07 15 2015

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Volume 12: Issue 18 July 15 - 28, 2015

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HOMELESS ATHLETES TAKE TIMES SQUARE After 6 years of successful sports development for people experiencing homelessness, Street Soccer USA turns its eyes to New York City’s 22,000 Homeless Youth

PG PG 99

Many seniors trapped

in ‘web of homelessness, unemployment’ pg 4

“Just say hello”

movement spreads from Seattle pg 5

Federal City Shelter to ‘continue well past 2016’ pgs 6-7

Street Sense aims to serve as a vehicle for elevating voices and public debate on issues relating to poverty while also creating economic opportunities for people who are experiencing homelessness or poverty in our community.

ONLINE EXCLUSIVES www.StreetSense.org •

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: our latest Sounds From the Street podcast interviewed vendor Sasha Williams on her journey home: StreetSense.org/audio

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Recently featured poet and lyricist Tammy Michele Rice sings “Tammy is Back!”

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COVER ART

Street Soccer USA Times Square Cup 2015.

PHOTO BY SABRINA CASERTA

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OUR STORY Street Sense began in August 2003 after Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions with the idea to start a street paper in Washington, D.C. Through the work of dedicated volunteers, Street Sense published its first issue in November 2003. In 2005, Street Sense achieved 501 ( c ) 3 status as a nonprofit organization, formed a board of directors and hired a full-time executive director.

Today, Street Sense is published every two weeks through the efforts of four salaried employees, more than 100 active vendors, and dozens of volunteers.

Nearly 30,000 copies are in circulation each month.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Brian Carome EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Eric Falquero VENDOR & SALES MANAGER Jeffrey Gray NEW INITIATIVES & VOLUNTEERS COORDINATOR Rachael Buck

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STREET SENSE July 15 - 28, 2015

3

NEWS IN BRIEF ICH Strives for Agency Cohesion The District Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) held an executive meeting on July 7 to discuss coordinated implementation of the Homeward DC 5-year Strategic Plan.

One important factor was that each part of the plan had a “lead” agency and a point person responsible for implementation of each section of the plan.

The lead agencies are encouraged to self-assess their progress, with the understanding that the ICH will be overseeing all progress.

Another issue discussed was homeless youth. Until recently, most homeless youth—people experiencing homeless aged 24 and under—were undercounted in the Housing and Urban Development’s pointin-time count. They have thus been underrepresented in legislation. One of the ways the ICH plans to attain more useful data is by holding a youth “census.” from August 17 to 25. The census will seek to identify at-risk and homeless youth, and be conducted by youth.

The ICH is looking for volunteers to help with the census. Learn more at ich.dc.gov.

-Dottie Kramer

District Minimum Wage on the Rise The minimum wage in the District of Columbia has been increased to $10.50 an hour for all workers, as of July 1st, 2015.

In addition to this 15 percent wage increase, the Minimum Wage Amendment Act of 2013 will raise the minimum wage to $11.50 per hour on July 1, 2016.

In 2017, minimum wage will increase in proportion to the Washington Metropolitan Area’s annual increase in the Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12 months.

YES!

This automatic increase will keep income at the cost of living.

“This increase will help more people make ends meet in an economy that favors a small handful of people who bring in most of the money,” wrote Ilana Boivie, Senior Policy Analyst for DC Fiscal Policy Institute (DCFPI), in a July 7 blog post for the organization.

The wage gap between the highest and lowest paid workers in the District is the highest it has been in 35 years. The top five percent of earners make over $500,000 a year, while those working full-time for minimum wage only make $20,000 annually, putting them below the poverty line for a family of three, according to DCFPI. “The minimum wage increase is one of several new labor laws in the District that will help D.C. working families,” Boivie wrote. “Others include expanding paid sick leave protections, ensuring the rights of pregnant and breastfeeding workers, and ‘Ban the Box.’” Ban the Box is a new rule that prohibits employers from asking about previous criminal arrests or accusations that are not currently pending or resulted in a conviction.

These new laws will go a long way to provide more families a stable income, but more increases may still be warranted.

The “living wage” in DC—what it takes to meet all basic living expenses—is $20.27 an hour for a family of four, according to MIT. When households fall below this income level, if they remain above the federal poverty line, having enough income for housing and food can be difficult, according to Boivie.

Even with this annual increase in place, efforts are in the works to raise the minimum wage even higher. The DC Working Families Party, along with a coalition of labor and social justice groups announced a ballot campaign on April 15, tax day, to raise the D.C. minimum wage to $15

an hour. Along with this announcement, hundreds of workers walked off their minimum wage paying jobs in protest.

Many economists and republicans in Congress state the negative side effects a raise in minimum wage would have on the economy. James Dorn wrote about the adverse effects in Forbes, stating, “The belief that increasing the minimum wage is socially beneficial is a delusion. It is short-sighted and ignores evident reality...A higher minimum wage attracts new entrants but does not guarantee them a job.”

However, a study done by Professors Dale Belman and Paul J. Wolfson found that “Increases in the minimum wage raise the hourly wage and earnings of workers in the lower part of the wage distribution and have very modest or no effects on employment, hours, and other labor market outcomes.”

-Megan Panagoupolos

Opening Doors: Reevaluating the Federal Strategic Plan The federal stategic plan to prevent and end homelessness, “Opening Doors,” was recently reopened to allow lawmakers to reevaluate its effectiveness over the past three years.

There have been several significant amendments, including changes to the timing of the end goal and a new operational definition of homelessness.

According to the strategic plan, the revised definition of homelessness is “that every community will have a system in place that ensures homelessness is prevented whenever possible or is otherwise a rare, brief, and non-recurring experience.” The Amendment outlines the community-level capacity requirements in order to achieve this outcome.

The end goal has been changed from

2015 to 2017, reflecting the need for additional resources to make this goal realistic on a national level.

The amendment process also encouraged another change to the strategic plan, adding an emphasis on data. The language was revised to provide more detail on systems planning, program performance, and resource allocation. A more detailed, accurate annual count of those experiencing both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness will be made possible.

In order to prevent homelessness from an early age, an amendment to one objective includes identification of early warning signs in children and teens to provide educational support through state and local programs.

With these amendments, the plan’s approach is very similar to the new District Interagency Council on Homelessness plan, Homeward DC. Both plans call for an end to homelessness by 2017, and acknowledge that while eradicating homelessness entirely is not feasible, making homelessness a rare, brief occurrence is.

-Megan Panagoupolos

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Homelessness Affects All Ages

Some of the city and community services Angie Whitehurst does her best to navigate.

PHOTO BY ERIC FALQUERO

By Megan Panagoupolos Editoral Intern According to the District of Columbia Interagency Council of Homelessness (ICH), the number of families experiencing homelessness in the D.C. area increased 50 percent between 2010 and 2014, while the national rate decreased 11 percent. Providing aid to the rising number of homeless families absorbs a big chunk of limited resources and leaves little for the single and elderly.

What exactly quantifies a senior citizen is very hard to determine when looking at the homeless population. While the age of 45 or 50 may not be deemed elderly by a general consensus, many homeless adults aged 45-60 often have the physical and mental health of someone much older due to many hard years of living on the streets, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH).

“Among the elderly who have been chronically homeless, cases of mental illnesses or substance abuse are especially present,” said Brother John Gleason, So Others Might Eat (SOME) Senior Director of Senior Services.

Cases of “first-time” homelessness among seniors is also on the rise due to economic instability and the scarcity of affordable housing in the district. “There is a clear upward trend in the number of older persons aged 50-64 among the homeless population,” said Gleason. “Most of these people fall through the cracks and are not old enough for Medicare.”

These adults miss the age-based safety net provided by government funding and many shelters are not equipped to accommodate older members. Many homeless people must wait in long lines to receive a bed or climb flights of stairs to reach a shelter, actions that are not always possible for the elderly or others with limited mobility.

