08 18 2021

VOL. 18 ISSUE 29

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The Cover

Will Schick

LEFT: Residents pack to leave Burke and Gompers parks Aug. 15. RIGHT: NPS erected fencing around off-path areas of the parks Aug. 16.

PHOTOS BY MEREDITH ROATEN AND BEN BURGESS

(kstreetphotographydc.com)

The Street Sense Media Story, #MoreThanANewspaper Originally founded as a street newspaper in 2003, Street Sense Media has evolved into a multimedia center using a range of creative platforms to spotlight solutions to homelessness and empower people in need. The men and women who work with us do much more than sell this paper: They use film, photography, theatre, illustration, and more to share their stories with our community.

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EVENTS

// 3

NEWS IN BRIEF HEALTH

UMC drafts budget while hospital finances remain in trouble

PHOTO BY GORDON CHAFFIN

Back to the Books Carnival Saturday, Aug.21 // 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Potomac Gardens Apartments (713 13th Street SE)

The Back to the Books Carnival will provide 150 students in the Potomac Gardens Housing Project Community with school supply giveaways, speech and hearing screenings, haircuts, hair-styling, and wellness stations. More Than a Protest (MTAP) is looking for donations to help supply these students with these back-to-school essentials!

Donate at: tinyurl.com/back-to-books-carnival SATURDAY, AUG. 21

UPDATES ONLINE AT ICH.DC.GOV

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25

Black August Homage Project

D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness Meetings

Low Income Home Energy Assistance State Plan

6 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. Anacostia Arts Center 1231 Good Hope Road SE Series of events throughout August meant to educate and inspire in the spirit of Black August. On August 19, there will be a screening of the 2007 drama “Black August.”

INFO: tinyurl.com/black-august-screening

Strategic Planning Committee Aug 24, 2:30 pm // Webex Strategic Emergency Response & Shelter Operations Committee Aug 25, 1 pm // Webex

Public comment is open on D.C.’s LIHEAP State Plan, which assists eligible homes with heating and cooling bill payment assistance, and weatherization and energy-related home repairs to reduce cost.

Housing Solutions Committee Aug 25, 2 pm // Webex

DETAILS: tinyurl.com/energyassistance-state-plan

***For call-in information and other info, contact: ich.dmhhs@dc.gov.

SEND COMMENTS TO LIHEAP: StatePlan@dc.gov

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United Medical Center (UMC), the only general hospital east of the Anacostia River and the only public hospital in Washington, DC, is developing its first budget since coming under new management in May. Spending details won’t be made public until the D.C. Council votes to authorize the budget plan, but the hospital’s strained financial position could portend significant cuts — potentially impacting the range and quality of care for residents of Wards 7 and 8.

The District government established the UMC’s new fiscal management board last spring in order to curb the facility’s large annual deficits. Since its formation, that board has met multiple times to review general operations and prepare for the hospital’s scheduled closure in 2024.

According to a UMC’s spokesperson, the fiscal management board received and voted to approve an operational budget presented by hospital operating firm Mazars during a closed session of their most recent virtual board meeting on July 28.

She did not comment on when the D.C. Council would consider the plan.

During the meeting’s open session, prior to voting, board members heard from UMC leadership about how the hospital has fared so far this year.

Chief Financial Officer Lillian Chukwuma provided updates on the hospital’s finances, noting that total revenues are 4% lower than budgeted in 2021 while expenses are 7% higher. Though the hospital retained net positive income from operations thanks to a one-time $25 million city subsidy from last spring, revenue from patients has plummeted. UMC’s net patient revenue is 26% lower than budgeted in 2021 so far, and 41% lower than expected in June alone.

“I just worry those numbers keep plummeting, our job gets more difficult,” Wayne Turnage, the deputy mayor for Health and Human Services and member of UMC’s board, said during the meeting.

During the same meeting, Chief Medical Officer Dr. William Strudwick also provided updates regarding COVID-19 vaccinations among hospital staff. Like multiple other hospitals in the District, UMC has not yet formally mandated vaccines among its staff.

Strudwick did give Sept. 30 as a target date for implementing such a requirement while estimating that around 50% of UMC’s staff was already fully vaccinated, however he stressed that the figure was not official and that the hospital’s target date for a mandate was still subject to change.

More information about any reductions at UMC will be made available once the D.C. Council begins considering the board’s financial plan. The date for that vote is currently unknown.

—John Woolley, Editorial Intern Follow more headlines at StreetSenseMedia.org/news

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NEWS

DC Council passes Budget Support Act

BY WILL SCHICK // will@streetsensemedia.org

The D.C. Council capped its deliberations on the fiscal year 2022 budget last week, giving final approval to the Budget Support Act at its virtual legislative meeting on Aug. 10. Councilmembers introduced several amendments at the meeting that sparked discussion over how best to implement policies meant to address housing insecurity and the wealth gap.

The Budget Support Act encompasses the changes to D.C. law needed to implement policies underlying the budget. Although some provisions inserted by the council drew opposition from Mayor Muriel Bowser, she has praised the overall budget as “transformational” and said she intends to sign the legislation.

Here are some highlights: Access to Justice Initiative. Council Chair Phil Mendelson noted that the council is expanding eligibility for the District’s Access to Justice Initiative, which will now provide free legal resources to families making up to 250% of the poverty level. For a family of four, that equates to a combined annual income of $66,250, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Previously, the Access to Justice Initiative served families making up to 200% of the poverty level. Mendelson said he hopes the expanded eligibility will help “provide flexibility to serve more tenants at risk for eviction.” In its earlier budget votes, the council provided $22.6 million for the program, an increase of $10 million over FY 2021.

Department of Buildings. The council incorporated several provisions to facilitate the creation of a new District agency called the Department of Buildings, which will assume responsibility for conducting building inspections from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA). It’s the latest chapter in a long-running dispute between the executive and legislative branches over the idea: Bowser has long argued against splitting up the agency, but Mendelson has advocated the change amid ongoing complaints about DCRA’s performance on housing issues.

The council overrode a mayoral veto of the authorizing legislation earlier this year, but the mayor did not fund the new agency in her initial budget. The council’s approved budget includes an extra $11.7 million for implementation of the Department of Buildings Establishment Act, and the Budget Support Act authorizes reallocation of the DCRA budget as necessary to create the Department of Buildings, with the rest available to the renamed Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. The council’s latest version sets an implementation date of Oct. 1, 2022.

A basic income through the earned income tax credit.

Among the amendments approved at last week’s meeting was one introduced by Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen to raise the amount low-income families can expect to receive through adjustments made to the District’s earned income tax credit (EITC). The amendment incrementally increases the amount of the federal credit that the District will match from 40% at present to 100% by 2026. A previous version

of the proposed policy would have increased the match to 55% of the federal credit, but Allen and Mendelson were able to identify additional funding. Upon implementation, qualifying families will receive their tax refund in monthly installments rather than one lump sum at the end of the tax year, providing them with a steady source of cash throughout the year. Tazra Mitchell, policy director at the D.C. Fiscal Policy Institute, pointed to the changes made to the EITC with this amendment as a significant achievement. “I don’t believe any other state in the nation has a tax credit that’s worth 100% of the federal EITC. This would make D.C.’s EITC the strongest in the nation,” Mitchell said in an interview.

Expanded eligibility for two District business recovery grant programs. An amendment proposed by At-large Councilmember Elissa Silverman will expand the eligibility for two grant programs in fiscal year 2022 to include businesses that opened during the pandemic. A similar provision had already been included for hotels, prompting Silverman to advocate for a more equitable approach in the program available to restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, entertainment venues and retailers to help cover back rent.

Mendelson agreed to the change, which passed unanimously.

An unsuccessful measure sought to implement spending restrictions for the D.C. Housing Authority. The council voted down another amendment from Silverman, which would have reinstituted a rule requiring the D.C. Housing Authority (DCHA) to obtain approval of its board of commissioners to spend in excess of $250,000. Silverman said the Housing Authority regularly fails the families who are in most need of support, particularly by pursuing redevelopment deals that don’t emphasize housing for families earning less than 30% of the median family income.

