09 17 2008

l Wil e it Wr r fo d Foo

Street Sense writers’ group page gets a new look, reports on transportation, page 13

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Sept. 17 – Sept. 30, 2008 • Volume 5, Issue 23

Inside This Issue LOCAL NEWS

Inside Franklin An anonymous reader gives us a peek into Franklin School Shelter, page 7 POETRY

Endless Dream Street Sense vendor Reginald Black shows us the darkness he sees, page 9 EDITORIAL

Watered Down Expectations Street Sense vendor Jeffery McNeil shares his thoughts about Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, page 12 IN OTHER NEWS

Read news from around the nation and the world about homelessness and poverty. page 6 FICTION

Tanner the Lawyer Meet a man with a secret in Ivory Wilson’s latest story, page 10

Council Saves Shelter Blocks Mayor’s Plan

By Mary Otto and Lisa Gillespie The D.C. City Council has passed emergency legislation, stalling a plan

by Mayor Adrian Fenty to close the Franklin School Shelter on Oct 1.

In action Sept. 16, the Council required Fenty to show that 300 homeless men have been placed in permanent housing and that the city has adequate replacement shelter space for the coming winter.

“We feel strongly that people have to actually have a place to live before we close the doors” said Council Chair Vincent Gray. “You cannot close the shelter until we know the names and addresses of 300 men who are being placed in permanent supportive housing.”

The Mayor did not respond to a request for comment.

The action followed days of rallies protesting the closure of the

See

Franklin, page 4

Photo by LIsa V. Gillespie/Street Sense

Homelessness on the Rise in Australia

www.streetsense.org

Franklin Shelter resident Theodore Wooley, 46, celebrates receiving an apartment key through the city’s permanent supportive housing program. He is one of 55 Franklin men recently relocated through the program.

News

Convoy of Hope Delivers More Than Food

By Lisa Gillespie Chyanne Henley, eight, belts out “what a wonderful life,” for the audience of her younger sister and mother, Marquietta. Later that day, The Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit outreach program, will give Marquietta three bags of groceries, enabling her to answer the weekly question of where dinner will come from.

Single mother Henley, 32, has come to the Convoy of Hope to give her children not only food for the week, but a day of family bonding which does not happen often because she works full-time while taking online classes at Strayer University.

“The groceries are a huge rea-

Ronecqua Smith, 16, receives a free manicure as a part of the Convoy of Hope.

son I came here, I am the working poor,” said Henley, who lives in Park Morton Public Housing. “I don’t get a lot of assistance because

I work so much and make a little money, but it all goes to bills, food,

See

Convoy, page 5

Editorial

Helping Hoops

Hoops for the Homeless is a celebrity-studded day of basketball at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington, sponsored annually by mortgage giant Freddie Mac. The event benefits area organizations helping homeless families, and this year it brought in $600,000. Hoops for the Homeless provides all the short, sharp action you expect in basketball. But the story below, from longtime Street Sense vendor Brenda Karyl-Lee Wilson, shows what it can take to get out of homelessness: the patience and staying power of a marathon runner. This is the story of Mark and his young son Sammy – just one of the homeless families who inspire the team effort that is “Hoops for the Homeless.”

By Brenda Karyl-Lee Wilson

E

xiting the Metro in Chinatown, I headed towards a sign saying “Elevator to Street,” and I heard someone say “Is that the exit to the Hoops for the Homeless event?” I’d never used that exit before but I assured him it was. Again he spoke: “Do you have a ticket?”

I thought this was a hustle, but he surprised me by offering a ticket.

And when two other people joined us in the elevator, he generously handed over one of the four he had in his hand.

I was curious to know who the

See

Hoops, page 10

Street Sense . September 17 – September 30, 2008

2 all aboUt US

Our Mission

1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 347-2006 Fax: (202) 347-2166 info@streetsense.org www.streetsense.org board oF dirECtorS James Davis Kristal DeKleer Robert Egger Ted Henson Mary Lynn Jones Barbara Kagan Sommer Mathis Brad Scriber John Snellgrove Michael Stoops Francine Triplett David Walker Kathy Whelpley EXECUtivE dirECtor Laura Thompson Osuri Editor iN CHiEF Mary Otto aSSoCiatE Editor David S. Hammond (volunteer) volUNtEErS Matt Allee, Robert Basler, Robert Blair, Cliff Carle, Jane Cave, Jason Corum, Rebecca Curry, Rick Dahnke, Ben Edwards, Jessia Gaitan, Joshua Gardner, Genevieve Gill, Cassandra Good, Joanne Goodwin, Roberta Haber, Carol Hannaford, Justin Herman, Annie Hill, Dan Horner, Phillip Hoying, Aimee Hyzy, Alicia Jones, Mary Lynn Jones, Maurice King, Geof Koss, Jessica LaGarde, Jeff Lambert, Karin Lee, Matthew S. Lee, Brenda K. Lee-Wilson, Claire Markgraf, Sam McCormally, Kent Mitchell, Kim O’Connor, Gabriel Okolski, Robert Orifici, Swinitha Osuri, Jon Pattee, Brittany Pope, Derek Schlickeisen, Cara Schmidt, Jamie Schuman, Dan Seligson, Kathryn Taylor, Matthew Taylor, Robert Trautman, Francine Triplett, Eugene Versluysen, Jerry W., Linda Wang, Denise Wilkins, Marian Wiseman, Corrine Yu vENdorS Willie Alexander, Michael Anderson, Orin Andrus, Katrina Angie, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Tommy Bennett, Reginald Black, Corey Bridges, Bobby Buggs, Cliff Carle, Conrad Cheek Jr., Walter Crawley, Louise Davenport, James Davis, Bernard Dean, Muriel Dixon, Alvin Dixon El, Randy Evans, Tanya Franklin, Barron Hall, David Harris, John Harrison, Patricia Henry, Phillip Howard, Jo Ann Jackson, Michael Jefferson, Patricia Jefferson, Carlton Johnson, Jewell Johnson, Allen Jones, Mark Jones, Brenda Karyl Lee-Wilson, Robert McCray, August Mallory, Charles Mayfield, Lee Mayse, Jennifer Mclaughlin, Jeffery McNeil, L. Morrow, Charles Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Moyo Onibuje, Therese Onyemenon, Thomas Queen, Kevin Robinson, Tyrone Rogers, Ed Ross, Gregory Rich, Dennis Rutledge, Gerald Smith, Patty Smith, Franklin Sterling, James Stewart, Gary Stoddard, Leroy Studevant, Archie Thomas, Ingrid Thomas, Eric Thompson, Francine Triplett, Carl Turner, Jerry W., Martin Walker, Mary Wanyama, Lawless Watson, Wendell Williams, Inell Wilson, Ivory Wilson, Tina Wright

We are proud members of:

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.

Our Editorial Policy

Editorials and features in Street Sense reflect the perspectives of the authors. We invite the submission of news, opinion, fiction and poetry, hoping to create a means in which a multitude of perspectives on poverty and homelessness can find expression. Street Sense reserves the right to edit any material.

north american street newspaper association

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 and Boston, and dozens more exist 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 consistently 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 an independent nonprofit organization.

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

A year later, in November 2006, the organization hired its first vendor coordinator.

In February 2007, the paper started publishing twice a month as the network of vendors expanded to more than 50 homeless men and women.

