10 23 2013

Volume 10: Issue 25 October 23 - November 5, 2013

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STREET SENSE October 23 - November 5, 2013

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NEWS

Help Through the Long Wait for SSI

By Ramanda Lazaris Editorial Intern Poor and disabled applicants for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) often wait for years to begin receiving a small monthly stipend from the federal program. Some become homeless, others die before being approved.

A group of lawyers, representatives from non-profit organizations, beneficiaries and lawmakers gathered at the Wilson Building Oct 9 to discuss common barriers to approval and ways to streamline the process of obtaining SSI. Many spoke of the importance of preserving a small but important city-funded safety net program that helps tide over SSI applicants while they wait for approval.

The Interim Disability Assistance (IDA) program provides $270 a month - or about $9 a day - to residents who are in limbo - unable to work and waiting to learn if they are approved for SSI. “IDA, although not much, helps you maintain your dignity,” Brian Powell, IDA beneficiary said at the forum, which was co-sponsored by DC City Councilmembers Mary Cheh and Jim Graham.

Though city funds are used to pay the IDA stipends, they are partially reimbursed by the federal government. In fiscal year 2014, the city has budgeted slightly over $2 million for IDA, enough to help an estimated 979 people, according to Kate Coventry, a policy analyst for the

YES!

DC Fiscal Policy Institute.

But according to city budget documents, funding is down significantly from the more than $6 million appropriated for the program in 2009.

Applicants for SSI must complete a long written application and often must undergo special medical examinations to determine eligibility.

Yet, there are further levels of proof and documentation that are also frequently required, lawyers at the forum explained.

“Often times the D.C. Government will see someone with schizophrenia, but unless they see the medical record, they could get denied,” Carolyn Perez Associate at Akin Gump said.

In many c a s e s , Pe r e z explained, a person with schizophrenia does not keep track of their paper work, so

it takes triple the time when working with them, and then there is still the chance they could get denied.

Many IDA recipients go through several rounds of appeals, and SSI is still not guaranteed.

During the process, IDA can help sustain applicants through the long appeal process, and help them stay out of shelters and emergency rooms, which end up costing the city more, some forum participants observed.

Brian Powell said that IDA had helped to keep him safely housed.

“Because of that (IDA) I was able to get in to a supportive housing unit,” Powell said.

Nationally, just one-third of SSI applicants are approved upon initial application, participants said.

Getting assistance with the application process can

help. Locally, organizations including the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, Pathways to Housing, Miriam’s Kitchen, and So Others Might Eat, offer such support.

Another program, called SOAR, SSI SSDI Outreach Access Recovery, specifically targets people who are homeless, battling mental illness, or simply do not have a mailing address.

“Most of our folks are declined on technical issues (paper work) before the medical records are even looked at,” said Christine Elwell of SOAR. According to SOAR, fifteen percent of homeless people who applied on their own got approved while with SOAR’s help, eighty to ninety percent of applicants were successful.

Larry Tanenbaum, of Akin Gump, explained that often, homeless applicants miss important hearings on their cases because they have no address and never receive the notices.

“The bench my client sits on doesn’t have a fax machine…” Tanenbaum said.

A man named Wayne who attended the forum spoke of the experience firsthand, and he did not hide any of his frustration. With two hip replacements leaving him dependent on a cane, he said he was denied benefits and due to the situation has been homeless for two years.

“The city is deteriorating because of the homelessness. I’m tired of this, I don’t know what to tell my child,” he said.

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COVER STORY

Task Force Tackles Future Plan for Shelter

By Claire Sloan Editorial Intern The historic Federal City shelter needs to be transformed into something that homeless people and advocates alike can be proud of, including well-maintained permanent low income housing, said Cheryl K. Barnes of the Interagency Council on Homelessness.

“Homeless people go through a lot of crap,” Barnes said in a meeting at City Hall on Oct 8. “But it doesn’t have to continue if we all see the same vision.”

This meeting marks the beginning of deliberations by a city task force, specially appointed to help chart the future for the sprawling facility before the 2016 expiration of a federal requirement than the building be used for homeless services.

The group is expected to send its recommendations for the shelter to the mayor in six months. The shelter, which houses 1350 people on any given night, is often known simply as CCNV, the initials of the Community for Creative Non-Violence, an anti-war and anti-poverty group that

turned the former federal college building into a shelter in the late 1980s.

Barnes shares a vision with many others that homelessness will be ended in her lifetime. She was formerly homeless and spent three years at the shelter when CCNV’s charismatic leader, the late Mitch Snyder was still alive and helping to run the program there. The homeless advocates said they are aware of the development pressures on the property, located on prime real estate not far from Union Station.

“Nobody wants a shelter in their neighborhood. There are two sides to the story,” said Shacona Ward, a resident of the CCNV shelter.

Both sides of the story are represented in the task force which includes leaders of organizations such as the Department of Behavioral Health, Miriam’s Kitchen, DowntownDC Business Improvement District and Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless.

The interests of the shelter’s neighbors should not be the highest priority,

said Eric Sheptock of Shelter Housing And Respectful Change. Some individuals give the entire homeless population a bad name. Moving them to another part of the city will not solve the problem, he said.

Ward agreed that not all homeless people are alike. “There are people who are mentally ill, and are homeless, take their meds and don’t act crazy.”

The task force does not accurately represent the homeless community because few of its voting members have actually experienced homelessness, said Reginald Black, a Street Sense vendor and homeless advocate.

The task force’s mission represents a combination of hopefulness and discontent. The dichotomy was apparent to meeting attendee Amna Abdelgader, a University of Maryland student and friend of Sheptock’s. The sense of urgency to help the homeless was detectably different for those representing the neighborhood and those representing the homeless.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for do-

ing something creative and meaningful in terms of quality homeless services,” said City Councilman Jim Graham.

Barnes, Sheptock, Black and many others share in Graham’s hopes for the future of the shelter. But their great challenge will be to come to a consensus within six months on what must be done to the shelter.

The task force must determine how to house 1350 people while the shelter is being repaired or remodeled.

“Any plan to house less than 1350 people is a conversation stopper,” Sheptock said.

