08 19 2009

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August 19 - September 1, 2009

Where Your Dollar Goes:

Where the poor and homeless August 19 - September 1, 2009

earn and give their two cents

D STE GE ON G S U N AT I DO

Volume 6 Issue 21

65 cents for the Vendor

Back to School?

35 cents for production of the paper

CCNV WildTech reaches out to teach computer skills Page 4

Writer’s Group goes back to school Page 11

Growing number of homeless families struggle to keep their kids in school, see page 5

Ken proposes militant gun restrictions Page 13

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August 19 - September 1, 2009

1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 347–2006 Fax: (202) 347–2166 info@streetsense.org www.streetsense.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kristal DeKleer Lisa Estrada Ted Henson Mary Lynn Jones Sommer Mathis Brad Scriber John Snellgrove Michael Stoops Martin Walker David Walker Kathy Whelpley EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Laura Thompson Osuri INTERIM EDITOR-in-CHIEF Lisa V. Gillespie VENDOR MANAGER Gregory Martin Interns Talia Roth, Lianne Schmersahl, Marcus Williams VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Sherry Antoine, Laura Arico, Robert Basler, John Brandt, Jane Cave, Carol Cummings, Rebecca Curry, Katie Edson, Andy Freeze, Jane Goforth, Cassandra Good, Joanne Goodwin, Roberta Haber, Erica Hall, Carol Hannaford, Justin Herman, Annie Hill, Dan Horner, Phillip Hoying, Kayne Karnbach, Michael Kelly, Maurice King, Geof Koss, Brenda K. Lee-Wilson, Starlett McNeill, Kim O’Connor, Gabriel Okolski, Robert Orifici, Michael O’Neill, Jon Pattee, Katinka Podmankzy, Sarah Pope, Diane Rusignola, Cara Schmidt, Jamie Schuman, Jesse Smith, Christna Studivant, Matthew Taylor, Robert Trautman, Eugene Versluysen, Linda Wang, Denise Wilkins, Marian Wiseman, Corrine Yu

VENDORS O’Jango Amen, Michael Anderson, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Ernest Ballard, Carlie Banks, Kenneth Belkosky, Tommy Bennett, Phillip Black, Reginald Black, Corey Bridges, Michael Brown, Melody Byrd, Cliff Carle, Percy Carter, Aaron Conner, Pamela Cooper, Anthony Crawford, Louise Davenport, James Davis, Chino Dean, David Denny, Ricardo Dickerson, Muriel Dixon, Alvin Dixon El, Charles Eatmon, Eric Ellis, Richard Embden, Randy Evans, Craig Fleming, Tanya Franklin, Roger Garner, Robert Gregory, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, John Harrison, Patricia Henry, Shakaye Henry, Shawn Herring, Michael Higgs, Phillip Howard, Lester Irby, Michael Jackson, Patricia Jefferson, Jewell Johnson, Carlton Johnson, Donald Johnson, Allen Jones, Mark Jones, DeRutter Jones, Clinton Kilpatrick, Kevin Lasister, Brenda Lee-Wilson, Michael Lyons, Kina Mathis, John Matthews, Charlie Mayfield, Herman Mayse, Robert McCray, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffery McNeil, Frank Mearns, Virginia Moore, L. Morrow, Tyrone Murray, Lester Myers, Charles Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Evelyn Nnam, Charity Ogbonnaya, Moyo Onibuje, Gregory Phillips, Harry Powell, Ash-Shaheed Rabbil, Forrest Rainwater, Michael Reardon, Jeanette Richardson, Sean-Christopher Riley, Tyrone Rogers, Ed Ross, Denise Sanders, Melania Scott, Chris Shaw, Veda Simpson, Patty Smith, Gerald Smith, Yvette Smith, Franklin Sterling, Warren Stevens, James Stewart, Garland Stroman, Leroy Studevant, Sybil Taylor, Steve Thomas, Deborah Tibbs, Carl Turner, Patsy Uzzell, Martin Walker, Joseph Walker, Robert Warren, Lawless Watson, Darrell Whitmyer, Edna Williams, Brian Wills, Ivory Wilson, Charles Woods

Our Mission

S treetS ense.org

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

The Story of Street Sense

Street Sense began in August 2003 after two volunteers, Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson, approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions about starting a street newspaper in Washington, D.C. A street paper is defined as a newspaper about poverty, homelessness and other social issues that provides an income to the homeless individuals who sell it. About 25 street papers operate in the United States and Canada in places like Seattle, Chicago, Montreal, Boston and dozens more throughout the world.

After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers and vendors, Street Sense came out with its first issue in November 2003, printing 5,000 copies. For the next three years the paper published on a monthly basis and greatly expanded its circulation and vendor network.

For the first year, Street Sense operated

as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless, but in October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space.

In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)3 status, becoming a nonprofit organization.

In October 2005` Street Sense formed a full board of directors, and in November the organization hired its first employee, a fulltime executive director.

A year later in November 2006 , the organization hired its first vendor coordinator, and began partnering with several service providers.

In February 2007, the paper started publishing twice a month and to support the increased production, Street Sense brought on its first fulltime editor–in–chief in April.

As of January 2009 the paper has 80 active vendors and prints about 30,000 issues a month.

Do you want to continue to support Street Sense throughout the year?

Order a subscription today!

Not only will you receive 26 issues packed with all our latest news, poetry and photography, you will also help raise awareness about poverty in the D.C. area.

___ YES! I want to subscribe to Street Sense for just $40 a year for 26 issues. ___ YES! I want to give half of the cost of a subscription to my favorite vendor: ______________________________ Name:_________________________ Address:_______________________ City:____________State:__________ Zip: ___________________________ Phone: ________________________ E-mail: _______________________ Please make checks payable to: Street Sense.

Mail to: Street Sense, 1317 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20005.

We are proud members of:

North American Street Newspaper Association

International Network of Street Papers

Vendor Code of Conduct 1. Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $1. I agree not to ask for more than a dollar or solicit donations for Street Sense by any other means.

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

3. I agree to treat all others — customers, staff, other vendors — respectfully, and I will not “hard sell,” threaten or pressure customers.

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

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

6. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling the paper.

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

8. I agree to stay a block away from another vendor and respect the space of all vendors. I understand that my badge is the property of Street Sense and will not deface it. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers and display my badge and wear my vest when selling papers.

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

Street Sense thanks its donors

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August 19 - September 1, 2009

Hundreds of Thousands Face Eviction and Homelessness in Nigeria An urban renewal plan, announced in February, may put hundreds of thousands on the street and violate international human rights law, says Raquel Rolnik, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on adequate housing.

The River State Government of Nigeria (local government) began demolishing informal waterfront settlements in February in Port Harcourt, which borders the Atlantic and Nigeria’s oil producing delta. They have been ordered to stop by Nigeria’s Federal High Court, but demolitions continue in violation of the court’s order.

According to the United Nations, over 1,000 local protestors against the forced evictions were arrested in early August and the involvement of the military in the evictions places thousands at risk of human rights violations.

Nigeria is a signatory to a number of international agreements, which include provisions related to forced eviction. According to Rolnik, these agreements include provisions requiring Nigeria to ensure adequate alternative housing and resources for resettlement. The government is also required to consult with the affected people, compensate them fairly and provide them with adequate notice before their eviction.

The likelihood that the Nigerian government will follow these procedural rules is unlikely, especially since the River State Government is already in violation of Nigeria’s own court’s ruling.

Homeless Woman Wills $100,000 to Friendly New York Couple An anonymous homeless woman who passed away at the age of 92, divided all her property, $200,000, between a New York couple and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The reason for her homelessness is unknown.

The Manhattan couple that employed the Holocaust survivor in her final months was amused when she promised to bequeath them all of her property. They had no way of knowing that she had any money, let alone $100,000.

The couple reports that they had agreed to provide her with a bedroom and a hot meal in exchange for her assistance; she moved their car periodically during the work day so that they could avoid parking tickets.