To support the increased production, Street Sense brought on its first fulltime editor in chief in April 2007.

International network of street Papers

Street Sense Vendor Code of Conduct 1.

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thank You to our donors!

Jennifer Alandy Hellen Gelband Kirk Gray Seong Hee Kim Sharyn Meister Jennifer E. Park Margarete Roeber Leah Shaw Thomas Vail And a very special thanks to:

Leroy Pingho Greater Atlantic Corporation

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are no territories among vendors.

I will respect the space of other vendors, particularly the space of vendors who have been at a spot longer.

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 when selling papers.

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.

WaNNa HElP? If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, or have a great article or feature idea, please contact us at 202-347-2006 or e-mail editor@streetsense.org If you are interested in becoming a vendor, contact Laura at the same number or come to a vendor training session on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2 p.m. at our office (1317 G Street, NW - near Metro Center).

Street Sense . September 17 – September 30, 2008

PROFILE 3

Service profile

Capital Area Food Bank’s New Facility Serves Critical Role

By Denise Wilkins Unless one considers loading bays and delivery trucks emotionally appealing, scenes of the inner workings of the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) do not readily pluck at the heartstrings – or the purse strings. So funding a new facility presented challenges, according to Chief Operating Officer Brian Smith.

“We’re not a friendly sound bite,” he said.

Yet the work of CAFB is crucial. The bank is part of a nationwide distribution chain ensuring that excess food – food that would otherwise go to waste – reaches needy individuals and families in the D.C. area.

In 1980, CAFB distributed one million pounds of food. Today, it distributes more than 20 million pounds of food to 700 local agencies, which give it directly to individuals.

As the nonprofit’s mission has expanded, officials from the bank say the need for a new facility has increased. Plans to construct a new warehouse for the CAFB are well underway, paving the way for the organization’s growth and increased flexibility in serving the area’s supplemental food needs.

In 2005, CAFB management secured a new eight-acre property with an existing facility that is currently undergoing demolition and renovation. By early 2010, CAFB hopes to relocate to the new 123,530-square foot facility that will better accommodate the community’s needs. Environmental remediation on the site was recently completed, and the project is awaiting permit approval to move forward with the next phases of construction.

To date CAFB has raised $29.2 million of the $36 million needed to complete the project. The organization is relying on fundrais-

ing and individual donors, who provide 32% of funding for regular programs, along with other mechanisms to finance the new facility; another $7.5 million in funding may be available next fiscal year from the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development. Additionally, CAFB plans to sell its current space to raise money for the new warehouse.

The renovated facility will help CAFB to fulfill its mission in many ways, officials say.

The larger facility will enable the food bank to accept bulk commodities. For example, donated beans are delivered in four-by-fourby-five-foot lined boxes. According to the Department of Health, CAFB needs a sterile room where these larger lots of food can be sorted into one-pound bags for giveaway.

The facility will also help the CAFB barter with the Maryland and central Virginia food banks. Frequently, Feeding America, the charitable group formerly known as Second Harvest, offers CAFB large lots of products with longer shelf lives. Proper storage means that the CAFB, at a future date, could trade these for the spices housed at the Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore, where the McCormick Company has a manufacturing plant.

The same would be true for chicken products held at the Central Virginia Food Bank from Tyson Foods. This is especially important since regional food banks receive food from local manufacturers, which are sparse in the capital area.

In addition, the renovated facility will allow the food bank to accept last-minute donations of perishable foods. Produce wholesalers will offer a number of pallets of fruits or vegetables for immediate delivery,

Do you have a message you need to get out?

A cause, service or event to promote?

Contact us!

info@streetsense.org Reasonable ad rates.

Friendly service.

America’s excess food Feeding America * US Dept. of Agriculture * Manufacturers * Local Food Drives Formerly known as America’s Second Harvest

The Richmond Food Bank Society

National Capital Area Food Bank

So Others Might Eat

Maryland Food Bank

Churches

Martha’s Table

Individuals, Schools, Elderly programs

produce that grocery store chains have refused because the fruit will spoil in one or two days. Proper refrigeration space will allow the CAFB to accommodate these donations.

In the new commercial kitchen, the CAFB, through its Kid’s Café program, can deliver heartier meals such as flash-frozen casseroles to organizations that provide supplemental meals to children but do not have the ability to prepare hot food.

With rising fuel, housing, and medical costs, the face of hunger is changing. The working poor and the elderly have joined the homeless in their struggles to feed themselves. Today, it is not uncommon for homeowners to seek out supplemental food.

Alluding to the high social costs of poverty, Smith asks what would happen “to our government’s already overloaded social services were the CAFB or its partner organizations to disappear.”

The Ambassador Baptist Church in Southeast D.C. is one such partner organization.

Forty years ago, its founder, Roy Settles used his own money to deliver food in his tiny Volkswagen. Over time, as Roy Settles became the Reverend Settles, demand for food overwhelmed his ability to supply it. He turned to CAFB, which now delivers, on a weekly basis, eight pallets of food to accommodate Ambassador Baptist’s 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week emergency food operation.

Another D.C. organization, So Others Might Eat (SOME), receives food from the CAFB to support its programs that feed families, children, the elderly and the homeless.

According to Brian Bilenki, SOME’s monetary donations coordinator, new space “. . . will allow the food bank more freedom to receive large shipments and will enable them to increase their menu size.”

In addition to its vital efforts to redistribute food, the CAFB, also takes a lead role in

empowering and educating 700 partner organizations. They do so by offering life skills training and food stamp education, and by maintaining its Hunger Lifeline, a referral service linking those who need emergency help to the agencies best able to provide assistance.

To learn more about the Capital Area Food Bank, visitwww.capitalareafoodbank.org.

The number for the Hunger Lifeline is (202) 639-9770. If you want to help CAFB more efficiently meet the growing demand for food in our community, please consider donating your money, your time or your talents.

Quick Facts •32% of CAFB’s funding for regular programs comes from individual donors.

•Another $7.5 million in funding for the new facility may be available in the next fiscal year from the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development.

•The CAFB owns its current facility and will sell it to help raise money for the new warehouse.

•Environmental remediation on the new site is nearly complete; permit approval is needed to proceed with the next phases of construction.

•Parts of the new facility have been designed using “green” concepts through recycling parts of the demolished building, and use of landscaping techniques.

•BP Solar donated $1 million to be used for solar roof panels.

4 LOCAL NEWS

Street Sense . September 17 – September 30, 2008

Franklin, from page 1 facility, located in an historic school building on prime downtown real estate at 13th and K streets NW. A rally in front of City Hall on the morning of Sept. 16 drew a chanting crowd of about 100. Later, one of the leaders of the protests, homeless advocate and shelter resident Eric Sheptock, celebrated the 12-1 Council vote on the “Franklin Shelter Closing Requirements Emergency Act of 2008.”

“I think we can actually win this thing,” Sheptock said. But he added that he and other advocates were now shifting their focus to a Sept. 19 meeting of the City Council’s Committee on Human Services. The committee is expected to continue to discuss the city’s winter plan for sheltering the homeless as well as Franklin Shelter.

The Oct. 1 closure of Franklin was part of a larger plan by Fenty to shift the city’s chronically homeless people from emergency shelters to permanent supportive housing. Nationwide, cities are following similar “Housing First” strategies to end homelessness by providing housing to indigent people and providing them with the social services, counseling, job training and health care they need to address the problems that may underlie their homelessness.