The next meeting will be held at the CCNV allowing shelter residents to easily attend the meeting and give comments at the end. It will cover all the legal implications of making any changes to the shelter, on a date to be determined, Graham said.

While the social security administration’s process could take years for a disabled person to complete, IDA can help sustain that person’s life.

At the forum, Ward 3 City Council member Mary Cheh, as well as lawyers and service providers talked about the need to find ways to make it easier and faster for people to get SSI benefits. They also spoke about the importance of preserving IDA. But some of the most powerful comments came from IDA recipients themselves.

One who offered personal testimony was Earl Speaks who was born here in Washington. He said IDA is a lifeline to those that are sick and are awaiting benefits.

“You wouldn’t believe how 270 dollars a month opened the door for me,” he said.

Also present was Brian Powell who reminded listeners that the experience that he went through with SSI could happen to anyone.

“I’m convinced now

that they are either fickle or set up to where you just quit,” he said.

IDA seldom seems to have enough funding. But members of the poor and homeless community are saying that they need this program. City officials should just listen.

Giving the Community a Voice

By Reginald Black, Vendor, “The Street Reportin’ Artist” The poor and the homeless need more of a voice in the city decisions that impact their lives. Two recent events at the Wilson Building served as reminders. .

One was the Oct 8 meeting of the CCNV Task Force, charged with making recommendations to the mayor and city council for the future use of the building that now houses the historic Federal City Shelter, located at 425 2nd Street NW. It was back in July that DC City Council member Jim Graham introduced the legislation that led to the formation of the task force. As plans for the task force evolved, the homeless advocates of SHARC (for Shelter Housing and Respectful Change) sent an open letter to the mayor and council stressing their position that the homeless community be given an important role in planning for the future of the shelter.

When the task force convened its first meeting, SHARC Chairman Eric Sheptock, a shelter resident, was seated, but only as an ex-officio member. While Sheptock is there to represent the entire homeless community, he has not been given a vote on the full task force. He is only allowed to vote as the member of a subcommittee that is being established by the taskforce as part of its ongoing dialogue about the future of CCNV. The purpose of that first meeting was to flesh out out procedures for the task force, which has six months to prepare a written report for city officials. One sug-

gestion offered by Sheptock was that the task force should hold its next meeting at CCNV. That first task force meeting was a positive step, but there is much more work to be done. And hopefully in the future, the residents of the shelter will be given a real vote on the decisions that will have a huge impact on their lives.

Hopefully in the future, the residents of the shelter will be given a real vote on the decisions that will have a huge impact on their lives.

The second event that brought to mind the importance of getting insights from the poor and homeless was an Oct 9 forum held to discuss the future of the city’s Interim Disability Assistance Program (IDA.) The program offers cash assistance about $9 a day- to help disabled people survive while they undergo the lengthy process of qualifying for federal Supplemental Security Income.

Being disabled is hard enough but when you combine a disability with poverty and even homelessness, the fight gets tougher.

STREET SENSE October 23 - November 5, 2013

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COVER STORY

In Desperate Need of a New Building

By Jenny Gudmundsen Editorial Intern Flooding and other problems plague the crumbling Federal City Shelter. Amid discussions about the future of the property, leaders of two nonprofits based in the former college building say they hope for a new facility in the same area.

Michael F. Curtin Jr., chief executive officer of DC Central Kitchen, thinks that it is very clear that the District government needs to do something.

“This building was built as a temporary building, and it certainly wasn’t built to do what it’s doing now. DC Central Kitchen has long thought that this city needs to find another solution and to actually build something that fits the needs of the organization,” he said.

Attempts to shore up the aging facility seem futile, Curtin said.

“It’s really, really bad,” he said.

“There’s constant repair work that needs to be done, whether that’s on pipes or electricity. The infrastructure can’t support what happens inside this building.

The idea of spending more money just to put new drywall or paint over bad infrastructure just does not make sense. We think the city would make smart to invest in a new building, instead of just trying to make this building look better. It’s actually not becoming any better.

“We do believe that the district is looking hard to find a solution that will not displace the organizations here but will actually help them with a better space more suited to their needs, that will further empower the clients of the organizations of this building”, he added.

Anne C. Cardile, medical director of Unity Health Care CCNV, agrees that the

building needs significant attention.

“We’re in the basement, so we see all the plumbing issues, frequent flooding and things. A new building may absolutely be the way to go, but there has to be space for all the new services that have grown up around here”.

She believes the task force assigned with the task of planning for the future has vital work to do. “It’s extremely important, because we have to be thinking of the 1200 people who live here. The input of the people involved is important.”

Back at DC Central Kitchen, Curtin has listened with interest to one possible plan for a new facility perhaps built on a parking lot adjacent to the existing building.

As discussed the project would include both emergency beds and longer-term housing for the homeless.

“It sounds like it could work, but our concern is that it is enough space for all of the people.” Curtin says. He praises the idea of keeping the programs based at the current location, a few blocks from the nation’s Capitol.

“One of the reasons we love this location is its proximity to public transportation, which is very helpful for our students and for volunteers. We are one of the largest homeless shelters in the country, and that would help to keep our issues at the forefront of the political discussion, which is what we need.”

One of the things on the top of his todo list is to open a street-front social enterprise café.

“The café would employ women and men who graduate from our job training programs, as well as offer other training

DC Central Kitchen works out of the Federal City Shelter to provide job training to homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals.

PHOTO BY JENNY GUDMUNDSEN

opportunities for our students. That would certainly help to create greater community awareness, and to help generate revenue so we would be less dependent on philanthropy. If that opportunity to were to come, that café would be fronting center of whatever new development that would happen on this block. We certainly would welcome that,” Curtin says, He is also hoping for a smarter building- one that is more energy-efficient and better-designed.

“If the organizations have an opportunity to work on the design, then it’s going to be a much more effective, efficient and impactful,” he says. “We’re hoping to get a bigger kitchen, because now we have people at North East, and staff that are using donated office down at the high school down in the street, even though we have been able to a lot with this spaces, we could be a lot more impactful if everyone was back at one place.”

Cardile also wants to stay in the same area.