Silverman said her proposed amendment would ensure greater transparency by requiring the agency’s management to work more extensively with the full board. Mendelson opposed the amendment, citing concerns that reimplementing the restriction would hinder DCHA’s ability to address its backlog of maintenance and repair issues.

The amendment lost on a 5-8 vote.

The council removed a provision authorizing a tax abatement to benefit property owners in the DowntownDC and Golden Triangle business improvement districts. The provision, one of several inserted by Mendelson in his final draft of the Budget Support Act, would have authorized a tax abatement worth a cumulative $140 million over 35 years to property owners that undertake office-to-residential conversions in those two business improvement districts.

Silverman, along with several other councilmembers, faulted the provision’s affordable housing requirement as too lax because it would apply to families earning up to 80% of the area’s median family income. For Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, this wasn’t properly targeted to help those most in need. “The median family income in D.C. at one point was, for a family of four, $121,000 — 80% of that is probably about $96,000,” White said. “And I just don’t think that’s reaching the population we’re intending to reach.”

Mendelson and Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto urged against striking the provision, pointing to what Pinto said is nearly 17 million square feet of vacant downtown space. While Pinto acknowledged the tax abatement would not “solve all of our affordable housing challenges,” she said it could help with creating workforce housing downtown and alleviate some of the negative impacts the pandemic had on property owners. In response to further criticism

about giving tax breaks to projects that could have 80% market-rate units, Pinto said the provisions had been drafted carefully to get buy-in from property owners by making projects financially viable.

Ultimately, the council voted 9-4 to strike the provision.

An amendment by At-large Councilmember Robert White related to the planned development of the McMillan Sand Filtration site on North Capitol Street sparked debate but was voted down. If passed, White’s proposal would have stripped the Budget Support Act of a provision that calls for the McMillan development to move forward, regardless of current ongoing litigation. White argued that intervening even indirectly in a pending legal case would set a dangerous precedent. He said that while he supports the proposed development, the Budget Support Act provision might encourage developers to ask the council to take action in their favor when facing future legal obstacles. “We don’t want to be a body that picks winners and losers,” White said.

“That’s not the appropriate role for the council.”

Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh echoed White’s concerns. “We can all agree it’s a great project,” she told her colleagues. “I think we can all agree that many of the lawsuits were an attempt to frustrate and stall and obstruct the development from going forward.” But that doesn’t justify the danger of intervening in a case now pending before the court, she said. All development cases are “unique” and require individualized attention, Cheh said. “I know lawyers pretty well, and they will say this is a precedent. They will use it, and they will come to us,” she added.

Others, however, spoke against White’s amendment.

Mendelson said the provision reiterates the council’s past support for the project. Ward 5 Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie noted that he lives near the planned development, which has an extensive history that stems back to 1987 when the city first purchased the site from the federal government.

The plans for the current redevelopment date back to 2007, when the city first hired a developer to help draw a master plan for the site. In the ensuing years, the development plan has been mired in legal battles. “We broke ground in 2016 to get this done, and yet these lawsuits are designed to obstruct the development,” McDuffie said, adding that it’s in the District’s interest for construction to get started. “The longer this project takes, the less likely it is to come to fruition.”

Mendelson argued that there was no guarantee that the courts would act swiftly in resolving the pending legal matter. “The public interest is manifested in this project.

Either we say this is in the public interest or we say endless litigation is in the public interest,” he said.

The amendment failed 5-8, leaving the provision in the Budget Support Act. Many housing advocates hail the proposed FY 2022 budget as a success, particularly with its new tax hike on high-income earners that is expected to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in support of housing subsidy programs.

They also point to provisions expanding pay for child care workers and creating “baby bonds” via a new trust fund for children from low-income families.

There are still some lingering concerns among advocates about the amount allocated for excluded workers, as well as the timing for the expanded pay for early childhood education workers, which a new task force will help determine. While excluded workers — people ineligible for federal economic aid because they are undocumented immigrants or they rely on non-traditional sources of income such as domestic labor — will receive $41 million in this year’s budget, it is far short of the $200 million sought by advocates.

This article was co-published with The DC Line.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 5

Community-controlled housing could fight gentrification in Southwest Washington

BY KAELA ROEDER kaelaroeder.com

S

outhwest residents are pushing for soon-to-beavailable land to become a new community-controlled, permanently affordable housing and retail space.

At a community meeting Thursday, lead organizers Coy McKinney of grassroots organization SW D.C. Action and Vaughn Perry of the 11th Street Bridge Park project presented the concept behind community land trusts to Ward 6 residents.

These land trusts, or CLTs, are communityled nonprofits that collectively own and lease access to land at below-market prices.

The site in mind, 1101 Half St. SW, is currently a firetruck repair shop that is slated to move to a different location in three years. Under the District’s newly updated Comprehensive Plan, the land-use designation of the land has changed to allow for residential and commercial development. Instead of selling the lot to a private developer, McKinney, Perry and others are urging the District government to set aside funds to establish a CLT. “It allows for individuals that otherwise could not afford to purchase a home to get into homeownership,” Perry told residents at the meeting.

Leaders in the effort are looking to local residents to decide what would be best for the area. Located on M Street, the site in question could accommodate a housing development (for rent or ownership), a small business, or a mixed-use project. If housing is selected as the favored option, it’s unclear what the pricing would be or if reconstruction is necessary, McKinney said.

The Douglass Community Land Trust, the nonprofit behind this effort, is a membership organization; its board consists of housing professionals, people leasing from the trust, and representatives of the broader community — each constituting a third of the board. . Both McKinney and Perry serve on the Douglass CLT board, and they would like the Southwest site to become a chapter of Douglass CLT. Conceptually, a resident living under a CLT model can purchase the structure, but leases the land from the CLT. Separating these costs reduces the price of the home.

Deed restrictions are established to ensure the property can be sold for only so much above the initial purchase price. Under this model, a single subsidy — generally from grants or a government allocation — is needed to support the CLT’s initial purchase of the

property that will then remain affordable for subsequent owners and renters. To remain perpetually affordable in the traditional housing market, the same property would need an increasingly high subsidy for each new low-income renter or owner.

Perry provided residents with a hypothetical scenario: If a person wants to purchase a home valued at $555,000 but earns half of the area median income, an initial subsidy of $393,000 is required to make the home affordable. By following a traditional approach to purchasing a home in the housing market: • Based on current trends, after seven years the market-rate price of the home valued at $555,000 will be $632,000 and the next modest-income buyer would need an additional subsidy of $454,022.

• After 14 years, the market-rate price of the home will be $721,278 and will require an additional subsidy of $523,838.

• After 28 years, the market-rate price of the home will be $937,373 and will require an additional subsidy of $696,294.

But by following a CLT model for the same buyer and home: • After seven years, the home will cost $178,679, and will not require any additional subsidy for the next modestincome buyer.

• After 14 years, the home will cost $197,440 and will not require any additional subsidy.

• After 28 years, the home will cost $241,079 and will not require any additional subsidy.

Douglass CLT members hold 219 permanently affordable housing units in trust for each other across six wards, including 65 rental units and 154 units in various ownership structures (limited equity cooperatives, condominium units, and single-family homes).

In April, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a collaboration with Douglass CLT to build affordable homes at the site of two former elementary schools.

This model of affordable housing will bring justice to the neighborhood, McKinney said.

Southwest D.C. was one of the first sites of urban renewal in the late 1950s, which tore down 99% of the existing buildings, displaced 4,500 African American families from wellestablished communities, and included minimal moderately priced housing among mostly luxury residential developments.

1101 Half St. SW, the current site of a fire truck repair shop, could be the new site of a community land trust. PHOTO BY KAELA ROEDER

“My definition of justice is those who have CLTs generate lasting positive effects in been historically, potentially, underserved — neighborhoods, Perry said. The model allows their priorities, their needs, their interests should for residents to bypass unattainable housing be put first,” McKinney said in an interview. prices so they can remain in the District.