The Fenty Administration has committed to placing 400 of the city’s chronically homeless people in apartments this year. The administration’s permanent supportive housing plan also calls for the placement of 80 homeless families.

But at the Sept. 16 meeting, Council members said they wanted full assurance from the Fenty administration that homeless people, including the residents of Franklin Shelter, would be adequately housed and served in

“We are literally matching people with the new program.

“Are their social needs being met?” asked apartments,” said city Department of Human councilmember Yvette Alexander. “I need to Services Director Clarence Carter. “Housing is the first step for them to get control of their know more about the program.”

Franklin School Shelter has housed as lives.”

The City’s plan calls for 400 more apartmany as 300 men. But as city officials have prepared to close the shelter, beds have been ments for singles and 80 more for families to dismantled in recent days and men have been be provided in the coming year. As City ofdiverted to other shelters and housing. On ficials explain, human services case workers the night of Sept. 15, Sheptock said, 176 men have been assigned to each participant to provide the assisstayed in the shelter. tance that is needed On Sept. 11, City for independent housing officials made living. Qualifying a whirlwind visit to the participants, choshelter and arranged sen from among for the placement of the city’s more than 55 men in permanent 6,000 homeless resisupportive housing. dents, receive special Theodore Wooley, supportive housing 46, was one of them. vo u c h e r s t o h e l p Leaning heavily on a them pay for the cane, he limped out of apartments. They the shelter that mornare expected to pay ing with the key to an 30 percent of their apartment of his own.

-Pierre Alston, former income for rent.

“My new address,” For Pierre Alston, he said with a wide Franklin Shelter resident 51, left homeless smile, displaying a slip and badly injured by of paper with a street a house fire, rent will number in Southeast Washington. “That’s me!” said Wooley, who be about $100 a month, taken from his Social has been homeless for more than a decade Security income. The new place is a bargain – since suffering a crippling stroke, and lives and a chance at a new life, he says.

“This morning I woke up in here, sharwith a host of serious medical conditions.

“It’s unbelievable. I think I’ll break down ing a place with 300 other men,” Alston said.

But tomorrow morning “I will wake up in my and cry.”

Inside the shelter, a crowd of other men sat place,” he added. “I just got a great deal.”

Some of the men who did not receive shoulder to shoulder at long cafeteria tables, signing one-year leases. By the end of the day apartments worried about where they would the men had gathered their trunks and duffle stay. So did advocates for the homeless, who bags and prepared to board buses bound for said the shelter is still needed, especially as winter approaches and the economy continapartments.

This morning I w o k e u p i n h e re , sharing a place with 300 other men. But tomorrow morning I will wake up in my place.

ues to founder. Supporters of Franklin fended off a City effort in 2006 to lease out the building to a developer who planned to convert it into a hotel.

“It’s wonderful to see people getting housing,” said Scott McNeilly, a staff attorney for the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.

“But unfortunately, more people will be following in their footsteps.”

Mary Ann Luby, also of the Legal Clinic, pointed out that many of the new apartments are located far from the social services, job sites and health facilities upon which the men who live in centrally located Franklin depend.

“Will you be able to get to your dialysis?”

Luby asked Wooley, whose new Southeast Washington apartment is more than four miles away from Franklin, close to the Prince George’s County line.

“I’m pretty sure I can make it,” answered Wooley.

Another Franklin resident, Edgar Keener, 69, said he turned down a voucher for an apartment in Southeast. He said he was angry with city officials for suggesting he move to a neighborhood he considered dangerous.

“I gave back the scrip and told them I would be sleeping outdoors if you can’t do anything better than that,” said Keener. “This is degrading.”

Officials said he would get more choices. ”We told him we’ll have another apartment for him,” said Laura Zeilinger, deputy director for program operations at the Department of Human Services.

Patricia Handy, who coordinates homeless outreach services for the city, watched as other men climbed onto buses waiting to carry them off to their new lives.

“I feel like I’m sending the kids off to camp,” she said. “Or to college.”

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and 10 GB of storage space

Street Sense . September 17 – September 30, 2008

transportation and toys for the kids. I didn’t know how they were going to eat today, but it turns out they have food here.”

Convoy of Hope delivered 80,000 pounds of food, during the event, which included free medical screenings, free haircuts and manicures, a kid’s zone, resume writing and family pictures in response to the needs of the 19.6% of District residents who live below the poverty line.

“It’s much more productive to have a focus doing something together then to sit around a coffee table and talk about race and poverty,” said Dr. Derrick Harkins, pastor of the Nineteenth St. Baptist Church. “For the homeless and working poor population, there will be direct material needs that a bureaucratic social agency couldn’t meet.”

Fifty to 60 churches participated in the event, bringing over 2,000 volunteers to assist over 8,000 “honored guests.”

“We live in a time where every man or woman is for him or herself and there are lines between race, gender, ethnicity, so we’re trying to move beyond barriers,” said project point person Rodney Teal from Israel Baptist Church.

“Things like a $10 haircut, for many of us are not a big deal, but some people have to

choose between a haircut and eating. Someone may not be able to get a job because he/ she didn’t have the appearance that employers expect and demand.”

Henley expected to have more resources when she left her husband in 2001 with her two infant daughters and became homeless.

She hopes that, “an event like this will give hope to those who were in my position at one point.”

“I’ve had people lying on my doorstep when I come home, so I usually carry around a baseball bat when I go outside of the house in the neighborhood,” Henley said, who works as a Downtown SAM and is thinking of getting another part-time job.

Henley’s daughter, Matayah, seven, went to bed with her clothes on the day before because she was so excited to get up. “This day helps me to reinforce to my kids that they will be safe and always have, and if they have, I have.”

The event took seven months of planning and mobilizing area churches to donate not only food, but doctors and manicurists donating their services.

“It’s who we can mobilize; we have crafted the event around the volunteer base, to whack the socks off of this city,” said Joel Schmidgall, Convoy of Hope local coordinator and a pastor at the National Community

Photo By LisA V. GIllespie/Street sense

Convoy, from page 1

LOCAL NEWS 5

Matayah, Marquietta and Chyanne Henley enjoy a rare day of time together.

Church in Washington, DC. “It’s more than a bag of groceries; to

have someone say they believe in them is empowering.”

Homeless? Jobless?

Next Step Program staff help you make positive changes in your life. We help you set and take your next steps toward greater self-reliance.

We offer:

• employment services • job preparation workshops • resume writing • job search assistance • computer tutorials

• referrals to other community agencies that will support your next steps • HIV/AIDS services including bereavement support, burial assistance and a retreat program

Changing Your Life...One Step at a Time For more information on how you can participate in the Next Step Program, call 202-722-2280, email info@samaritanministry.org or visit one of our offices between 9:00 and 11:00 any weekday morning:

1516 Hamilton St., NW Washington, DC 20011 202-722-2280

1345 U St., SE Washington, DC 20020 202-889-7702

The Next Step Program is sponsored by Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington, a community partnership supported by more than 40 Episcopal and other partner parishes throughout the Washington metropolitan area. There are no religious requirements for participation in the Next Step Program.