“We’re all here, this is why we exist.

It makes sense to serve the people where they are.

I have preference to this block, because of the large population of the homeless around here. We have smaller shelters in North West, but certainly nothing to this capacity. A lot of residence has sought out this area; there is some sense of security here, because of the close location to Capitol Hill and Union Station.”

Federal City Shelter Building is one of 30 other Unity Health Care’s locations.

Their locations consist of community centers and hybrid clinics. “This building is an example of a hybrid clinic, where

• The 70-year-old Federal City Shelter Building houses some 1,350 residents.

• It houses five organizations: CCNV, a Unity Health Care clinic, D.C. Central Kitchen, Clean and Sober Streets, and New Hope Ministries.

• The city reports that it has been spending some $2.5 million per year on building utilities and maintenance and over the past decade has spent some $10 million on capital improvements to the “temporary” building over the past decade.

• Current estimated are that a new building on the adjacent parking lot built up to the full building envelope could be built for $95 million.

• This could be paid for by sale of the existing building for $65-75 million and up to $47.5 million of tax-credit financing.

• It will be invested in: Building standards, professional management, public safety and security and new structure. homeless people come and get treatment.

Unity Health Care has about 1000 patient visits per month.”

Cardile won’t decline a new building offer.

“We don’t deserve a new building, but the residents iin this building would benefit from a building that was cleaner and a more well kept space. We will certainly also take a cleaner and more well kept space if it comes to us too, we won’t turn our noses up for that,” she says, smiling.

Unity Healthcare operates a clinic in the aging Federal City Shelter facility.

PHOTO BY JENNY GUDMUNDSEN

For Transgenders, Fear Remains

By Claire Sloan Editorial Intern More than two years have passed since Myles “Lashai” McLean, a transgender woman, was fatally shot on a Northeast Washington street.

But the struggle to address violence and discrimination against other transgender people goes on, said Earline Budd of Transgender Health Empowerment.

She and other advocates can point to one recent measure that might help provide homeless transgender women with services and a haven from the streets.

As the result of a successful lawsuit, the John L. Young shelter is now required to accept transgender women: and the staff at the facility is receiving training geared toward helping to ensure equal access.

Following the court decision, Lakiesha Washington, a transgender woman who brought the suit, was allowed to live in the shelter, which is located in the basement of the large federal shelter on 2nd and D Street NW, known as the Community for Creative Non Violence. It houses up to 88 women per night.

The directors of the shelter were compelled to update the bathroom facilities for maximum privacy, as reported by the Washington Blade.

Sterling Washington, the Director of the mayor’s office for LGBT affairs, offered sensitivity training to the shelter’s staff on April 20 as part of a mayoral directive after the lawsuit. By law, shelters are not allowed to refuse admittance to a person

on the basis that they are transgender.

“The training consisted of getting people familiar with some of the language in the GLBTQ community,” Washington said.

“That community tends to be on the receiving end of a lot of discrimination.”

The shelter had had problems in the past with a transgender lesbian woman and the lack of privacy in their facility, Budd said. The conflict that arose prompted the shelter’s administration to put in place a discriminatory policy which refused all transgender women.

“When I first heard about her experience I was shocked and of course I was upset,” said Budd, who had previously worked with the John L. Young shelter on behalf of lesbian and transgender women.

“She was embarrassed and humiliated, and she was hurt.”

Calls to and messages left with John Shetterly of New Hope Ministries, which operates the shelter, were not returned to Street Sense by press deadline, and Reverend Alberta Johnson, director of the shelter, declined to answer questions.

Some of the women in the shelter remain uncomfortable with the presence of transgender women because they perceive them to be men, said Stardra White, who has stayed at the John L. Young shelter for the past 12 months. The discomfort stems from the limited privacy in the shelter and the past trauma of shelter residents who have been abused by males.

“It’s demeaning because it takes away your privacy,” White said.

Other residents, like Shacona Ward,

don’t have a problem with the presence of transgender women in the shelter.

Ward lived in the shelter for four months, ending in the beginning of Oct. when she moved into the CCNV shelter.

“I don’t think they can help the way they are, so I don’t think it’s our job to judge them,” Ward said.

As for Lashai Mclean, police say they still do not know who gunned her down early on July 20, 2011. The murder took place on Dix Street, not far from a home for LGBT youth run by Budd’s group.

Budd says she is not convinced that the Metro- Lashai McLean politan Police Department PHOTO COURTESY OF METRO WEEKLY has exhausted all of its resources in cases of discrimination against her earlier in the day, Budd said. transgender people. Other cases, in which Inseparable friends Ukea Davis, 18, and the public is more interested, seem to be Stephanie Thomas, 19, were shot to death solved much more quickly. Such crimes on Aug. 12, 2002 on the corner of 50th and continue to haunt her, she said.

C Street SE in one of the most brutal mur“We’ve had too many things happen to ders in the D.C. area, Budd recalled. Datransgender women in the District that vis was killed instantly, but when Thomas have led to death.” showed signs of life the shooter returned Tyli’a “NaNa Boo” Mack (nee Joshua and shot her several more times.

Mack), 21, was stabbed on Aug. 26, 2009 Both of these cases remain unsolved. in broad daylight on Q Street NW. She However, when Howard University senior was pronounced later that day in Howard Omar Sykes, 22, was shot this July 4 on University Hospital. The same man who Fairmont Street NW, a suspect was arstabbed her had spoken hateful words to rested within a few months.

You Don’t Need a Home to Experience Domestic Violence

By Nkongho Beteck, Editorial Intern

Domestic violence causes homelessness.

And many homeless women are survivors of domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and in recognition, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the problem brought a presentation to the monthly meeting of the Coalition of Homeless and Housing Organizations (COHHO.) Tamaso Johnson, policy attorney with the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, offered national statistics to show the severity of violence in the homeless community.

“Ninety percent of homeless women are abused at some point in their lives,” he said. “Domestic violence is a major contributor to homelessness.”

The National Alliance to End Homelessness, offers similarly grim findings. That organization cites a study from Massachusetts that found 92 percent of homeless women had experienced severe physical

or sexual assault at some point in their lives, 63 percent had been victims of violence by an intimate partner and 32 percent had been assaulted by their current or most recent partner.