The first CLT was established in Georgia “You want them to be able to stay in the in 1969 to prevent displacement of Black neighborhood and give back to the community farmers, McKinney said. Now, CLTs are being that they grew up in,” Perry said in an used nationwide to address gentrification, interview. “Because this is their roots, this is displacement, and the lack of affordable where they’ve grown up.” housing. Proud Ground in Portland, Oregon, Since April 2021, more than 200 Washington has helped more than 400 homeowners residents have signed a petition in support purchase housing in of a CLT model surrounding counties. for the site. Ward “My definition of justice The Southwest 6 Councilmember Neighborhood Plan Charles Allen also is those who have been drafted in 2015 by wrote a letter in June the D.C. Office asking the deputy historically, potentially, o f Pl an n i n g w i t h mayor for planning underserved — their community input and economic promised that the development, who priorities, their needs, their oversees the Office neighborhood would of “remain a site of interests should be put first.” Planning, to consider equity and inclusion,” the CLT model. but McKinney says The local advisory this isn’t the case. n e ighborhood Coy McKinney “Our elected commission has also officials, policy expressed interest in makers, and policy implementers did not live the project. Supporters include ANC 6D02 up to those ideals,” he said, referencing condo Commissioner Jared Weiss, who represents and rental buildings approved in recent years. the single-member district that includes 1101 In the adjoining Southwest Waterfront and Half St. SW. Navy Yard neighborhoods and throughout “I would be thrilled if the site of that fire the District, steep home prices are not the truck repair station can be transformed into only barrier in the market. Like what was something that directly helps address the built during the urban renewal project, affordable housing crisis in our neighborhood,” modern housing production consists mostly Weiss said in an emailed statement. of expensive apartment buildings and rental Representatives from other neighborhoods units, according to the Office of Planning’s such as Chevy Chase (ANC 3/4G01) 2019 Housing Equity Report. There’s also a Commissioner Lisa Gore are excited at the shortage of homes to purchase. prospect of a new CLT project in D.C. and Washington has seen one of the are looking into how the model could fit in country’s worst rates of displacement and their own areas. gentrification in the country, according to the “We absolutely in the city can put an Comprehensive Plan update that passed earlier additional tool in our affordable housing this year. In Southwest, the median home price toolbox that is more geared towards a shared increased by 55% between 2000 and 2019, equity model,” Gore said in an interview. “We and the median income level increased by have to, at some point in the city, balance that 117% between 2000 and 2015, according to power shift to where we’re really focusing on an early draft of the plan. Meanwhile, the those lower income levels.” white population has increased and the Black This article was co-published with The DC Line. population has decreased in the neighborhood.

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NEWS

Rhonda Whitaker, empathetic advocate for the unhoused community, dies at 55

BY JARROD WARDWELL jarrod.wardwell@streetsensemedia.org

T

he coalition of advocates striving to end homelessness in Washington D.C. lost a tireless voice this spring, one that left a legacy of resiliency and compassion on her community. Rhonda Whitaker died in a truck collision April 24 at Hains Point in East Potomac Park. She was 55.

Friends and family members remember Whitaker as a loving community member whose experience in homelessness translated to a passion for advocacy and outreach with Miriam’s Kitchen, calling for more support for the homeless community and permanent housing in hopes of a better future.

Whitaker was on a morning walk with her friend and fellow advocate Waldon Adams, when a pickup truck driver struck the two pedestrians, killing them both. The driver fled the scene before being later found by U.S. Park Police, which declined to share details on the investigation into the incident.

Whitaker grew up as the youngest of three children in Fort Dupont, eventually raising two children of her own — Eric and Gregg. Taj Wingate, Whitaker’s cousin, said that throughout her life, Whitaker could always “bounce back” from tough times and keep a positive attitude, despite the conditions she endured while spending more than a decade in homelessness.

Whitaker spent her time as an advocate, urging others to break out of homelessness and learn about government programs that connect them to housing, Wingate said.

“The homelessness, it was just a driver and a motivation behind her to say, ‘If I did it, you can too,’” she said. “She shared her story as a testimony to others to help others know that there is help out here.”

Wingate said Whitaker was “the life of the party” who always loved to shop and enjoyed jumping double-dutch and throwing dance parties when she was younger. She said Whitaker would take her and other cousins to the circus when the Ringling Brothers would come to D.C. Whitaker also remembered her cousin as a “protector” who looked out for her family members and supported anyone in need of help. Even while she struggled through homelessness later in life, Whitaker would provide gifts for Wingate’s children, including a Redskins jersey and smaller gifts like lip gloss and toys.

Wingate said she never saw Whitaker, who used to live under the Florida Avenue bridge near Gallaudet University, out on the street while she was homeless. Instead, she only saw Whitaker at settings like family dinners, showers, or to pick up feminine products.

“I never saw her down,” she said. “I never saw her at a low point. It was always positive” But Whitaker faced plenty of challenges in the years surrounding her homelessness experience, which took a toll on family and personal life.

Whitaker tragically lost her brother Greg in 1995 when he was fatally stabbed at a McDonald’s restaurant in Northeast D.C. – an unexpected tragedy that Whitaker struggled to cope with while still supporting her mother, Wingate said. She said she believes Whitaker’s grief played a role in her path into homelessness.

Whitaker also had to confront the premature birth of her younger son Gregg in 2005, struggling with the emotional toll of visiting him while she continued to live through homelessness following his preterm birth. Wingate’s mother cared for Gregg at her residence, serving as an emergency foster parent during his upbringing. But Wingate said after

time passed, Whitaker grew closer with Gregg and realized their similarities — their shared love of shopping and having fun, and the same sense of humor.

Wingate said Whitaker’s children were her motivation to turn her life around and break out of homelessness later in her life.

“It was her children that motivated her to do better and want to live and live right, and get her life back on track and keep it on track,” Wingate said. “It was her children that motivated her first and then her family. And she made sure that that was her main focus. And she kept it her focus.”

Whitaker spent the last five years as a dedicated participant with Miriam’s Kitchen. She first visited the site in 2016 for meals and to help with personal documents while continuing to live through homelessness. Whitaker launched her career in advocacy at Miriam’s in 2018 when she joined the organization’s speaker’s bureau — a community group that offers training in public speaking for advocacy and public testimony, like in D.C. Council hearings.

Ashley Gorczyca, an advocacy specialist at Miriam’s Rhonda Whitaker. PHOTO COURTESY OF TAJ WINGATE Kitchen, said Whitaker demonstrated a strong passion for permanent supportive housing and case management services she worked tirelessly for to supply a better way of life through when she first joined the bureau. Gorczyca said that Whitaker calls for change. had no public speaking experience at the time, but brought “She loved people,” she said. “She was just an amazing passion and natural talent. person. She loved interacting with people, and she just would “I just remember sitting there, listening to her, and I’m like, come from a place of this deep care for her neighbors. She ‘There is no way she’s never done this before,’” Gorczyca said. didn’t think that they should be homeless, and so she would “So she just seemed like she’s done this time and time again, just talk to them. And she would want people to feel like you but she was speaking her truth. And she was just so passionate are cared about.” about wanting to end homelessness.”

Reginald Black, a Street Sense Media vendor and the Gorczyca said Whitaker was the only woman to serve on the advocacy director at the People for Fairness Coalition, a bureau for much of her time there, and she nonprofit working to end homelessness, said demonstrated empathy and compassion while he was impressed seeing Whitaker speak for listening intently to the other speakers who the first time during an advocacy event at were training.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton’s office. There, “She was very empathetic when people Whitaker discussed female empowerment were sharing their story, she’d listen, and and ensuring a functional rapid rehousing that’s the thing — you knew she was process, an avenue that helped her secure listening and not just passive but she housing after homelessness. He said would really look at you and touch you or Whitaker was a “stark advocate” for validate someone’s experience,” Gorczyca permanent supportive housing and proper said. “She was so great about that and really city investments to foster equitable housing making people feel welcome in the group.” access in D.C. Whitaker broke out of homelessness in “When it became her time to speak, 2019, sharing her life story with the bureau you could tell she was very articulate and and encouraging others that they could find she possessed a certain aura about how housing too. She enrolled in the University she should be treated as who she was and Taj Wingate of the District of Columbia with plans of how other women like herself should be becoming “the best dang case manager that treated,” he said. you’ve ever seen” at Miriam’s after securing her social work Black said too many unhoused residents are underrepresented degree, Gorczyca said. Whitaker passed away before she could due to a lack of female advocates in the local community. graduate.