SMGW-B&Wad_11012007.indd 1

11/5/2007 7:17:29 PM

Street Sense . September 17 – September 30, 2008

6 NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

IN OTHER NEWS

By Jon Pattee

Accused Murderers of Fla. Man ‘Never Meant to Do Serious Harm’

Canadian Homeless Youth Film Own Stories

Defense attorneys for two men charged with beating a homeless man to death with a baseball bat and attacking two others in Fort Lauderdale claim that their clients never meant to do serious harm. Norris Gaynor, 45, was killed in the 2006 assaults that were captured, in part, by surveillance camera footage that helped lead detectives to defendants Brian Hooks, 21, and Thomas Daugherty, 19. According to a Sept. 4 Associated Press account, prosecutor Peter Holden said that Gaynor’s skull was smashed and another two homeless men were beaten in the head.

Hooks and Daugherty face life imprisonment if convicted.

An innovative film project out of Canada’s Dalhousie University is giving homeless youth the tools to tell their own stories about life on the street, according to a Sept. 5 article by the agency Newswise. For the past three months, a Dalhousie social work graduate and a local filmmaker, have been teaching five homeless youth skills such as camera work, storyboarding, how to develop characters, script writing, editing and composing. The project is funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. The students are now putting the finishing touches on three short films.

Charity: Irish Gov’t Budget Cuts Imperil Goal of Ending Homelessness The Simon Communities of Ireland, whose eight communities around Ireland deal with some 5,000 people who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness, has warned that government budget cutbacks must not affect vulnerable groups such as their clients.

The charity organization’s executive, Patrick Burke, said homeless services needed more support if the government was to achieve its goal of eradicating homelessness by 2010. “[I]f there need to be cuts, they need to find it in other areas and not in areas where the most vulnerable are being served,” Burke was quoted as saying in a Sept. 5 Irish Times article by Alison Healy.

Homelessness On Rise in Australia Almost 105,000 Australians were homeless in 2006, a jump of about 6,000 people from 2001, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics census data cited in a Sept. 5 article in The Canberra Times. Homelessness among children under 12 increased by 22% from 2001, reported the article by James Massola.

The head of Mission Australia, Toby Hall, commented that “The years between 2001 and 2006 were some of the best economic times Australia has experienced and it was still not enough to reduce homeless numbers … [t]o have 105,000 people … homeless on any one night in a country as wealthy and as prosperous as Australia is atrocious.”

Would you like to help?

Would you like to contribute to Street Sense?

E-mail editor@streetsense.org

Homelessness Hits Thousands of Wisconsin Students More than 8,000 students across Wisconsin have no permanent home address, according to a WEAU 13 report citing statistics from the state’s Department of Public Instruction. The Sept. 2 article quoted a local educator as saying that some children “leave school for the day and don’t know where they’re going that night, what they’ll eat, if they’ll have clothes or access to a shower.”

By law, each Wisconsin school district must designate a homeless liaison responsible for enrolling homeless children and youth, who must then help them succeed in school.

Filipino Authorities Plan to Move Homeless Families Authorities for Quezon City, Philippines – the largest city in greater Manila – plan to re-house more than 3,500 families in new areas by 2010. Some 200,000 families in Quezon are described as “informal settlers,” and they are among an estimated 4.5 million homeless Filipinos, according to a Sept. 3 article by Mary J. Cawicaan in The Turkish Weekly.

Some 75% of the Philippines’ homeless people are believed to be squatters or illegal settlers in the main urban centers.

The top five places occupied by Quezon City’s homeless are sidewalks and open spaces; areas under the Pasig River Rehabilitation Program; and properties of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. Others squat in and live off the city’s garbage dumps, or along creeks, rivers, and old railway lines.

Introduce a Friend to Street Sense A recent survey showed that less than half our readers pass along their Street Sense copy to friends. Please help spread the word.

Share this issue with a friend or coworker. Thanks!

As Street Sense moves up its circulation and its vendors move up and off the street, we ask you to join us and help move on up the prices of auction items at ...

Movin’ On Up Street Sense’s Third Annual Silent Auction and Reception October 2, 2008, 7pm Josephine Butler Park Center, 2437 Fifteenth Street, NW Tickets start at $25 a piece for access to the auction and endless appetizers, beer and wine.

For more info or to buy tickets, visit www.streetsense.org.

And for those who cannot attend, part of the auction will be on Ebay.

Street Sense . September 17 – September 30, 2008

LOCAL 7

Photo Essay

Inside Franklin

Sent by a resident who wishes to remain anonymous. He said he hoped they would help explain how Franklin looks inside.

In the furnace room.

The shelter is convenient to public transportation. Many residents take the bus to day jobs and social services and medical care, the resident explained.

The fire boxes were added in March of this year, he said.

The air conditioning was added in June of this year . “Yes the building is safer and healthier,” the man said. “This is in direct contradiction to (Mayor Adrian) Fenty’s claims of it being an ‘old decrepit building which is not fit for human habitation.’”

Bunks in a bedroom. Men can stay with like-minded guys in different rooms. There is a sense of camaraderie, he said. They keep their belongings in trunks stowed under the beds. Beds are stripped each day and clean linens are supplied.

New fixtures in bathroom.

One of the cafeteria tables where the men eat dinner.

8 8 LOCAL NEWS

Street Sense . September 17– September 30, 2008

Street Sense . September 17– September 30, 2008

POETRY 9

’Nother homeless person jus’ died

’Nother homeless person jus’ died an’ not one person cried not one person cried ’Cause it’s jus’ ’nother homeless person died not people like you and me like you and me

The Endless Dream Darkness is all I see So comfortable feels like home A soft pillow under my head and it’s so warm It’s the feeling of home is the place I aim to keep a token Sudden it seems I have awoken Not a word spoken All I see is pipes ’n’ dirt Feel cold metal under my pants ’n’ shirt The part that hurts is I don’t know if this is real A random dream or a nightmare Swearing that home is where I was But that ain’t the case. How is it that I ended up this way?

All I feel is the heat, cold ’n’ destruction of character all day It’s not my way that is clear; an unusual path that stares at me here Was I a fool, was I stupid or is it just dumb luck?

Havin’ a never-say-die attitude is not enough Is the road this tough for me? Is it the end, or the beginning? It’s a long way to go But how, when I realize I sleep on the floor Is it a privilege to have a place to live or is it when you’re cast out of a house?

Are the people that love you done? Can being on the street be fun or is it useless?

All I gotta take is society’s abuse Sparking my fuse, the drive to be more than a mental statistic. I don’t get how it came to this. Is my day well or am I destined to drown bein’ this way for the first time damage done; it’s hard to see that there is a better path for me Out there looking for God, but where is God when the streets is the only home I’ve got?

— Reginald Black

Someone’s dyin’ in a gutter somewhere dyin’ in gutter somewhere with nothin’ but their soul laid bare nothin’ but their soul laid bare homeless child eatin’ from a garbage can an’ not one person sees not one person sees homeless child eatin’ from a garbage can Ol’ woman fell on the street ’cause she had nothin’ to eat ol’ woman fell on the street ’cause she had nothin’ to eat ’Nother homeless person jus’ died an’ not one person cried — Judy Jones

10 FEATURES

Street Sense . September 17– September 30, 2008

Pretty Red’s Fiction

2

By Ivory Wilson

Tanner the Lawyer Tanner is a successful lawyer. Tanner has watched his block develop into a wonderful place with a beautiful five-star hotel across the street from his law firm, shopping centers, cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, and a basketball center. Tanner is proud of his block. It shows in his voice when he speaks to everyone on the train to work each day.