Doris Robinson, a 52-year-old Street Sense vendor, has run into trouble at lo-

cal shelters. “I’ve been violated, jumped, raped, all in the shelter,” said Robinson.

Many non-working shelter residents see older, employed people as vulnerable and an opportunity for easy money, according to Robinson. Elderly working adults are especially at risk when private shelter rooms are not available.

“Working people will be consistent with getting up, getting to their job and stuff but non-working people just sit around with nothing to do,” said Robinson.

“That’s how I got jumped. It’s a dangerous problem.”

A study done in 2007 by the NCH showed that homeless seniors are more than 25 percent more likely to be the victim of a violent attack than their younger counterparts.

Premature death of elderly homeless most often results from a minor or acute injury made worse by prolonged exposure to harsh conditions, according to the National Healthcare for the Homeless Council.

In addition to being a victim of violence, Doris Robinson has also contracted various illnesses from shelters.

“I caught this from a shelter,” said Robinson referring to a series of white patches on her palm. “It has to be looked at by a doctor, so I have to save my money to be able to afford the right one.”

Saving money is difficult, even with the income Robinson earns from Street Sense.

“They’ll sit here, waiting for me to go to sleep and then they’ll jump me and take my money,” said Robinson. “How am I supposed to live like that?”

Elderly people who try to survive solely on Social Security benefits find that those are almost never enough to cover the cost of housing. NCH research shows that a person receiving Social Security benefits would have to pay 112 percent of that income to cover rent alone.

“There’s not a lot out there,” said Angie Whitehurst, a Street Sense vendor.

“The city has resources through the Office of Aging to identify housing, but what they don’t have is money.”

At a housing expo hosted by the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development on June 27, Whitehurst ran into seniors who had been on the housing voucher list for upwards of six years.

When affordable housing is found, many patrons don’t completely understand the differences between renting a room and renting an apartment. Whitehurst said that in the case of room rentals, most clauses protect the owner of the property or room, rather than the resident. “It’s a field day for slum landlords,” said Whitehurst.

For the few seniors who have found housing, the dangers of isolation and lack of support systems still lurk.

The Department of Aging established the program Age Friendly DC in order to create an “inclusive and accessible environment that encourages active and healthy living for all residents,” according to agefriendly.dc.gov.

This program seeks to help older adults by making local community centers, businesses, and transportation services available and accessible. This initiative also focuses on creating an inclusive environment with the introduction of programs that celebrate cultural diversity and multigenerational interaction.

“What’s very scary to me is the number of people who are my age, cause I’m 62, who are caught in this web of homelessness and unemployment,” said Whitehurst.

According to a Government Accountability report from 2012, is it much more difficult for older Americans to find jobs than it is for the younger population. Senior citizen spent an average of 35 weeks

looking for a job, while younger Americans spent just 26 weeks.

This is due to the elderly having outof-date skills — especially in a very technologically advanced and dependent environment -- expensive healthcare rates, and retirement expectations, according to the report.

However, some support systems are in place. SOME is an interfaith, community organization that works to help those under the poverty line in the Washington D.C. area. SOME has specific programs for the elderly, such as providing emergency housing and counseling to elderly people who have mental illnesses or histories of substance abuse.

“When people experience homelessness, especially older individuals, a breakdown in physical and mental health occurs,” said Gleason.

SOME offers a day center for senior citizens where they are able to come for case management, counseling, transportation services and more. SOME also runs a special program called the Kuehner House, which provides affordable housing to 42 single, senior adults who would not be able to afford housing otherwise.

Most of their programs have trained social workers on site to assist and address the needs of the elderly.

In 2014 alone, SOME and its supporters have provided emergency housing for 176 adults in psychiatric crisis and 20 abused elderly experiencing homelessness.

“We’re working to secure safe and stable housing, as well as a lifestyle, for our homeless seniors,” said Gleason.

While programs are in place to help, there is still a great need. The US Census Bureau predicts that the number of elderly people experiencing homelessness with increase 30 percent by the year 2020.

Projection of Elderly Homelessness

Data Source: Sermons, M.W., & Henry M., Demographics of Homelessness Series: The Rising Population. Washington, D.C.: Homelessness Research Institute 2010.

STREET SENSE July 15 - 28, 2015

5

NEWS

Photographers Drive National Movement, Advocate Kindness

By Lindsey Habenicht Editorial Intern

PHOTO COURTESY OF GERRY SUCHY/HOMELESS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

T

his is Evelyn. She had been living homeless in Washington, D.C. for five years when Gerry Suchy met her in 2014, sitting in an alcove outside of Metro Center.

“She has no idea what she’ll be doing in the near future and cannot foresee much beyond the immediate problem of finding food and shelter. Life is very hard for someone like Evelyn and being invisible makes it harder. Keep that in mind if you see her or someone like her,” wrote Suchy alongside her close-up, black and white portrait.

He asked what it was like for her to sit outside and watch masses of people walk by without looking at her.

“You know, I feel like a ghost – I feel like I’m invisible,” she replied.

Invisible. That word stings, but it appears to be an accurate depiction of society’s general ability to acknowledge many of its neighbors who call the streets home.

It was this notion that inspired Suchy’s photo project The Invisible Ones, where Evelyn’s photo is now accompanied by many others, each with unique stories and reasons for being there.

He has been using street photography since then as a means of encouraging others to think more deeply about homelessness, and what they can do to help.

Suchy’s intended outcome is simple: to raise awareness that, as well-to-do and

powerful as Washington is, there’s a whole in his keynote at the global street paper class of people who will not be a part of summit held in Seattle on June 24. it unless each person takes responsibility It was on a rainy Seattle day in 2010, to raise them up. when Hohlbein was compelled to act difThis May, Suchy was surprised to referently and approached a man sleeping ceive a phone call from across the counnear the curb of his architecture office. try about his project, which unknowingly He tapped him on the shoulder and told echoed the mission of Homeless in Sehim that, when he woke up and if he attle’s Just Say Hello movement. The wanted to, he was welcome to come over campaign aims to remind people of the to his house for a cup of tea. immense impact a simple act of kindness About an hour later, Hohlbein was sitcan have. ting in his home with Chiaka.

Suchy – photographer and former social The two quickly became friends, and it worker – is no stranger to the power of was only moments later that Hohlbein dissaying hello. covered what an incredible artist Chiaka “I see people sitting there panhanwas. As Chiaka began to share his stories, dling, and hundreds of people walk by paintings, and canvas work, he explained but they don’t look at them. They even that he’d been living on the streets of Secross the street to avoid looking at them. attle for about ten years and sold his art They do all kinds of things not to interto buy food and supplies. act. And so I would then go across the “I realized then what Chiaka had done street and chat with them,” said Suchy for me. He had blown apart negative stein an interview with Street Sense. reotypes of homelessness,” Hohlbein said.

A similar emphasis on photo-based stoBy sharing a version of himself that rytelling began when Homeless in Seattle extended beyond homelessness, Chiaka founder Rex Hohlbein started a Facebook helped Hohlbein recognize the power in page to help break stigmas and view understanding a person’s story. homelessness through a new lens.

