportunity DC, which has endorsed him, that he plans to make sure no one is forced out of the Ward 8 neighborhoods because of high costs or the loss of a job. His website says that he volunteers on the weekends to “feed and clothe the homeless.”
Trayon White had been the Ward 8 councilmember since 2016 until he was expelled in 2025. His federal case, which accuses him of taking $156,000 in bribes from a government contractor, looms over the election. Before becoming a councilmember, White was a member of the Ward 8 school board. On his website, he states that he introduced the Eviction Prevention Act of 2017 and the Office of Housing Stability Act of 2017. He believes in “Housing for All” and wants to see a community where his neighbors are never displaced and are able to grow their families in Ward 8.
Intern
D.C. residents living outside most at risk as heat emergencies increase amid rising temperatures
MACKENZIE KONJOYAN Editorial Intern
As D.C. faces extreme heat this summer, the most vulnerable in the city, including those experiencing homelessness, are at greater risk.
The first heat alert for the summer of 2025 was activated by Mayor Muriel Bowser on June 18, followed by extreme heat alerts on June 22 through June 26, due to a “feels like” temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter, with alerts continuing into the following week. Much of the eastern half of the U.S. faced “major” or “extreme” risk of heat-related impacts in late June, according to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk index.
High heat can be especially dangerous for those experiencing homelessness, including Flegette Rippy, a Street Sense vendor who said she struggles to find cool places to stay during the day and night.
“It’s going to be hard with the humidity, sleeping in the heat,” Rippy said.
Rippy has been unable to find a bed at a shelter, partially because D.C.’s low-barrier shelters have been full or nearly full for several months. During the recent extended heat emergency, there were between 19 and 33 emergency shelter beds open each night. But on two days, June 24 and 25, there were no beds available for men, according to the city’s shelter census, and there have been several days when some wards had no beds available. Not all shelters remain open during the day, so people may have to travel to a day center, recreation center, or library, which can all have limited hours and restrictions on the number of belongings people can bring in.
Per the updated guidelines in the 2025 District of Columbia Heat Plan, released by Bowser on June 12, a heat alert is issued by the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) through AlertDC and social media when the heat index forecast, or what the outside temperature feels like, reaches 95°F or higher. An extreme heat alert is issued when the heat index forecast hits 105°F or higher. The city added this second alert category this year to keep up with the rising temperatures across the country, government officials said in an Interagency Council on Homelessness meeting on the plan.
The heat plan lays out the city’s strategy to provide resources during heat emergencies, including operating cooling centers, emergency shelters, day centers, pools, and spray parks, and outlines health precautions that emphasize drinking water and finding ways to cool down.
For people experiencing homelessness, the city’s yearround low-barrier shelters remain open, though capacity is limited. New York Avenue Men’s Shelter, 801 East Men’s Shelter, Emery Men’s Shelter, Adams Place Men’s Shelter, Pat Handy Women’s Shelter, Harriet Tubman Women’s Shelter, and Living Life Alternatively LGBTQ+ Shelter are open 24 hours a day. Zoe’s Youth Drop-In Center is also available for individuals aged 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness, 24 hours a day. Another women’s shelter, St. Josephine Bakhita, is open every night from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and men can also go to the Community for Creative Non-Violence shelter, though the facility is experiencing cooling problems.
Anyone seeking transportation to a shelter can call the D.C. shelter hotline at 202-399-7093 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 a.m., though transportation isn’t always available. The citywide call center via 311 is accessible anytime, day or night.
During the day, people can go to cooling centers, including day centers, recreation and community centers, and other city services to stay cool. As in past years, the options for places to cool down on Sundays are severely limited. Day centers and recreation centers are largely closed on the weekend. While libraries can also offer a place to cool down, many, including Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, are closed on weekend evenings and Sunday mornings. Some cooling centers, including libraries, also have a two-bag limit, according to the plan.
For people experiencing homelessness, the Downtown Day Services Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours during extreme heat alerts, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adams Place Day Center and 801 East Day Center, which is only for men, are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bethany Day Center, which is only for women, is open slightly earlier, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry to these day centers operates on a first-come, first-served basis with limited space.
Another option for cooling down is the recreation and community centers around the city. Many of them are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday but are closed part of Saturday and all of Sunday. Senior wellness centers cater to community members ages 60 and above, including Bernice Fonteneau, Hattie Holmes, Model Cities, Hayes Senior, Washington, and Congress Heights. For more information about senior centers, seniors can call the Department of Aging and Community Living at 202-724-5626 during regular business hours.
Spray parks across D.C. operate daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Indoor pools remain available year-round, with a full list of locations and hours available. Outdoor pools operate six days a week on individual schedules.
But not all these options are accessible to everyone: Rippy said swimming pools are not helpful for her because she does not know how to swim. A day center, meanwhile, could keep her cool, but it means losing out on a day of working. People experiencing homelessness outside may also be hesitant to leave their tent or other possessions to travel to a cooling center, for fear of things being stolen or thrown away by the city. D.C. has postponed all encampment closures scheduled since June 18, when the first heat alert was issued.
The D.C. government contracts multiple agencies to provide outreach services that include routine safety checks and distributing essential items such as food, water, and clothing, especially for people living outside. But Cynthia Herrion, a Street Sense vendor, said there needs to be greater efforts to distribute water, especially for the elderly in the city.
Eric Glover, also a vendor with Street Sense, said he wishes D.C. had more water stands to show people they matter and are cared for, adding that some “can’t run away from the heat.”
“It’s kind of weird now [with global warming], it’s not the same like it used to be. The weather does what it wants to,” Glover said.
These extreme temperature are not only affecting people in D.C. Cities across the United States face an increase in extremely hot summer days due to climate change, according to a Climate Central study. The levels of CO2 in the atmosphere surged in 2024, leading to a warmer planet and more frequent heat extremes. People of color and those living below the poverty line are disproportionately exposed to more intense
heat in heat islands in U.S. cities, according to a study published in Nature Communications.
“It’s hot out there,” Glover said. “Some people don’t have the means or the money to get what they need to stay safe and stay hydrated.”
Staying safe in the heat
D.C. residents can sign up with AlertDC to receive text messages and email updates on heat emergencies.
During extreme heat, residents should be on the lookout for signs of heat cramps, exhaustion, and stroke, according to HSEMA. If someone is experiencing cramps, they should cool down, drink water or electrolytes, and stretch the affected area.
Heat exhaustion is more severe. Look out for ashen skin, headaches, nausea, dizziness, fast or weak pulse, cramps, and chills. Someone suffering from heat exhaustion should rest in the shade or inside, drink water, and remove extra clothing.
Heat stroke is the life-threatening result of ignoring heat exhaustion. It causes high body temperature, red skin, loss of consciousness, fast breathing, confusion, vomiting, and seizures. If someone may be experiencing heat stroke, call 911 immediately and apply a cold compress. Do not drink water while experiencing heat stroke.
Editor’s Note: Flegette Rippy, Cynthia Herrion, and Eric
Glover are all Street Sense vendors. Street Sense’s newsroom maintains editorial independence and functions separately from the vendor program.
during the heat wave. Photo by Nina Calves
D.C.’s proposed budget would cut some mental health workers’ hours in half, limiting access to care
DONTE KIRBY Deputy Editor
C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposed budget would cut the number of work hours the city will pay for in half for a large number of mental health providers, limiting the services people receiving mental health and community support would have access to.
As proposed, the budget would cut the number of hours D.C. Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) providers can bill for community support from 200 units to 100 units, or from 50 hours to 25 hours per client, per 180 days. Community support services include activities like getting a client to the grocery store, helping them to renew their health insurance, or going to the pharmacy with a client to pick up meds. This job is primarily done by community support workers.