On a blue-sky morning, Tanner wakes up feeling fresh and decides to wear a blue shirt. He gets off the train and speaks to everyone he passes. Tanner notices a new shop opening next door to his law firm — and not the kind of shop he wants there.

He sees a young woman and man walking up and down the sidewalk passing out flyers about crime and punishment and cops, wearing orange prison jumpsuits.

Tanner’s thoughts were this: “Can’t be happening. Am I losing my mind? This is an eyesore for my block, next door to our law firm; something must be done about this!”

Tanner moved to Washington, D.C. to live with his family and friends from Salem, Mass., when he was a young man.

Hoops, from page 1 other tickets were intended for, as he was alone. This story, his story, shows the true meaning of helping the homeless.

August 2007. Delaware. Mark Cooper is a working man and loves his job. He had always provided for his family’s needs. But after a disagreement with his employer – over a matter of principle – Mark lost his job. He found a new position but a problem with his clearances – an old dispute over an automobile accident and a missed court date – lost him the new job.

Jobless and running out of money, Mark sought shelter with a family member, but it was not to be.

Mark called Johnny, a childhood friend. And for a few months, Mark and his son Sammy had a home while Mark performed “odds and ends” jobs at another old friend’s handyman business.

Mark’s income wasn’t enough to secure housing, let alone the services of an attorney to clear up his old legal troubles. But in December 2007, yet another old friend, who was changing residences, offered the temporary use of an apartment in Suitland, Md. Mark spent the month contacting all the organizations and agencies in Prince George’s County and the District. But virtually every one told him the same thing: his son would have to be placed into foster care, while he

He hears voices in his head talking to him and saying, “Make them pay, show them your powers.”

He can’t remember too much about his childhood in Salem, but he wears a ring on his finger that his grandmother gave him when he was a child. Tanner was told that his grandmother, mother and sister died in a strange house fire. He didn’t know that his sister, Nancy, is living in Denver and that the ring on his finger is a warlock ring with evil powers.

Tanner never gets upset, but this situ-

went into the public shelter system, before they could provide housing.

Mark refused to give up his son, and held fast to his deep faith in God’s love to help them.

This year began with them sleeping in a park, on a bus, or wherever they could find comfort away from the cold.

Mark signed up for housing in Montgomery County. Every day he called. Two weeks turned into three, then four. It was slow, and it wasn’t easy. But in March 2008, Mark and Sammy moved into housing. Mark says he and Sammy had to enter a public shelter together in Bethesda, Md., called Greentree, followed by several weeks at a Holiday Inn in Gaithersburg.

Mark has again secured a wellpaid job in his profession and attends structured, scheduled services to help him and Sammy from being victims of the trauma with which homelessness can haunt any human being.

Sammy never missed a day in school thanks to a law in Montgomery County that ensures homeless children a bus ride to their chosen school.

And as for the other two tickets to Hoops for the Homeless – Mark had bought them for the reason of the occasion itself: to help the homeless.

Brenda Karyl-Lee Wilson spends her Monday mornings keeping the Street Sense office clean and cheerful.

ation has pushed his buttons and he is having evil thoughts about that shop. The ring on his finger begins to glow a bright red-orange. Tanner hurries to his office and closes the door.

He hears voices in his head talking to him and saying, “Make them pay, show them your powers.” One hour later Tanner comes out of his office and walks next door, and asks to see the manager. The man said, “Can I help you? I’m the manager. My name is Don.” Tanner smiles and says, “Yes, you can.”

Don reaches out his hand to shake Tanner’s hand. As Tanner shakes Don’s hand, the ring glows a red-orange. Don looks at the ring. Tanner turns and walks away back to his office.

That day Don went mad. He handcuffed two of his workers who were wearing orange prison jumpsuits, and beat them while they were in the store. No one can explain what happened to Don or his actions!

The shop is closed for now. If the shop opens again Tanner will pay its new manager a visit.

Yorkshire terriers for adoption

Contact: jameswallaceltd@googlemail.com

Have a story idea?

Want to write for Street Sense?

E-mail editor@streetsense.org

Hoops for the Homeless Blessings

By Francine Triplett

I

’m back.

I ’ve b e e n o u t f o u r months with medical problems but today, I’m blessed. Martin and I worked at the Hoops for the Homeless event on Saturday.

Some people buy our paper and some don’t, but I’m a very patient person and it tickled me.

We had a booth next to an ATM machine. I asked a man who was at the machine if he would like to donate to Street Sense. He said, “No, but my children will, because they were blessed today.” His kids were smiling, laughing, and each one took a turn putting their money in. As I was sitting there watching people walk by, the kids seemed so happy and grateful to give something.

One lady walked by and said her daughter wanted to make a donation. It made me happy to see the little people interested in hearing about the homeless and Street Sense. I pulled them in and Martin did the pitch. We were a team.

I’ve been going to the event for a couple of years now. Our booth used to be on the outside, but this year we were next to the court; I loved every minute of it. I wanted to take a picture or get an autograph from Magic but he was far

Francine Triplett sells newspapers at Hoops for the Homeless on Saturday, Sept. 13.

from me. I’ll get him next year.

You know, there’s something funny about some people. I asked a lady if she would like to donate to Street Sense and she almost took my head off. She said, “I was homeless and I’m not going to donate.” That was all right because we all have a past. I’m sure someone helped her out because when I was homeless I got a lot of help from people off the street and I

thank them for that. I wish I could see some of the people today and let them know I’m doing OK and thank them so much. Everyone needs someone. You cannot live alone in this world.

I had conversations with lots of people yesterday at the event.

I ran across people I hadn’t seen in years. That was the first event where I had a sense of my recovery. I enjoyed myself.

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Street Sense . September 17– September 30, 2008

12 EDITORIALS

By Jeffery McNeil

I

t’s election time, a new president will be elected, and the old one will l e a ve. G o o d riddance.

I hope everyone who participates in the election makes sure all the votes are counted and that there are no hanging chads, voter suppression or any of the other dirty tricks from the previous elections.

We need to make sure that the popular choice is elected. America is at a point where we need to put the right person in power to clean up the mess of the last eight years. But that’s another topic in itself.

Recently I have been watching the Republican convention and I saw history in the making.

As an undecided, unsophisticated political novice who is interested in this election, I do get a kick out of watching the television networks in the tank for their presidential pick under the disguise of balanced and objective reporting.

It’s true — this is a very historic election for obvious reasons; the Democrats have picked a black as their candidate. But what’s even more fascinating is that the new Republican Party that wouldn’t be upstaged by the Democrats picked a woman as their vice presidential candidate.

Somewhere, Susan B. Anthony is teary-eyed. This is the greatest change since the music industry came up with the Osmonds as an alternative to the Jackson Five.

Overnight the Republicans have transformed their party from tax-cutting, oil-drilling, anti-environmental capitalists into the person of a hockey mom who happens to be a governor from Alaska. How wholesome.

What is even more remarkable is how the media did an aboutface and fell in love with this new diva who is McCain’s pick.