The woman made no stipulations in her will as to how the money ought to be spent. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem says it will use the money to provide scholarships for low-income students.

“We’re open to suggestions as long as we can address the needs of the homeless,” said Frank Murphy, a spokesman for Catholic Charities. The location, which borders a major street, is ideal for its access to public transportation.

Hillsborough County, which is considering the proposal, has a homeless population over 10,000, more than any other Florida county.

Local legislators and officials may not be keen on allowing the plan to go much further. The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty ranks St. Petersburg, only a couple miles away from the proposed site, as the second most hostile city to homeless populations.

D.C. to Increase Hypothermia Beds by 10%

Homeless Community in Florida May Get New Tent City A plan to convert 12 acres of land in Tampa, Fla. into a tent community moved closer to completion on August 10, despite opposition. County commissioners voted 5-2 to submit the proposal to a zoning master who will determine how the property must be zoned. If completed the tent village will house 250 homeless individuals.

Neighborhood opponents raise fears that the tents will depress property values and bring crime to an otherwise peaceful area. In a bid to ease tensions and bolster support, Catholic Charities, which has proposed the idea, has modified the layout to include fewer neighborhood entrances and expand existing buffer areas. Catholic Charities also operates a 10 acre camp roughly 15 miles away.

County officials say that the village does not meet the definition of a camp and that the county lacks regulations for similar transitional housing, placing it in regulatory limbo.

D.C. officials recently announced a plan to increase the number of beds for the homeless in D.C. by 10 % this winter. According to a survey by the Metropolitan Council of Governments, the District has 703 homeless families, with more than 1,400 children, a 20 % increase over last year. Consequently, many are saying this 10 % increase is just not enough. The increase in beds will be from Nov. 1 to March 31. Officials said that this plan is already taking the depressed economy into account.

Only last month, the city received $7.4 million in federal stimulus funds to help homeless families and those in danger of becoming homeless. Still, at a recent meeting about this new development, it was announced that 285 families are currently on a waiting list for beds. It appears that the worst is yet to come as the homeless face the winter season.

Compiled by Marcus Williams, from published reports

Donate to Street Sense My Information

I will donate:

Name:_______________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________ City/State/Zip:_______________________________________________ Phone:_______________________E-mail:_________________________

___ $50 for two vendor awards each month ___ $70 for food for vendor meetings ___ $100 for postage each month ___ $200 for the vests of 15 new vendors

Please make checks payable to Street Sense Street Sense is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization.

All donations are tax deductible.

Mail to: Street Sense, 1317 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20005.

You can also donate online at www.streetsense.org

___ $500 for rent for vendor office ___ $1,200 for the printing of one issue ___ Another amount of $_______ ___ Another amount of $_______ for vendor: ________________

In Kind Donations Needed * Messenger and tote bags and backpacks for vendors

* Laptop computers with at least Windows 2000

* Bottled water to hand out to vendors

and 10 GB of storage space

* Food for vendor meetings

* Laser color printer

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August 19 - September 1, 2009

Building a Bridge for the Homeless – Across the Deep Digital Divide

By Laura Dean The term “digital divide” refers to the gap between people who have access to information technologies and those who do not. Lou August is on a mission to bridge that gap, starting with the homeless community – a group severely affected by the lack of access to technology.

“The digital divide is the greatest in the homeless community,” says August.

“It is virtually impossible to compete in the current job market without skills in technology. Even finding and applying for jobs is next to impossible without having access to a computer. Knowing the technology is important, but working with it is key,” according to August.

WildTech-CCNV hopes to bridge this digital divide.

Helping homeless people become technologically savvy is the cornerstone of Lou August’s business partnership between his technology company, Wilderness Technology Alliance, and D.C.’s largest shelter, the Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV).

The idea behind the business model is to build a self-sustaining, technology company that is managed and operated by the homeless, while providing an outlet for D.C. businesses to take advantage of high-quality training programs and refurbished computer systems offered by WildTech-CCNV staff members.

Driven by the tremendous need for technology, the program’s existence is made all the more difficult by a lack of resources. So far, the program is very successful in shelter settings like that of the CCNV because it gives residents a way to fill idle time while providing real, work-based learning experiences that are not readily available to homeless communities.

Revenue is generated by technological services that staff members perform for businesses in the Washington, D.C. area. The revenue is split between the Wilderness Technology Alliance, the CCNV, and the homeless staff members.

The Wilderness Technology Alliance and the shelter re-invest their portions of revenue to sustain the program.

The technology center located at the shelter provides training classes, job search skills, software training classes and Internet access to the nearly 1,000 residents of the shelter. The benefits of the technology classes offered at CCNV

The digital divide is the greatest in the homeless community.

PHOTO by marcus williams

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reach far beyond the people that reside at the shelter. A $99 computer class is offered every other Saturday to low income residents of Washington, D.C. WildTech-CCNV endeavors to give each participant who completes the class a free, refurbished Pentium-4

computer.

Donations from D.C. area corporations and individuals are greatly needed to sustain this program. It is also vital to get the word out to non-governmental organizations, government agencies, school districts, and private

companies that WildTech-CCNV staff members provide high-quality technology services at far below market rates.

An exciting new development is currently underway within the WildTech-CCNV c o m m u n i t y. A Technology Green Jobs Center is set to open in the Fall of 2009, located at 117 D Street NW, on the grounds of the CCNV shelter.

This technology thrift store will allow WildTech-CCNV staff members to collect computer components and recycle, refurbish, or sell them on Ebay. Branching out into e-comLeft, Arthur Meadmerce provides ows, director of the a promisWildTech-CCNV ing outlet for program, organizes the homeless the computer community at refurbishing room.

CCNV. Besides Above, Kim learning new Reynolds, prepares skills, the Techthe WildTech newsnology Green letter.

Jobs Center can empower homeless people to become more financially independent and technologically confident.

If you would like to contribute resources or time to WildTech-CCNV, please contact Lou August at laugust@ wildtech.org. The Community for Creative Non-Violence is located at 425 Second Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20001.

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August 19 - September 1, 2009

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Staying in School, Homeless Homeless children struggle to stay in school while parents ponder what to do may be even larger.

Many families do not disclose their housing situation because they do With child homelessness on the rise, students and families face dual chal- not want to identify as homeless. The lenges of maintaining academic per- counts do not include families who stay formance while coping with poverty with friends or illegally crammed into single-occupancy motel rooms. between classes.

“Our job is to ensure that all children “It is always a hardship to make sure that the kids have all the materials they have an opportunity to get a quality edneed for school,” said Lajuan Brooks, ucation,” says Janice Talley, director of a mother of three who experienced Homeless Children and Youth Programs for D.C. Public homelessness from Schools, “and that 2002 to 2006. includes homeless When Brooks children.” l o s t h e r j o b, s h e Schools in D.C. was pregnant with are offering more her third child. She assistance than found housing at the they are required Spring Road Family by law. Students Shelter and struggled can receive free to keep her children b re a k f a s t s a n d in school. Brooks is lunches, asnow a receptionist sistance with a n d g e t s g ove r n uniforms, nonment support to pay perishable food her rent. items, transpor“You just have to tation, and in keep your parenting -former homeless mother formation about principles in place transitional living wherever you are,” Brooks said. through their local schools.

In some parts of the country, homeIn July, the Department of Housing less children may outnumber adults.

According to Susan Benson, director of and Urban Development gave the Disthe Oakland Schools Homeless Student trict $7.4 million for families who are Education Program, the average age of homeless and to prevent others from the homeless population in Oakland, becoming homeless.

“This is money that will not only California is under 9.

In some cities, like Los Angeles, it is spare families the hardships of homea crime for a youth to be on the street lessness, but will save taxpayers sigduring school hours. Los Angeles nificant money in the long run,” said charged 12,000 students in 2008 with Secretary Shaun Donovan in a HUD press release. “A little bit of financial truancy, which carries a $250 fine.