Bowser’s proposed budget change effectively cuts the time these workers can be paid for spending time with clients in half. The change is to not only incentivize clients to use more clinical services, like therapy or psychiatric treatment, instead of community services, according to DBH, but also to make service providers shift towards offering more clinical care.
However, providers and lawmakers worry the proposed policy change will lead to more emergency room visits as care gets delayed, patients use services not designed for someone having a mental health crisis, or don’t receiving care at all.
Members of the D.C. Council and mental health care providers against the change recommend DBH work with providers to find a different cost-saving measure that won’t affect people’s care. But the Committee on Health’s FY26 budget recommendations report did not recommend giving any money to the agency to revert the changes, so it’s possible the cut in hours is one the council is willing to live with.
Community support workers practice under the supervision of someone with a clinical license and provide direct support to individuals and families dealing with mental health or substance use challenges by helping with medication management, taking clients to appointments, and helping clients navigate the health care system and follow care plans.
John Smith is the CEO of Prestige Healthcare Resources, a DBH-certified health care provider, and has been working in the mental health field in D.C. for 16 years. In his experience, the clients who need a community support worker often need assistance following up with appointments, renewing their insurance, getting a prescription, or sticking to a treatment plan while navigating challenges such as experiencing homelessness. And when they don’t get that help, he said, there’s an uptick in emergency room visits.
According to DBH, mental health care providers are charging the city too much for these non-clinical services. The agency says many providers bill significantly more for community support services than for clinical services, according to a summary of DBH’s argument in the Committee on Health’s FY26 budget recommendations report. DBH attests clients would be better served through spending time with providers doing clinical treatment, such as therapy, counseling, and psychiatry with a licensed professional.
“The Department of Behavioral Health is committed to providing effective treatment services and supports so residents facing mental health disorders can achieve optimal health and live to their full potential,” a DBH spokesperson wrote in a statement to Street Sense. “DBH-certified community-
based providers are required to deliver a range of mental health services, including counseling, medication support, community support services, and crisis supports. To support long term recovery, DBH works to make sure that services fit the individual and that no single service becomes one size fits all.”
But Mark LeVota, the executive director of the District of Columbia Behavioral Health Association, a trade association for organizations that provide services for people with mental illness, substance use disorder or both, believes DBH is underestimating the importance of community support workers and overestimating how many clinical staff would be available to fill the gap.
It’s an ideological battle between DBH and providers on the importance of wraparound services. While DBH feels a client only needs to be helped so many times with day-to-day tasks before they can handle it themselves, providers believe this patient population needs the extra community support. If someone isn’t there to help get groceries, clients don’t eat, they say. If someone doesn’t get help making appointments, clients don’t see a psychiatrist, and don’t get their medication.
“We are worried that people will not have enough of the care that they need, and that there are not meaningful substitutes,” LeVota told Street Sense. “Even though there are many other clinical services that are available, with the clinical workforce shortage that we have, those just are not available substitutes to the extent that they would be needed.”
The workforce of DBH-certified providers is about 9,000 people, according to a rough estimate from LeVota, who said it’s hard to know the exact number because not all DBHcertified providers are members of the health association. But he estimates that of that 9,000, about 2,000 have some kind of clinical license, such as psychiatrists, advanced practice registered nurses, social workers, or licensed professional counselors. The rest of the 7,000 are unlicensed staff, mostly community support workers. LeVota believes DBH’s push to make providers focus on clinical services at the expense of community support worker hours undermines the understanding that the workers do provide a clinical benefit, because support services are based on a treatment plan designed by a clinically licensed person.
Cutting hours could overtax an already overburdened system that can’t find enough social workers, and it could cost people jobs, providers say. Last fiscal year, the units were cut from 600 to 200, which the council approved because most clients used 200 units or less. Still, Smith estimates last year’s cut from 150 to 50 hours and the lack of a tracking system for clients’ available hours have cost Prestige Healthcare Resources $1 million in services to clients who’ve exceeded their allotted hours. If the cuts continue at the rate they’re going, Smith said, he’ll have to let go of half of his staff.
“We eventually have a financial impact, not just for the company, for the city, right?” Smith said. “We are providing revenue for the city, taxes, right? So basically, we just downsize, let the staff go, then focus on what we can do, what other services we can offer the community.”
In some ways, this is what DBH wants. Prestige Healthcare Resources is focusing on other services besides community support, which the city sees as rightsizing the agency, providers, and the services. If the rhetoric sounds familiar this budget season, that’s because it’s in the tagline for Bowser’s proposed budget: “Growing our economy, rightsizing spending, and investing in our shared priorities.”
The change isn’t yet set in stone. The Committee on Health and its chair, Councilmember Christina Henderson, wants DBH to reconsider the cut because “providers across the network have consistently warned that the 100-unit cap is not operationally feasible and would severely limit access to care,” the committee stated in its FY 26 budget recommendations report. The committee recommends DBH “reconsider the proposed reduction, restore funding to maintain the current 200-unit level, and reengage with stakeholders to develop a clinically appropriate and sustainable model.”
But the choice to cut unit hours ultimately lies with DBH and its director, Barbara Bazaron. And providers are pleading for her to reconsider, despite knowing the city doesn’t have the funds in the budget it did years ago.
“We understand the budget issue, we understand there’s a reduction, all those things,” Smith said about the need to cut costs in the District’s budget somewhere. “But it can be done in a way that is done systematically, that doesn’t really have a major adverse effect. You have to do it a systematic way that doesn’t have a huge economic impact on business owners.”
An attendee at a June 18 rally in front of the D.C. Council building protests the mayor ’s proposed budget cuts. Photo by Jelina Liu
D.C.’s largest shelter, CCNV, explores plans to develop new complex combining shelter, affordable housing
SAM BELMAR Editorial Intern
he Community for Creative NonViolence (CCNV), the District’s largest emergency homeless shelter since 1984, plans to build a new co-ed facility on its site that would combine short-term shelter capacity and apartment-style affordable housing units. In addition to funding from the city, CCNV is looking for public and private funds to support construction and operations.
TRico Harris, the shelter’s director since 2008, said CCNV is exploring options to construct a multi-use, ten-story homeless services complex on its 2nd and D Street SW property. The historic project would help transform the District’s existing homeless services infrastructure, Harris said, which many say has fallen short in terms of capacity and humane care.
CCNV hopes to join the Aston and other in-construction, non-congregate shelters in reshaping the image of D.C.’s shelter system by developing private emergency shelter units alongside temporary and permanent affordable housing units. Currently, CCNV operates as a congregate shelter, meaning that beds are laid out in a large space that maximizes capacity but affords little privacy for residents. CCNV hopes its proposed non-congregate design, where each shelter resident would have a separate room or space, will encourage more people to enter shelters that have previously been hesitant to take the step.
The new complex would be constructed in the L-shaped parking lots directly behind the current shelter, covering over 350,000 square feet. The proposed facility would include 500 emergency shelter units on the first six floors, temporary and permanent affordable housing units on the top four floors, an intermediate health care facility, a culinary wing, and a host of social services to support residents, pending negotiations with District officials. CCNV also hopes to include assisted living for senior citizens experiencing homelessness in addition to specialized transitional housing.
Harris sees the expansion as an opportunity to fill gaps in the District’s homeless services system while also making it easier for people in emergency shelters to move into housing. CCNV’s decision to co-locate a wide array of services in a single building seeks to diminish bureaucratic roadblocks to housing, Harris said.