The pollsters were telling you how Obama is losing poll votes overnight.

I always wondered where they find these fickle poll voters who change their course like the wind? But the party was only beginning. In my opinion, I always thought going to a Republican

convention would be about as fun as going to a grandmas’ bingo tournament at your local PTA, but I was in for a surprise. It turned out to be a pep rally bashing the Democrats and Obama.

The climax came when they rolled out Sarah Palin, the pit bull with lipstick. I sat there watching TV, hearing all the roars and cheers, but I sat there wondering whether this was all déjà vu all over again, while all these pundits anointed her the new queen of America. It doesn’t seem long ago that they lowered the bar for Bush by hem-hawing his agenda, telling you how folksy he is and how you can drink a beer with him.

The Republican Party talking about changing Washington how come the best they can do is find a 72-year-old insider who has lobbyists all through his campaign and a female stand-up from Alaska?

I’m sorry that I’m old-fashioned. Since I’m nonpartisan, I was waiting to hear what she stood for. I tuned my ears to hear her views on health care: Nothing. Getting America back to work: Nothing. Alternative energy: Nothing.

I did hear some stingers directed at Obama. I must admit they were kind of funny. I heard her say how she can’t stand the elitists in Washington but someone forgot to tell her that 19% of the people in Washington, D.C. live below the poverty line.

Some raised the question on how she would handle foreign policy. The spinmasters say her state’s right next to Russia.

The truth is that I’m a New Yorker and my experience on foreign policy was 9/11/01 when we were attacked.

After that fateful day the public still is in the dark about what actually happened. I guess the Hillary ads were right about who one would want in the White House at 3 a.m.

I have nothing personal against the governor from Alaska. I think she has a compelling story. I do feel she is funny and witty, and I would pay to see her doing stand-up.

But I wouldn’t want her to be vice president.

Jeffery McNeil puts on a suit to sell Street Sense.

My Experience in D.C.

By Tad L. Christie

I

n that drowsy state between sleeping and waking, I felt a light hand shaking my shoulder. “Wake up Tad. You’ve got a plane to catch,” a young lady’s voice whispered. “Good luck. Make us proud!”

For a minute, I wondered why I was being woken up so early, but at 3 in the morning, I think everyone is slow processing details.

And then it hit me. I was leaving the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless to join a team. I was actually part of THE team. I had been chosen to represent the city of Austin and the state of Texas in street soccer, a game I wasn’t very familiar with. And without having learned everyone’s name or having practiced even an hour with my team- Tad Christie shows off his team jersey. mates, I would be playing in the nation’s capital for the USA Street Soccer Cup. As we traveled to the airport and away from the familiarity of the city I love, questions of doubt plagued my mind. What if I get all the way to D.C. and I play poorly? Or, to put it bluntly, what if I just plain suck? What if our entire team looks like a joke and embarrasses our city and state?

Careful to avoid showing any signs of my reservations to my teammates, I found myself continuously checking to make sure I had all of the required forms of I.D. needed to board the plane to Washington. I had a small reason to worry – not all of our team had made it to the ARCH for transport to the airport that morning. If one more person couldn’t play for any reason, we would be at the minimum number of players and if two couldn’t play, we would be disqualified. I certainly didn’t men at the Cup! I was very proud of my teamwant to risk the chance of jeopardizing the team mates’ constant regard for the other man. Their just because of some minor paperwork. Without selflessness and willingness to step up, gave me a hitch, I made it to the gate; airport security even some “Tad time” to do a little dance and express sincere appreciation for all of the Street Soccer smiled at me!

The layover in Atlanta proved to be a test of my USA hospitality. And everyone knows we invented patience and homeless street skills as boredom hospitality here in the South!

Near the end of the tournament, I was handed and hunger humbled proud spirits, and empty pockets left a bittersweet feeling around me and the microphone and given everyone’s undivided the teammate I was traveling with. I am happy to attention. To me, it was proof that even though say, though, we both respectfully remained profes- they couldn’t pronounce my name correctly, they sional and patient until we caught the last leg to appreciated and respected this real deal and toothless appeal enough to listen to my thoughts and our final destination.

Despite the difficulties of air travel, the car ride thanks. And after that, they correctly pronounced from the airport in Maryland was exactly what I my name. That’s when I knew they heard my word. needed to feel welcome. The driver stopped to In fact, they had decided I would be one of eight treat us to a smoked dog from a busy vendor on players selected to represent the U.S. in December a street corner just blocks from the brand new 2008 in Melbourne, Australia, at the World Cup of pitch (the rubbery field we play on) in the center Street Soccer.

I consider myself a blessed man, reassured in of downtown D.C. I was extremely impressed by all the preparations and accommodations made hope, happiness, and a healthy life that began when I found Austin, my coaches, teammates, for us.

Upon seeing where we would be competing, case managers, friends, and the opportunities of I was instantly revitalized, no longer tired from Street Soccer USA. It has not always been easy to be the homeless the lack of sleep or a time change. Suddenly, all I wanted to do was play soccer – street soccer! In soccer player, displayed all over the media, but I that moment, homelessness did not define who wouldn’t trade my new life responsibilities as a I was. Nor in that moment was I a victim of the Street Soccer World Cup player. More importantly, shortcomings that have haunted me for the past I recognize that though I was always an advocate for homeless people in my area, I am now in a pofive years.

Instead, I was a competitor; I was a soccer play- sition to advocate for homeless men and women er; and I was a teammate. I was going to have fun, everywhere. My new philosophy is to lead by explay hard and represent Austin and Texas in my ample instead of living by excuses.

Street Soccer in D.C. taught me a lot. My favorspecial way — loud and proud. With a little luck, my team could (and did!) even win the love and ite lesson is knowing I have the ability to change that which does not work in my life. It’s as simple admiration of the D.C. crowd.

Despite being the most green (newest), the as that even if it’s not always easy as street soccer! most withered (oldest) and at times the most win- So to give a little advice, I believe that attitudes are less team on the pitch, through our determination contagious (so have a good one!), that kindness and spirit, we were most improved and proved to kills hatefulness, and even a toothless, homeless be the most motivated team of definitive sports- man can still make a difference in the world!

My new philosophy is to lead by example instead of living by excuses.

photo courtesy of Austin Resource Centter

Watered-Down Expectations

Street Sense . September 17– September 30, 2008

EDITORIALS 13

Will write for food: Writer’s Group Riding Metro: Paper or Plastic?

By Chris Jablonski Do you ride Metro often? Do you use the “SmartTrip” card, or do you use the paper Metro fare card?

I used to use the SmartTrip card, but I can no longer be of that camp. My disillusionment came at the end of purchasing nine of the SmartTrip cards in a 24-month period.

Well, I am done with the plastic, and I am going b a c k t o p a p e r.

T h a t ’s b e c a u s e my plastic cards have all developed cracks. And when I went to the Metro sales office at Metro Center I was told the card could be replaced, but at a cost of $5. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

I must be a complete fool, as I have spent $45 on plastic cards that fail at the most inconvenient times (not that there is a good time for technology to fail).

I was recently in New York City and rode the MTA subway there. I purchased a refillable plastic fare card that was valid for a year for the price of the fare.

Metro’s dissolvable paper cards continue to work indefinitely, but if you want a more durable card, like plastic, you must pay for it at $5 a pop.