Many of those students were likely assistance can make all the difference homeless and forced to travel long dis- between finding a stable home and betances to school. The Los Angeles Bus ing forced to live in a shelter or on the Riders Union estimates that 80% of streets.”

Some of the money will eventuthose charged with truancy are simply students late for school because they ally assist families with children in schools. must use public transportation.

Although federal funding will help, This year’s count of homeless chilthe D.C. city budget made cuts to most dren in the D.C. metropolitan area, conducted by the Metropolitan Washington services used by the homeless.

“They could spend that money in Council of Governments, showed a 25% increase, from 2008-2009. The number one state and there will still be homeless people. It will not be enough,” says Michael Stoops, acting executive d i re c t o r o f t h e National Coalition for the Homeless.

“This money is better than nothing and it’s more

By Karen Thomas

“It is tough. We had no funds to pay our bills and everything went downhill.

One thing was clear: I needed to do what I had to do to make sure my kids are fed.”

In July, the Department of Housing and Urban Development gave the District $7.4 million for families who are homeless and to prevent others from becoming homeless.

than what we have now.”

According to the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center, the number of families seeking assistance is increasing and some have to be turned away.

Still, a few families are making progress in spite of the recession.

Mrs. Porter, 26, who asks that her first name remain anonymous, lost her job in the early part of 2008 while she was pregnant with her second child.

Her husband had lost his job a few months earlier.

“It is tough. We had no funds to pay our bills and everything went downhill,” said Mrs. Porter. “I was embarrassed, always crying, and I stopped talking to friends. One thing was clear; I needed to do what I had to do to make sure my kids are fed.”

It was also difficult for her to keep her child in school because she had to move.

When she became homeless, it affected her daughter’s performance at school. “She started to miss days because we were living further away,” says Porter.

When her five-year-old entered the first grade she was behind. By the end of the school year her family was housed at Valley Place, a family shelter in southeast. Her school performance improved; she was helping other children with their work.

Mrs. Porter also made progress in her personal life. She earned her GED and earned her medical assistant certificate from Everest College. She was recently called back for a second interview and has begun to take online classes toward her Bachelors in psychology.

She is ready to move into her own apartment but is hesitant to change her daughter’s school again.

The number of students experiencing homelessness appears to be on the rise nationwide. A poll of school districts conducted by First Focus, a District-based advocacy group, early in the 2008-2009 school-year showed dramatic growth in the number of homeless students compared to the year before.

To help families in shelters, the D.C. Public Schools Department for Homeless Children and Youth Programs will host back-to-school workshops for parents on September 9 and 10 at the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center.

“We hope to give parents information that they can use to work with

Poverty in Schools: Fast Facts

20% - American children living in poverty.

7.8%- Average of children below poverty line for all industrialized nations.

Two per class of 28 – Number of 5th graders who have experienced homelessness.

2.5 million- Number of middle and high school students who have experienced homelessness.

16.7%- Likelihood that students in lowest income quartile will drop out 3.2%- Likelihood that student in the highest income quartile will drop out 336 points- Average difference in SAT score between the lowest and highest income brackets 9% - Incoming freshman at the top 150 colleges from families with below average annual income their children at home so that they can become academically successful in school,” said Talley.

With the help provided by her shelter, amongst other organizations, Ms. Brooks’s children were able to keep their academic performance up.

“My son graduated from high school while being homeless and [is] now taking college courses,” Brooks said.

“My daughters stayed on honor roll throughout their homeless period.”

Marcus Williams contributed to this article.

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August 19 - September 1, 2009

The Father McKenna Center: More Than a Soup Kitchen

By Dianna Heitz

On a typical Wednesday night, the Father McKenna Center – located near Union Station – serves hundreds of meals to the needy in Washington.

Before you get the idea that the center is just another soup kitchen, think again.

Each day, more than 100 men come to the center to shower, get their laundry done, eat or rest. But that’s not all.

The center also provides HIV/AIDS testing, group support meetings, emergency food assistance, rent and utility help, referrals for food stamps, bus fare and work-appropriate clothing.

From November to April, the center stays open all the time to keep the homeless out of the cold.

And the staff does all this out of the small basement of St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Northwest.

The center was started after the death of Fr. Horace McKenna, who was known for helping the neediest in the neighborhood, according to Tom Howarth, director of the center. When McKenna died in 1982, many feared the support system would, too.

“The parish said Horace was a saint and wanted to honor him” so it opened the center in 1983 to keep his traditions alive and help homeless men get back on their feet, Howarth said.

“Some people ask ‘why only men?’

People are the least sympathetic to homeless men,” Howarth said. “They tell them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but some of them don’t have boots, let alone bootstraps.”

That’s why the center acts as more than just a place for a meal. Howarth said one of the goals is to give men the help—and emotional support—they need to get out of the cycle of poverty.

“Society wants [the homeless] out of sight, out of mind,” Howarth said. “I can’t think of anything worse to say to somebody than ‘I don’t expect anything out of you.’”

Every day there’s a group support meeting in a chapel adjacent to the center, where Howarth said the men are able to “resocialize.”

They are told to wake up, take off their hats and pay attention. It’s not just a place for center staff to lecture

them; it’s a conversation about daily struggles, successes and how to start to improve their situations.

Howarth refers to the men who visit as his “friends,” and it’s that sort of friendliness and supportive environment that many of the men say is what makes the center unlike any other in the District.

“The McKenna Center is unique because they have a meeting section,” said Larry, a man who was attending the morning meeting. “I don’t just come here for the food.

They get you on the [right] track.

Look at me. I was homeless.”

Others share similar stories of achievement.

“They helped me stop being complacent,” said Lydell, another man at the meeting. “If you can take the first step, they’ll help you with the second step. They’ve helped me get stable.”

Most of the visitors emphasize that the center isn’t just a place for a meal and a bus pass. It’s a support team that can help make getting back on one’s feet a real possibility.

“It’s the only place where you can get encouragement rather than being at a drop-in center. They get you on the path you need to be,” said Wayne, another visitor.

What also makes the Father McKenna Center special is that some of the staff members were formerly down on their luck, just like the men who stop by each day.

Virginia Jenkins started out as a volunteer during a time she was unemployed. Eventually, she was offered a job at the Father McKenna Center, and is now a receptionist, greeting people.

She asks them to sign in and explain their reason for stopping by. Reasons

vary from “attending a meeting” to “just chilling.”

When Jenkins took some time off during an illness, Tony, a regular visitor at the time, stepped up for a few weeks to take her place. Howarth offered Tony a full-time job and a place to stay earlier this year.

Before that, Tony had been homeless and unemployed.

“I first came to the Father McKenna Center because I wanted to take advantage of what they had to offer that didn’t cost anything. I was in a cocoon,” he said.

He had been living on the streets of D.C., which he says “isn’t really living.

It’s dangerous.”

Since starting the job with the center, Tony says he can think with a sober mind for the first time in 20 years.

“I’m excited about my new beginning,” he said.

“My life was at a standstill for two-and-a-half years. I owe the McKenna Center all the credit in the world.”

Tony’s success story has encouraged other McKenna Center visitors to follow his lead.

“They see me and think that if I can do it, then they can definitely do it,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m just blessed. That’s the bottom line.”

Some people ask, ‘why only men?’ People are the least sympathetic to homeless men. They tell them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, but some of them don’t have boots, let alone bootstraps.

PHOTO by Dianna heitz

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Above right, Tony from CCNV, was homeless before being employed as a receptionist.

Above left, CCNV employees make dinner.

The Father McKenna Center is located at 19 Eye Street, NW.

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August 19 - September 1, 2009

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Street Papers: Surviving on a Shoestring

By Laura Thompson Osuri

PHOTO by Peter Freeze

A

t the beginning of August about 50 representatives from street papers across the United States and Canada met in Denver to learn from each other and come up with new ideas to improve street newspapers and the lives of the vendors they serve. This NASNA (North American Street Newspaper Association) conference was titled “Navigating the Recession,” and while the workshops were more broadly focused on general operation of street papers, the recession and the struggles that followed were at the top of everyone’s mind.