He set up a Facebook page to showcase Hohlbein captures chillingly beautiful Chiaka’s art and spread the word. The black and white portraits of homeless peoresponse was overwhelming: people all ple he meets around Seattle and shares around Seattle were purchasing Chiaka’s each person’s backstory on the page. He paintings and commissioning new ones. also shares what they most need: socks, a Hohlbein realized it didn’t have to stop tent, or a winter coat. Each photo – more there, and launched Homeless in Seattle. than just a face – holds the story of a per“Just say hello. By giving your smile or son who deserves compassion just as much your words, you can make someone feel as anyone else. seen, loved, and connected to their comSeventeen thousand Facebook “likes” munity,” concluded Hohlbein. later and a notable 100 percent of reAs Just Say Hello continues to spread, quests-for-help met, Hohlbein pioneered Suchy hopes to form a greater partnership the Just Say Hello with the Homeless in Seatmovement to change tle team. In just a couple perceptions beyond of weeks, he’ll be visiting Seattle. Just Say HelSeattle to meet them for lo is represented in the first time. places from Boulder, “I would really like to do Colorado to Victoria, whatever I can do to help Canada and now in [Hohlbein] get other people Washington D.C. on board with this project Hohlbein had alin other cities,” said Suchy. ways been familiar “Chicago isn’t there; New with local homelessYork City isn’t there; Los ness. He could tell - Rex Hohlbein Angeles isn’t there. But you that 1,100 peoHomeless in Seattle these kinds of photographs, ple in his county live if done well, can be really in their vehicles or that 3,700 people in powerful. You look into their eyes and, that same county are unsheltered. But even with no text, you get their story.” his perception of homelessness changed You can support Homeless in Washwhen he met a man named Chiaka. ington, D.C. by liking the Facebook “I was utterly struck by the depth and page or “just saying hello.” beauty of Chiaka’s being,” Holbein said

“I realized then what

Chiaka had done for me. He had blown

apart negative stereo-

types of homelessness.”

Federal City Shelter is Here to Stay

Donald Page, Treasurer and Director of the Administrate Office infront of a Mitch Snyder mural in the Federal City Shelter. PHOTO BY MARK THAYER

By Dottie Kramer & Mark Thayer Editorial Interns On June 6, 1986, the Reagan administration gave the former Federal City College building over to a group of activists and people experiencing homelessness.

Under the 99th Congress of the United States, H.R. 4784 transferred jurisdiction of 425 Second Street NW to the District of Columbia. D.C. voters then passed a referendum with a 72 percent majority vote that gave rise to the Federal City Shelter.

Currently, the 3-story 70-year-old build-

ing houses 1,350 beds for the homeless, offices of the Community for Creative Non-violence (CCNV), and numerous other services that include Unity Health Care and DC Central Kitchen, making it the largest homeless facility of its kind in the nation.

The Federal City Shelter has been a topic of discussion in recent years, as the building will resort back to the city’s jurisdiction under the terms of a quit-

Mitch Snyder

ing homeless services in the heart of the city is imperative to aiding people who are homeless. The location of the Federal City Shelter provides its residents with close proximity to transportation and employment opportunities. Page emphasized that the location also provides city officials with a reminder of the presence of homelessness and the escalating class divide in the district.

“It’s a nice constant reminder to the powers that be, that homelessness still exists and you can’t shovel it off to the outskirts of the city,” said Page. “The problem is still here, and what are [city officials] going to do about it besides giving out platitudes?”

The successful creation of the Federal City Shelter in 1986 was due in large part to the efforts of activist and CCNV spokesperson Mitch Snyder. Snyder died July 3, 1990. It’s been 25 years since the zealot took his own life in the shelter he helped build.

Snyder had a long and colorful background with homeless people living in D.C., often choosing drastic measures in order to have his voice heard. He sometimes held street funerals for homeless people who had passed away unsheltered, and often engaged in hunger strikes to get administrative attention. A hunger strike that lasted 51 days ended when President Ronald Reagan gave CCNV a building owned by the federal government to be used as a shelter for 30 years.

Although Snyder had been disheartened by the reduced impact of Initiative 17 (a ballot initiative that would have continued

Memories of You: To Mitch

By Richardo Meriedy, Vendor

By Chris Shaw, “The Cowboy Poet”

Mitch, even though I never met you, I still know a lot about you and I want to acknowledge how much you cared about the homeless. You are an icon in my life.

Mitch, you are the one who made the public pay attention to the homeless. I respect you for sacrificing your life to get the government and the public to focus on how the homeless live. Mitch, if I had the power, I would make your birthday a holiday. Mitch, you will never be forgotten.

“Mitch, you are the one who made the public pay attention to the homeless.”

claim deed that granted CCNV the property for 30 years so long as it was used to benefit the public through services for the homeless.

Donald Page, Treasurer and Director of the Administrate Offices at CCNV, told Street Sense that the Federal City Shelter was not at risk, and would remain in operation well past the supposed July 2016 lease expiration. CCNV and the District of Columbia are in the midst of negotiations that Page stated he was not at liberty to discuss.

“I can reassure you that the building is not shutting down next year, or the year after next,” said Page. “In a way we are saving the city a lot of money. The need for CCNV is not going away anytime soon, so in one way or another, we will still be here and we will still be providing homeless services.”

Stephen Campbell, Senior Planner for the Department of General Services, confirmed that CCNV will continue well past 2016. Campbell assured Street Sense that the city has not abandoned the Statement of Principals that was developed by a special taskforce appointed to discuss the future of CCNV and the Federal City Shelter. The taskforce recommended that any replacement to the Federal City Shelter should strive for the original capacity and be located on the same site; in addition, the construction of any new facility should be completed before demolition of the existing structure. Campbell said the agency recognizes the need for the continuity of shelter for Federal City Shelter residents.

Page expressed a belief that maintain-

Your confrere often

One frozen even

Signed, “Yes, Chris,”

Under amber stance

For he could not abide.

Of Jefferson dome;

My direction-less

Mickey, Mitch, Emilio

Mendacity lacking

el primero and myself

Talent was stilled.

Knelt in deep frizzy

Michael Stoops and Mitch Snyder in Washington.

PHOTO BY NATIONAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS

Imagination nil, yet

Tundra and prayed

Mitch still saw all that

Homelessness be allayed!

Was good.

STREET SENSE July 15 - 28, 2015

7

NEWS

The Federal City Shelter, 425 Second Street N.W.

The event on July 11 fed 622 homeless people and focused on health by providing mostly fruits and vegetables from Capital Area Food Bank and Martha’s Table.

Mayor Bowser, cabinet members, and and city council members hold a press conference to highlight minimum wage hike.

PHOTO BY REGINALD BLACK

What Does it Take to End Poverty?

By Reginald Black, Vendor, “Da Street Reportin’ Artist”

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES COLLECTION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

ILLUSTRATION BY CHRIS SHAW

to guarantee every person an emergency bed in the city) and the dissolution of his long time relationship with a fellow activist, Carol Fennelly, those close to Snyder believed he would bounce back. His suicide was a shock to all that knew him.

Donald Page, Treasurer and Director of the Administrate Offices at CCNV, stated that CCNV did not commemorate Snyder’s death, and that people who knew him believe that is how he would have wanted it.

Though CCNV did not commemorate Snyder’s death, on July 11, Pep Rally for Peace in the Streets (PRPIS) held the 10th annual Feed the Homeless Community Awareness Day in memory of Snyder.

“Needless to say, I’ve been inspired myself by Mitch Snyder and the work he did,” Garry Clark Sr., CEO and co-founder of PRPIS, said.

PHOTO BY MARK THAYER

The July 1 increase of the District’s minimum wage raised the annual gross salary of full-time workers earning minimum wage to roughly $21,000 per year.

“I am committed to fighting for policies that create pathways to the middle class for District residents. Raising the minimum wage will give tens of thousands of Washingtonians a raise and boost the bottom lines of our local businesses. It’s good for workers, businesses and our economy,” Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a press conference held the day of the increase.

The mayor vowed that her administration will hold all employers accountable. She stated that D.C. is a prosperous city, and should focus on greater opportunities.

Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity Courtney Snowden said that the wage increases that began in 2013 have led to a $4,000 difference in annual income for workers on minimum wage.

“D.C. is sending a clear message to all of our wage earners. Our team is working on the front-lines of greater economic opportunities in all eight wards,” Snowden said.

Deputy Mayor Snowden also held an “open housing” event in Southeast D.C. that day, where various agencies presented what services are available for those in need.

What remains to be seen is if these changes will have a substantial effect on impoverished communities.

City agencies at July 1 Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity open house.