“The whole thing is not to enhance the shelter, the whole thing is homeless people want to go home,” Harris said in an interview with Street Sense, regarding feedback he’s collected from residents at the shelter. “Those four floors at the top of the
shelter and all that affordable housing, that’s what they want. They are so elated, they’re like, ‘If I can get a voucher, I don’t have to go to some place that’s rat-infested.’”
Don Davis, a Street Sense vendor, has lived at the CCNV shelter since November 2024. As someone who has experienced homelessness for two years, Davis has witnessed holes in the system firsthand, from people losing vouchers to facing trauma at shelters, and believes the conversation around ending homelessness has grown largely pessimistic. While he’s uncertain about how long he’ll stay at CCNV, as he aims to exit shelter and move into permanent housing, he’s hopeful the redevelopment will bring change for the District.
“Everything is looking up,” Davis said. “We’ve had so much downplay and ‘shut this down, shut that down, hold them down, take the vouchers away.’ To see something positive, I think it’s uplifting.”
Formerly known as the Federal City Shelter until the government’s deed on the property expired in July 2021, CCNV has experienced significant deterioration from operating as an emergency shelter for over 40 years, leaving residents to deal with leaks during inclement weather, bedbugs, and other substandard conditions. While the shelter received financial support in its initial years from the Reagan administration, recent chances to access funds to renovate the site have been few and far between, especially as CCNV is no longer overseen by the federal or D.C. government. In 2021, CCNV won a civil lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in which they claimed they did not receive enough assistance to improve the shelter’s deteriorating conditions.
“Leaks are everywhere, and 40% of the air conditioning in this building doesn’t work,” Harris said. “And summertime is here. And it hasn’t worked since last year.”
Because of the shelter’s condition, Davis usually spends his days outside of CCNV, returning only in the evenings to sleep. He says this is common among residents at CCNV, who tend to see the facility as a place to sleep more than a place to call home. Davis believes the proposed facility’s higher standards would not only enable CCNV residents to feel more comfortable – privacy and sanitation concerns often deter people experiencing homelessness from entering shelters in the first place — but also produce a domino effect for other cities aiming to renovate worn-down shelters and offer fresh housing options.
“It’ll be a big help in a positive manner to build D.C. up the way it should be,” he said. “Build some of these other states up, maybe they’ll learn something. ‘Oh wow, look what they did.’ Same with big cities all over this country that have homeless
problems. Maybe if they see one thing being done, they’ll say, ‘Oh, we should do that here.’”
The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) advocated to establish the shelter in the 1980s, amid pushback from the Reagan administration. The NCH’s co-founders, Michael Stoops and Jerry Jones, worked alongside Mitch Snyder, the shelter’s founder, to secure federal support and occupancy rights. The current NCH executive director, Donald Whitehead, believes CCNV’s redevelopment would help address a chronic deficiency of resources and underinvestment in the District’s homeless population.
“The problem is that we’ve never received the resources at the scale of the problem,” Whitehead said. “Because of that, and because we don’t have any prevention in place, that’s why homelessness continues to grow. From a funding perspective, it is way down on the list of priorities for our community.”
Whitehead hopes to renew the NCH’s working relationship with CCNV and raise funds for the project, though he recognized the challenge of garnering enough resources for large-scale initiatives.
So far, CCNV has secured a $64 million funding commitment from the District for construction through fiscal year 2031. However, Harris says the organization is still in need of external funding partners and nonprofits willing to provide services at the facility. CCNV is also hoping to get more funding from the city.
There’s not yet a start date or timeline for construction, but Harris and city officials are meeting bi-weekly to work through logistics, he said. While plans for demolishing the current building are not finalized, Harris said it will be torn down after construction, as D.C. law requires the shelter to remain fully operational until the new complex has opened.
“It’s definitely a longer process,” Harris said. “These bi-weekly meetings are just for the shelter part. As far as the whole complex is concerned, we have been soliciting investors and have been a little successful. The dollars to actually construct, as far as downtown D.C. is concerned, I’m not going to say they’re hard to find, but you have got to know where to look.”
Though it could be a ways off, Davis shared his excitement about CCNV’s plan to provide one-and two-bedroom affordable housing units in the form of studio apartments. He said a major factor in preventing recurring and chronic homelessness is having a stable place to call one’s own.
“This is your home, you got a key, this is your place,” Davis said. “And it makes it feel like you’re going somewhere.”
The new shelter will be built in the current CCNV parking lot. Photo by Nina Calves
Don Davis, a CCNV resident, outside of the shelter. Photo by Nina Calves
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
WENDELL WILLIAMS,
Wrapped up in big coats and still freezing market in Vienna with my friend and
Vienna’s Spanish Riding School home of the famous who are actually born as black horses, day three
Meeting a fellow street newspaper salesperson on a snowy day in Bratislava in a Christmas market and making a donation, late afternoon on day two.
The boat docked on the Pest side of the Danube River, with Buda in background and on the hill, the evening of arrival in Budapest, Hungary.
A Christmas market in the courtyard of Buda Castle and Matthias Church, with ramparts in rear on the hill in Buda overlooking the Danube and Pest, the afternoon of day one in Budapest
This view is from the ramparts of Buda Castle overlooking the Danube and down the river with Pest on the right, the morning of day one in Budapest.
The Opera House in Bratislava, the capitol of Slovakia, formally part of the Czech Republic, the afternoon of day two.
Traditional holiday snacks and treats kiosk at the Town Square Christmas Market in Bratislava, Slovakia, evening of day two.
In the dining room at breakfast on arrival in Vienna, with the exposure showing inside the dining room, the other boat docked, and the Vienna skyline in background, morning of day three.
Walking on Getreidegasse, the famous shopping street in Salzburg, and also where Mozart’s birthplace is located, with the snowcapped Alps in the background on day four.
The Lentos Art Museum is made of a transparent glass facade designed by a Swiss firm that allows you to see right through it, day five in Linz, Austria.
Christmas morning walking tour through Linz and The Main (Hauptplatz) Square, and finding out everything is closed including the market, day five in Linz, Austria.
freezing on a sunny day outside a Christmas travel partner, day three.
famous all white Lipizzaner stallions, in Vienna, Austria.
Makartsteg, or Lovers Locks Bridge, over the Salzach River where couples place locks on fences or rails then throw keys in water to seal their love forever, day four courtesy of a fellow traveler.
The view of the other side of Linz across the Danube from the riverwalk, and its skyline, day five.
The Fortress Hohensakzberg, from 1077 AD, commanding the valley below, and St. Peter’s Abby, from 696 AD, built into the mountain it sits on, in Salzburg, Austria on day four.
In hearings and protests, community decries Bowser’s cuts to housing, services
JENNA LEE Editorial Intern
At D.C. Council hearings and organized rallies, housing advocates across the District are condemning Mayor Muriel Bowser’s proposed cuts to social safety net and housing programs in her FY 2026 budget, released in late May.
Advocacy groups and individuals have taken to the streets and to the Wilson Building to make their disapproval of the mayor’s budget — which includes severe cuts to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) — known to public officials. Almost 400 witnesses spoke at a June 18 council budget hearing, and several demonstrators held a sleep-in in Councilmember At-large Robert White’s office and a rally to urge lawmakers to reinstate funding for myriad housing programs. In late June, committees on the D.C. Council released budget report recommendations, which reversed some of the mayor’s cuts but did not provide new funds for housing vouchers or ERAP. The full council will take its first vote on the budget on July 14.
At the June 18 hearing, dozens of witnesses condemned Bower’s proposed $21.9 million in cuts to ERAP — a heavily sought-after rental assistance program for people facing housing emergencies — constituting an 80% cut to the program. The Fair Budget Coalition, a group of community members and local organizations, has estimated the need is at least $100 million.