Some victims become homeless only after fleeing from an abusive partner. They find themselves without a steady income, suffering from anxiety, depression or substance abuse, and in need of help with rebuilding their lives.

Johnson said that although domestic violence is typically associated with women, he hoped to extend helpful services to other members of the community including more men and transgender people.

“These are groups who have been left out in the past. Everybody, no matter what sexual orientation, should have support,” he said.

The presentation led into a wider discussion about homelessness itself and

the vulnerability of people experiencing homelessness. Some of the homeless people at the meeting said they did not feel they could call the police for help. Others pointed out the problem would only be solved by eliminating homelessness.

Cheryl K. Barnes, a 63-year-old woman who battled homelessness for 35 years, said the programs that provide housing should try harder to provide for those who are more needy than others.

“Although I now have housing, I do not feel I am worthy of that housing because I have friends who are worse off,” she said.

Eric Sheptock, an advocate for the homeless, said providers of services need to put more energy into trying to end homelessness instead of providing services to maintain it.

“We need macro solutions … don’t ask me what my issues are. Provide minimum wage jobs and let those who are

functional go after those opportunities,” Sheptock said.

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STREET SENSE October 23 - November 4, 2013

NEWS

Yoga in the Park

By Ramanda Lazaris Editorial Intern When a child is homeless, finding a safe and cheerful place to stretch and play can be a challenge.

But a local nonprofit called the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project seeks to provide just such places. The organization sees play as a kind of antidote to the trauma that homeless children can experience, and a key to healthy child development.

Playtime volunteers bring a range of fun and therapeutic activities to children living at the D.C. General family shelter, from holiday parties to arts and crafts sessions. And the group’s efforts to offer yoga classes to the kids got a real boost earlier this year when Lyn Vencus came on as a volunteer yoga instructor. When volunteering, Vencus, offers two yoga classes for children aged three to seven, and another for ages eight to eleven.

“My favorite part is making a connection with them beyond words,” said Vencus, who looks forward to the moments when the children seem to “feel it” relaxing and getting into the flow of moving from pose to pose.

Dozens of children show up for the classes. Sometimes up to 40 children will arrive on a given night. Vencus works to help children individually, or work with smaller groups of three to eight children at a time.

“When they fold their hands, bow their heads and say Namaste - they’re really present at that moment.” said Vencus. “I take away more than I give.”

Along with the fun, the children are developing skills and confidence as well as and learning and staying healthy.

“We offer yoga to our children in an effort to help counteract the effects of the stress of homelessness, as well as to encourage physical activity and a healthy lifestyle,” said D.C. General Site Manager Danielle Rothman.

And knowing their children are safe and happy allows the parents a little time to accomplish things they may need to get done as well.

“Part of the purpose of Playtime is to give parents a break, so they usually drop their children off and thus are not present during yoga. However, kids are always eager to talk about yoga when their parents pick them up,” Rothman said.

“I think the children most enjoy having an activity that allows them a space quiet reflection, which can be hard to find in the crowded shelter environment,” Rothman said.

In recognition of that spirit, the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project hosted a fundraiser event on a recent Saturday in Meridian Hill Park, welcoming parents and children to come out and participate in a beginner yoga class.

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Playtime Project hosts yoga and other activities at many sites, including DC General.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOMELESS CHILDREN’S PLAYTIME PROJECT

Miriam’s Kitchen: 30 Years of Nurturing

By Ashley Trick Editorial Intern Miriam’s Kitchen got its start in 1983, serving simple breakfasts of eggs, grits, toast and coffee to a handful of local homeless people. Thirty years later, the Foggy Bottom nonprofit has grown exponentially, offering not only meals but a range of therapeutic programs that assist guests beyond the dining room.

To celebrate this landmark month, Miriam’s has been hosting a series of that offer thoughts and inspiration.

One of them, a Housing First forum, focused on the idea that ending chronic

homelessness is possible.

Speaking to a packed house, Linda Kaufman, an organizer for the 100,000 Homes Campaign, spoke about how permanent supportive housing programs are helping restore stability and dignity to the lives of chronically homeless people. Studies have shown that the programs actually cost less than maintaining indigent people in an endless cycle of emergency rooms, shelters, mental wards and jails.

While many traditional programs require homeless people to become clean and sober before they get housing, Housing First programs are guided by the philosophy that housing enables people

CHILDREN’S ART: SELF PORTRAIT OF AN 8 YEAR OLD

There are 1,868 children experiencing homelessness in the District. The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project visits 6 different transitional housing and emergency shelter programs to provide weekly activities, healthy snacks, and opportunities to play and learn to as many children as possible.

Courtesy of the Homeless Children’s Playtime Project

to become clean and sober, Kaufman explained. A Housing First program participant named Waldon who also spoke credited his five years of sobriety to the help he received. And he spoke with pride about running his 9th marathon this month.

By the end of the event, hundreds of guests rallied in support and signed over 400 hundred postcards asking

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray and mayoral candidates to increase funding for the DC Department of Human Services Permanent Supportive Housing Program.

The event closed with last words from Kaufman: “Life is a series of approximations,” she noted. “There is no telling why a person became homeless and who might become homeless in the future, but Housing First is a means of harm reduction in communities. Put simply, we live in a society where no one should die homeless—we have the resources to make it happen, they simply need to be allocated in a more efficient way. “ In addition to the forum, Miriam’s Dignity|Belonging|Change art exhibition opened at Gallery 102, a student-run art space located at George Washington University’s Smith Hall of Art. The exhibit offers further deep insights into the struggles and gifts of homeless men and women. The salon-style exhibition would not have been possible without Miriam’s Studio—a unique therapeutic space geared toward offering participants an opportunity to develop confidence and positive relationships through group activities such as art therapy, creative writing, and yoga. The show, which features work in a variety of media; including, painting, jewelry, poetry, photography, spoken word and sculpture, will remain on display until Oct. 25. The gallery is located at 801 22nd Street NW.

Photos by Ashley Trick Artwork courtesy of: Dignity|Belonging|Change exhibit.