PHOTO BY REGINALD BLACK

OPINION:

Kommunity Festival A Step in the Right Direction for Chocolate City

By Reginald Black Vendor, “Da Street Reportin’ Artist” Every year a former member of People for Fairness Coalition (PFC) holds an event called the Kommunity Festival, a festival that highlights connections in Washington, D.C. and includes youth and various organizations. The 2-day festival that follows the July 4 holiday is one of the last local events hosted by the African American community. This year featured some of Street Sense’s own, Focus Attitude Commitment to Excellence (FACE) members. The vendor advo-cates read poetry and some of the group agreed to be interviewed for an independent documen-tary that two members of PFC are working on.

Ron Dudley, a Street Sense vendor, was one of those willing to share his take on housing. Dud-ley, who has been facing housing instability for a year, said, “Everyday, I survive. Before owning a home, I would like to have a home.”

Dudley hails from the Valley Green public housing complex in Southeast, a development that was torn down because of decrepit conditions. Dudley does not know what happened to every-one he knew at Valley Green, but he stays optimistic about his own chances to obtain housing.

Dudley felt that he was scammed before becoming homeless via subleasing a unit.

He said that he learned that depending on the terms of a lease, subletting may be illegal in the District of Co-lumbia.

“I learned that the hard way,” he said.

Dudley feels the city should have rent control laws to make a level playing field.

In a sense, Dud-ley wishes to see all obtain safe and affordable housing. Washington has been described as a rapidly regenerating region and a festival like the Kommunity Festival is the perfect way Wash-ington can maintain its identity as Chocolate City.

Photos by Ken Martin.

STREET SENSE July 15 - 28, 2015

Times Square Cup Plays for NYC Homeless Youth Photos and Story by Sabrina Caserta Volunteer Soccer and homelessness intersected in the heart of Manhattan when Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) hosted their third annual Times Square Cup on Sunday, July 12.

SSUSA, a national nonprofit, has been utilizing sports development as a tool for social change since it was founded in 2009. Through soccer, mentors teach life and job skills to homeless and at-risk youth in 16 cities across the country.

“It’s a serious thing, we saw the benefit of it. We found out that sports are an effective tool to really help people.

It’s crazy that we don’t use it more, it’s such a developmental tool,” said Lawrence Cann, a co-founder of SSUSA. “But today is about New York City. We want to raise awareness and expand the program around New York.”

With approximately 22,000 homeless youths living in the five boroughs of New York City, SSUSA has programs at several locations in Brooklyn. They are planning an expansion into Harlem and parts of the Bronx.

Nationwide, SSUSA has served roughly 3,000 youths, and according to Cann, they have seen a tremendous percent of improvement in the kids that participate whether it be progress in their emotional or physical health, social networking, ability to trust others or even education and test scores.

“This is what happens when you combine mentoring and soccer,” Cann said. “It makes me feel like we’re on the right track.”

In addition to the attention the kids receive, SSUSA hosts a plethora of sporting events throughout the country to garner funds and promote awareness.

The third annual Times Square Cup drew in 125,000 spectators, a record number, and 32 teams—hailing from Brazil, Mexico, Italy and cities across the country —to compete in two pop-up stadiums at the all-day series.

Teams were fitted with UNIQLO uniforms and each jersey featured words like ‘change,’ ‘character,’ ‘strength,’ ‘dignity,’ ‘support’ and ‘unity,’ which was a way to showcase the tournament’s hashtag, #IPlayFor, and what it represents.

“This is so important to me because it’s my outlet. Playing soccer is a way to be at peace,” said Mark Walker, the dedicated leader of a team that travelled up from Philadelphia.

Chronically homeless for over two years, Walker has been a part of SSUSA for that time and is now receiving permanent supportive housing.

“It’s not just about soccer, it’s about life skills,” Walker said. “Soccer taught me patience. It taught me to stand up on my own two feet, to be strong.”

COVER STORY

9

COMICS & GAMES

THE LEGAL BEAT: Living the Dream

By Tim Farrell, Volunteer

PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACH DISCHNER/FLICKR

So, I am a recent arrival to our nation’s capital. A wonderful move for me, but not without its challenges. As a baby lawyer, I had always heard about the long hours most young associates at big firms in big cities had to put in. But I only met a few — probably because they were too busy.

After practicing at a small Cleveland maritime boutique for a few years, I chose to live in the idyllic resort town of Hood River, Oregon. The employees at our local brewery (Full Sail) wore staff shirts with the phrase “Living the Dream” under the logo.

My schedule depended on the seasons. During the spring and fall, I would mountain bike on the Post Canyon trail system. In the winter, I would start my day with first tracks up on Mt. Hood, where each night we would get about six inches of fresh powder. On epic days, we would give children skipping school first chair; “we” being the enabling professionals in town living the dream and doing our best to encourage the next generation that there was more to life than work. In the summers, I would schedule my appearances in the morning before rigging my windsurfer for the nuclear winds that would pick up in the.

The cost of living was much less than in the District. When my house sitting gig here ended, I came to understand that the District is not the friendliest place for those wanting to live the dream of hard work and hard play.

Having just started my first temporary job in the District, my property manager

offered to let me use my previous year's tax returns instead of providing my most recent pay stubs - a generous offer. But the tax returns of an attorney and political activist living the dream in the Wild West came nowhere near my property management company's income threshold.

As anyone who is familiar with the Windows operating system knows however, sometimes you have to be a little bit tricky to get things to go your way. The management company required stubs from two pay periods. Fearing this meant bi-weekly or monthly proof of employment, I was looking at two months of living back in the hostel while I got the required documentation. Fortunately, my agency paid me every week. After two weeks, I had the stubs required, which were dutifully accepted and I was in. No more communal living.

Now that is living the dream for someone without a place to live.

So, do not be discouraged by any insurmountable hurdles to housing. Ask questions and bold. After all, the landlord needs to fill the unit.

That being said - 30 percent of one's net income is considered a reasonable budget for rent. But as a temporary employee, there are no civil service protections, no union steward, no guaranteed severance, no notice of termination... nothing. What happens when a project ends? What happens if it takes a while to get another project? A week or two off could mean that 50 percent, 70 percent

or even 100 percent of my income must go to rent, making living in the District completely unaffordable. Yet that is the status of thousands of young professionals and others employed on a temporary basis in the District. We are all only a few short weeks away from eviction notices.

The stress, relative to that of a country lawyer, is off the charts. Now I get it But is that the way it has to be?

There won't be much windsurfing or for me, but that's okay. No one can take away my ability to sail in double mast high waves. Besides, I've got more important things to accomplish. But what about the artists and the musicians? And what about those without the blessings that have been bestowed upon me? What about the handicapped or those who have been discriminated against as a class? Do we want to live in a society where not everyone is allowed to live their dream in the District?

Recently, the Supreme Court came down with a significant housing opinion.

In the coming months I would like to share with you what our Constitution guarantees and why there is hope for those who still need a place to live. There is hope. We can all achieve our dreams. The law will enable us to do it, we just have to know what it is and work it.

Tim Farrell is a member of the D.C. Bar Association along with the bars of Ohio, Oregon, Washington, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

STREET SENSE July 15 - 28, 2015

MOVING UP: Starting a Business May be the Best Way To Get a Job

11

OPINION

By Arthur Johnson, Volunteer

The national job market has been improving for many. Unemployment is down to 5.3 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s nearly half of what it was at this time in 2010. But plenty more people are still struggling to recover. Some are unemployed, others are working for substantially less than before the recession. And the unemployment rate does not include able-bodied persons in the prison system.

So why not start a small business? There are many advantages to starting a business if you have been having difficulty finding work. Who exactly will benefit from starting a business?

1. The long term unemployed. If you are one of these people, starting a business may be the best option available for several reasons. The first is that it immediately makes you employed.

This is a requirement of some companies (although several states have passed laws banning ads that require job seekers to be presently employed) and it also allows you to list your selfemployment when you apply for jobs.

This has been one of the hardest hit groups of people. One big issue has been a strong resistance by employers to hire people who have been unemployed for longer than six months.