I know I’m not alone on the problems I have had with the SmartTrip cards, because when I Googled SmartTrip, I was directed to hundreds of sites, not all, but a preponderance of which were complaining of the Smart Trip’s problems. I spoke to someone at Metro Center’s sales office and was told that my complaint was shared by many other commuters daily. I was offered a form, which I filled out and posted to Metro asking for some resolution to my cards continually breaking, but I have not received any response as of yet. This was

a month ago.

Upon doing some research I have found some important differences between D.C.’s WMATA and New York’s MTA. The fare for any trip on New York’s MTA subway is a flat $2.00, whether that’s at 4 in the afternoon, or 4 in the morning. But the fare on D.C’s Metro ranges from $4.50, from opening to 9:30 a.m., 3-7 p.m. and 2 a.m. to closing, to $1.35 at any other time. Got that straight?

And New York’s A Tr a i n , w h i c h runs from northern Manhattan through Brooklyn, to Far Rockaway in Queens, is a 31mile r ide, while D.C.’s Red Line that runs from Shady Grove to Glenmont is a 31.9-mile ride.

So it seems hardly fair to have to pay $2.50 for those last additional ninetenths of a mile!

If you add it all up, you could ride a total of 656 miles on the MTA for the $2.00, but here in D.C. you can only travel for 106.3 miles for the $4.50 peak, or $2.35 off-peak.

In NYC it cost about 75% more to live on a day-to-day basis than in D.C., and about 50% less to ride three times the miles of subway rails. What’s more, here you have to pay for a plastic SmartTrip card, which, by the way, is the only way to exit a Metro parking facility. So if you park in any Park & Ride, or Metro garage, then you have no option other than to purchase a “SmartTrip” card.

This is a must.

So the optimal situation would be to live in Washington, D.C. but ride the subway in NYC. However, riding Amtrak would negate any savings I might realize.

I used to use the SmartTrip card, but I can no longer be of that camp. My disillusionment came at the end of purchasing nine of the SmartTrip cards in a 24-month period.

Chris recently wrote the Hypothermia fiction, attends writer’s group and volunteers his computer skills with Street Sense.

Street Sense Writer’s Group meets 2:30 to 3:30 pm Wednesdays in the Street Sense conference room.

This fall will be its one-year anniversary.

Reggies’ Reflections: Her

by Reginald Black

I was still pondering how I can greet someone without my situation affecting the other’s perception of me. It felt strange to me to be working this place and that females I encountered continued to ignore me. I figured the only way to get attention was to smell how they smell, and act how they act.

I even encountered homosexual females who believed that they had better what you would call game, but I am a man and believe that no female could feel what I feel. Each day that I went by I felt more alone. Until one night something happened that started a chain reaction. For a few years I had been into a mobile phone chat room. I amassed many female companions from this venture into mobile Web dating. It was a way for me to get past hello. It was cold and I was frustrated, but she returned and I was glad to see her. We typed for a while and then talked on the phone. She ended up learning what had happened to me. I don’t think she really cared. We were just in conversation. Nothing else mattered. We talked to the early hours of the morning. I had wished for her and she came but would this last? I didn’t know but I was ready to find out.

Reggie has been a vendor over four months and regularly participates at writer’s group.

DC to Richmond Bike Tour

by Jerry W. Four years ago, with the Olympics starting up, I was planning an in-state bike tour to Richmond, along Adventure Cycling Associations and the Greenway’s Maine to Florida Bike Route 1. With an old mountain bike and a new BOB (Beast Of Burden) single-wheel luggage trailer, I ventured out about 50 miles per day, getting a late start, staying in a hotel in Dumfries after buying and activating my first prepaid cell phone for safety.

Pre - 9 / 1 1 a n n i v e r s a r y, p e o p l e near Quantico were vary wary of a biker with bags and it got weird and suspicious.

Surviving to Fredricksburg, I found a historic inn downtown, and lived in credit-card luxury, the next night going over the big hills (with bike shop escort and an expensive stop, adding bar ends for numb hands) on to a campsite cabin with A/C. After a foggy evening/morning in the valley, continuing on, I met a skinny, tired light-packing cross country biker ending the cross country tour (even through the desert) and stopped for a refueling break at a convenience store in the Ashland area. Energized by someone doing a seriously crazy tour, I biked on into Richmond suburbs, stopped in at mental health centers for kicks and info. After another hotel stay, I got into downtown Richmond, and tried deciding what to do next.

Biking in town the next day, I finally recognized something, Bill’s BBQ (by the stadium), and talked with the Harley Davidson’s meeting in town. While almost joining the brotherhood with his girlfriend or wife, I was having some engine envy, and sought refuge in a church retreat center by the river when

A biker I met on the way to Richmond.

the suburbs and most motels were full.

As it started raining and lack of sleep, I decided I wasn’t having as much fun, as it was costing and cut the tour short, I was going to head west along the river to Charlottesville then up the Shenandoah National Park to Front Royal and camp, as I had run out of most resources doing credit-card touring (staying in hotels).

I toured the state Capital building sights before closing for renovation, then rented a vehicle at the airport.

Luckily, I stopped when I did, a day or so later, the Gaston flood washed out Shockloe Bottom [River district of Richmond] and I likely would have floated down the river ...

Jerry volunteers with writer’s group over the last year. DancesWithCars.CrazyGuyOnABike.com contains similar tours including the C&O Canal tour with photos. He might be contacted at DancesWithCars @gmail.com, if not out biking, eating or learning at Street Sense.

Street Sense . September 17– September 30, 2008

14 STREET SENSE NEWS

Vendors’Notes

What our REaders are Saying...

Creating a Grandparent Corps To the Editor, To create more discipline in junior and senior high schools without authoritarian methods, the school system should hire retired people to take classes with students, for either full- or half-days, their choice.

Older people were in high school more than 30 years ago. What they learn today would probably be much different than what they learned in adolescence, so they wouldn’t be bored.

Have a “grandma” and a “grandpa” in every class. With people 50 or older in all seventh through 12th grade classes, teenagers would be deterred from acting up and causing trouble for the teacher – you don’t act disrespectfully towards your grandparents, you know.

Having older persons in the classrooms would naturally benefit students, who could turn to their elders as role models and for guidance. Have elders screened to make sure they both understood their responsibilities and would fit in with their classes.

People in the “Grandparent Corps” shouldn’t monopolize class discussions, but older “participant observers” should be part of every school’s daily routine, including taking tests and going to the cafeteria.

Ideally, older people would spend six years, from seventh through 12th grades, going through six years of schools with many of their students,

unless they moved, died or found other work. Having older people in schools should make children more tolerant and understanding of their own parents or guardians.

David Pike Keeps on Giving

Raymond Avrutis A Reason to Believe To the Editor, Bernard Chino Dean (Vendor # 132) is an outstanding example of how far one can go with encouragement and a little help.

I have watched this gentleman for months as he is most often outside my office building selling Street Sense at the corners of 15th and K streets, NW. Every time I see him, he is pleasant, very polite, but on a mission to get the word out about the plight of the homeless.

I buy papers for not only myself, but for a friend who is a social worker and uses Street Sense to find information out that may be valuable to her clients.

Mr. Dean gives me, and I am sure many others, a reason to believe that the world can truly be a better place.

I salute him, and those like him, who are determined to make a better place for themselves.