The editor of Boston’s Spare Change told me how the paper nearly ran out of money and had to fire all its staff. The paper is now being run by a graduate student working for a stipend. The new executive director from Chicago’s Streetwise joined when the paper was going into debt. He put out the “red flag” to donors threatening the paper’s closure, and ended up raising well above and beyond what they needed. The director of Street Roots in Portland, Ore., explained that their individual donations dropped off considerably, so the organization decided to halt any new programs. The scrappy Contributor in Nashville said that they only had $92 in the bank, but continued to put out a quality paper and bring on new vendors with a completely volunteer run staff.

And I of course shared the Street Sense story of how in April we let our readers know about our tight finances with the “Nonprofits in Peril” issue and got an amazing response of support from our readers.

While all of these stories may sound quite unfortunate, I see them as hopeful, as not one street paper had to shut its doors or even skip an issue. During this difficult economic time when large nonprofits like the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund have shut their doors, and others like the Boys and Girls Club have drastically cut their services because of financial strains, street papers all across the country are figuring out ways to make due and stay afloat.

How is it that street papers can survive these tight financial times where other nonprofits can’t?

The answer, I think, goes back to the grassroots origins of most every street paper in North America. Most street papers in the United States and Canada were founded by

Street Sense executive director Laura Thompson Osuri and other street paper leaders share their stories during a “speed dating” introduction during the recent North American Street Newspaper Association conference. energetic and passionate people. They were dedicated volunteers and homeless individuals, with little money but lots of writing and design skills. So they became very adept and using volunteer help, begging for donations and forging for free office supplies and computers, while all along putting out a sleek, quality paper.

Even though many street papers now have proper offices, upgraded technology systems, and a handful of paid staff, they have not forgotten their roots. And when times get tough, as they have been over the last year, street papers can revert back to their shoestring ways - and still look good doing so.

Street Sense appears to be on the financial upswing now and I am confident the street papers mentioned above will follow suit. But we have no plans for a new company jet - nor even new desks - and will simply use any excess cash to go back into more grassroots programs to help improve the lives of vendors. We will still save un-canceled stamps and reuse paper clips because it’s just in our blood.

Now Providing Quality Dental Services for D.C. Medically underserved and homeless persons

….We treat you well

For one of Unity Health Care’s Medical Homeless Service Sites Call (202) 255-3469 For an appointment at any of our Community Health Centers Call 1(866) 388388-6489

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S treetS ense.org

August 19 - September 1, 2009

High Schoo Who Am I?

By Whitney Lam, age 15

My Shadow

By Whitney Lam, age 15

Have you ever felt alone? Seems like your only friend is the shadow before you? Well, my friend is my shadow. My shadow has taught me many things, as well as guiding me into many obstacles. My shadow is the only way I can tell if I’m living.

Shadow, shadow against my wall, who’s the wisest one of all?

You were there when lesson taught.

You watched me.

You are truly my friend.

When the times I need you most you struggle to appear.

You only rise when I find a way, a way to light, a way to life.

Answers that are answered.

You are my warning.

At night you don’t appear.

You are my only friend, so obviously I shouldn’t be here.

Who am I to disbelieve, all the things I can be?

It’s not my job to judge the odds, Not my job to fire the gifts from God, Who am I to put me down?

Who am I to make me frown?

It’s not my job to make regrets, It’s not my job to envy the best.

I am the employer that takes the orders, To accept the happiness from life.

It’s my duty to be successful for me.

It’s not my job to be a low-life, or a beggar in the streets, It’s up to me to sign the contract to save me.

My job is difficult; no doubt it’s hard, But once I wipe my tears and clear my eyes, My dreams are never too far.

There’s a lot on my plate, work to do.

All my title says, “I believe in you” So I take my title and work every second of the day.

Happiness and health, reduce the pain is what my job would pay, So it’s not up to me to kill myself, Run away and hide, My job is to be me, and know I’m great inside.

Common Sense

By Whitney Lam, age 15

I can’t have what I don’t accept.

I can’t earn if I don’t work.

I can’t pray without hope.

I can’t be something if I don’t believe.

I can’t see if I have no

sight.

I can steal if I love regrets.

I can fight if I do love pain.

I can run away if I do love trouble.

I can die if I hate my family.

So what is good without the bad?

What will I learn if I don’t have a mistake?

I’m only human. And these are only common sense.

S treetS ense.org

August 19 - September 1, 2009

9

ol Students Express Themselves

Street Sense

They don’t know me They think I am something I’m not I am just there for a good cause

By Dawnelle Dickenson

They want to ignore the problem

On the corner

If they don’t help, it will stay.

In the humid heat

They avoid me like I’m a pest

The passerby walk their ways down the street

So if you think I’m a pest, I’ll be a pest

I’m shy and I’m afraid to ask

I’ll follow you and cut you off

But I have to come out of my shell and say it.

Simply for a dollar donation

“Excuse me ma’am. Sir. Would you be willing to donate

It’s only a dollar, you have more than you need

a dollar for our paper Street Sense, to help the homeless”

I embarass myself when I ask other workers

They shake their heads and tell me no

Wow, they look so much like everyone else

It gets to me but won’t let it show

They were not what I was expecting

I be persistent and keep on asking

It’s another eye-opening experience

Some are regulars but they still keep passing

I’ve already learned most stereotypes are false

A woman in a funny hat walks down the crosswalk laughing

But somehow still believe them until I experience

She wants to buy a paper but she’s already bought so many

the reality of the lie

Some don’t even notice that I am there

It’s breath-taking how one person can learn so much just

They judge me

by selling papers on a street corner

But it won’t go away that way

The Rose That Grew From the Center of the Concrete A father is someone who cares and always shares love and is always there with arms open wide to catch me when I fall and to be there to help me overcome walls

Why

You were there to care You were there to love You were there to bare your open arms like God up above

photo by Kimberley Comrie

The pedals of the rose resembles me and my family The stem resembles my father and the thorns are the protection that he provides for us ~Greg,Montel &Marcus

By B. Cook

This is what I ask myself.

Why? Why am I like this?

So filled with anger.

No remorse for what I’ve done.

No answers for the questions

that are presented to me.

The emptiness that’s in my heart and in my life.

Why am I here?

Here on this earth to fulfill what?

My purpose, I haven’t figured It out.

To have others around me that see the hidden potential, the potential that has not Surfaced yet in my eyes.

Why do they care?

Why do they take their time?

Why does it matter to them?

I guess my question is simply Why?

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S treetS ense.org

August 19 - September 1, 2009

A’s Wordmatch

by Patrick Azarius

Patrick has done extensive research. See if you can match these historical events with their inventors.

Last Issue’s Solution

A. Robert Hare ___ B. Joseph Nicephore Niepce

C. Christoph Scheiner

___

___

D. Vincenzo Cascariolo ___ E. Johannes Kepler

____

1. Built the Pantograph 2. Invented the Hydrogen Blowlamp 3. Italian Shoe Maker and chemist who came upon

Barium Sulphide

4. Took what is believed to be the first photographs 5. Coined the term “Camera Obscura”

THE PLATE COMIC

by Harvey Droke

Who’s Who of the Homeless

By Carlton Johnson

Cary Grant Grant, born in Horfield, Bristol, England in 1904, was an Oscar-award-winning actor.

During World War I, on the streets of South Hampton, England, one summer in his youth he volunteered as a messenger and a gofer on the military docks.

He would often sleep in alleys when he didn’t make enough money during the day to rent a simple cot in a flophouse.

The actor died at the age of 82 on Nov. 29, 1986.

Kelly Clarkson

Ella Fitzgerald The winner of the 1st season of AmerShe was known as “the first lady of song,” a Grammy award-winning singer and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient.