Among those witnesses was Megan Browder, legal director for systemic advocacy and law reform at Legal Aid D.C. She called on the council to “adequately fund” ERAP, and to invest in permanent affordable housing by requiring the Housing Production Trust Fund to set aside 30% of its funds to preserve already existing affordable housing.
“We understand that you have to make tough decisions this budget cycle,” Browder said at the hearing. “The answer, however, cannot be taking away from our neighbors with the least.” Joanna Blotner, the director of government affairs at D.C. Action, condemned the budget’s proposed $3.3 million cut to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Along with PSH, the budget also cuts $16.8 million from Rapid Rehousing for families, $7.1 million from the D.C. Housing Authority’s affordable housing program, and a total of $56.9 million from the Department of Human Services (DHS). Blotner requested the council reverse the cuts and require DHS to conduct an evaluation and strategic planning process across the youth homelessness system so the public can understand the agency’s claims of vacancies or underutilization resulting in cuts.
“Rather than cutting funds, this is a time we must be more responsive,” Blotner said at the hearing.
Before the hearing, dozens of local advocates rallied outside the D.C. Council building, holding signs reading “Invest in kids and families” and “Protect D.C. from Bowser’s ‘Big Beautiful Budget.’” Among those protesters was Dana White, director of advocacy at Miriam’s Kitchen, a street outreach organization that aims to end chronic homelessness.
“I’m here because the mayor’s budget abandons people who are experiencing homelessness, especially those who are experiencing homelessness in our streets and in tents,” White said.
White said the city must invest in PSH and emergency rental assistance, programs that face cuts in the proposed budget. They said Bowser has “not been kind” to people experiencing homelessness and is “aligned”
with President Donald Trump’s thinking that homeless encampments need to be removed.
The Committees on Housing and Human Services’ budget recommendations reports, released June 24 and June 21, respectively, did not fund any new housing vouchers through programs like PSH and Rapid Rehousing or increase funding to ERAP, as advocates had asked for. The Committee on Human Services added $1.5 million to PSH, reversing a cut, but said it was to extend transitional housing for unhoused youth.
On June 23, over a dozen demonstrators held a sleep-in at White’s office, urging the councilmember to invest in more affordable housing in the District.
“What do we want? Housing. How do we get it? Tax the rich,” demonstrators chanted from sleeping bags.
The same day, White, who chairs the Housing Committee, released a statement on the sleepin, stating he has “consistently fought” to strengthen ERAP and other housing programs and will not “turn my back” on the community’s needs. He recognized demonstrators’ concerns about the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants and Landlords (RENTAL) Act, which would reinstate quicker eviction timelines, roll back some protections for tenants seeking rental assistance, and exclude certain buildings from the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act.
The Housing Committee’s report recommended striking the RENTAL Act from the Budget Support Act, which includes policy changes related to the budget, because its proposed changes have not been thoroughly “vetted” by the public.
“I remain firmly committed to the fight for deeply affordable housing, tenant protections, and the right for every Washingtonian to live with dignity,” White said in a statement on the demonstration.
White’s housing budget proposal made small additions to programs, including $770,000 in “accommodations” to the Office of the Tenant Advocate, an increase from Bowser’s proposed $570,000. It also increases funding for the Housing Purchase Assistance Program from $27.4 million to $29.25 million and adds the 30% affordable housing preservation requirement. Committees also reversed some of the mayor’s cuts to the social safety net. The Committee on Human Services, chaired by Ward 3 Councilmember Matthew Frumin, recommended reversing the cuts to TANF by investing over $7 million into the program in FY 2026. The Committee on Health approved the creation of a Basic Health Program in the D.C. Health Benefit Exchange to provide coverage for those who would lose Medicaid coverage due to the eligibility changes the mayor proposed.
But the council has not yet proposed the kind of sweeping change to the budget many advocates were calling for, such as instituting a new tax to fund programs for D.C.’s vulnerable residents.
Joshua Armstead, vice chair of the Unite Here Local 23 airport worker labor union, attended the June 18 protest to ask the council to enact a “moral” budget rather than the current version, which “screws over tenants.” He condemned the cuts in the budget to programs like Medicaid and housing support at a time when people “can’t afford” to live in the city where they work.
“We need to make a budget that helps as many people as possible,” Armstead said.
Liu contributed reporting.
Jelina
Attendees at the June 18 rally protested against the inclusion of the RENTAL Act in the budget. Photo by Jelina Liu
Dozens of people rallied at the Wilson Building ahead of a June 18 budget hearing. Photo by Jelina Liu
Black Lives Matter…To who?
DONTÉ TURNER
s an African American male, I’ve been treated the worst by those who are the same race as me. I’ve been robbed, tricked, or lied to about situations that had me going in the wrong direction, threatened, assaulted, and other offensive things. The same violent things racist people do to people of color, Black people do to their own race, and worse. So, how is there supposed to be a Black Lives Matter movement when Black people are doing the same things to each other that they are supposed to be marching against?
AOne early Saturday morning, I was hungry. I was out of food stamps, and places like S.O.M.E (So Others Might Eat), the Downtown Day Service Center (DDSC), or 1313, which is what all the homeless or less fortunate people call it, because it’s located on 1313 New York Ave. NW weren’t open yet. Also, no one is handing out sandwiches or any type of food in the wee hours of the morning. The people who hand out the food on the weekends don’t start handing out or serving food until around 7 or 8 a.m.
I was walking by the McDonald’s on New York Ave. and I saw a group of Black folks hanging out in front of the establishment. So, I asked a Black gentleman (even though he’s not one) respectfully, “Excuse me, sir, I don’t mean no disrespect, but if you can, can you help me get something to eat?”
His response was, “I ain’t got nothing for you, get the f— from away from here.” I didn’t respond. I just stood by the door to wait for someone else to come by in hopes of getting
something to eat. A few seconds later, he told me, “Did you hear what the f— I said, get the f— away from here.”
Usually, this is where “street justice” takes place, and I end up with another criminal charge. But I respectfully told him, “This is public property and I’m not bothering you. I’m going to stand right here and wait for someone else to come who would offer to help get me something to eat.”
This individual was disrespectful to me and the women that he was with, so I asked him if he acts the same way towards Klan members, and I got no response. But, I did get “I got hoes to tend to,” which is very degrading towards women who have morals and value themselves as women.
It’s amazing how people get on the television and take up people’s time and waste tax dollars yelling “Black lives matter,” yet this is how we treat each other. Most Black women and men, even the elderly, I’ve met don’t speak when you say good morning or hello. They either look the other way and act like they don’t see you when you’re about to cross each other’s path, or they just frown their face at you for no reason at all. These are the things people who are still homeless have to deal with, and it gets frustrating because it’s coming from the very ones who say they care and are collecting funds that are supposed to be used for the homeless and the less fortunate.
I’ve seen Black people on their jobs treat their own kind differently than the other races they do business with. When another race comes in, they would put on a smile, give a cheery hello or good morning, and tend to their needs professionally. But, when it comes to their own kind, they’ll give half effort, if any,
at times. Instead, they’ll get aggressive, take their time serving you, or sometimes don’t serve you at all. But yet people want to complain about what President Trump is doing, and they are not even focusing on the real problem, which is us.
Luke 6:31 states, “Do to others as you want them to do to you.” Matthew 7:12 states, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Leviticus 19:18 states, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”
Black folks are the main ones saying they love the Lord but don’t practice these laws that are in the Bible. And yes, you have so-called Black Christians who act the same way as the guy I’ve just mentioned, and trust me when I say they’re one of the worst and then will try to condemn other people to hell as if they’re not on their way there too.