STREET SENSE October 23 - November 24, 2013

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FEATURE

N Street Shows Strength in Numbers

By Ramanda Lazaris and Johnathan Comer Editorial Intern, Volunteer Over 200 people marched in N Street Village Strong: A Community Walk, on Saturday Oct. 19. Participants were encouraged to walk next to residents from all six of N Street Village’s transitional housing programs. While they walked, participants were encouraged to focus on the meaning of the word “strength.”

A woman named Mary Virginia who said she was both a client and volunteer at N Street summed up the word this way: “Strength means helping others achieve their highest potential.”

N Street Village is a community for homeless and low-income women in Washington, D.C. Staff and volunteers work to provide comprehensive help and support, from emergency housing to career development.

For many years, organizations such as N Street Village participated in Fannie Mae’s national Help the Homeless Walkathon.

But Fannie Mae was placed in government receivership as the result of the nation’s real estate crisis and the last national walk was held in 2011. The mortgage giant has continued to sponsor independently organized mini-walks since then.

“Participating organizations still use their [Fannie Mae] platform and still have access to the incentives that Fannie Mae

We asked participants,

“What does strength mean to you?”

Here is what they said: “Knowledge.” - David “Self-Compassion.” - Kate “Helping others.” -Dayja “Empowering others.” - Dena

offers. Then the organizations take the responsibility of putting on their own walk, like we did,” said Kate Akalonu, Communications and Engagement Manager at N Street Village.

Fannie Mae promised to give N Street Village incentives for every walker that registered for the walk. N Street Village had the potential to receive a maximum of $20,000 dollars if the walk recruited 2,000 in-person or “virtual” walkers. Vir-

tual walkers can donate to the organization and count towards their Fannie Mae incentives without necessarily attending the walk itself.

“It’s about coming together, showing strength in numbers and showing that together we can have a major impact,” Akalonu said.

With dedicated supporters who have become accustomed to the tradition of walking together this one day a year, N

Street Village decided to stick with a walk and held it right in their own community, with breakfast, and an introduction from their director.

“Strength is community, and it’s great that N Street and the rest of the local community got together to celebrate the accomplishments of these women,” Carmen, a participant at the walkathon said.

Since the Walkathon is no longer being held on the National Mall, the usual van trips of 15 passengers at a time were no longer needed to ferry residents to and from the event. Participants walked past Miriam’s House as well as Erna’s House, which are both residential housing programs offered through N Street Village.

“This year we have three team captains who are clients. Each walker will be on a team and [the captains] will share a few words to motivate their team, and then follow it up with some exercises before they begin,” Akalonu said.

Since the walk moved to the neighborhood, local businesses have stepped up their support, organizers said. Whole Foods supermarket donated “Love” tote bags to walkers and area shops and restaurants offered discounts to customers who mentioned the walk.

“It’s really a great time for a lot of us to come together in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness,” Akalonu said.

COMICS & GAMES

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STREET SENSE October 23 - November 5, 2013

11

OPINION

DC United: A New Stadium in the Works?

By Eric Thompson-Bey, Vendor

D.C. Unite d , Wa s h ington’s professional soccer team, has been trying to build a new stadium since 2006.

With a new stadium proposal in the works, they may finally get one! Although D.C. United is one of the most successful teams in Major League Soccer, they still lack fan support. This year D.C. United has the third lowest attendance in Major League soccer. they average 13,604 fans per game compared to 13, 846 last season. Maybe the new stadium will draw more fans.

The first proposal for a new stadium was introduced in 2006. It was to be called Poplar Point Stadium. The proposal fell apart when there were financial arguments as to how much of the stadium would be funded by the city and how much was to be funded by D.C. United.

Despite the fallout between the city and D.C. United, then mayor, Adrian Fenty, opted to have a closed door meeting to discuss the funding of $150 million for the club, but then the meeting never took place. The second bid for the stadium involved constructing a stadium in Prince George’s County, Maryland, but the legislations for the new stadium failed to pass the board, so D.C. United was still without a stadium plan.This latest proposal was introduced in 2011; it calls for a $180 million stadium to be built in the Buzzard Point neighborhood, with the capacity of

about 24,000, which is estimated to open in 2016. It would be adjacent to Nationals Park. On July 25th, 2013, D.D. United announced that Buzzard Point would be the new location.

I can remember when I worked on the Nationals Stadium during the onset of the recession. I worked long hard hours sometimes six days a week. As the completion of the job wound down, workers started to get transferred to other job sites. The Monday of the last week, myself and three other workers were told that our services were no longer needed. We were laid off and told that when another job started we would be called, but we were never called. Yes, it’s good that the stadium would create jobs, but it would be great if it created careers. Six months of unemployment compensation just wasn’t enough. While working on the National’s

Stadium, I gained experience and skills. If given the chance to be employed, I would have enhanced my experience and skills, and maybe made it to my profession. In today’s world, it’s about having a profession that can carry us over in life.

and the Dixiecrats in the South. This gave rise to modern conservatism. Early conservatism was derisively mocked by the liberal intellectuals and was ridiculed as pseudoscience.

Although conservatism was being bounced around in New York, it didn’t have a pitchman that could expound its philosophy. However, its voice came from an unlikely Hollywood liberal. A self confessed leftist, Ronald Reagan was an ardent supporter of F.D.R’s New Deal.

By the early ‘60s this self-proclaimed leftist became America’s leading conservative provocateur. These days, California is synonymous with leftist thought, but in the ‘50s it was solidly Republican. Reagan became a leading voice, disparaging the most downtrodden in the state. Declaring that “Unemployment Insurance is a pre-paid vacation for freeloaders”, he

also demonized single mothers as “Welfare Queens” and was a staunch opponent of Civil Rights. Saying “if an individual wants to discriminate against Negroes or others in selling or renting his house, it is his right to do so”.

Truth is, what seems extreme today will eventually become mainstream thinking in the future. The Tea Party extremists are no different than the San Francisco Democrats of the ‘70s and ‘80s that overran the Democratic party and got them shellacked every election during that period. Eventually they had to be purged and Bill Clinton had to stand up to his base and create a more moderate Democratic party which paved the way for Barack Obama. Only time will tell if the conservatives will stand up to the extreme elements of their party.