There are various reasons as to why employers would do this but the most

common ones revolve around the belief that a long term unemployed person has not stayed current with the skills to do the job or that that a person who has let go and not been hired by another company must have something wrong with them.

2. People with criminal records, particularly felons or recently incarcerated.

Many states have passed a “ban the box” law which removes the check box from job applications that asks if applicants have a criminal background.

But the question can still comes up in an interviews, and many companies still run criminal background checks Another issue is that many positions cross legal boundaries that bar a person from seeking employment in certain professions based on the crime they were convicted of (crimes against women or children for example) If you can find an area where your skills and job responsibilities will not be affected or have anything to do with what you served time for, you should be able to use a small business to give yourself the second chance the you are aiming for.

3. Young people, particularly those in the inner cities. Many young people have been struggling in this brutal job market and face the toughest competition.

Youth are now competing with experienced out-of-work professionals for

jobs where they used to have the opportunity to gain the skills to become successful. Starting a small business especially can help youth because it will give them some money, give them the opportunity to gain experience, and more importantly confidence, which disappears fast when faced with a discouraging job market that allows employers to be as picky as they desire when hiring new employees.

The big thing to remember is that the small business should be something that you need almost no money to begin. Young people can start a small summer business doing things like lawn mowing that requires only a mower to get started. One good thing for youth is they have the social media savvy and experience to use sites like Facebook to market and promote a business and gain customers.

a devout follower of Christ. I grew up in an era where men and women had no desire to use each other’s restrooms. I didn't think gender neutral bath-rooms would be the next ideological crusade for leftists. I was wrong.

I thought I was tolerant of the same sex lifestyle, but I believe many are narcissists. I don't care if they get married.

However, I have legitimate concerns I’m not comfortable with. I don’t like the fact that gay people link their cause to the Civil Rights Movement. I can't hide the fact I am black, but gay people can go in the closet to hide their sexual preference.

I disapprove of kids being taught that the alternative lifestyle is comparable to traditional sex. Nor do I approve of sharing a locker with Chaz Bono or Caitlyn Jenner.

I’m not anti-gay; I’m just being honest.

I have many gay supporters that read my columns. I think Log Cabin Republicans and Gay Libertarians are wonderful. I don't oppose gay Republicans, what I repudiate are gay activists that want to push their way of life on others. I treat the alternate lifestyle like smoking cigarettes; as long as it's not blown in my face, I don't care what you do.

I didn't feel my viewpoint is out of line.

It represents many religious and moral communities. I be-lieve the alternate lifestyle is driven by a few elites in Hollywood and New York who control the media as well as the press. They are trying to indoctrinate children by teaching them that exper-imenting and engaging in all kinds of sexual mores is natural and progressive.

Because of the oversexed sexual mores of the left, our nation is morally rotting at the seams. We are going to go the way of the Greeks and Romans. The definition of marriage is America’s most pressing issue. Defining marriage is more important than the economy or jobs. This should be debated before Congress, not tried before unelected officials.

The LGBT, Q and whatever alphabet they want to add are as fringe as they get. They don't speak or represent everyone in the gay community. Their agenda is to shred the Constitution and label anyone that disagrees with them as hate mongers, so they can impose their version of social justice.

That is why we need to end political correctness; it doesn't encourage conversations, it ends them. The minute you break from liberal orthodoxy, you will

If you are one of the long term unemployed or recently incarcerated, look at your skill sets and see what you can offer potential customers. Those who have been unemployed for a while would be wise to make sure there are no clauses in your previous employment contracts barring you from soliciting past clients.

There are options for people in all three of these categories to obtain money to start a business: from traditional sources such as grants and bank loans, to options like "microloans" for smaller amounts - available from kiva.org and the Small Business Administration.

In the next issue I will have detailed information on where to file the paperwork for starting a business and more on microloans. Questions and comments may be sent to ajohnson@streetsense.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIAN WILKINS/FLICKR

I Agree to Disagree

By Jeffery McNeil, Vendor

There’s a segment of society that walks around feeling victimized and violated.

They view Amer-ica as a racist imperialist country. You can't win with that crowd; they have an insatiable need to feel wounded. If you compliment them they will accuse you of harassment, if you slight them they feel aggrieved, if you become annoyed and show anger, they’re convinced you're an incor-rigible racist and they will boycott your business, file lawsuits, or demand you be fired.

A few months ago the ‘Politically Correct” police tried to condemn me because I mockingly joked about gender neutral bathrooms. Although I wasn't personally attacking transgender peo-ple, I was critical about the cause. However, because a few are emotionally invested, they be-came offended and tried to pick my arguments apart. The LGBTQ community denounced me as if I were a radical Imam delivering an anti-gay message on the streets of Baghdad. They went through all sorts of histrionics showing shock and outrage condemning my remarks as over the top and suggesting my voice be silenced.

I meant no harm by my comments. I’m

encounter all kinds of condemna-tions, rebuttals and insults.

Political correctness doesn't eliminate hate; it allows it to go underground. Suppressing someone's thoughts and behavior creates Dylan Wolf--the man that killed nine people in South Carolina. Had he had a platform to express his vitriol and bigotry, someone could have saved him and maybe prevented innocent people from being murdered.

I have more respect for Ted Cruz or Donald Trump that honestly express their opinions than these milquetoast politicians that don't take any controversial positions because they don't want to offend a special interest.

We need to take the gloves off, end political correctness and say what's on our minds instead of carefully not offending people because we don't want to be classified as bigots.

We do need to have a raw honest dialog but it needs to be raw and honest, where someone can say what he really thinks without worrying about being sued or fired because the PC police want to silence those that disagree with them.

The Street Sense Writers’ Group is led by writing professionals and meets every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. The group’s goal is to develop ideas and collaborate on the next great issue of Street Sense.

I am TIRED.

By Ken Martin Vendor I'm tired. So very tired. Tired of being in this mess. Tired of people telling me about all my entitlements--things the government "gives" me--when in fact I earned them. Tired of being treated like I'm a bum--a drunken bum at that--looking for a handout.

Fairness Is Rising

By Robert Warren Vendor

A day to celebrate A time to congratulate.

The people who believe more fairness In housing is needed.

Housing is a human right.

We truly believe People shouldn’t have to live on the streets.

For years, every day we shed new tears For those who died because of the lie That there is no housing fairness.

For seven years we have been doing what we do: Fighting for the right housing For the mother and child.

The old person who should know the price Of housing and a home and a home Will not leave them alone To die in a shelter bed It’s not right.

The mentally ill, the sick and the poor People for fairness, say no more. No more.

Leaving our elderly on the streets And in shelters to die.

No more young families Asking why no housing me us.

I was born in D.C. We were no more people.

Living year-in and year-out without a house No more stadiums b3eing built While the people’s spirits Are being killed Housing in my home town, Only housing for the rich People for Fairness Will keep advocating Fairness is Rising.

Robert Warren is a co-founder of the People for Fairness Coalition, which celebrated seven years of advocacy on behalf of D.C.’s homeless community last month.

In my healthy days, I paid taxes and worked days, nights, and weekends as a volunteer to build the "community chesty" at the D.C. Public Library--a chest from which much was stolen by the "already haves" leaving little for the have-nots. And there are those in times of poor health who often contribute more than younger and stronger fellow citizens.

You know what else? Insinuating that I ask too much from taxpayers taxes me!

Stop the Racism and the Hate

By Angie Whitehurst Vendor “Come 2 Jesus for a heart 2 heart “, commanded Ken Burns, of civil rights history and film documentary fame.

Even though the Civil War is over, residual ashes remain, held by many on all sides without shame.

What still simmers is the nostalgia. For diluted, watered down memories and folklore.

This is [not} America today and we will not go back. We are one nation with one flag.

The period of reconciliation and reunification occurred 150 years ago.

So keep your flag but lose the racism, hate, and false motivation to act out.