I know a lot of people might not agree with this article, which is fine, but turn on your TV, look at your local news, buy a local newspaper, and who do you usually see in the crime section? I’m not going to answer that, I actually want you to reflect on it to see how dumb your actions are when you state “Black lives matter,” but Black people are going out to do the same harm to another Black person. What’s the difference between a white man shooting an unarmed Black man versus a Black man shooting an unarmed Black man besides the color? It’s still the same damn ignorance and stupidity. So, again, Black lives matter, but to whom?
Donté Turner is an artist/vendor with Street Sense Media.
The goldfish stayed. Everyone else didn’t: Ch. 6 of The Grind
JEFFERY MCNEIL Artist/Vendor
As Jackson exited the “All In” studio, a producer pulled him aside.
“Man, you’re TV gold. Streetsmart and a comedic genius. That ‘grease - in - your- hair’ line? Pure fire. Ever thought about podcasting? Writing a book?” The producer slipped two crisp stacks of hundreds into Jackson’s hand and grinned. “Come back for the next set.”
Jackson smiled. The set emptied — crew gone, applause faded. He tossed on his blazer, grabbed his iPad, and walked out. He had VIP access to every bar and restaurant in the city, but it didn’t feel like success.
Back at his suite overlooking the Jersey Shore, Jackson flicked on the flatscreen. He dropped his keys, loosened his belt, and walked over to the aquarium. Charlie, a giant goldfish, swam lazily toward the glass.
“You hungry?” Jackson asked as he sprinkled flakes. Charlie gobbled them up, then stared at him. Jackson held up a $100 bill.
“This is for your loyalty. You’ve never deceived me, slandered my name, or tried to rob me.” He dipped the bill into the tank. “Don’t go blowin’ it on booze and hookers.”
Charlie approached, sniffed, tasted the edge, then spit it out and swam away. Jackson chuckled.
“What’s wrong, Charlie? Show some appreciation. I paid for that.” He grabbed a skillet from the stove.
“I can love you today… and make you a fish sandwich tomorrow. I have that kind of power.”
Then he scribbled on a scrap of paper: “Charlie — heir to the
fortune. Loyal. Dependable. Fish food: $27. Booze and broads: $3,000. Savings: $2,973. If you could bear kids, I’d marry you.”
He looked at himself in the mirror. Graying temples. New lines. A midlife crisis… in a gold mine. He opened the cabinet. Inside: sleeping pills. A blade. He poured the pills into his hand. They call this living the dream, he thought. Truth is? He liked it better when he was homeless. Nobody bothered him. Not even the cops. Now? He’s got alarms. He carries a Glock. He trusts no one. Everyone feels like a threat. He nicked his finger with the blade. Blood welled. Jackson took a Band-Aid to his finger and let sleep take him.
Under a bridge, Jackson was shaking from withdrawal. Joey slid him a sandwich. A mouse stole it before he could take a bite. Joey laughed, then raised a knife again. A phone rang, and Jackson woke up in a cold sweat. 3:00 AM and an unknown number. “Hello?”
“It’s Camille, but they call me Cocoa,” said a velvet voice. Camille. The forbidden crush. Bronze skin. Dolly Parton curves. A church choir’s halo. Now she was the assistant to Pastor Ham at Prosperity Ministries.
“You were magnificent,” she purred. “My girls and I lost it when you said Joey Columbo had all the oil reserves in his hair.”
Jackson smirked. Just minutes ago, he wanted to die. Now he’s thinking about sex, he thought. God, he’s a mess. “Angela’s little sister, right?” he said. “I was a senior. You were in eighth grade. You even old enough to drink now?”
“I’m grown,” she laughed. “Think you could teach me poker?”
“You’ve bloomed, Camille. But I still see that eighth-grade girl. I should get you Taylor Swift tickets instead. Can I see
your ID? I don’t need any P. Diddy or R. Kelly problems.” He paused. “Look — you’re fine, but I’m training for a milliondollar tournament. Poker’s war. And women and war don’t mix. Empathy’s a liability. I’d bust my own mama if she sat at the table.”
“You’re from Toms River,” Camille said, laughing. “Quit acting like you grew up in Camden.”
Then came the text with a photo. White nightie. Thong. Jackson sighed. “I’m close to collecting Social Security… and here I am, breaking my rules.”
“I’ll be over tomorrow,” she said and hung up.
On the other side of the phone, at Camille’s apartment, a baby cried. Pastor Darrell paced in the hallway, half-dressed, shirt open, with his tie off.
“Another smash-and-dash while your child’s hungry,” Camille shouted. “You ghost your own kid and still no diapers?”
Darrell groaned. “Don’t start.”
Camille fired back. “Daddy suit. Benz in the garage. But no Pampers? The IRS says you’ve got one month before they seize the church.”
Darrell froze. His house of worship was a house of cards. “I’ve got a plan,” he muttered. “Jackson owes me.”
“That was eighth grade,” said Camille as she rolled her eyes. “Jackson’s grown now. You know he invited me over, right?”
Darrell snapped. He hurled a lamp across the room and stormed out. The baby cried louder. Camille rocked the crib.
“That’s not your daddy,” she whispered. “But I promise, I’ll find you a real one.”
She picked up the phone. “Jackson… I need help.”
Blessed 24/7
DON GARDNER
Artist/Vendor
Today, I can truly say I am blessed
As for my days past, I must confess
I have felt much less, for when the sun rises
It rises on the just as well as the unjust
And when it sets, it sets on everybody and everything
For there are good days
And there are bad days
And there is no room for complaining
Because it serves no purpose
And solves no problems
There are wars and rumors of wars
Gang violence, crime, and murder ring out all over the land
Even terrorists have gotten a little out of hand
Disease-stricken countries and mouths unfed
People walking the streets and children don’t have a home
And the elderly are weary and can’t rest their feet
How can this be
In a world full of the blessed
Because they have turned their backs
And cared much less
We must stop, think, and act on this quest
And ask “God” to help us
Undo all this mess
We walk in darkness
And all the foundations of the earth
Are ours, of course
Self-centered, selfish, greedy, and destructive
It is time we pray and get out of the way
“Let go and let God”
For there are some
Who do believe
That there is a heaven and hell
And all is not well
And one day
“God” will even the score
And close the door...
Motivation
JACQUELINE TURNER Artist/Vendor
What keeps me going? The quest for a life of happiness. The thought that a person can be content with herself, though I know it isn’t always possible. I think most people want that. When you think money is the key to all happiness, then you only pursue wealth.
Some people rely on fame for their happiness. They want to be movie stars or famous for creating products and sharing ideas they think will improve our society. Other people believe concentrating on beauty will make them loved, respected, and happy.
I say motivation is a combination of things that sometimes you don’t even know will make you happy, like a child’s smile when you feel down. That lifts your spirits and may even make you feel young again. Or when you’re confident and proud because you bought a new outfit and you look smashing! These bits and pieces will keep you going.
Birthday blessings in June
BRIANNA BUTLER Artist/Vendor
How sweet
Ride and shine
The light is shining on you
It’s your birthday month
Dance to the beat of dreams
Smile from ear to ear
Because God is bringing Forth good fortune and wisdom
In life, he has blessed you
With his love, joy, and strength
Of his mighty word
I thank God and family
For carrying me on their wings
Let’s have lunch
Or dinner, and top it off
With lots of ice cream
And a cake that is oh, so Tasty that no one could
Have enough of it
June 29, for all those who share
This month with me
I wish you abundance
And a well-to-do life Blessings
The reason why
KYM PARKER Artist/Vendor
Some people believe that we, as God’s children, are all given the same angels. Angels of love, angels who protect us, and angels who watch over us, no matter what. I believe that She loves us so much She gave us more than one.