To continue Whitaker’s legacy, Black said he will help “Rhonda was a lovely, deeply caring person about her other women access public speaking spaces. He said he will community — super passionate about wanting to end remember Whitaker as someone with a story who shared her homelessness and using her experiences to help them in any experience for the benefit of others and someone who would way that she could,” Gorczyca said. “She was just a fierce never fail to emphasize the dignity and humanity of those who woman in all that she did.” are unhoused.

Gorczyca recalls Whitaker’s love for the outdoors, walking, “Homelessness is just a situation — it’s not who you are, it’s and dancing and encouraging others to do the same at her not what you’re defined by, and those are the types of things she church — Purity Pentacostal Deliverance Center Ministries. would say,” Black said. “She would really pound the pavement Gorczyca said she remembers Whitaker’s care and concern on that point and make sure that people are recognized as for her family and unhoused neighbors — the people whom human, that they have dignity and deserve respect.”

“It was her children that motivated her first and then her family. And she made sure that that was her main focus. And she kept it her focus.”

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AT A GLANCE

The old Franklin School building, now the Planet Word museum, is visible beyond the construction site at Franklin Square park. The new cafe and restroom structure is visible on the right. The refurbished park is schedule to reopen in September. PHOTO BY ERIC FALQUERO

Franklin Park opening in September with public bathrooms and improved accessibility

BY GORDON CHAFFFIN gordon@streetsensemedia.org

Franklin Park in downtown D.C. is set to reopen in September with overhauled greenspaces, a children’s garden, and high-quality restrooms, according to a DowntownDC BID presentation from July 28. The five-acre lot bound by I and K streets NW, 13th to 14th Street, is managed by the BID in partnership with the D.C. government and the National Park Service. According to NPS, the long-needed repairs would not have been possible without $18 million contributed by the District. Part of the funds for park upkeep will be pulled from a new cafe on the property, through the BID’s nonprofit.

“Among the upgrades to the park, visitors will be able to enjoy ADA accessible sidewalks, a rich and diverse tree canopy, enhanced lighting, conversational and flexible seating,” reads a DowntownDC BID follow-up email from the meeting.

The project restored the central fountain, previously out of order, added interactive water and light features, and almost doubled the adjacent plaza.

Long a gathering place for homeless residents, officials assured meeting attendees that the refreshed park is a place for everyone. Rachel Hartmann, executive director of the BID’s nonprofit arm, explained that they’ll provide homeless outreach at the new Franklin Park, directing residents to the nearby Downtown Day Services Center. Located at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (1313 New York Ave. NW) and also managed by the BID, the center offers walk-in services on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including showers, laundry, restrooms, phone, computers, emergency clothing, help obtaining vital records, medical instruction, harm reduction, and housing guidance. Residents can direct questions about these services to Center@DowntownDC.org.

Some of the nonprofit and government agencies that previously provided services to homeless residents at Franklin Park moved to nearby Vermont Avenue when the park closed for renovation. Others shifted their operations during the pandemic. it’s not clear if those organizations will be welcomed in the new Franklin Park without additional paperwork. “As in the past, individuals wishing to provide services in the park must apply for a permit with NPS,” said a BID spokesperson in a statement to Street Sense Media. Over the weekend, when the Downtown Day Service Center is closed, “the DowntownDC

BID will continue to offer its weekend community service” on the 800 Block of Vermont Avenue, near Franklin Park.

Organizations must apply for timeslots to do outreach there, too.

The D.C. chapter of the mutual aid organization Food Not Bombs started a petition asking the BID to make “a written and verbal commitment allowing unhoused residents to resume sleeping at the park and Food Not Bombs to resume serving the Franklin Square community.” (tinyurl.com/FND-FranklinPark-Petition) The bathrooms — which include flush toilets and running water faucets, unlike many NPS bathrooms for outdoor parks — will be part of the same building as the cafe but with a separate entrance open nearly year-round while the park is open.

Cecily Mendie, the BID’s manager for Franklin Park, said park amenities and programming will be free and that staff will be onsite for hospitality and maintenance.

For NPS, part of the challenge with the project was honoring and restoring elements of Franklin Park while adding modern amenities that serve a variety of residents and visitors.

“Franklin is one of the earliest and most historic parks that come out of the L’Enfant Plan [for Washington, D.C.],” said Jeff Reinbold, NPS superintendent for the National Mall and Memorial Parks. “But this isn’t the Fabergé Egg. This is a real, living, breathing community and city and there are needs that residents and users of the park have.”

Onyx PHOTO COURTESY SASHA WILLIAMS

BIRTHDAYS Patricia Donaldson Aug 20 ARTIST/VENDOR

CELEBRATIONS • Artist/Vendor Darelsha Joyner’s son Markquelle turned four this month!

• Artist/Vendor Sasha William’s daughter Onyx turns four next month!

VENDOR PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS • The next Vendor Meeting will be Friday, Aug. 27, 2 - 3 pm.

Construction at the southeast corner of Franklin Park. The Washington Post building towers behind it. PHOTO BY ERIC FALQUERO

• Vendors can bring in a complete CDC vaccination card for 15 free papers.

8 // S T R E E T S E N S E M E D I A // A U G . 1 8 - 2 4 , 2021

NEWS

Park evictions disrupt housing placements and send residents scrambling

BY MEREDITH ROATEN @Mereroaten

F

or the 15 or so unhoused people who made a home at Burke Park, on 12th St. NW and Massachusetts Avenue, the area offered convenient access to necessities like laundry services, and the chance to be around people who understood their situation.

“It was like a piece of freedom,” said two-year Burke Park resident David, 40, who asked to be identified only by his first name. He said living out in the open, close to “Mother Nature,” was better than his experience living in the District’s troubled shelter system.

“It’s also [about] being around a lot of good people, people who can relate to the homelessness,” he said.

In addition to having a place to sleep and keep belongings — some of which would not be permitted at shelters — the residents enjoyed having barbecues and listening to music with friends. Tinsel and Christmas ornaments hung on the trees shading the tents.

But after a long summer of fighting evictions — at one point seemingly successfully — the residents of Burke Park and nearby Samuel Gompers Memorial Park had to say goodbye to their community on Sunday.

David said he now plans to live in different ATM vestibules until he is asked to leave.

The National Park Service, which manages the land, erected fencing at the park Monday. Park Police officers reminded the people living there of a closure scheduled for Wednesday, explaining the notice that had been posted there the previous week and providing copies upon request. One officer cited the upcoming return to school, noting that there had been stabbings and drug use in the park, as a reason for the closure. She also cited rodent infestation and damage to tree trunks.

The day the fences were put up, personnel from the DowntownDC business improvement district “worked in partnership with the D.C. Department of Human Services (DHS) to assist in the removal of items that people willingly discarded,” a BID spokesperson told Street Sense Media in an email. They said the BID, DHS, and outreach workers from Pathways to Housing D.C. would similarly be on site Wednesday to help during the NPS closure.

Aaron Howe, who co-leads the mutual aid group Remora House, said in a tweet that BID workers also threw away tents that residents intended to keep that day. The spokesperson disputed this.

“Our goodness is defined by our compassion, and there’s a distinct lack of compassion here,” said Alexandra Bailey, a commissioner of Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2F08, which includes Burke Park. A vocal advocate for residents opposing the eviction, she organized volunteers to come out on Sunday and help residents pack their belongings.

Around 15 volunteers worked alongside residents to pile up chairs, grills, and other furniture too large to easily move. Nearly two hours after organizers arrived, possessions filled several donated suitcases and carts. Nearby garbage cans overflowed with rugs, tarps, and anything that couldn’t be donated to mutual aid groups.