Historic Perspective of Extremism

By Jeffrey McNeil, Vendor

When I look at history I am always amazed at how things that are now normal were once considered revolutionary and extreme. Take catchwords such as equality, justice and freedom, for example.Today politicians get thunderous applause preaching these things but in the ‘60s men got shot advocating for them.

As we watch the contentious fights between political parties, one can be transfixed over how the two parties have switched ideologies. Ideas once considered progressive are now right-wing talking points and vice versa for the left.

Sometimes I wonder what Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt would think of today’s Republican party, a party that was once the center of radicalism for championing the working class, women’s rights, and racial equality.

Roosevelt’s landslide victory made him the first Democrat to win the popular vote since 1876. He realigned the party from a regional southern party to an urban power base that was centered in industrial cities. His strategy was simple, tax the wealthy and give those without work government assistance. The welfare issue was a hit with liberal politicians in cities like Washington and Chicago. Whenever Democrats risked losing an election they would increase welfare payments and handily defeat their opponents.

Seeing their taxes increase, the New Deal was not embraced by executives

The National Mental Health Dialogue Comes Home

By Reginald Black, Vendor “Da’ Street Reportin Artist” One recent Saturday, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray hosted a citywide discussion on mental health. The event was planned as part of a national dialogue on mental health launched this year by President Barack Obama.

The president’s goal is to start conversations that will give Americans a chance to learn more about mental health issues

from each other and from research. The conversations are meant to help participants decide how best to address mental health needs in their families, communities and the country as a whole.

The D.C. event was held at the Washington Convention Center. People from all over the region came together to discuss the challenges of meeting local mental health needs. An artist, 16-year-old Thomas Vocab Hill, performed a powerful piece inspired by a person struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Juanita Price of the nonprofit Hillcrest Children’s and Family Center, an outpatient mental health facility in the District,

spoke about the fear and discrimination faced by people suffering from mental illness. She noted that nearly a quarter of Americans believe a mentally ill person to be dangerous.

“We discriminate against people with mental illnesses. We discriminate against the families. There is discrimination associated with mental health,” Price said.

She implored listeners to drop cultural bias and help their mentally ill neighbors and loved ones..

“If you call something a weed it is likely to die but if you call it a flower it will grow and thrive,” she said.

Speakers also mentioned the alarming fact

that suicide is the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 24. Yet it was heartening to me to see so many young faces in the audience. The sight made me feel like youth really are working to understand the mental health needs of this city and region and are ready to work to improve them.

With this large discussion on the books, there may be hope that the city’s new Department of Behavioral Health can become a driving force for the improvement of life here in the District. Events like this help get to the heart of the matter.

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

Men and Women

The Broken Window

Men and women, for what in the world are we trying to be.

So much that is not the message the Lord breathed his breath into man and created his woman, Eve.

Identify theft is very serious; it damages your credit report and makes it hard to find a good paying job.

Did you ever wonder why suddenly you get in the mail or online all those coupons and advertisements on shoes, clothing and food? The interesting part of coupons and other information that floods your spam box, emails and snail mailbox is that these people know your favorite food, clothing style, furniture, household products and color. When I get CVS coupons with my receipt I’m like a kid in a candy store.

I finished reading a book last week called “The Broken Window” It’s a novel about Lincoln Rhyme, a detective pretty much like Sherlock Holmes. The Broken Window was written by Jeffery Deaver.

I have to admit the author is a genius. I urge everyone to read this book if you like mystery stories or if you always wanted to read a good mystery story. Deaver discusses identity theft and the fact that if someone were to get a hold of your personal data he would have the power to give you lifelong misery or happiness.

A while ago, I was skimming through my emails and kept saying to myself, “What ‘s all this stuff in my email box? How do these people know I’m interested in these

By Robert Warren, Vendor

And the angels ask “Will some have the right not to believe?”

The Lord knows everything.

Men and women think and believe about what is right and what is wrong.

Cain and Abel planted a seed of hate and love Abraham and many nations came to be.

That the Lord would send his messenger, born a slave To speak to pharaohs and kings, To bring his covenant of commandments Who are the men and woman who believe.

Mary, mother of Christ, is the person every woman should long to be.

And the Lord said, “man, follow The Messiah and come on to me.”

The birds sing psalms of beautiful melodies, Messages to men and women who they should be, One always praising the Lord And showing love to those little people.

Men and women in need, Work to be.

Dreams

By Robert Warren, Vendor There are dreams and there are dreams.

It has been said to hold fast to dreams as the thoughts of your dreams quickly pass away.

All the dreams I used to dream yesterday I find myself saying less and less “this must be déjà vu, something I dreamed, too.”

Old dreams die young.

Middle-aged nightmares do come.

Oh, but that’s not a dream of mine.

I could never remember a time when I was living my dreams.

I like the ones when I fly higher than the best player I see.

In my dreams, it seems I don’t dream anymore.

I have to find the right time to sleep, And dream my dreams.

A Red Revolution

By Debbie Brantley, Vendor

By Aida Basnight-Peery, Vendor

products?” Well, it’s data collected when you shop online or at your favorite supermarket and you swipe a store discount card… they know exactly what your taste is in everything you buy.

How safe is my personal data online when I am shopping? I am a very trusting person and as long as I see the wording, “Secure Socket Encryption (SSE),” I feel safe to type in my personal data.

But when it comes to data, it doesn’t really matter if you are online or not. Every time you fill out an application for a driver’s license, food stamps, in-store credit card, birth certificate, or marriage license, it generates data about you, even if you change your name legally. The question that everyone should be asking themselves is, is my personal data safe once someone gets it?

I want to give thanks to all my customers and readers who buy the Street Sense newspaper from me. I am aware some of my customers haven’t seen me lately but I’ve been really busy trying to get into school so that I can obtain certification in my field, while updating my resume and looking for work. Trust and believe me, looking for work and going on interviews is a job in itself.