Each angel has something special. Each angel has a name. So to know each person’s heart, to understand their way of life, to know who they are, those are the reasons God placed them there. I know talking to God helps. She listens, and She’s always there for me. And every day, I pray. I say thank you, even for those things I don’t understand. I praise God all the time. I sing Her name and She listens. She has gotten me out of hard, difficult times. She has always shown me love. She is and always will be my best friend, my redeemer, my savior, my Lord. And I will always respect and love all of Her children. I was shown when I was young that love and respect will be returned when you show them. To me, it is real. In this day and age, we all need angels in our lives. They help. They protect. They keep us safe. I believe faithfully, with love, honesty, Godly-like trust. So at the end of the day, when things go wrong, when things go good, the angels are always watching over us, loving us, protecting us, and keeping us on that path. That’s the reason why I love Her.
Life and salvation
MELVEON HARP
Artist/Vendor
“The Lord is my light and my salvation.” SO right. If it were not for the Lord, I would not be here. I’m so glad I found Jesus because my life is better since I did. Now I love myself and I am positive with more people. I know some people are lost and need help with their problems. They need Jesus and need to believe in him. I know Jesus knows my name. He wakes me up, not the alarm clock. You must have faith, as I do. Thank the Lord every time you can and try to live right. Remember, life is short and every day is a blessing. Love yourself and talk to God.
My sense of Street Sense
TONYA WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor
I have been with this newspaper since May 2023, and I LOVE it. Being a vendor gets me out of my house. I love talking with people and learning why they also love Street Sense, like the customer who said loudly, “I love Street Sense!” I like looking into their eyes when I communicate with them. I used to have problems doing that. Now I don’t.
I love going to our workshops. The teachers treat us well and respect us for our work. They love helping us, and they do a lot for us. When we write, we can express how we feel. Writing makes you feel better about yourself.
Father’s Day
JOSIE BROWN
Artist/Vendor
A father is a person who guides and defends his kids
A father is a person you can depend on
A father is one who wins and stands strong within
A father is always near, dear, and keeping his family near
A father will always bear and care, no matter where
So, father, you are so special to your children, and you always are there to share in precious memories. I thought this poem would be a precious reminder that our kids should always honor and care for you because you care for us.
A king and peasant
APOLLOS ROBINSON Artist/Vendor
There’s a shelter named after a king
You don’t wanna visit
There’s a palace named after a peasant
Inside, everything is very pleasant
The root of all evil built both buildings
The best way to be is stay out of your feelings
Survival guide to urban landscapes
DRAKE BRENSUL Artist/Vendor
Of course, the world wouldn’t revolve if there wasn’t a canopy to hide under to get something to eat. There is a long list of items that run into two or three bucks for a snack or small meal. However, it is possible. It helps if there is a way to heat it up. This is because pre-made pasta and rice are more expensive. Some people use alcohol, stoves, or electric coils to get through this part. To get into it, though, it is more than that; it leaves you with the line for a food bag or grocery trip that often comes from churches. While most of them are worth $30, it still takes more than one to get through a month. However, assuming a couple gets you by, the only thing left is to walk to a hot meal truck. Sometimes it’s tough to get into, but they will provide a better chance with the company once you’re allowed. Otherwise, it is the oldest story: line your pocket with about $20, and you could throw an extra meal in your backpack. Many of the small clothes stores will play a card game with used clothes. It is a good idea to avoid that type of play with someone who drops off a whole bundle. The type that works is when they let go of a specific item, like red shoes or a blue jacket, that can be used for foot traffic. Sometimes recognizing garments are healthy because if the person has no way to establish protection with the police, they can still move with friends who assist. So, then garments provide cover. From a second-hand clothes store, you can keep the garment on the fact that a stranger’s protocol is only good for a small amount of time. To really keep it basic to start, though, a small backpack, throw in a waterproof tarp, and some kind of thermos for hot water. Find a stream and a washcloth. And mostly you’re good to go if it’s summertime and no one bothers you on the ground. Get back indoors by autumn, and it’s a great adventure. When winter comes, it’s a different story. You have to get a blanket. Maybe a bigger pack. And you have to keep it off the wet ground when you sleep.
Sleep. It’s probably the number one problem. Strange places, strange sounds. The thing to look for is to get out of the street
The love shows off…
DEGNON DOVONOU Artist/Vendor
lights. Wake up in the direction of surprise. On clear nights, don’t look for a place with cover; the options are better. Overall, you would want some exposure so help is on the way and can find you. Tradition specifies it is wiser to avoid the under-the-bridge scene. Most of the criminally inclined know to look in that direction for easy prey, and the authorities are not mythic either. Being bent against homelessness, the prowl is easy for an overhead sweep in places like a bridge. Afterwards, the next traditional place is on the church steps. For the most part, it is still a safe place for a night. The church itself will not usually welcome the process, and in modern times, it is an easy way to get hauled in for vagrancy. However, passing the first week and any hard knocks, there is a chance at a church to get to know them, and there are often places that will help with food or clothes in time.
Later, or maybe sooner, the environment has to give in to work. If nothing else, it is built that way so we are not running home. The result is we are not trying to have work in a part-time capacity in the environment because full-time is at package delivery. We just are not living in a no-money world, and money did not make it through the equal sign. It is possible to live for years without money. The unfortunate need has the understanding, yet sophistication hones a track so the calibration for hardcore never finds normal. Now, try to bring the equation to part-time where the understanding has a way to pass the time, and we notice cash jobs are fading into the past. It does draw us to survive. It is a singular track to cyclical power. So, anyway, it turns out that you don’t have to like survival if you don’t like its caricature. You know, you could just get your fine ass kicked out of a building and discover how to die. There are people working on it that way, and they like that problem. While I am standing around the corner, I will be arguing whether or not I could see through the purple haze, and letting a few of the reminiscent smells, crazy the perfume of things that have to say.
Sometimes you still don’t know, but the one you’ve always abandoned due to a lack of time. Sometimes, the one who calls you all the time as if they need you, but you tell them I don’t have time. Yet, they are the ones who love you so much. Love isn’t necessarily the art of mougou. Love is a soft art. The English call it soft and tender. The madness of loving with a mad love.
Let us respect those who love or have loved but are forced to say goodbye to their loved ones. The question that deserves to be asked is: “Who will cry like this when I leave?” What do I say when we leave? Yes, the question isn’t that, but rather the following… In my capacity as a father, older brother, younger brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, financier, friend, childhood friend, companion, boss, employer, employee, priest, pastor, imam, etc., when I die tomorrow, who will cry like this at my funeral? Who among you will be able to show me this love? Yes, this crazy soft art. This is the question we must try to answer before it’s too late. If I die tomorrow, who among my brothers, my sisters, my aunts, my uncles, my children, especially, and my dear friends will be able to show me this crazy love for me just once?
I saw an image of a woman mourning, which has over 100 million views. It is not trivial, but a crazy soft art (love) that transcends and pierces itself. Pure and true love. A serious fool, a love of a heart that bleeds and heals. An unwavering love for this queen who gave all her most precious riches to Jesus. This lady, this sister, deserves our attention and all our prayers. Throughout a man’s life, there is inevitably a woman, a mother, who plays the role of your mother without being your wife. United in prayer for her.
What I’m going through
AMIA WALKER Artist/Vendor
I moved to my home in October of 2013. It was supposed to be a comfortable unit, but my landlord would enter my home with no notice of maintenance. I was in the shower once when this happened. I didn’t report the situation because I just moved in. I told him not to ever do this again. As time went by, I requested adjustments in my home for him to fix. My landlord would comply. Then he started to half-fix things so he could have a reason to come back in and be improper towards me. He failed the final inspection, and housing specialists abated my unit. I have to move out of my unit and find somewhere else I can afford, which is so complicated because prices are so high. I continue to keep my spirits high.