And do not defy the consensus that there is only one USA, which is eternal, Building a more perfect union for all its people.

For more on residual ashes of the Civil War, see page 16.

Angels Watch Me

By Ron Dudley Vendor Rest in peace Keith, rest in peace Tim, rest in peace Mr. Snipes, may God bless their life. My pops just had a stroke, my favorite auntie must go through Chemo, my cousin is back in jail, my life’s a living Hell!

I’m about to get ‘put out”, tired of the same old rout. I found my roommate dead, that stuff messed up my head and now it’s Bernie Mac. I wish laughter could

bring him back and Shawn Taylor – we never got a chance to tell ya we love ya, in 21 ways. We will be thinkin’ of ya and grievin’ every season.

Man they got me preachin’! Momma Asante keep telling me to go to church, put God first and the Lord’ll get you through the worst. I try not to cry, but the night I felt my mother die, my lil’ sister askin’ – “why, mommy go bye”? I tell her a lie, cause the truth is just too much to bear, can’t tell her why, cause the truth is just too much to share.

STREET SENSE July 15 - 28, 2015

13

VENDOR WRITING

By Chris Shaw, “Cowboy Poet” Episode 37

A DREAM OF A DIGRESSION, DOGGONE IT! Billy, still in his funky black Stetson, materialized, with Macedonia and Al K. Hall in tow, in the back of a huge clutch of Reception attendees in the Southern states Caucus Room of the Senate wing of the Capitol.

Comically, Skipper greeted the little, scrunched up old guy in the raincoatAl, of course-- before greet-ing her prospective spouse to be, that is Billy. “Al! Where’s Yaller! Where is that rascally Dog of yours!” She bent over and gave the startled Al a sweet embrace.

“Aw, Miss Skipper, They got my DAWG in the Cap’tul KENNEL__” “That is just where my dastardly EX should be stashed..And Billy, Macedonia, what a delight! Have some pate...”

“I likes some Moose, please,” Macedonia chimed in eagerly.

Billy grabbed a huge silver-encrusted ladle full of the puffy chocolate confection and proffered it be-fore the stocky lady church warden. “MOUSSE, as in MO-U-s---” “A Mouse!! Quit that, Billy--” Then, Macedonia inhaled the rich dessert concoction, and stumbled off into the crush, leaving Billy and Skipper alone for the nonce.

“So you’re an investitured DEACON, now, Mr. Luck--” Billy squeezed her triumphantly, about the waist. “That would be REVEREND Billy Luck,” he chuckled. “But look. I know a place where we can canoodle- or at least make a few signif’cant plans!”

Skipper wheeled about, casting helpless glances to the wide-eyed young pair of women from Memphis, and a gangly buck from Gatlinburg who were the bulk of her brand new staff.

“Fannie, and yum, the rest of you all, c-Could I have a little Quality Time with this here, Mister Rever-end Luck, do you mind?” (‘Why, sure, Senator Skipper,’ they chattered all at once.)

Now we cut to the big old Aquarium, where we find Billy and Skipper entwined passionately before the massive glass picture window shielding Big Moze, the 15foot Mississippi River Mud Cat fish, from the general public-- were there any such besides Skipper and Billy about.

Meanwhile, Annie and Clyde Frothwick were busily engaged in dumping bags of canned food, boxes of cereal, and bundles of clothes and bedding before Macedonia at the Mission of last resort, up by Fourth and New York Avenue. Macedonia was busy pulling down the scads of yellow POLICE CRIME SCENE tape left by Captain Quint of DC Vice Squad, though he had now thankfully split! With her meaty calico-clad arms, Macedonia beckoned the visitors in to the back kitchen for a quick tasty bite of chili con carne. “My recipe, so you had better ENJOY it!” Anne gasped noticeably, as they glommed onto the small red Admiral B & W TV screen. “That’s my old beau, Willie Luck- hooked up with that fan-cy pants Lady Senator from Tennessee!”

In their bed at the Willard hotel, Billy and Skipper murmured softly, regarding the party they would be launching this time Saturday at Laurel Race Course for Macedonia and Sergeant Carlille and the Mission “Flock” of congregants. “I think I can round up the O’Neal twins to sing after the Big Race,” Skipper cried out with a lusty laugh.

(Next issue: Our Concluding Chapter, A Cadillac Celebration of Life and Luck!)

AFTER KATRINA: A Ten-Year Roller Coaster, Part 4

By Gerald Anderson, Vendor

PREVIOUSLY: Me and my new friend met a lady who take us to her dealer. We cop crack cocaine for me and heroin for my homeboy, and we went by her friend apartment in the ghetto. My homeboy went to the bathroom. He come out buck naked and crazy high. I took a hit of my crack cocaine and felt I was in a whole new world. All the pressure and drama was gone. It was like my first time gettin’ high again. We got ourself together and headed back to the Armory where we stayin’. They had a lot of police cars there, and the high had me thinkin’ they was waitin’ for me. With me not bein’ affected with drugs for a few weeks, the crack cocaine hit me strong...

We had told the doughboy—the dealer— where we was stayin’ and after that, guys start comin’ by the Armory in nice-lookin’ cars, tryin’ to meet some South girls.

One day I be sittin’ outside with my homegirl Cheryl and her friends. This guy drive by, blowin’ his horn at them. He act like he tryin’ to help them, but he and the others, they trying to take the girls to they house for overnight stay and flirt.

Some of the women didn’t even know what was goin’ on and couldn’t be bothered. They for sure don’t want to date him. But some of my homegirls fall for the okeydoke.

Cheryl say, “I’m worryin’ about gettin’ myself a place to stay. I’ll throw a brick at that car if he bother me again.” I know she would do it. I was glad he didn’t pass back.

I told her, “Let’s go inside.”

One of my homeboys, we used to sit on the cot bed and talk in the dark before going to sleep. One night he went out in the hood and copped some drugs, like embalming fluid, what they put in people bodies when they die. It mess up the head.

Cheryl come and tell me he in the bathroom, seein’ things, hollerin’ and screaming. That junk have you thinkin’ you could fly.

With having drugs on me, I didn’t want to go near that. We had a lot of security there.

They took him to the hospital. After he came out, I ask, man what did you smoke?

He say nothing and I say man you don’t lie to me—we both from New Orleans.

One inmate I knew from prison in Angola be full of that stuff one time and threw kids from the fourth floor of the project building. Them kids died. The project people beat him, and he end up with only one eye from the worst whoopin’ he got in his life.

Now, at the Armory, counselors started comin' around with lists of names of people about to be moved to hotel rooms. My name be on the list. They took us in a van to TraveLodge.

Every Tuesday and Thursday they take us from the hotel to some big ol’ church.

It like a store in the basement of the church where you can shop with a voucher. We buy clothes, cereal boxes, milk, ham-burger, cheese, hot dog sandwich, and fruits. In the hotel room, I had a microwave and a little refriger-ator.

A week or two later they give us gift cards with $395 and take us over the bridge to Walmart. We did 90-minute speed shopping. We come to find out the football player LaVar Arrington, number 56 for the Redskins, had give us that. He was there and I shook his hand. His hand make three of my hands.

I got a Saints Starter jacket, just like the one a friend in New Orleans got killed for.

That kind of killin’ happen a lot where I’m from, like what happened to my cousin. (to be continued)

“How a felony can ruin your life.” Luckily, I do not have one. I get a lot of ideas for my next piece while I am writing the current piece.

When I get an idea drought, I feel horrible. I’ll spend time in book stores looking for that next great idea. I spend a lot of time thinking about articles I like to write. Sometimes I’ll visit the “Newseum” and have an epiphany.

Whilst freelancing for Street Sense, I look for new studies, new findings, current events recently released books and movies, upcoming events and seasons of the year. One thing I am glad of is that at Street Sense, I am not on the mailing lists

of any agencies. I think my editor goes to idea meetings where they plan themes for the coming issue. Responses or lack thereof can, but I take it in stride, I might say “oh well, I didn’t make this issue, maybe I’ll make the next issue or be in the online section or portion.” Two things stand out; under reporting and over writ-ing.