Born on April 25, 1918 in Newport News, VA, Fitzgerald lived on the streets of Harlem in New York City for a year while she was young, before winning an amateur singing contest at The Apollo Theater.

After a great career as a singer, Ella died June 15, 1996, in Beverly Hills, CA.

ican Idol in 2002, Kelly Clarkson is now a Grammy award winning singer.

In March, 2002, after a fire in her apartment building, she was forced to live in her car and a shelter in Hollywood, Calif. With nowhere to turn, Clarkson lived in a homeless shelter for several days.

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

Foundry United Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20036 (202) 332-4010

www.foundryumc.org

S treetS ense.org

August 19 - September 1, 2009

Will write for food: Writer’s Group Writer’s Group meets Wednesdays 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Street Sense office. A poetry after party is 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Reggie’s Reflections- Good for Me????

Back to School...

September is approaching and the streets are a buzz with the return of students to the classroom. Here are our experiences from our childhood educations.

Just a Little Boy

Just a little boy homeless as can be, running the streets of Washington D.C. known time for school no time to learn his 123 or ABC’s, looking for his daddy homeless were can he be, open your eyes to the faces we don’t like to see, the face of a child, homeless as can be, out in the street looking for something to eat, tiny teenagers, schools not for me I have to help my mommy as homeless as can be, Oh! little girl why can’t you learn your ABC’s , her answer maybe my mommy and daddy don’t live with me, my mommy and daddy live in the streets, I think about them and were can they be, no time to sleep How can I learn my ABC’s, the homeless have children the faces you never really see, the faces of the homeless. In Washington D.C. Just a little person smart as can be at the top of their class in school you see living in a shelter with mommy and daddy that’s something to see and their only prayer for a home where they can be a family. The faces of the homeless you never really see.

Living in a shelter and on the streets. In this great city Washington D.C. Robert Warren Robert is also a part of Peoples Fairness Coalition contact: robertwarren47@yahoo.com

It’s Schooltime Again

by Lester Myers

There just one month to go,until classrooms will be filled with laughter and clamorous noises of kids returning to school. Shopping will need to be done, as well as certain other tasks. Things are alot more advanced than they used to be. As an adult ,I am also going back to school. My plan is to be observant to the kids. As smart as kids are today, I am sure there will be much to learn, so I’m going to get prepared as soon as possible.

After all, its school time again!!

Lester has been sober seven months contact: myers.jupiter.lester6@gmail.com

One Essential

by Reginald Black

I can remember that most subjects in school were very easy for me. Why? Because I

always had the ability to read. English, history, and science were all relatively boring. My three years ago in Potomac Job Corps, my favorite subject ended up being math. This newfound love for numbers came, when I was at the time enrolled in accounting. It gave me a rush to learn what business is all about if you do not understand math then you cannot expect to be able to manage a budget. Math is just one essential that all need to survive our ever changing world and that goes for all ever the homeless

Homelessness and School

by Richard Embden

Homelessness, as it relates to school, can be viewed from many dimensions. Homeless children sometimes look forward to the regular and nutritious food prepared in school programs. The connection between adequate nutrition and success in academic endeavors has long been documented. Among the adult homeless, there is not as much excitement about schooling. However, the options are still open to further one's education, no matter where one has left off. What is lacking is the hope that the effort will pay off. Also lacking in many cases is the discipline needed to complete an education. The key question is, Will it translate into a change in job prospects?

Contact Richard at chessaddict7@yahoo.com or facebook.com/addicted2ministry

By Reginald Black Accused of crimes I struggled to sell papers. It was a learning experence. I know I could move around, but what was I familiar with? I stuck to my panhandling spot. I worked all day and made a mediocre income. Each morning that I got up, I knew I had to try. A girl called on me late one night. She told me where she was, so I picked up, stashed my things, and headed out. It was a long walk out to Maryland. But I was received well. I ate dinner, and we hung out with her cousin.

They gossiped for a while and her cousin left. I slept pretty well that night, but I awoke almost immediatly wanting to leave. After some coaxing I stayed. One day went by then two. On the third day the owner of the house offered me a ride back to southeast. I told them the area they could drop me off. I waited until they were far down the road before I made my way back to my hideout. I was glad to have slept in a bed, but it was of no use. Fact of the matter was that furnace was my bed. My sleep became dreamless. Some nights I just laid on the floor, but something wouldn’t let me quit, what was it? Was this female helping me good for me or was it all a game? I didn’t see the outcome but was willing to face it head on.

Reggie hosts The Writers Group Contact roninworrior@yahoo.com

The Writer's Group is in need of laptops email: info@streetsense.org if you can help

Age of Enlightenment

by David Rubin

The era of great thinking was marked by the petulance experienced in the French Republicanism Movement. It was no longer acceptable for people to be in undesirable conditions. A way was needed to express pressing concerns, and they emphasized education as a mode of exercising democracy, and equanimity in justice. Thus pure science becomes easier to study, especially chemistry and mathematics, my favorties. If we are commited to ending homelessness we should look to the age of French Enlightenment David volunteers + writing his own novel Contact: stonepotts2007@yahoo.com

Back to school

by Anne-Marie Holloway

Time to get the grade school children on a regular schedule again. Its takes lots of rush and fuss to be prepared for that 1st day back to school. There are lots of new things to learn and social skills to gain as they grow. Reminiscing on this subject makes me miss those days. Life was simpler back then, Back when we weren’t so grown. We were full of questions about life and eager to learn. As life goes on, the days when your children were young becomes memories to cherish.

Anne-Marie is also an artist Contact: Ross3Ford@yahoo.com

An Unexpected Road

by Mikhail Douglas

My favorite subject as a boy in school was English. Each and every day was enjoyable. I knew every time I walked into the class that something exciting was planned for that day. The best part about my English class was learning vocabulary. I am passionate about words and love sezing the opportunity to learn new ones. I also enjoyed the poetry section. Of course most of my teachers said my writing skills were excellent. One of them, who was my nineth grade history teacher told me I should pursue a writing career. All the time I couldn t have cared less about what he said. But now, as a college student studing English, I am pursuing that career.

Mikhail Douglass Mikhail loves to write poetry contact: mikhial_79@msn.com

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

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S treetS ense.org

August 19 - September 1, 2009

Connecting the Dots

The Lemming Who Wouldn’t Jump

By Jeffery McNeill

By Louise Thundercloud

I

put on my activist hat for this article.

I wonder what everyone thinks of the threats to social services for lowincome communities and the proposed slashing of funds for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other low income housing in D.C. (in addition to the already under-funded mental health and health care system for low income and homeless communities in D.C.) Last night Steve Thomas (“Better Believe Steve of S.T.R.I.V.E.”) and I spoke of the nightmare that intersects the homeless community, crosses into the mental health community, and over to homeowners and renters. For families who are barely making it and who teeter on homelessness, these proposed cuts in services will affect us the most.

Many District residents have fallen for business as usual for years, making the wishes of politicians come true. We see our problems as separate and narrow problems (this affects this community and this affects that community). As long as we continue to think and act in this way, we are all just fighting for attention and will accomplish nothing.

We are collectively blind. And being so makes the “fiscally conservative” (read non-caring politicians) in the federal government very happy. The funding eventually trickles down to the D.C. government for housing, mental health services, drug and substance abuse services, and services for the developmentally delayed, mentally retarded and other disabled people.

Folks, D.C. is a federal city and that means our issues with funding begin with scissor hands at the federal level and then our mayor gleefully gets the chance to do his thing: hurt us all.

Hat in hand, he goes on television with crocodile tears to say he has no choice but to hurt the already vulnerable again with cuts to social services.

Will holding rallies alone stop this? Most likely not. Will just testifying at City Council change this? Probably not.

Will rallying; testifying; talking with the national, international and alternative media combined with voting the most offensive of politicians out of office accomplish something? I am sure it will.