What are we doing?
SASHA WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor
Is cutting funding even close to being a part of D.C.’s growth? It is deeper than what we know or understand for sure, but what’s the missing piece to this messed-up puzzle?
Some things are targeted, but the sabotaging and undermining of certain groups in Washington is despicable. D.C. is not just for the business district. While there is capitalism and a place to be social we also have to deal with the people who are residents. Like….we exist. We all exist.
D.C. is not a private island; it’s in the nation’s capital. I have concerning questions about the state of the city.
Here is Sue, Doing her doo, Of her old G shoe. A night of nightly news, For the sun could work the moon, And a lorry of cartoons.
Metro buses
GRETA CHRISTIAN Artist/Vendor
I was born here and my daughters were born here. You can’t treat people any old way. My children deserve more. Don’t despair the youth and on top of all of that, their generations are future leaders, why not do better now for all individuals and families? Things don’t work because it seems the love of human nature doesn’t exist, but it’s not right.
Cutting state benefits and other programs is detrimental to the economy. Like it is 2025. It’s a lie to say that making certain moves doesn’t affect the decision for cuts being made. What can be done to save the programs that are going to be cut? This ain’t a visit to the hairdresser or barbershop.
What is going on? Why are there even “cuts” that have a negative impact on this nation’s capital? Why can’t someone stop the confusion and nonsense?
Metro buses are not too comfortable. Metro buses stink and are dirty. People spit on Metro buses. There are bugs on the Metro buses. Metro bus drivers don’t know how to communicate with passengers. Metro buses will ride right by you and won’t stop for you. Sometimes, Metro buses will break down.
The clean Metro buses are in Maryland and Virginia. Maryland’s Metro buses are dirt-free and without paper. Virginia’s Metro buses are clean, too, without bugs and dirt. Virginia and Maryland’s Metro buses have no writing on them. I hope to get new buses in Washington, D.C. We need new buses.
Morning
clean
ANDRE BALTIMORE Artist/Vendor
FUN & GAMES
Across
1. Sets of beliefs
7. Modern Maturity grp. (abbr./initialism)
11. Small but important machine part
14. “Queen of Drag” with 12 Emmys (2,4)
15. Many a ten-code user (abbr./acron./init.)
16. “Certainement!” as put briefly by Pierre 17. Type of bracket for high earners (2 wds.) (5,6) (NUMERIC POPE anagram)
19. Capt.’s inferiors (abbr./initialism)
20. Workplace workforce initialism whose middle letter stands for “equity”
21. ___ whale
22. Indy 500 sound
24. Clowns’ shoe widths
26. Dependable data, as opposed to misinformation (2 wds.) (6,4) (ONE’S FIBULA anagram)
28. Software program, briefly (abbr.)
30. Blacksmith’s block
31. Ziti, e.g.
34. Bypass (HUNTS anagram)
37. Female sib (abbr.)
39. “___ moment”
40. Pronoun pair that serves to provide phonetic initial hints to the answers to 17-, 26-, 50- and 63-Across? (3 wds.) (3,3,1)
42. Some explosive letters? (abbr./acron.)
43. Sartre’s summer (Fr.)
44. Lay low, in Biblespeak
45. Bedouins’ havens
47. Color, as a tattoo (2 wds.) (3,2)
49. “Happy ____ Year!” (answer to the Dad joke “What did one wildebeest say to the other on January 1st?”)
50. With “a,” what salary and related benefits, working conditions and job security each is, typically (2 wds.) (5,5)
54. ___ Sutra
58. Recurring theme
59. Starting and ending places for Carnival Nassau Cruises and computer network connections
61. “Baloney!”
62. ___ mater (brain cover)
63. Pejorative term for a naive or ill-informed person who is easily manipulated and exploited for other’s purposes (2 wds.) (6,5) (OUTIE FLUIDS anagram)
66. Night school subj. for immigrants (abbr./init./ acron.)
67. It’s often trapped in the laundry room
68. Folly
69. Ctrl - Alt - ____ (keyboard abbr.)
70. Word before ____ Luck, ____ Liberty or ____ Gaga
71. Like dimes and tithes Down
1. Unrefined, as oil
2. Indian coin
3. “Silas Marner” girl whose name sounds like a kind of pen/needle used for life-threatening allergic emergencies
4. “Hawaii Five-0” actor Daniel ___ Kim
5. Couple’s pronoun
6. Blunder (2 wds.) (4,2) (PUPILS anagram)
7. Capital of Ghana
8. Project development central to the plot development involved in 2023’s award-winning film “Oppenheimer” (1-4)
9. Kind of sleep (Initialism/acron.)
10. An ounce of it is said to be worth a pound of cure
11. Like members of a certain insect collective
12. Uncalled-for, as behavior (3 wds.) (3,2,4) (UNFIT OLEO anagram)
13. Thingamabob (Var.)
18. Nintendo’s Super ___
23. Atlas abbr. for the Snake or the Gila
25. Parked oneself
27. Capture, as a fish
29. Completely satisfies a financial obligation, say (3 wds,) (4,2,4)
31. “The Black Cat” writer
32. Like those who hate rackets?
33. Cousin phrase of “Been there; done that” (3 wds.) (4,2,3) (TEN ALLIES)
34. ___ generis (unique) (Lat.)
35. Pillbox or porkpie, e.g.
36. A abroad (Fr.)
38. John, Paul and George, but neither Ringo, Elton nor Mick (abbr.)
41. Old Dodge model or a prefix sometimes seen with “bus” and/or “vore”
46. Arctic bird
48. Japanese garden fish
49. Go on a drinking spree, in dated slang (2 wds.) (3,3)
50. Called balls and strikes
51. “Time is the most valuable thing a man can ____”: Theophrastus
52. Tender-hearted person
53. Texter’s “Don’t try to be what you’re not,” maybe (1,1,1) (abbr./initialism)
55. Running wild event (2 wds.) (1,4)
56. Freeloading sort
57. The vast majority of ABA mbrs. (abbr.)
60. Fries, maybe
64. One-named Australian-born “Chandelier” singer
65. Kipling’s “Gunga ___”
ILLUSTRATION OF THE WEEK
This crossword puzzle is the original work of Patrick “Mac”McIntyre. It is provided to us courtesy of Real Change News, a street paper based in Seattle, Washington. Learn more about Real Change News and the International Network of Street Papers at realchangenews.org and insp.ngo.