A MARS REVOLUTION A THING IN BLUE A RED REVOLUTION A Red Revolution Turning and Revolving Envolving the Blue Early Bird A crystal (sheer) third And at a distant fourth Were all factors of erstwhile A Beacon thing A Red Revolution A mind’s scar for third And a distant sore for Fourth all distant and far away Which is a hazard called ZEST

New Poetry from Inkflow

By Carlton “Inkflow” Johnson, Vendor

What Have you Done for Me, What Have I Done for Me? Between Two

By Samuel Fullwood, Vendor #459

What Have you Done for Me Stopped me from slipping farther Into the world of darkness A step away from homelessness and poverty Be financially able to purchase the necessities to survive Seeing, feeling, a change that I so much dreamed about was not just a dream that it was always there and could be A chance to express myself to society Being a disabled veteran you’ve gotten Me active (Thank you Street Sense)

What Have You Done For Me Lately Treated, trusted and supported me without a question or doubt, Showed kindness, listened, speaking daily with a smile, an occasion conversation, always leaving me with a warm feeling.

(Blessings and thanks to all my supporters I love you)

What Have I Done For Myself Accepted Jesus Christ and his father almighty God as my Savior, protector, teacher and leader,

Addressed my medical problems, learning to live with my chronic pain disorder, and accept the limitations of my handicap working within and a little around my limits, Started college (Cecil Community College) studying electronic engineering in computors.1 year in which I’m in the process of going back. Went back to American Works (learned how to make resumes in template form). Joined the networks for jobs for the disabled veterans, Reconnected with a very strong, loving, woman from my past and we have love in our hands for God almighty and each other.

I can smile, laugh, think, enjoy, pray and love without hate Guess what? I am having the time of my life and enjoying every moment without stress, depression, worry or fear, andI thank almighty God, Street Sense and all of my supporters and the special lady in my life.

I LOVE YOU ALL Just a reminder: surrendering to God almighty makes all possible as only he can I thank you my Lord for all that I am, and for all you have made me to be.

Amen

Replications between two mysteries Within the greatest parts Mind, body and soul, Prestigious marvels known to mankind.

Consciousness Timeless passions ageless boundless creativity, Masterfully controlled creation intertwined and Crafted masterpieces Stimulated metaphors unlocked Profound consciousness.

Illuminating Compassions Illuminating, comprehensive, and Amazing compassion, Life’s mysteries, freedom, justice, Equality, self-preservation, The understanding of intellectual faculties.

STREET SENSE October 23 - November 5, 2013

13

VENDOR WRITING

The Mysterious Masonic Ring

By John Mathews, Vendor Last week, in Part 1, we read about the journey Mr. Dickerson went on to pick up his “per diem” from his Masonic friends.

During Dickerson’s journey, he encounters a man who gives him the impression that his friend, Francis, died in a different way then he was told. After this mysterious man leaves, Dickerson noticed he left a sealed envelope for him, which he decided to read later. Moments pass, and the Masonic friend of his whom blessed him before, arrives and hands him a wad of bills (enough bills, that in a week should cover Dickerson’s rent payment).

Checking the time on a nearby parking meter, I saw it was time to start hiking to Books-A-Million over at Dupont Circle.

Besides, it was Thursday, which means that new comics were on the shelves. Losing myself in the latest adventures of the Avengers and the Justice League would hopefully keep me from giving Kittie a mouthful when she finally showed up.

By the time I got there, I had decided not to open the Masonic envelope until she arrived. I was hoping to play if off like I was patiently awaiting for her to arrive and see if it would guilt-trip her. I was going to keep the contents of the other, more fancy envelope from my British acquaintance to myself. She chose not to be there when I got it, so she had no right

Chapter 6: Solo Mission (con’t)

to be mad about its contents. (Looking back I have to say this was the most juvenile idea I had had in about a decade).

I entered the bookstore and immediately headed to the magazine section and browsed the comics. Picking out whichever one of my favorite titles had issues that I hadn’t read yet, I then walked over to the cafe area. My favorite barista, Walter, was on duty as usual on a Thursday afternoon. He had already poured out a large cup of my favorite vanilla nut flavored coffee. We made idle chit-chat for a few moments then I sat down and opened the envelope from the old British guy.

Using a plastic knife from the cafe as a letter opener, I carefully tore the top off the envelope, preserving the ornate wax seal as carefully as I could. Inside was a small stack of about a dozen hundred-dollar bills and a folded piece of cardstock.

I stuffed the bills into my pockets, making sure no one saw them and opened the card. It was printed in such a way that the background looked like a piece of aged parchment with words printed to look like handwriting done in red.

“A _______ saved is a ______ earned.

I could have been talking about daylight but I wasn’t, though I see plenty of it as I see the people walk by. Present yourself to me when the tower above chimes its hours glory, and you are sure to be re-

warded on the morrow. Count the streets but avoid the unlucky number.”

Beneath the writing was a sketch of a hand holding a candle, done in the same printed red ink as the riddle. There was no signature. I slipped the mysterious note back in the envelope and slipped them both into my pocket. A few minutes later, Kittie came bounding through the door.

She all but skipped right up to me and planted a couple of quick kisses on me.

“I’m sorry I had to bail on you Bill” she started, taking a seat beside me, but keeping an arm around the small of my back, “but running into that creepy British guy reminded me that I had to go see Aunt Iola”.

Every alarm instinct I had went off at that moment. Bowler Hat never spoke to us when Kittie was present. How the hell she she know he was British? What was going on here? Only one way to find out...Act naturally! I look to her and say, “That’s okay, babe. Just don’t pull any more surprises like that anytime soon-it gets the imagination running in really messed up directions”. “Okay, I won’t.

But we really need to talk when we get to the hotel.” With that she got up and walked over to get a cup of cocoa from Walter’s bar.

Trouble Dreams

by David Denny, Vendor

Running fast I cannot hide The darkness still there at my side Pulling me into an ice cold kiss I can’t escape this deep abyss.

Laughter sounds from distant graves, The residence of demon slaves.

I’m welcomed into their hellish homes Of crypts, tombs and catacombs.

We dine on the bread of death That robs my soul and takes my breath.

They greet the song of distant screams And deny my soul of future dreams.