Tried and true, one-off attempts will perhaps raise the consciousness of a few people. But what we are looking at right now is a crisis, and a crisis calls for thinking as well as acting outside the box.

The definition of insanity is doing the same things in the same way and somehow hoping for a different outcome.

I don’t know about you but I am tired of doing the same thing I did last week. It won’t work this week. So my question is: Why are we thinking of solutions which had possible success years ago when, now we have such a different set of circumstances?

If this crisis is not approached differently, I can assure you that the homeless will be on the lawns of homeowners and I will be there serving breakfast. Beds will show up in the least likely of places. People who need medication will terrorize every neighborhood and go to the bathroom on your lawns. And as for crime: hey, don’t even get me started.

Louise is an activist and proud mother, and she was homeless from 1991 to 1993.

T

he lemming is a type of rodent that lives around the Arctic. They are the most fascinating of rodents because they make migratory excursions to the sea where they jump off cliffs and commit mass suicide. Here is a tale of a group of lemmings who made one such journey off a cliff.

My story begins in the high mountains which are called fells, spelled fjell in Norwegian. Lemmings usually live in the snow and make nests to escape predators. When it thaws they migrate to lower lands. This particular winter was mild and the snow had thawed and there was plenty of food for the lemmings, including lots of berries, nuts, and vegetation. The male lemmings are doing prosperously and the females have a lot of mates to breed with.

They are all living the good life where they believe there will be no more winter. So they come out of their burrows and feast till their bellies are full. These lemmings cheered and partied everyday. “No more winter!” they all said.

One lemming, however, was different. His name was Spot. He was suspicious of the other lemmings. He remembered the hard winters and stored his food in the burrows. The other lemmings asked him why put so much food in his burrow. “There’s gonna be no more winter didn’t you hear,” they said.. “You need to be a lemming like us and get rid of your food.”

Spot said, “I feel a storm coming.”

The lemmings chuckled. “Only muskrats forecast storms. Go ahead in your burrow and miss the party.”

They all sang and rolled around till a snowflake hit the ground. One lemming said, “Don’t worry. There’s always a little turbulence in prosperity.” Then the wind growled and the temperature dropped. A blizzard was on the way.

The lemmings hurried in their huts and the snow piled up.

Soon, their harvest was gone, food was scarce and they all pointed fingers and started fighting each other. They wanted to know who said, “no more winter.” They all were grumbling from starvation, they looked thinner and thinner and wished the snow would go away.

Until one day a charismatic lemming name Haiku talked about what it was to be a lemming.

He had a different kind of fur - it was slick, well-groomed and his paws were trimmed. He told the males it was time to go to the ocean, find a good cliff and jump. The lemmings became excited.

There was hope in their dull lives! As Haiku glorified the idea of jumping the lemmings cheered. “This is what a lemming should do!” they shouted.

They cheered, they celebrated, until Spot the lemming said, Who’s gonna be the first to jump off the cliff?”

The crowd got silent. They looked angry at him and said, “Is he a lemming? He can’t be a lemming. He must be a mole, or worse yet a hedgehog, for he isn’t a jumper.” One asked him where was he from? “Are you imported from France? ‘Cus we jump here!”

Spot spoke and said, “This lemming Haiku talks the talk of jumping, but ask him what’s it like when you hit the ground. He’s not a jumper, he’s a runner. When the great day of jumping comes will you be able to tell. How many lemmings see their grandchildren? How many wise old lemmings are there? I don’t see any, so I’m not jumping.”

This charismatic lemming Haiku told the crowd, “I am gonna be a lemming and do what a lemming does, and that is jump. Is anyone coming?”

They roared and started for the cliff.

As they cheered and jumped Haiku and Spot hung on as the lemmings hit the water. As the lemmings fell off the cliff they all hit the water and drowned.

The next day there were dead lemmings everywhere. Only two lemmings standing - Haiku and Spot. One told the lemmings to jump and the other used his judgment and didn’t jump.

I guess there is a moral for this tale: Before you follow someone off a cliff, see if they jump first.

Jeffery has been a vendor for two years and hails from New Jersey.

S treetS ense.org

August 19 - September 1, 2009

Johannesburg: City of Promise

By Mina Dailami

T

he man crouched on the street corner looked up at the boundless South African sky illuminated by stars almost as if the stars held a promise.

Through the misty optimism and fortitude that resided in his gaze, I could detect the history of a man who had been broken and mended more than once. I listened, with my heart clinging to every word, as the man relinquished his life’s story, allowing it to descend upon me like monsoon rains.

He spoke of the promise of finding a job in a big city and the dearth of opportunity in his home town. He spoke of his girlfriend at home and how he calls her, guaranteeing everything will fall in place because Johannesburg offers real, tangible opportunity. Instead of getting lost amid the city lights, he was determined to outshine them. His hope was not ephemeral and was devoid of even the slightest pretense, and it was this quality that allowed him to radiate dignity.

The light, dry air separating our two silhouettes was fortified by the melancholy intensity of the man’s voice that filled it. Indeed, the words, with their ability to ebb and flow, entered through my ears and took a firm grasp on my body. I felt I could never forget the strong yet somber melody of his story. When I left Johannesburg I took with me the lingering promise of the city, the promise that it would allow him to live the dream he had come for, and that if ever I returned he would no longer be huddled on that corner. Regardless of the rubble and city muck, I still believe. I still believe in the glow and electric vibrations of the city lights, as a reflection of the stars still holding their luminescent promise of a job and a home for that man.

Mina is an upcoming senior at the St. Andrews Episcopal School. Last spring she participated in the South Africa trip hosted by her school. For the duration of the trip she stayed with host families in different parts of the country and while in Johannesburg she helped distribute soup and bread to homeless men and women.

This is About Gun Control

By Kenneth Belkosky

T

his is how I would handle gun control in this country.

There is so much killing in the U.S., that there must be a better way of dealing with guns and the way people use them. That is the central issue.

The Supreme Court made a big mistake in repealing the D.C. gun law. We in this country and city cannot handle guns anymore.

My idea is this; hunters, for example can rent a gun from the government and use it to hunt, only. People with guns in their homes must turn them in to the police. I know this is strict but this must be done to control the killing with guns.

Our country did not start with being at war with each other but today, with the ample amount of guns on the street, we ARE now.

Congress should change the Constitution of our country to ban all guns. With the O.K. with renting the guns from the government for hunting, when the hunter shoots someone while hunting, they will be banned from hunting for life. At least lives will be saved.

I know that just in my neighborhood alone, there were at least five shootings in about one week’s time span. I just wish there was a better way of dealing with guns. There is an average of about 82 people killed by guns per day in the United States. Just take a look at Columbine High School and, just about two or three weeks ago the shooting at a Pennsylvania health club, that is why I just cannot understand why this is happening.

Ken has been a vendor for nearly a year and loves to listen to police scanners in his spare time.

Back to School - No Longer A Helpless Fool

By Sean Christopher Riley There were drinks and drugs everywhere...and I enjoyed the life.

No thinking of school or studying for me; I thought I was fit for all the world to see. I said to myself, I’m an up and coming vet, how much more lucky can I be.

I became lost in my world of self destruct, helpless fool you see; and then at rock bottom, it suddenly dawned on me; No one will hire you; you don’t have a place to sleep; you are not clean, who will think you worthy of keep?

I did not see the burning bush, but I did see me sinking fast, and so suddenly it occurred to me; that I must create a better past.

One that speaks to who I was born to be; and not one I tried to be in an effort to prove that I could be free and different you see.

It’s been a long time since I picked up a book to study..

Far too long since I studied for a quiz, and exams, Now I am calculating averages, and I know just what good grades and referencess will mean to my becoming a new man.

It had been so long since I had a dream...that I know can come true But I can still remember dwelling in a HELL of ignorance--From which I am seeking a permanent Rescue.

It has been long enough--holding on to what should have been.

It has been not so long ago, that I lived the life of being Rough AND TOUGH! All the while I watch other peers with much more potential than I, Get SNUFFED!