Plans to clear the encampment may have been sparked by a letter sent by nearby housed residents at the end of June, which detailed complaints about public health and safety. Bailey said she received word that the Park Police was planning to evict the community around July 4. But amid lobbying from local activist groups and ANC members, NPS reversed course, saying in mid-July that it had “no imminent plans to remove existing encampments” and would first take “a social services first approach” to connecting residents with housing and other resources.

Bailey said an event she helped organize last month to get residents into housing made progress, but the residents need more time to find stable homes and obtain everything necessary to do so, such as ID. She alleges that, while D.C. agencies have also been working to that

end, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto has not been responsive to requests to intervene “D.C. agencies have been doing the most,” Bailey said. “My councilmember is not letting us finish.”

Pinto, who did not reply to an immediate request for comment, denied that she could have altered the federal agency’s eviction plans in a statement posted to Twitter and said the park was being closed because of “reports of violence and criminal activity.”

Pinto added that the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services “is working to move those in the park into transitional housing while permanent housing is arranged.”

When asked how many people from the two parks had moved into transitional housing, the deputy mayor’s office said it could not “confirm the housing status of specific residents” due to privacy protections under the Homeless Services Reform Act. When pressed for an anonymous, aggregate number of how many people from the two parks had been matched to transitional housing, per Pinto’s claim, the office responded with a statement from Deputy Mayor Wayne Turnage that did not provide any data and noted the federal government’s responsibility for the closure.

In full: “D.C. has a right to shelter and living on the street is no way to treat the residents who need us most. The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services (DMHHS) continues to engage and connect individuals experiencing homelessness to resources such as shelter, housing, and access to behavioral services.

As you may know, Burke and Gomper Park are National Parks Services land. Although DMHHS did not coordinate this park closure, our encampment outreach team informed residents of the upcoming closure. We will continue to encourage all encamped residents to utilize shelter and seek services.”

The deputy mayor’s office has conducted 21 “full cleanups” of encampments on D.C. land so far in 2021, with two more scheduled for this month, according to Street Sense Media’s tracking of the office’s calendar.

The Burke and Gompers encampment cleanup is the latest action by the National Park Service, which has jurisdiction over more than 6,700 acres of NPS parklands scattered throughout the city. . At least one other federal park where people had been encamped was fenced off at the end of July at 2nd and D Street NE. Advocates argue that breaking up encampments delays the housing process further, as unhoused residents risk losing key documents

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ABOVE: Residents of Burke and Gompers Parks had a well established community space.

PHOTO BY MEREDITH ROATEN

LEFT: Perimter fencing, outlining benches and pathways, was erected by the National Park Service on Aug. 16. PHOTO BY BEN BURGESS,

WWW.KSTREETPHOTOGRAPHYDC.COM

Robert Buchanan, the "Governor of Burke Park," sits on a bench near his belongings. PHOTO BY MEREDITH ROATEN

Residents prepared Sunday to move their belongings to other locations with NPS arriving the next day to place fences around the two parks. PHOTO BY MEREDITH ROATEN

and access to a housing advocate during the move.

“We’ve started folks in the pipeline to get housing and to get vouchers,” said Rehana Mohammed, the ANC 2F07 commissioner, who helped residents pack up their belongings on Sunday. “And when they move, they might have to start all over in a new place.”

Bailey worries that it will leave more people to the same fate as Robert Buchanan. Dubbed the “governor” of the Burke Park community, Buchanan received a voucher for housing from the D.C. government, but he has not been able to move into a unit because he lost some of the identifying documents required, she says.

Buchanan has been at Burke Park for more than six months. He now plans to move to the encampment at 20th and E streets. (Bailey said she recommended that residents move there because it will be easier for them to access mutual aid and support.)

His main concern is proximity to a laundromat, which he relies on to stay clean. The Downtown Day Service Center and the Georgetown Ministry Center — more than a mile away from 20th and E streets — are the nearest facilities for showers and laundry. (The advisory neighborhood commission that represents that portion of Foggy Bottom passed a resolution calling for D.C. Council to fund mobile sanitation facilities to serve the long-standing encampment, but it’s not clear when or if they would be installed) The 65-year-old said this eviction is just another one he has had to overcome in his decades of not having a home: “I’m going to survive,” he said.

There were only a handful of tents in the parks Tuesday morning, according to reporting by WTOP. Advocates argue, however, that these evictions didn’t need to happen.

Constituents have raised concerns about unhoused

people going to the bathroom, but the eviction threats earlier in the summer actually delayed officials in relocating a portable toilet from a nearby Safeway, according to Bailey.

“All the constant eviction threats made it so the D.C. government didn’t do it,” she said. “There were solutions that could have been had here.”

Tanisha Hall, who moved her belongings to a different location before other Burke Park residents, said she was worried about people finding a new place to set up. It’s difficult, Hall said, to sleep in front of businesses without knowing the owners.

“You have to talk to the people that own the business and stuff, so you have to really talk to them and let them know that you want to stay there,” she explained.

Recent legislation to increase the number of housing vouchers is a start, advocates said. Subject to final approval by the mayor and Congress, the bill is slated to raise taxes to fund 1,267 permanent supportive housing vouchers. But the city’s elected officials need to do more to ensure that every resident gets housing, several ANC commissioners said.

Meghan Faulkner, commissioner of ANC 1C04, who volunteered to help residents pack, pointed to reports that the D.C. government left hundreds of housing vouchers undistributed last year.

“The really shameful part is if we are funding this, we should be going all out to make sure that we are not leaving money on the table,” Faulkner said, “because there are people in encampments, there are people in shelters, there are people who are doubled up and in crowded living conditions who are waiting.”

Eric Falquero contributed reporting.

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OPINION

Our trees are dying where they stand

BY SHUHRATJON AHMADJONOV

Some trees are drying up in Washington, DC. I'll list six reasons.

First, Washington DC's summers are known to be hot and humid with an average daily temperature in July of 79.8 degrees Fahrenheit. In July and early August, that is, at the height of summer, the heat indicators reach 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Second, in summer, it rains little, once or twice a week.

Rainwater does not reach the crown and roots of the tree.

After all, the leaves of the tree grow densely and tightly, and they do not allow the penetration of a drop of rain.

The drops will pass only in the case of prolonged rain, when the leaves are completely wet. This is clearly not enough for a tree in hot conditions.

Third, some young trees are planted at ground level, that is, they do not make a groove around the seedling.

Under these conditions, rainwater does not accumulate under the tree and flows away.

Fourth, usually when planting a seedling, the ground is laid lower than the sidewalk. Thus, the flow of rainwater under the tree is ensured. Every year, organic mulch is poured around some trees, which contains compost, tree bark chips, wheat straw and others. This does not remove old mulch deposits. As a result, over time, the embankment around the tree

A drying and dying tree. Park near 7th Street NW and Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC. July 27, 2021.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SHUHRATJON AHMADJONOV

becomes higher than the sidewalk and rainwater stops flowing under the tree.

Fifth, the number of cars and their exhaust gases is increasing in the United States, including Washington DC, from year to year.

Sixth, Washington DC residents are indifferent to drying out trees. One example: I sell “Street Sense” on Saturdays near Eastern Market at the corner of North Carolina Ave SE and 7th St SE. A real estate agency on North Carolina Avenue is located nearby. In front of the entrance to the office, various plants, including flowers, are planted on both sides of the sidewalk. Several times I saw an office worker sprinkle water on plants from a hose. On the morning of July 24, 2021, the worker began to water the plants. When he approached, I said to him: “Please pour

water under this tree, too. Look, it dries up. I poured out two gallons of water. But that's not enough for such a large tree.” He looked at the tree and, seeming to agree, answered briefly. But he finished watering and went to his office. He didn't pour water under the tree.

For these reasons, some trees in Washington, D.C., begin to dry out and they die while standing.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation and landscaping experts, trees have many advantages.

Trees make our life better.