AKINDELE AKEREJAH Artist/Vendor
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento Case Management Coordinación de Servicios
Academy of Hope Public Charter School
202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Pl. NE
202-373-0246 // 421 Alabama Ave. SE aohdc.org
Bread for the City 1525 7th St., NW // 202-265-2400 1700 Marion Barry Ave., SE // 202-561-8587 breadforthecity.org
Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Marion Barry Ave., SE calvaryservices.org
Catholic Charities // 202-772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp
Central Union Mission // 202-745-7118 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW missiondc.org
Charlie’s Place // 202-929-0100 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW charliesplacedc.org
Christ House // 202-328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd., NW christhouse.org
Church of the Pilgrims // 202-387-6612 2201 P St., NW (1-1:30 on Sundays only) churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach
Community Family Life Services 202-347-0511 // 305 E St., NW cflsdc.org
Community of Hope // 202-232-7356 4 Atlantic St., NW communityofhopedc.org
Covenant House Washington 202-610-9600 // 2001 Mississippi Ave., SE covenanthousedc.org
D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 202-347-8870 // 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW dccfh.org
Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 North Capitol St., NW fathermckennacenter.org
Food and Friends // 202-269-2277
(home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc) 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org
Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW foundryumc.org/idministry
Identification services
Friendship Place // 202-364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW friendshipplace.org
Georgetown Ministry Center // 202-338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave., NW georgetownministrycenter.org
Jobs Have Priority // 202-544-9096 1526 Pennslyvania Ave., SE jobshavepriority.org
Loaves & Fishes // 202-232-0900 1525 Newton St., NW loavesandfishesdc.org
Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org 2375 Elvans Rd, SE
2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE
Miriam’s Kitchen // 202-452-8926 2401 Virginia Ave., NW miriamskitchen.org
My Sister’s Place // 202-529-5991 (24-hr hotline) mysistersplacedc.org
N Street Village // 202-939-2076 1333 N St., NW nstreetvillage.org
New York Avenue Shelter // 202-832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave., NE
Patricia Handy Place for Women 202-733-5378 // 810 5th St., NW
Samaritan Inns // 202-667-8831 2523 14th St., NW samaritaninns.org
Samaritan Ministry 202-722-2280 // 1516 Hamilton St., NW 202-889-7702 // 1345 U St., SE samaritanministry.org
Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org
So Others Might Eat (SOME) // 202-797-8806 71 O St., NW some.org
St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-363-4900 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org
Thrive DC // 202-737-9311 1525 Newton St., NW thrivedc.org
Unity Health Care unityhealthcare.org - Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500 - Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699
1500 Galen Street SE, 1251-B Saratoga Ave NE, 1660 Columbia Road NW, 4414 Benning Road NE, 3924 Minnesota Avenue NE, 765 Kenilworth Terrace NE, 850 Delaware Ave., SW, 3240 Stanton Road SE, 3020 14th Street NW, 425 2nd Street NW, 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 1333 N Street NW, 1355 New York Avenue NE, 1151 Bladensburg Rd., NE, 4515 Edson Pl., NE
Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U St., NW // 202-328-5500 legalclinic.org
The Welcome Table // 202-347-2635 1317 G St., NW. epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable
Whitman-Walker Health 1525 14th St., NW // 202-745-7000 1201 Sycamore Dr., SE whitman-walker.org
Woodley House // 202-830-3508 2711 Connecticut Ave., NW
For further information and listings, visit our online service guide at StreetSenseMedia.org/service-guide
Busser
Capital Grille // 601 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Full-time
A busser will deliver distinctive dining experience by ensuring the dining room, lobby, and service area are clean, stocked and visually appealing. A busser will be a team player throughout the restaurant by assisting servers in properly serving food and beverages while also clearing, cleaning, and resetting tables for the next guests.
Required: Able to lift 40 lbs. or more.
Apply: tinyurl.com/busserCapitalGrille
In-Store Shopper
Whole Foods // 1440 P St. NW
Part-time
You’ll work on the store support team supporting Prime Now customer orders, preparing them for delivery and/or pickup. While our offerings will continue to evolve, you’ll shop throughout our store for everyday goods including food, household items, and so much more.
Required: N/A
Apply: tinyurl.com/DCWholeFoodsStoreShopper
Front of House Team Member
Chick-Fil-A // 707 G St. NW
Full-time/ Part-time
Team members are responsible for providing an exceptional dining experience for everyone they serve each day and for ensuring all guests receive signature Chick-fil-A service and food.
Required: Be able to reach, bend, stoop and frequently lift up to 40 pounds. Be able to work in a standing position for long periods of time (up to 9 hours).
Apply: tinyurl.com/dcChickFilA
We live in a cold world
JEFFREY CARTER
Artist/Vendor
We live in a cold world today “Love is in need today” Hate is going around The world is going up in flames
The majority of society is suffering From anxiety, and don’t know What to do or have a sense Of moral direction or know God’s understanding
This is why the Bible says Surely man’s good fortune Is lost, meaning he is Lost in the God within Himself
Anxiety, anyone?
JAY B. WILLIAMS
Artist/Vendor
Tell me why
I don’t wanna let you go why I don’t wanna let go why I don’t wanna go into the sunset without your hand in my hand?
They say love don’t last forever Well, they don’t know what love is...
On this 4th
L.Q. PETERSON
Artist/Vendor
I marvel at time
Look how it flies
Burgers, hot dogs, and cookouts
On this Fourth of July
Check out my swagger
There’s no suit or tie
Red and white shirt, blue jeans, On this Fourth of July
The smell of gunpowder
Big beautiful blue sky
Fireworks erupting
On this Fourth of July
Our nation’s birthday
The anniversary of our rise
That’s what we celebrate
On this Fourth of July
The Commanders
ANTHONY CARNEY
Artist/Vendor
The Commanders are coming back home to RFK Stadium! Now we should call it Commander’s Stadium. I am so happy they are back where they belong.
I’ve been a fan since I was five years old. My favorite moment was when Doug Williams led the team to its 1988 Super Bowl victory. He threw four touchdown passes in one quarter! So, Commanders, let’s rock the house again all the way to the 2026 Super Bowl. Bring it home to the greatest city in the world. Fight for old D.C., go Commanders, go!
Flowers of D.C.
ELIZABETH BOWES
Artist/Vendor
As I walk around the city, I notice all the different types of flowers being planted. I always look for different varieties. I especially love the many types of roses. I admire the men and women who plant them and their hard work that makes the flowers look so vibrant. I took this picture of pink flowers at the park by the Capitol. I have lovely gardens at home in London. My friends there take great care of those flowers and everything else alive in those gardens while I’m here waiting to get back.
The word of the day is inspire
RACHELLE ELLISON Artist/Vendor
I live my life today to ignite a life in others, to inspire, to give others hope
That at one point felt like they were at the end of their hope rope
For me, it requires healing to be full of strength,
So others too are willing to go the distance, no matter their journey and length
Life is full of hurdles for us to overcome
And what we need is already inside all of us to reach every goal
We are all given unlimited potential within our souls
Sometimes it takes someone to share how it’s done
So others can see from every problem, there is no reason to run
All we need is for others to show us the way,
So we can envision the foundation of a new day
There is a different way, our thought process can get a rewire
That’s why I share my story and live out loud, to inspire
Sovereign
RONNELL WILSON
Artist/Vendor
Separating the sin from the person
Especially, when revenge would also mean to hurt ya
It’s important to leave vengeance starving
To help prevent your heart from hardening
Try to empathize, and picture the world as that person
Having unimaginable things done to them, too, all behind curtains
Many are still trapped, and the end of the pain is uncertain
Forgiving them is more for me than it will ever be for that person
Freeing you from the grips of my thoughts, for sure
Being an exceptional being is something my grandparents taught
And my parents, they’re the reason that I never gave up and fought
Separating the sin from the person is so HARD!
Coming from the depths of our hearts requires the help of God
Imagine having to withhold what you know about a person
When the very sin is attached to your life, it never stops hurting Time, forgiveness, and sheer focus have helped me finally
Separate the sin from the person...thank God!
June
GRACIAS GARCIAS
Artist/Vendor
A miracle of absence amidst present love, early mornings, late nights sing of June.
DANIEL BALL
Artist/Vendor
She may compare me To the dawn, but she Stayed up all night to watch Her T.V. In the summer blue sky, I can see
Smaller
Layers rise to the surface to meet the sun, for love is for all to see with eyes closed. The glory of fear knows loss, for once, when June meets June.
ELIZABETH BOWES Artist/Vendor
Pink summer flowers. Photos by Elizabeth Bowes