I no longer believe that circumstances and situations control my fate.

I know I have free will and coping skills to deal with my ‘Stored-up Hate’ I am a NEW ME---I see a future full of Possibilities.

I’am back in school---learning lessons for my Pursuit of Happiness.

I have learned lessons and now recognize blessings, as I put on clean clothes, eat a warm breakfast, and set out for school.

I can document life as a homeless-- and walking dead person-but that would serve no purpose here.

Now I can document the life of hope, taking each day at a time-Clean AND Sober--Standing Tall and BACK IN SCHOOL IN 2009 Sean has been a vendor for four months and is an active member of the Street Sense Writers’ Group. He graduated from a certificate program, and is now pursuing a Masters’Degree while homeless.

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S treetS ense.org

August 19 - September 1, 2009

Sounds of Hope Ring for Street Sense

By Reginald Black

O

n Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, Street Sense partnered with The Potter’s House for a Sounds of Hope benefit concert.

The concert brought together gifted artists like Street Sense’s own Greg Phillips, folk musicans Antonio Andre and Terrence J., and first-time performer Sarah Gilberg.

Greg was the first perfomer and played his orignal “Rockin’ for Street Sense” along with the other muscians. Greg has been playing music all his life, starting with banging on pots and pans and moving on to the piano and drums. Greg started taking music lessons in the sixth grade, and while attending Duke Ellington Senior High School, Greg picked up strings and bass guitar. Greg is now working on more songs for Street Sense and has finished another song he is preparing to record.

Next up was Antonio Andrade, who was performing for his first tgime in Washington, D.C. Antonio has been playing music since 1968 and professionally since 1976. Antonio said he feels there is so much good in the world and loves to connect with people through his music.

Sarah Gilberg was the third artist, giving her first full performance. Sarah started playing piano at the age of four, and picked up a guitar when she was eight. “I really enjoyed playing with Street Sense.

It was a great group of people, there was a really positive energy tonight,” Sarah said after the show.

The final performer was Terrence J., who is also the host of the Potter’s House Recovery Cafe. He grew up in Northeast D.C. and started playing music in church in the sixth grade. Terrence plays about two or three times a month at coffee houses, cafes, and open mic nights. He decided to get involved with Street Sense after seeing vendors and getting to know some of them. ‘’The opportunity presented itself, and I felt it was a worth-while cause,” Terrence said.

The Sounds of Hope is a concert series where local charities partner with local artists to raise awareness about the work that they doing and raise money for the organization charity. The concerts are held at the Potter’s House and 80% of proceeds from the door are given to the hosting charity organization.

The Potter’s House is a restaurant, a bookstore, a gift shop, a concert venue, a theatre, an art gallery, and gathering place for innocent conversation, work meetings, worship or subversive activism.

Christian Peele, the host of Sounds of Hope, looks forward to more benefit concerts and said, “I hope that you will join us at Sounds of Hope, and enjoy the sounds as well as continue to become aware of the work local nonprofits and charities are doing and the way that they are bring about change.”

Sarah Giblerg (Top); Antonio Andrade (Bottom); Greg Phillips (far left). All photos by Josh Miller.

Reginald is a vendor for Street Sense and designs the Writers’ Group page every issue. He was also one of the three vendor-waiters that served guests during the benefit concert.

Street Sense Is In Search A Of New Executive Director Job Description: As a highly driven professional with a mix of business and nonprofit management expertise, you will have the opportunity to take an established brand and extend its reach and influence through creative sales, distribution, advertising and development strategies. You will also have the chance to make a difference in the lives of poor and homeless community members by managing a program that provides both employment opportunities and a voice in their community.

Tasks / Responsibilities

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Mission Promotion

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Strategic planning

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Revenue development

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Fundraising and Development

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Financial Management

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Communications and Outreach

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Editorial/Staff Supervision

Compensation & Benefits • •

.Mandatory

Salary $45-50K with growth potential based on performance Benefits package including health care, vacation and parental leave.

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Skills / Qualifications / Experience

5+ years of professional experience in newspaper industry, nonprofit association management or high-level development position BS/BA degree or higher (concentration in business, finance or journalism desirable) Experience in and willingness to engage in development and fundraising required Strong leadership skills, ability to work collaboratively Experience with managing small teams and with developing staff and partners Ability to interact effectively with people of other cultures, capacities, and organizations Strong interpersonal and speaking skills

To apply Email your cover letter, resume and three references to hiring@streetsense.org.

S treetS ense.org WASHINGTON, D.C.

August 19 - September 1, 2009 (202) 387–6612 www.churchofthepilgrims.org

housing, job training, supportive mental health services

Calvary Women’s Services 928 5th Street, NW (202) 783–6651 www.calvaryservices.org

Dinner Program for Homeless Women AND the “9:30 Club” Breakfast 309 E Street, NW (202) 737–9311 www.dphw.org

Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050 www.friendshiphouse.net counseling, mentoring, education, youth services, clothing

Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW (202) 745–7118 www.missiondc.org

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

CCNV (Men and Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393–1909 users.erols.com/ccnv/

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

Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (202) 338–8301 www.georgetownministrycenter. org laundry, counseling, psych care

Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232–7356 www.communityofhopedc.org

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

SHELTER

Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Ave SE (202) 610–9600 www.covenanthousedc.org Housing, education, job prep Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731 www.grm.org John Young Center (Women) 119 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469 www,catholiccharitiesdc.org My Sister’s Place PO Box 29596 Washington, DC 20017 office (202) 529-5261 24-hour hotline (202)-529-5991 shelter and other services for domestic violence victims N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060 www.nstreetvillage.org 801 East, St. Elizabeths Hospital (Men) 2700 MLK Avenue, SE (202) 561–4014 New York Ave Shelter (Men 18+) 1355–57 New York Avenue, NE (202) 832–2359 Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 Mitch Snyder Place, NW (202) 639–8093

FOOD Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232–3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplace Church of the Pilgrims (Sundays only) 2201 P Street, NW

MEDICAL RESOURCES Christ House 1717 Columbia Road, NW (202) 328–1100 www.christhouse.org Unity Health Care, Inc. 3020 14th Street, NW (202) 745–4300 www.unityhealthcare.org Whitman–Walker Clinic 1407 S Street, NW (202) 797–3500; www.wwc.org

OUTREACH CENTERS Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW (202) 265–2400 AND 1640 Good Hope Road, SE (202) 561–8587 www.breadforthecity.org food pantry, clothing, legal and social services, medical clinic Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW (202) 364–1419; www.cchfp.org housing, medical and psych care, substance abuse and job counseling Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060 http://www.nstreetvillage.org meals, hygiene, laundry, social activities, substance abuse treatment Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112 Green Door (202) 464–9200 1221 Taylor Street NW www.greendoor.org

Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328–6608 www.marthastable.org dinner, education, recreation, clothing, child and family services Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW (202) 682–1005 http://www.ccdsd.org/howorwc. php hygiene, laundry, lunch, phone and mail, clothing, social events Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675–9340 www.sashabruce.org counseling, housing, family services So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW (202) 797–8806; www.some.org lunch, medical and dental, job and housing counseling

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Academy of Hope GED Center 601 Edgewood St NE 202-269-6623 www.aohdc.org Bright Beginnings Inc. 128 M Street NW, Suite 150 Washington DC 20001 (202) 842–9090 www.brightbeginningsinc.org Child care, family services Catholic Community Services 924 G Street, NW (202) 772–4300 www.ccs–dc.org umbrella for a variety of services D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Avenue, NW (202) 347–8870; www.dccfh.org housing, substance abuse treatment, employment assistance DC Food Finder Interactive online map of free and low cost resources. www.dcfoodfinder.org Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW

(202) 347–0511 www.cflsdc.org housing, job and substance abuse counseling, clothes closet Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010 www.foundryumc.org ESL, lunch, clothing, IDs Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332–2874 http://www.ccs–dc.org/find/ services/ meals, hygiene, laundry, clothing JHP, Inc. 1526 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE (202) 544–9126 www.jobshavepriority.org training and employment Jubilee Jobs 1640 Columbia Road, NW (202) 667–8970 www.jubileejobs.org job preparation and placement National Coalition for the Homeless 2201 P Street, NW (202) 462–4822 www.nationalhomeless.org activists, speakers bureau National Student Partnerships (NSP) 128 M Street NW, Suite 320 (202) 289–2525 washingtondc@nspnet.org Job resource and referral agency Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE , AND 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202)889–7702 www.samaritanministry.org HIV support, employment, drug/ alcohol addiction, healthcare St. Luke’s Episcopal Church 1514 15th Street, NW (202) 667–4394 http://stlukesdc.edow.org food, counseling St. Matthew’s Cathedral 1725 Rhode Island Avenue, NW (202) 347–3215 ext. 552 breakfast, clothing, hygiene Travelers Aid, Union Station 50 Mass. Avenue, NE (202) 371–1937 www.travelersaid.org/ta/ dc.html emergency travel assistance Wash. Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U Street, NW (202) 328–5500 www.legalclinic.org

MARYLAND SHELTER Comm. Ministry of Montgomery Co. 114 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville (301) 762–8682 www.communityministrymc. org The Samaritan Group Inc. P.O. Box 934, Chestertown (443) 480–3564 Warm Night Shelter 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499–2319 www.cmpgc.org

FOOD Bethesda Cares 7728 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda (301) 907–9244 www.bethesdacares.com Community Place Café 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499–2319 www.cmpgc.org Manna Food Center 614–618 Lofstrand Lane, Rockville (301) 424–1130 www.mannafood.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES Community Clinic, Inc. 8210 Colonial Lane, Silver Spring (301) 585–1250 www.cciweb.org Mobile Medical Care, Inc. 9309 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda (301) 493–2400 www.mobilemedicalcare.org

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Catholic Charities, Maryland 12247 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring (301) 942–1790 www.catholiccharitiesdc.org shelter, substance abuse treatment, variety of other services Mission of Love 6180 Old Central Avenue, Capitol Heights (301)333–4440 www.molinc.org life skills classes, clothing, housewares Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless 600–B East Gude Drive, Rockville (301) 217–0314; www.mcch.net emergency shelter, transitional

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housing, and supportive services

VIRGINIA SHELTER Alexandria Community Shelter 2355 B-Mill Road, Alexandria (703) 838–4239 Carpenter’s Shelter 930 N. Henry Street, Alexandria (703) 548–7500 www.carpentersshelter.org The Arlington–Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless 3103 9th Road, North, Arlington (703) 525–7177 www.aachhomeless.org

FOOD ALIVE!, Inc. 2723 King Street, Alexandria (703) 836–2723 www.alive–inc.org Our Daily Bread 10777 Main Street #320, Fairfax (703) 273–8829 www.our–daily–bread.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES Arlington Free Clinic 3833 N Fairfax Drive, #400, Arlington (703) 979–1400 www.arlingtonfreeclinic.org

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Abundant Life Christian Outreach, 5154 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria (703) 823–4100 www.anchor–of–hope.net food, clothing, youth development, and medicines David’s Place Day Shelter 930 North Henry Street, Alexandria (703) 548–7500 www.carpentersshelter.org laundry, shower, workshops, hypothermia shelter Legal Services of Northern Virginia 6066 Leesburg Pike, Suite 500, Falls Church (703) 778–6800; www.lsnv.org civil legal services only

Shelter Hotline: 1–800– 535–7252

S treetS ense.org

August 19 - September 1, 2009

THe Last Word

The Golden Rule, Revisited

By Liane Schmersahl I thought by now I would know it all.

When I began my internship with Street Sense three months ago, I was certain that by the end, I would be an expert on . . . well, everything. As a new member of the united and cohesive network of homeless help nonprofits (who never, ever disagree on anything ever), I would learn all the secrets; I would be a vigilant crusader in feeding the hungry, securing jobs, and of course, eradicating homelessness in D.C. altogether.

Well, I’m sorry to say I haven’t accomplished any of that quite yet. Where I thought I would find clear-cut answers to the best way to solve this problem or that, at Street Sense, I only found more perspectives and opinions to muddle, influence, and confuse the few things I already knew.

Where I thought I would find understanding and encouraging friendships with the homeless vendors, at Street Sense, I found that, as a 20-year old college kid, I don’t know the first thing about what it’s like to be homeless.

Call my original aspirations naïve, arrogant, or idealistic (I prefer the latter), but just because I didn’t get what I expected (or imagined) doesn’t mean I will walk away unaffected. As novel and perhaps cliché as it may be, the most important thing I learned at Street Sense was the Golden Rule.

I have seen vendors bursting with joy because a passerby actually stopped to talk with them, and I have seen vendors angry, sad, and confused because of the hurtful and sarcastic remarks of the unconcerned.

One of the most impactful experiences I had with Street Sense came near the end of my internship, when I brought my youth group to D.C. to participate in our Vendor for a Day program. Before I knew it, I was standing on the corner of 18 and I streets,

NW, wearing a yellow vest and timidly holding up the paper that, just days before, I helped to lay out and edit. As fate or irony or whatever would have it, the first person who even acknowledged me walked right up, put his hand on my shoulder, and said (verbatim), “I’ve seen your paper before, and I have to say, I think it’s fairly stupid.”

Great. Unfortunately, I learned that it’s not just the remarks that wear on a person’s dignity, but the way Street Sense’s yellow vest (or, for others, an unwashed coat and a cup for spare change) makes him practically invisible. I’m sure I’m preaching to the choir here: chances are if you’re reading this, you’ve acknowledged homelessness as an issue or acknowledged a homeless person trying to make a dollar.

I also learned, however, that kindness is not dead. Many of my customers seemed genuinely interested, and I always appreciated the “Not today, thank you” – it meant I was visible – a human being rather than simply a barrier between the commuter and his Metro stop. Some of those who weren’t interested in buying the paper still donated money or offered words of encouragement.

It’s just about impossible to give money or stop and talk to every homeless person one encounters on the street. Nobody expects that. But more than the details of Mayor Fenty’s Housing First Program or the reasons why the Franklin School Shelter closed, at Street Sense, I learned that in order to make any change at all, we must start treating people like people.

Most of us learned at an early age to “treat others as you would like to be treated,” and I must say, if each of us truly treated others the way we’d like to be treated, and if we truly put ourselves in the shoes of the poor and needy, we really could eradicate homelessness.

Vendor Profile

Richard Embden

By Robert Blair Richard Embden grew up in Queens, N.Y. He spent four years at Atlantic Union College in Lancaster, Masss., studying theology and psychology before joining the Army. In the military he completed his B.S. degree.

Contact Richard at chessaddict7@yahoo. com or facebook.com/addicted2ministry.

What did you do after getting your B.S.?

I moved to Ohio, I was on a team that taught 150 state employees how to use a new computer job-matching system. I became a certified technical trainer (CTT+), and helped low-income individuals become certified in Word and Excel, assemble computers, and get jobs.

Did you like computer work?

Very much. I became a computer consultant. I’m proficient at Visual Basic, web design and typesetting. Before my move to DC, I worked on Bell South Business DSL technical support.

What brought you to DC, and what happened here?

I came for a job in the wireless industry, and was learning computer networking, but the company folded. I started advocating for the homeless

What are your current goals, and where would you like to be in five years?

I enjoy Street Sense because I can connect with people and set my work hours.

I’d like to get access to a laptop so I can effectively job hunt. Eventually I’d like to be a small business owner and help others toward financial self-sufficiency.

On a lighter note, what are your tastes in music, film and food?

For music: Jazz and gospel. Also I play flute and harmonica. My favorite films are The Shawshank Redemption and The Sound of Music. And I love spicy food, Thai and Indian are favorites.

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