Life boils bubbles around the trees: birds eat insects, squirrels feed on seeds and nuts, bees and butterflies drink nectar and also feed on trees. The drying out of the tree means the end of life around it.

Trees process nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, carbon monoxide. Foliage shade cools the air and reduces smog levels by 6%.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and gives off four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people. So every tree you planted and saved helps the planet breathe and you personally, and your children.

Deciduous trees provide shade for the home on hot days.

The net cooling effect of a healthy young tree is equivalent to working 10 air conditioners 20 hours per day.

If the house is protected from the wind by trees, it will be warmer in winter and thus you will save energy used for heating. Properly placed trees around buildings can reduce the need for air conditioning by 30% and can save 20-50% of the energy used for heating.

Trees can also protect you from noise.

If you decide to sell your plot with a house, then the presence of trees on it will help increase the value. Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values ​​by 10 - 20%.

We can have all of these benefits if our fellow citizens begin to water a few gallons of water under a drying tree during the hot days of July and August.

Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

The dangers of blind faith in authority

BY JEFFERY MCNEIL

Covid-19 has morphed into a religion for the ruling elite. The CDC has become its Vatican, Joe Biden is St. Joseph and Anthony Fauci is its bishop.

Vaccines have become the holy water of the woke. Anyone who questions their methodology or mask mandates is blasphemous. You are labeled a conspiracy theorist, Trump supporter or white supremacist who is excommunicated from social media and society. It is confounding, seeing the Democrats’ holier-than-thou attitude toward vaccines, since some were skeptical when President Trump rolled it out. Even Dr. Fauci said at first that Covid mania was overblown and masks are not needed.

Meanwhile, leftists have been slamming the capitalist system, while praising three drug companies that have made billions

of dollars on the vaccines. Corporations this Poop Show known as the Biden all know this is a movie. What we don’t such as 3M make millions more by using presidency, which promised to get us know is whether some will survive, or if cheap Chinese labor to make masks and back to normal. Instead, we still see this is Armageddon. ship them back to you.

Illegal immigrants crossing the border, Jeffery McNeil is an artist and vendor with The Biden administration urged coronavirus cases surging, eviction Street Sense Media.

Americans to get vaccinated, then looked moratoriums and talk of shutdowns. We the public in the eye and said once vaccinated, you can go back to normal. People did, and now Covid is spreading again.

So in the last couple weeks the Woke must feel as if they've been - Have an opinion about how homelessness is being addressed in our community? hit by a sledgehammer. They dove - Want to share firsthand experience? right in for the daily demonization - Interested in responding to what someone else has written? of the unvaccinated. How shocking for some when the Biden Street Sense Media has maintained an open submission policy since our founding. administration and CDC said even We aim to elevate voices from across the housing spectrum and foster healthy debate. though you have been vaccinated, you must still wear masks and Please send submissions to opinion@streetsensemedia.org. follow Covid protocols.

Grab your popcorn to see

Join the conversation, share your views

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

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Worried about the new 801 East Shelter STORY AND PHOTOS BY WENDELL WILLIAMS

T

he other day, a great friend of the homeless contacted me about donating some food from her fraternal organization. Over the years they have always called when there was a big event to ask if I could distribute some of the wonderful food left over. One time they called after a seafood feast and asked if I could find a home for hundreds of pounds of shrimp. As I sometimes do, I said yes before I really had time to think it through.

I arrived at the site of the Saturday afternoon function in Old Town, Alexandria and lo and behold they had so much seafood leftovers there was no way to get it all in my car’s back seat and trunk. Seeing this, the members sprung into action, pulling their cars up and loading them to the brim. I made a call to my former colleagues at 801 East, the city’s largest men’s shelter, and asked if this was a gift they’d accept and could use, and the answer was yes.

So we left in a caravan of 4 or 5 cars headed into Southeast D.C., a place I know none of my helpers were familiar with.

But I watched them smile after seeing how much the staff and residents appreciated their gift. These were people who wouldn’t normally have the chance to mix with the homeless, even though they’d been sending donations of food for years, or see the results — smiles on the faces of guys having a seafood bash at a shelter.

Soon another Random Act of Kindness brought me to the gates of the former St. Elizabeth’s Hospital again. This time, I was given large bags of baked potatoes and salad mix and asked if I could take them to shelter. As usual, I said yes and called a staff member on duty and said I was coming. When I got there, the gate I had used for years to enter 801 was closed, and I wondered what happened. Just then, I saw a man walking towards the gate that was now only open for pedestrians but not vehicles. I inquired and he said the next gate down is now the entrance to 801.

I drove down and right in, not paying attention to the new signage. After a few turns, I took a winding detour until the road looked familiar. I had called ahead and was met by a longtime staff member who took the donations after we talked about the history of efforts to improve the facilities. Our conversation made me think about my connections to that building over the years: From desperate homeless client, to intern, and then finally to a clinical staff member after earning certification as a substance abuse recovery specialist.

Looking back, I’ve been associated with this shelter for well over 30 years in one form or another. One of the constants over those years was a great supporter of the homeless I met at the old Franklin shelter downtown, a humble man who prefers to remain anonymous.

He later became my counselor, trainer, mentor and finally my colleague at the 801 East TRP recovery program. He’s been in that old 801 building helping the helpless help themselves for decades. And he’s still there today, even in his declining health, attempting to help reshape the lives of homeless people seeking treatment for their addictions.

After so many years, a big change is coming to make his job easier: The city is building a new 801 East shelter to replace the old, rat-infested one I stayed in so long ago.

All of us who care deeply about the issues that affect the homeless really hope the building will be completed close to the projected opening date on the sign at the MLK Avenue gate, September 2021. But I can’t see how making that date

is possible, based just on talking to people I know there and the progress I’ve seen at the site.

If it were any other kind of construction project — an office building, or a sports stadium, or a hospital — delays wouldn’t be tolerated. I’m worried that because it’s just homeless people, nobody but us will notice. It would be easier if the city would just tell us if the date has to be pushed back, rather than pretending everything is on schedule which it obviously isn’t.

I think It’s gonna take an old testament miracle to make that date. When I visited the construction site last week, several shelter residents and workers said they had heard it wouldn’t be ready until December or January. But after all these years, I am going to keep hope alive.

Wendell Williams is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

A sign advertising the 801 East redevelopment project. PHOTO BY WENDELL WILLIAMS

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ART

A very “Happy birthday” to my daughter!

BY ANTHONY CARNEY Artist/Vendor

Two nice things

BY PATTY SMITH // Artist/Vendor

To my darling baby: it’s your sweet 16th birthday. You were born Aug. 22, 2005.

I am so proud of you. My God blessed me with you, so enjoy your day!

I’m trying to be the best dad that I can be. You are my first and only baby girl. I am always with you.

You are in my heart every day. I hope I’m in your heart. Remember you are a leader. You are Leo, a born leader.

To her, I dedicate this poem. I didn’t write it and the author is unknown. But I have carried with me for years:

My girlfriend and I were sitting at our regular spot down a block from the house where I live.

The sweetest young lady came carrying a baby buggy. I stopped her and she said the baby was three months old. I looked at the baby and said, “She’s beautiful,” and she tipped me.

She had a beautiful baby and that was nice. She tipped me and that was nice, too. What a day.

Dear Street Sense readers, Summer is here. I am enjoying the hot and cool season. People are still wearing masks. Family and friends are visiting again.

Hopefully I will be back swimming and working out again. Once and a while, I will visit my son and his family. And my sister and her family. Stay safe while we can.

Sincerely, WARREN STEVENS, Artist/Vendor

#Commitment2Communicationz!~

BY LEVESTER GREEN // Artist Vendor

My latest book features articles and poems I’ve published with Street Sense Media. I began working here in 2013 as a vendor. I was introduced

by Charles Davis (may he rest in peace) & soon took interest in the publication as an outlet & reinforcement for my gritty street poetry & long lost interest in illustrating!