Joy Hill New Leaders for New Schools 927 15th Street, NW, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20005

Cliff Carle Makes a Sale

Pictures from our resident vendor photographer Cliff Carle are now on display at the MOCA DC Art Gallery (1054 31st St., NW) as part of the Homeless Art Project.

He has already sold photographs and hopefully other sales will come in.

We congratulate Cliff for finally getting the attention and praise he deserves.

If you cannot make it to the show and want to buy some of Cliff’s prints, some will be up for auction at our Silent Auction and Reception on October 2 (see page 5 for more details).

L. Morrow’s School Supply Collection

We just wanted to commend one of our popular vendors, L. Morrow, for helping local children get ready to go back to school. At the end of August, Mr. Morrow collected about $200 worth of school supplies for children who live in his Southwest D.C. neighborhood.

Mr. Morrow said that he just wanted to help the kids get prepared to go back to school, so he went around the CVS stores nearby to collect slightly damaged and overstocked notebooks, pencils, pens and folders.

Get Twice as Much Street Sense Each Month Delivered Right to Your Door!

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.

Thanks for your support!

Last November one of our wonderful board members, David Pike, passed away suddenly.

At the end of August his widow, Caroline Gabel, donated dozens of items of David’s including t-shirts, shoes, socks and underwear.

As we don’t typically give away clothing at our offices, our vendors were elated by these free, well-kept clothing items.

Vendor Martin Walker was floating on air as he walked out of the office in his nearly new brown suede Rockports and a bag full of new underwear; vendor Reginald Black also appreciated the underwear and proclaimed “Wow, brand new Polo shirts!” Volunteer and vendor Francine Triplett was thrilled to find so many clean white t-shirts to give to her grandsons.

Caroline, thank you so much for thinking of our vendors when you were cleaning out David’s clothing. His memory lives on through the simplest of items.

Happy Birthday, Phillip

We wish vendor Phillip Howard a happy birthday as he turns 57 on Sept. 20.

Phillip has been with the paper since its second issue and is one of our kindest and sweetest vendors.

So please wish him all the best if you see him around.

Top Vendor Sales

After a long hiatus, we are again starting to run the top vendor numbers. Congrats to all the vendors who have been working hard to sell papers over the last few months.

Lawless Watson James Davis Conrad Cheek Martin Walker August Mallory Jeffery McNeil Bobby G. Buggs Allen Jones Charlie Mayfield Moyo Onibuje Carlton Johnson

1285 886 866 752 687 678 590 555 543 531 514

When you buy a paper from a Street Sense vendor for the suggested price of $1, 75 cents of that goes right to the vendor.

Help a vendor out of homelessness, buy Street Sense!

FEATURES 15 SERVICE PROVIDERS & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Street Sense . September 17– September 30, 2008

Community Service Index WASHINGTON, D.C. SHELTER Calvary Women’s Services 928 5th Street, NW (202) 783–6651 www.calvaryservices.org Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW (202) 745–7118 www.missiondc.org CCNV (Men and Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393–1909 users.erols.com/ccnv/ Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232–7356 www.communityofhopedc.org Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Ave SE (202) 610–9600 www.covenanthousedc.org Housing, education, job development Franklin School (Men) 13th and K streets, NW (202) 638–7424 Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731 www.grm.org John Young Center (Women) 117 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469 http://www.ccs–dc.org/find/services/ La Casa Bilingual Shelter (Men) 1436 Irving Street, NW (202) 673–3592 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) 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 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387–6612 www.churchofthepilgrims.org Dinner Program for Homeless Women AND the “9:30 Club” Breakfast 309 E Street, NW (202) 737–9311 www.dphw.org Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112

Food and Friends 219 Riggs Road, NE (202) 269–2277 www.foodandfriends.org Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW (202) 452–8926 www.miriamskitchen.org The Welcome Table Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street, NW (202) 347–2635 http://www.epiphanydc.org/ministry/ welcometbl.htm

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 Green Door (202) 464–9200 1221 Taylor Street NW www.greendoor.org housing, job training, supportive mental health services Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050 www.friendshiphouse.net counseling, mentoring, education, youth services, clothing Georgetown Ministry Center 1041 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (202) 338–8301 www.georgetownministrycenter.org laundry, counseling, psych care Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328–6608 www.marthastable.org dinner, education, recreation, clothing, child and family services

Shelter Hotline: 1–800–535–7252

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 activities 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 of D.C. 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 food 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

www.nationalhomeless.org activists, speakers bureau available 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 national 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 P.O. Box 934, Chestertown (443) 480–3564 Warm Night Shelter 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499–2319 www.cmpgc.org

Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010 www.foundryumc.org ESL, lunch, clothing, IDs

FOOD

Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332–2874 http://www.ccs–dc.org/find/services/ meals, hygiene, laundry, clothing

Community Place Café 311 68th Place, Seat Pleasant (301) 499–2319 www.cmpgc.org

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

Bethesda Cares 7728 Woodmont Church, Bethesda (301) 907–9244 www.bethesdacares.com

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) 493–8553 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 housing, and supportiveservices

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 Arlington–Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless 3103 Ninth 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, Ste. 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, Ste. 500 (703) 778–6800; www.lsnv.org civil legal services Samaritan Ministry 2924 Columbia Pike, Arlington (703) 271–0938 www.samaritanministry.com social, job and HIV/AIDS services

Street Sense . September 17– September 30, 2008

Bobby Buggs

VENDOR PROFILE

PHOTO FINISH

Living Wage Warriors

By Mike O’Neill

By Bobby Gene Buggs, Jr. I’m originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I started my homeless journey in August 2000.

At the time, I was experiencing a lot of material persuasion and the equation was: How will I obtain the finer things in life from a legitimate perspective?

I migrated from Wisconsin to Missouri, from Missouri to Memphis, from Memphis to Georgia, from Georgia to Florida, from Florida back to Missouri, from Missouri to Massachusetts, and from Massachusetts to Washington D.C.’s vicinity.

I needed to return to the area because I had some unpaid fines with the DMV that hindered me from obtaining my driver’s license in other parts of the country.

While here, I have numerous venues on how to achieve. I learned a lot about life’s experiences. Exodus Ch. 20 v.1-20. Thank you, Street Sense

How did you become homeless?

I got robbed.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

With my family, hoping to establish a C or S corporation as the boss.

Favorite music?

Reggae, hip hop, Gospel, jazz The 4th Annual “Bridge the Economic Gap” Day Rally was held on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 and groups in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia participated. In D.C. supporters from the National Coalition for the Homeless and students from George Washington University advocated for everyone’s right to a living wage by hanging a sign above the Souza Bridge in Southeast.

StreetFact The Capital Area Food Bank provides 20 million pounds of food to 700 local agencies who give it directly to individuals.

For more information, see page 3.

Source: The Capital Area Food Bank

Sept. 17 – Sept. 30, 2008 • Volume 5 • Issue 23

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW Washington, DC 20005

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC Permit #568

Bobby reminds customers to only buy from badged vendors and not to give to those panhandling with one paper.

Save the Date:

Thursday October 2, 2008

Movin’ On Up

Street Sense’s Third Annual Silent Auction & Reception For more information see page 10.

Mail To:

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

If you are interested in donating goods or services to be auctioned off, please send an e-mail to info@streetsense.org.