Interviews or stuff like that. I like to structure my articles, most important information first, unimportant details later.

I am always elated after handing in an article, because it goes through different workers, and editors and interns. So, in closing, freelancing for Street Sense is the best eight year work experience I’ve had.

Freelancing (for Street Sense), Part 2

By Moyo Onibuje, Vendor

Although in England, I am a member of the “British Business Technical Council” (I have a diploma from them), I simply write for Street Sense. Querying occupies a lot of my time. And early evening is the best time to write. I have lunch on the go and I am always looking at a cal-endar. It is my dream to get a full time job. Freelancing for me is a full time job because I am always thinking about Street Sense. I have good relationships with the staff there.

Sometimes I think of an extremely broad subject to tackle, or something that everyone wants to read. To be successful I have to know the topic, sources, and content. I have discov-ered that you are what

you read. I always try to raise questions in my mind about what I have read, and answer them. I also look at what I have studied in school and the areas in which I have the most experience.

At the end of the day, I think about the last 24 hours, the conversations I’ve had and the conversations I overheard, the things I saw, and the things that raised questions. Only the other day, I overheard a group of guys on the bench talking about Criminal Felonies. One shouted, “I had my first felony when I was 14,” the other shouted “I had my first felony at 18.” The story to be developed here is; “how young do you have to be to catch a felony?” or

We Are All One

Submitted on behafl of “Natural” by vendor Chon Gottie We are all one including you and everyone you do and don't know we are the essence of all in all of the cosmos we are the spirit, when we know thyself we grow into our higher self from the low We are love incarnated into this flesh you call the human form we are all a unique piece to the puzzle, so theirs know need to be the norm since there's so many of us trying to be the same, the puzzle is now deformed in competition with lack of self-love always devastated in mourn.

We are nature, the forest, the garden and the crops we are the water that flows from the mountain tops we are the wind that blows constantly and never stops we are everything that exist, the soil, the crystals and the rocks.

We are the grass, trees and the sea's we are everything you can think of in your wildest dreams we are star dust in this realm that has taken form of a human for all eyes to see we are everything and nothing and all that will ever be

A Tribute to My Father: Part III

By Sybil Taylor Vendor The evening before he died, which was on a Thursday, i felt him. His ribs were showing. He couldn’t talk. He did not want to exercise because he was too sick and weak. I went to the bath-room and cried while my mother and Bridgette, my sister, also cried, hoping not to lose dad any-time soon. All he had was an ensure drink along with water. We took care of him the best way we could. I gave a kiss to him on his forehead. Mom and Bridgette watched him, and allowed him to rest. All that day, they kept a 24 hour watch on him. I had left. He had just got a full supply of morphine along with his meds and more diapers. His room was fixed up like a hospital room, where he received the best love and care. I told him, “I love you day, always!”

Around 10:41 A.M., my father passed away on Friday. My mother and sister were doing their daily duties. I was on the way over. It was snow all on the ground. I called mom and told her I was coming over. She was busy with dad around 7:00 A.M., he was alive then. Mom said that we was facing the wall, he was in a lot of pain. So he

rested up until 10:30. Bridgette fixed dad breakfast, and then my older sister came over. When mom went upstairs she noticed that he was not moving. His eyes were wide open, and saliva dripped down from his mouth. My other sister came to check on him. “Call 911.” They tried to stand him up. He did not respond. They laid him back in the bed. My sisters cried. My dad’s doctor came along with the ambulance team. They checked his pulse and heartbeat. They said he was pronounced dead.

My mother’s heart dropped, along with my two sisters. They were both in shocked about the lost. My sister called me and told me he had passed away. I cried and cried, I felt very very sick. My mother also got sick and cried and cried, “My husband is gone.” Around 2:00 P.M. the morgue from Pope’s Funeral home arrived and they took his clothes off and wrapped him in a white sheet. Then they put him in a black bag that zipped up to cover his body. They carried him out of the bed, down to the living room, and carried him outside. (to be continued)

What I Love About Summer

By Evelyn Nnam Vendor Summer, Summer, oh how I love Summer! It’s a wonderful season to enjoy. Tees, shorts and sandals are all I see around me. Jackets and thick sweatshirts are no more. It’s that time when we can eat ice cream and drink ice-cold Slurpees. Parties and cook-outs abound: sweet smelling aromas of ribs, grilled burgers, hot dogs and chicken.

Summer to me is a tasty and relaxing season because school is out and many are taking vacations from work. Everyday feels as warm as 95 degrees, we must cooling our-selves from the sun - even go swimming at a pool. Bugs are summer’s best friends. They wait for peo-ple to mingle and enjoy the outdoors until Winter comes along. Summer is a time for hanging out and reconciling with friends and family. I really don’t want Summer to end, but that’s just the way it goes. We should enjoy it while we can, before Autumn hits.

God is everywhere including in all humans which is mathematically placed we are the essence that exist and the space we are the spirit, not the religion, class, gender or race we are perfect whole and complete and could never be replaced we are unique expressions of GOD who has descended to Earth and now has a face.

c=mb2: To My Dear Beloved Supporters...

By Cynthia Mewborn, Vendor

I wish that today, tomorrow and beyond will be extra special for you…

A Poem: From This Day Forth

A Letter

From this day fourth, every day for you, will be beautiful, and every sunny day will be gentle for you and every stormy day will be gentle for you, and every cold day will be gentle for you and rainy day will be gentle for you, and every chaotic day will be gentle for you, for I have asked my Father in Heaven the God of Israel to allow his angels to always protected you and let no harm or danger hurt you in this life and that my God will allow all of your days and your nights to be peaceful and beautiful. Today is for you and tomorrow will be for you because you are the individuals that take the time to help me through a very sorrowful experience and ease my pain and walk with me through my toughest days and nights and not once did you turn away from me but stood by me as a shelter from the rain, snow, hail, storms, heat, hurt and pain. For I was the Samaritan “You shall Love the Lord God with all your heart, with all of your soul and with all strength with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself” and you helped me unequivocally and for that I consider each and every one of you a distinct neighbor too me. From this day forth, I will never forget your Biblical Neighborly kind-ness and genuine support towards me. May the God of Israel bless your entire families and you from this day forth with peace, kindness, joy, love and long life.

I would like to express my sincere deepest gratitude toward you for your many years of support; prior, during and while I presently recover from the most hectic experience I’ve ever been through in my entire life. There are no words in which I can convey my sin-cere appreciation for all of your warm conversation, laughter, waves, encouragement, invites, hugs, handshakes, prayers and so much more from families, children, teenag-ers, seniors, disabled individuals, business professionals and dogs. To each and every one of you, I will never forget what you did have done for me and you will always have a very special place in my heart for eternity and beyond... It’s not every day when you run across people who have such kindness and compassion toward their fellow hu-man beings’ and I know for that reason I was extremely blessed because every single one of you demonstrated these characteristic traits toward me and so much more. Compassion is just one key element in the totality of Love where hate, prejudice, cruel-ty, bitterness, anger, rage, pride, evilness are shattered and have no place in Love.

Compassion allows oneself in putting aside their own temporary desires for a greater need that requires selflessness for someone else other than yourself, your selfless ef-forts toward me are acknowledged to the highest esteem in heavenly places.

Thank you so much!