Up until the Street Sense illustration workshop with David Serota, I hadn’t drawn since high school. I was interviewed for drawing instruction when I was young. But as much as I wanted 2 sign up after hearing how Charles Shultz, creator of the “Peanuts” comic strip, had come up through the ranks. I humbly denied myself as I knew our budget was tight. I was expecting a scholarship of some sort, not a bill. But anyway.

The artistic opportunities grew even greater once workshop facilitators Bryan Bello & Adam Kampe came aboard. It wasn’t hard 2 make the growth spurt into Street Sense Media with their added assets of filmmaking & podcasting — . both of which we still do today!

My film, “I Am Levester Joe Green II” is still online. Google Me. My Kampe interview is on the Street Sense Media podcast feed.

And I’ve naturally continued to grow beyond Street Sense. You can find my signature line of greeting cards at SecondStoryCards.com & my other books, as well as this new one, on Xlibris & Amazon & through every other major book dealer. Thank you all for your continued support!~

Happiness The heart flows with joy And the soul with love for all Kindness of overflow PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANTHONY CARNEY

BY CARLTON JOHNSON, a.k.a. “INKFLOW” Artist/Vendor

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

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Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash

The pandemic affected my mental health

King Crack Heroin

BY DON GARDNER // Artist/Vendor

BY ERIC THOMPSON-BEY Artist/Vendor

Mental health has always been a topic I wanted to avoid, now I find myself opening up.

During the early stages of the pandemic, I found myself thinking differently, wanting to do different things — like have a drink, which I don't do anymore.

But the hardest part was being alone. I cried a lot and went through stints of depression. During that time I thought about my family and how badly I wanted to be around them. The death of my parents and siblings always brought tears to my eyes.

First being diagnosed with major depression disorder in 2008 while I was in the judicial system, I didn't think of it as a problem. I thought mental health was just another stunt to keep me in the judicial system.

But mental health is real, mental health is serious!

While in the judicial system I was ordered to take medications for my disorders, which I did not like.

Besides having to take the medications in prison, when I was released I had to report to a probation officer and to mental health once a week for five years.

September will be five years since I have been out of the judicial system, and as soon as I was out of the system I left mental health. Once I left, I didn’t have the support that I thought I didn’t need.

I recently reconnected to mental health care because I want to move out of my current housing situation and the only way to do it was to reconnect. (Oh, I forgot to mention that I got my housing through mental health.)

When the pandemic hit and I found myself all alone, crying and really not knowing or understanding why.

See, when I was in the system, I rejected the mental health help because I didn't want to be there. And I didn't talk about these things because I didn't want people to look at me differently.

Some people have the wrong perception of mental health. It affects everyone differently. My mental health may not be as serious as others. I can do things for myself, whereas people with more serious mental health issues may need the assistance of a case manager or others.

Now that I am reconnected with health care, it seems different than the last time. I'm more open to the doctor's suggestions. I'm taking my meds. I make my appointments, and I'm getting a lot from my one -on-ones with the case manager at Street Sense Media, who I meet with once a week for one hour.

And it’s all contributing to my success, I just got a job as a line cook. I was hired by Reef Kitchens.

Roll out the warm welcome!

This summer, all these tourists are coming to visit downtown D.C. They are passing through to see the sights. They go visit the Old Post Office Building, the monuments and the memorials, the Capitol Building, the Reflecting Pool, the fountains and waterfront, the National Cathedral, the Smithsonian Zoo and museums. They drive by car into the city from miles around.

They may come by boat, by train, by coach bus, or by airplane.

Sometimes, they are friendly to us and buy a newspaper or make a small cash donation.

Other times, they stop and stare for a moment, then pass on by down the street to where they are going. When they see the homeless in the tents in the park, they usually ignore what is happening to the poor in the city. It would be good, as they come to this city to see the sights, to speak to some of those who have called D.C. home all their lives.

There are so many stories to tell of the happenings in D.C. Tourists often stop outside the closed windows and locked doors of abandoned buildings where I sit on a milk crate. They ask me what shop, restaurant, or

PHOTO BY MAYER MAGED ON UNSPLASH

BY FAITH PEACE // Artist/Vendor

church was there back in the days of the good economy of last decade. I usually explain to them the story of these hidden gems and let them know what will be here in the future after these places are renovated and reopened for business.

The tourists often compare this city to the other places that they originate from, whether in the USA or around the world.

Keeping my eyes and ears open, I often hear some tourists who are speaking languages other than English. While I can’t understand what they are talking about, I like the sounds of their voices as they chat in their language about daily life. I have found coins and currency from foriegn countries that I pick up and collect for a hobby. Thank God for the tourists who come to D.C. and bring in a lot of money for local businesses. I don’t know a better place to live, eat, walk, and meet people than this city.

For now, it is only a dream to travel to far away places and see the sights.

Butt that is alright with me, because I love living in this city!

King Crack Heroin is my shepherd I shall always be hungry Dirty and looking for food He maketh me to lie, steal, cheat And lower myself down to the ground He leadeth me inside abandoned houses, Cars and parks when it’s cold He destroyeth my soul He leadeth me in the paths of Unrighteousness for his name sake Yea though I walk the streets at night With the shadow of death Evil is always with me My needle, my crack, and heroin They all comfort me Thou preparest a hell hole for me In the presence of my friends Thou fillest my head with toil My sins runneth over Surely death and destruction Did follow me all the days Of my life But the lord saved me And now I am free And today I don’t dwell In the house of King Crack Heroin Never ever again

Struggles selling the Paper

BY REGGIE JONES // Artist/Vendor

“A little help with a donation?” is what I like to say. Two bucks might bring a lot of luck, you never know. Give a little, you might get a lot. Well, we spend more money on other things that don’t mean nothing at all. Life is a gamble anyway, so why not help someone in need if you can? But not everyone sees it that way.

My experience of trying to sell my Street Sense papers near The Best Sandwich Place was terrible. First, before I started working, I went to use their bathroom. And boy, when I went through the door the staff looked at me like they thought I was ready to pull out a gun. So when I went back outside and started to sell my papers, the people going in the sandwich place did not want to help at all. They straight acted like jerks. I posted there for two hours and didn’t get a single donation.

When COVID changed people’s

foot traffic, I began selling my papers at Harris Teeter.

Some people that really love Street Sense have been very generous. But a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday, I had a bad experience with one of their employees. He came outside and stood directly across from where I was selling my papers and was on his phone talking and judging me for selling my papers.

I asked if he would move down away from me and he said “F*** you, out here trying to get donations. You must don’t know who I am.” I told him I didn’t care who he was or how much money he had. And he said he had enough money to pay to get me killed!

Why would you treat anyone like that?

You never know when the shoe can be on another foot. So help with a little donation if you can. Take care and may God bless us all with a big golden ball.

OnlineCrosswords.net

1 4 // S T R E E T S E N S E M E D I A / / A U G . 1 8 - 2 4, 2021

FUN & GAMES

This is the Daily Crossword Puzzle #2 for Aug 17, 2021

Find the solution at https://onlinecrosswords.net/2321

Across

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Author Gene Weingarten is a college dropout and a nationally syndicated humor columnist for The Washington Post. Author Dan Weingarten is a former college dropout and a current college student majoring in information technology. Many thanks to Gene Weingarten and The Washington Post Writers Group for allowing Street Sense to run Barney & Clyde.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

COMMUNITY SERVICES

SHELTER HOTLINE Línea directa de alojamiento

(202) 399-7093

YOUTH HOTLINE Línea de juventud

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE Línea directa de violencia doméstica

(202) 547-7777

1-800-799-7233

Housing/Shelter Vivienda/alojamiento

Education Educación

Health Care Seguro

Clothing Ropa

Legal Assistance Assistencia Legal

Case Management Coordinación de Servicios

Food Comida

Employment Assistance Assitencia con Empleo

Transportation Transportación

Showers Duchas

All services listed are referral-free Academy of Hope Public Charter School 202-269-6623 // 2315 18th Place NE aohdc.org

Bread for the City - 1525 7th St., NW // 202-265-2400 - 1640 Good Hope Rd., SE // 202-561-8587 breadforthecity.org

Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Good Hope Rd., 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 // 202-232-3066 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 food (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 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

cancer, etc) 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org

Foundry Methodist Church // 202-332-4010 1500 16th St., NW ID (Friday 9am–12pm only) foundryumc.org/ministry-opportunities

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 // 202-544-9128 425 2nd St., NW jobshavepriority.org

Loaves & Fishes // 202-232-0900 1525 Newton St., NW loavesandfishesdc.org

Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org 2375 Elvans Road 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 // 202-939-2060 1333 N St., NW nstreetvillage.org

New York Avenue Shelter // 202-832-2359 1355-57 New York Ave., NE

// 1 5

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento

1-888-793-4357

Laundry Lavandería

samaritanministry.org

JOB BOARD Cashier Panera Bread // 2001 L St NW

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 // 202-333-4949 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

Thrive DC // 202-737-9311 1525 Newton St., NW thrivedc.org

Unity Health Care 3020 14th St., NW // unityhealthcare.org - Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500 - Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699 1500 Galen Street SE, 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, 555 L Street SE, 3240 Stanton Road SE, 3020 14th Street NW, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, 1717 Columbia Road NW, 1313 New York Avenue, NW BSMT Suite, 425 2nd Street NW, 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 1333 N Street NW, 1355 New York Avenue NE, 828 Evarts Place, NE, 810 5th Street NW

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 1701 14th St., NW // 202-745-7000 2301 MLK Jr. Ave., SE // 202-797-3567 whitman-walker.org

Full-time and Part-time Cashiers take customer orders, have knowledge of the Panera menu, and help manage the store.

REQUIRED: 16+ years of age APPLY: tinyurl.com/panera-cashier-job

Greeter Mi Casa // 1647 20th St NW Full-time and Part-time Greeters will welcome and seat restaurant customers, record and proces takeout orders, and stock and re-stock tables with appropriate silverware.

APPLY: tinyurl.com/greeter-mi-casa

Sales Associate / Customer Service Representative Drybar // 1635 Conneticut Ave NW Full-time and Part-time Organize and execute shop flow between clients and staff in a positive manner, rebook customer appointments, ensure overall store cleanliness.

REQUIRED: 1+ year of experience working in a customer-service environment APPLY: tinyurl.com/dry-bar-sales-associate

Store Worker Sherry’s Wine and Spirits // 2727 Conn. Ave NW Full-time // $35-$55/hour Store workers will manage customer payments, help customers find products, and ensure overall store cleanliness.

APPLY: tinyurl.com/sherrys-wine-store-worker or email resume to Sherrys.dc@gmail.com

Houseperson Residence Inn // 1233 First Street SE Full-time Assist room attendants with stripping beds, deliver fresh towels and linens, and vacuum hallways of guest floors.

Patricia Handy Place for Women 202-733-5378 // 810 5th St., NW

APPLY: tinyurl.com/houseperson-residence-inn Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 Eye St., NW fathermckennacenter.org Food and Friends // 202-269-2277 (home delivery for those suffering from HIV,

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

For further information and listings, visit our online service guide at StreetSenseMedia.org/service-guide

Hiring? Send your job postings to editor@StreetSenseMedia.org

REMEMBERING

Anthony Crawford It was with sadness that I got the call about him from my other friend and former vendor, Ken Martin. I remember we called each other neighbors when I worked at 8th and L streets NW. He worked at 19th and M. He would always tell me, “Respect your elders!” He was two days older than me. We

PHOTO COURTESY OF SECOND STORY CARDS

Anthony Crawford, one of the first Street Sense Media vendors, died in his home on July 31, shortly after his 64th birthday. A man of warm heart and sly wit, he was also the first greeting card creator for Second Story Cards, helping get the business off the ground in 2016. His work can be found in boutique shops nationwide. He shook hands with Pope Francis and taught D.C. councilmembers what it’s like to sell a street paper and raise awareness about homelessness. In 2014, Anthony made a point of celebrating each anniversary of his getting housing with a community of friends and customers. Around the same time, he fell in love and began building a life with his girlfriend, Crystal. Anthony is sorely missed.

Memorial info to follow. Funeral fund: tinyurl.com/funeral-4-AC. Memories and tributes for publication: editor@streetsensemedia.org.

It felt like another sledgehammer hit me on July 30 when I heard that longtime vendor and friend Anthony Crawford passed away. His death blindsided me because I saw him a few weeks ago and he looked fine. He was so happy in his apartment. I’m still in shock because I lost another member of the Street Sense family and I don’t know who will be the new standard bearer.

Anthony was one of the pioneers, he was the sixth vendor to enter Street Sense’s doors and an integral part of the paper’s popularity and growth. He was a team player, helping other vendors, volunteering, and helping unload the truck when the new issue arrived.

If Anthony wasn’t vendor number 6, there would be no vendor 133 when I arrived years later. All the popular spots for paper sales were because Anthony paved the way. His favorite spot was 19th and M — where some customers would only buy from him! I never was jealous though, because he taught me what it took to build as many customers as him.

Over the years we knew each other, I did see a decline in his health. He went from vibrant, to breathing heavily, to eventually walking with a cane. However before COVID, even in suffering, he never missed going to his spot, selling papers, and spreading the message of Street Sense and respecting homeless people. If you knew Anthony you would never know he was once homeless.

Since he was 10 years older than me, he was like the uncle I never had. He was always in good spirits sharing his experience and wisdom. With someone with such leadership and knowledge, I don’t know who can fill that void. I have considered going to 19th and M and building a shrine because that was his spot and like Micheal Jordan, nobody could represent that area like Anthony Crawford.

RIP, Anthony, you made a difference in winning many people's hearts and minds. Thank you for bringing so much joy into people's lives. I will never forget you.

—JEFFERY MCNEIL, Artist/Vendor

would laugh about it.

He will be missed, a nice person who never hesitated to speak his mind. We were also on the distribution team together.

My condolences also go out to the family.

Another Street Sense legend gone but not to be forgotten. —JAMES DAVIS, Artist/Vendor

Anthony Crawford and James Davis in 2010. ARCHIVE PHOTO

Working with Anthony, who was our chairperson of the distrib (the early morning delivery of each new edition) was always enjoyable. It could be a little wild at times, but he always saw us through.

I knew this guy for years. He was a people person, a gentle bear — he’d turn over a grudge in a heartbeat.

Spending time with him, I learned that he was doing his own greeting cards (with Second Story Cards), which people enjoyed quite a bit. I remember one time after that, I found some crazy birthday card, a dragon or goofy elephant and gave it to him. “Oh, Cowboy,” he said, “that’s almost as good as one of mine!”

Anthony didn’t know it, but he was really kind of a hero to me. I also admired his grit, with his total support of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He often wore a jersey to his job.

I miss him, and a lot of other people will too. He was a fixture in midtown. I used to see customers highfive him all the time. He was just such a draw to the community. Everybody knew Anthony, in the best possible way.

—FREDERIC JOHN, Artist/Vendor

Dear Editor: It’s difficult to read about the passing of any Street Sense vendor, and I offer heartfelt condolences to all at SSM on the loss of Anthony Crawford at age (only) 64.

I saw Mr. Crawford regularly at 19th & M, NW. I worked on that block for a number of years and am still in the area to see various doctors. I particularly recall when he told me he had found housing. I was touched that he shared the good news with me and of course was extremely happy for him.

May Mr. Crawford’s memory be a blessing to all who knew him.

Sincerely,

RONNIE KWELLER

Thank you for reading Street Sense!

From your vendor, AUG. 18 - 24, 2021 | VOLUME 18 ISSUE 29 NO CASH? NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE AN APP! SEARCH “STREET SENSE” IN THE APP STORE

WWW.INSP.NGO

4 million READERS

One of Anthony’s cards, purchased after his death.

The back reads, “Every time I stamp or emboss a card, I try to imagine th eperson receiving it. I hope it makes their day a little better, a little brighter.”

PHOTO BY ERIC FALQUERO

9,000 VENDORS

100+

STREET PAPERS

35

COUNTRIES

24

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