Your neighbor, Cynthia

15

STREET SENSE July 15 - 28, 2015

COMMUNITY SERVICES Housing/Shelter

Food

Clothing

Showers

Outreach

Medical/Healthcare

Transportation

Laundry

Education

Employment Assistance

Legal Assistance

Academy of Hope: 269-6623 601 Edgewood St, NE aohdc.org

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

Community of Hope: 232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

Jobs Have Priority: 544-9128 425 Snd St, NW jobshavepriority.org

Covenant House Washington: 610-9600 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE covenanthousedc.org

John Young Center: 639-8569 119 D Street, NW

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

Calvary Women’s Services: 678-2341 1217 Good Hope Road, SE calvaryservices.org

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

Catholic Charities: 772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

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

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

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

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

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

Community Family Life Services: 347-0511 | 305 E St, NW cflsdc.org

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

Foundry Methodist Church: 332-4010 1500 16th St, NW foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities ID (FRIDAY 9-12 ONLY)

My Sister’s Place: 529-5991 (24-hour hotline) mysistersplacedc.org

N Street Village: 939-2060 1333 N Street, NW nstreetvillage.org

New York Ave Shelter: 832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave, NE

Open Door Shelter: 639-8093 425 2nd St, NW newhopeministriesdc.org/id3.html

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

Gospel Rescue Ministries: 842-1731 810 5th St, NW grm.org

CELEBRATING SUCCESS!

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

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

Samaritan Ministries: 1516 Hamilton Street NW | 722-2280 1345 U Street SE | 889-7702 samaritanministry.org

Sasha Bruce Youthwork: 675-9340 741 8th St, SE sashabruce.org

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

St. Luke’s Mission Center: 333-4949 3655 Calvert St. NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

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

Unity Health Care: 745-4300 3020 14th St, NW unityhealthcare.org

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

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

My Miracle Trip

By Elizabeth Bryant Vendor My name is Elizabeth Bryant and I have been sober off alcohol and drugs for 8 years and 6 months. My AA group is going to Atlanta, Georgia for a week. I didn’t have money to catch a train or bus, but now I have a ride. I really look forward to it because I like to get away. Life on life’s terms is very stressful. I look forward to spending time with friends, going shopping and to a meeting.

My leg started to bother me. I have arthritis in my right legs, but it’s worse in my left one. I really look forward to getting away. I leave on July 2 at 6 am. It takes about ten hours. I want to get a camera and take pictures. We are staying at a hotel and will go swimming to help our bones.

VENDOR PROFILE: DEANA ELDER

LAST WORD: MY SOUTHERN INDOCTRINATION

By Ashley Strange, Editorial Intern

Street Sense vendor Deana Elder is a student at Montgomery College studying social work and men-tal health. She’ll graduate from Montgomery College on January 3, 2016, and plans to enroll next spring at George Mason University in their Social Work program.

Deana said school has been “the hardest, most fulfilling experience [she’s] ever had” and that “alt-hough it’s hard, it’s exciting and fun at the same time.”

She welcomes the challenge.

Her plan for after graduation is have a practice that utilizes both psychotropic and natural remedies of healing. “I want to give people the opportunity to receive those methods of assistance,” Deana said. She hopes that her work will be beneficial to everyone having mental health issues.

Deana said she was drawn to this field of study because of her family history with mental health issues, and a desire to learn how to help her daughter and many others in her community.

By Charles McCain, Volunteer

Deanna said her own mental health issues have at times lead her to make poor decisions such as over-spending and using drugs. Becoming homeless was a consequence of these decisions.

Meditation was the coping skill Deana developed to deal with her feelings of mental discomfort, and she has found that when she meditates, her stress is reduced. She likes to take spa baths as an-other way to reduce her stress.

Deana is not homeless anymore and she now devotes her time, when not at school, to her art. She experimented with different media and found she has a knack for ceramics. She also likes to paint and sculpt. She said she doesn’t “set out to [sell her art], but for some reason that always happens.”

Intensive planning does not enter into her artistic process. “I just pick up a brush and go,” she said. Deana paints landscapes, flowers birds, and people, though she feels that she needs more practice painting people.

Another thing that brings Deana joy is her dog, which she loves very much, “like a daughter.”

Deana was introduced to Street Sense by vendor Martin Walker. Her most memorable experience while at Street Sense was when she won the Next Step Scholarship award, which she used towards a new laptop for school.

“Street Sense has watched me heal,” Deana said.

Painting by Deana Elder.

July 15 - 28, 2015 • Volume 12 • Issue 18

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC

Washington, DC 20005

Mail To:

Permit #568

Remember, buy only from badged vendors and do not give to those panhandling with one paper.

Interested in a subscription? Go to page 15 for more information.

“This is where my grandfather shot and killed the Yankee soldier trying to rob us,” the retired colonel said, pointing out a bullet hole in the woodwork of his entry hall.

All of us were local Boy Scouts who had come to view this proud exhibit of local resistance to Union soldiers. It was 1970. I was fifteen. We were learning the Southern narrative of the Confederacy and looked on the bullet hole with reverence.

Lest we forget our heritage, a bronze Confederate soldier stood atop a fifty foot limestone plinth on the town square. Above him flapped the Confederate flag. This combination our monument to local men who had given their lives fighting to protect the South from the perfidious Yankees.

In the winter of 1865 Union soldiers had invaded South Carolina, leaving a fifty-mile wide swath of devastation as they cut their way through the state.

Our handful of gallant Confederate cavalrymen nipped at their flanks but could not even slow them down. Plantations, farms, towns and cities in their path were pillaged then burned to the ground, my hometown included. Before crossing into South Carolina from Georgia, the commanding general, William Tecumseh Sherman, had told his men, “We are not fighting armies but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war.”

South Carolina suffered from devastation by Union troops as no other place in the United States ever had — or ever will.

Food supplies seized or destroyed. Plough horses killed and dumped into wells to poison the water. Worst of all, the Union soldiers pulled up railroad tracks, heated them in bonfires, then twisted them around trees which made the rails impossible to salvage or repair. “Sherman’s bowties” they were called. South Carolina’s economy collapsed.

So harsh was the Union’s retribution on the state, which precipitated the Civil War by being the first to secede, that the story of General William Tecumseh Sherman and the atrocities of his men have passed down through generations.

The trauma of the Confederate defeat cut to the bone of the South, especially in my native South Carolina. When the fighting stopped in April 1865 and the Confederacy collapsed, 260,000 white Southern males lay dead. This is an unprecedented casualty rate in American history. Of the dead, 21,000 were South Carolinians, almost one-third of the state’s young men.

How could white Southerners come to an acceptance of the hurricane of violence which had passed over them, leaving a trail of destruction never imagined and a burden of grief heavier than Atlas ever had to lift?

White Southerners had to look for a noble reason to explain why so many of their sons had been sacrificed on the altar of war. That reason could not be the preservation of slavery. But the Civil War was about preserving slavery. And in the South, the institution of slavery had been as brutal, and as violent and as filled with hopelessness as the labor camps of the Soviet gulag or konzentrationslägers of Nazi Germany.

Our Confederate dead, the several hundreds of thousands of our golden youths, could not have perished for such an ignoble cause. So another reason had to be created: the South had fought the Civil War to secure Southern independence from the North. It is this misinformation which forms the foundation of the Myth of the Lost Cause. The constant repetition of this myth constituted my Confederate indoctrination.

What about the 3.5 million blacks held in slavery? How did that number fit into the myth? It didn’t. A lie was created to cover-up this inconvenient fact and the lie was this: only a handful of white Southerners owned slaves. Given that more than a third of Southern households owned slaves (reaching 50 percent in South Carolina and Mississippi) this lie was a whopper. But it was critical. How could our men have died in the cause of preserving slavery if so few of them owned slaves? And the handful of wealthy men who owned slaves hardly owned a total of 3.5 million, an obvious exaggeration by people who despised the South.

When I grew older and left South Carolina to attend college, I started to read deeply into unbiased histories of the Civil War. My Confederate indoctrination slowly began to melt away. I rejected my idolization of the Confederacy, dropped out of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and admitted the truth to myself: the South started the Civil War to preserve the unspeakable evil of black slavery, with South Carolina leading the way.

Only when the Myth of the Lost Cause is finally broken to pieces will white Southerners move past their reverence for the Confederacy. Only then will they accept the reality and moral imperative of African-American equality.

For more on moving past the Civil War, see page 12.