Happy Halloween!

Redskin Fans

By Veda Simpson, Vendor If the Redskins would just change their name,they might just win some more games.

RG III is playing very lame, he might just lose his fortune and fame.

All of them need a B12 shot, the defense hit like girls, the Cowboys asked, is that all you got?

They talked about the Eagles and how against them they would pull out their bag of tricks, but little did they know they would run into the Mighty Mike Vick.

So as the seventh week has come and gone, another game they have not won.

Now the Redskin story is in the books, and a picture RG III with that crazy look.

(To be continued)

BEFORE THE RAIN PT 33: NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP, BABY

By Chris Shaw, “The Cowboy Poet”

IT WAS nowhere near Christmas, but speakers somewhere on Lower Canal were perversely blarin’ “It Is Christmas, We’ll have a Christmas Time,” by none other than the Macca himself, Sir Paul McCartney.

Of course, Charles Brown soon drowned DAT out with, “Bells will be ringin’ the glad glad news, Oh what a Christmas- To Have The Blues...”

And looky looky, what is rolling down the pike into the “City That Care Forgot,” a late-model white Lincoln Town Car, flanked with a 1970 Chrysler Ambassador, slightly streaked with good old Garden District mud! Inside that rumbling phaeton sat Roger Purslane and his lady Jane Purslane, her puffed up curly mop a proud, pale shade of lavender rinse. “I knew his father, Jonathan Akula Reader, Senior. We were both attorneys

at the bar--” “Which bar, dear,” his wife gave a wry aside.

“Oh, never mind! Let’s get on with it,” at which point the Chrysler gave off a sharp retort, backfiring loudlyfrom her tail pipe.

Inside the Lincoln, Loomis was locked in

a warm embrace with Lyndsey, his intended.

“Maybe, Loomis, we should tell Butch how to turn off for Saint Roch’s church, no?”

Then, the aforementioned Butch, a crew-cut trusty from the Fayetteville lockup in an ill-fitting khaki suit, cut in, adding, “I think I know the way, a second ‘cuz’ of mine is buried there.

“Well dat’s a happy coincidence,” thought Loomis.

Meanwhile, in the mossy old churchyard, Glimka Jones, the formerly besotted courtesan caught up during the storm in some falling masonry from her last known place of business, waited patiently, shifting from her stockinged left gam to her gleaming new right prosthetic limb, and demurely adjusting her feathered boa, as only a maid of honor can.

As the two-car motorcade crunched over the gravelly approach to Saint Roch, Loomis reached across and tapped Butch on his beefy shoulder. “Stop right here!!”

Just outside, in among the leaning gravestones, Mojo Man capered crazily, waving a funky crutch high over his braided head. Strung along behind and around

him, LaBouiste’s Canopy Band was blowin’ “The Saints” with all of their might.

Out came Loomis, Lyndsey, Butch, joined with the Purslanes, ready to give the bashful bride to the goofy groom, and the clouds parted just then to let in a little azure over this no more a foggy scene.

Loomis pecked Lyndsey on the cheek, as Glimka cooed “Oh wow,” and clicked a series of flash shots with a throwaway film camera she’d stashed in her shell clutch.

“Shall we move the party to the Upperline,” she whispered ecstatically.

“Frankly, I could give a rat’s----Oh, skip it.“ Loomis realized at that golden moment, that if Reena were still around, that nothing would matter, and besides. He didn’t even have to wait for Sister Catherine to make it official with that “You may kiss the bride and groom,” nonsense.

Not only would it be jake is the turbaned head deaconess were in the sanctuary, but Lyndsey was expecting her star charge from the Convention Center(damn its very soul!)--dat is, Miss Lyvania Fulsome, to be right ringside at the altar rail, wide awake in her wheelchair.

All of New Orleans would be their oyster, and the Saints’ brass horns shone like the lucre of God. “Where is our honeymoon cruise taking place,” Lyndsey sighed.

“I b’lieve the Natchez is waitin’ behind River Walk, complete with a neat lil’ wedding cake--thanks to that crazy lieutenant gov’nor from Carolina.

Who’da thought, eh?”

Yes, the riverboat steamed softly, gently, waiting for the party of sweet survivors. Many chapters yet to be written, but first let Lyndsey and Loomis get on with the sweet science of life in the new New Orleans- catc h ya later!!!

The End.

Everyday Miracles Christina McCabe: Albert Einstein once said, “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

Over the past 18 years of my life I have come to learn a very valuable lesson. I have found that the course of our lives may change in unexpected ways and be filled with obstacles and challenges that we may never have expected, but with the help of friends, family and faith, we each have the ability to choose the way we respond by living each day to the fullest.

Often, in the stress of daily life we get so caught up in the current issues and challenges that we are dealing with, that we forget to be grateful and value the simple beauties and small miracles surrounding us. This summer I was an intern at an international development agency in D.C. I was so blessed to receive this opportunity to contribute to meaningful work and get to meet so many incredible people who work tirelessly to bring about economic and social development and improvement to low-income communities around the world. What I didn’t expect to learn this summer however, was how one man could make such a large impact on me. That man was Glenn Artis, a Street Sense vendor who sold papers at the corner of the office building where I worked.

Walking out the door of the office building and seeing his radiant smile, unwavering faith, and incredible optimism every day filled me with joy. Every time I saw Mr. Artis he was enthusiastic and not only shared stories from his own life but would compliment me and ask how I was doing. Just a short conversation with Mr. Artis would fill me with the energy

By Tammy Karuza, Volunteer Edwin, a burly guy who once ran with bikers, struggles with pride, trust, and self-esteem.

“My pride almost caused me to lose my family, my job.”, he said. Edwin also had to have surgery on his heart. Though it saved his life, it left him with some issues

needed to not only get through the day but to face every challenge and task with a reflection of the kindness and optimism that he had shared with me. Mr. Artis constantly inspires me by the way that he has been able to deal with the immense struggles of being confined to a wheelchair and living in homelessness, and yet still have boundless faith in God and always radiate optimism with a huge smile, kind words, and hope for the future. I know that I will never be able to fully put myself in his shoes but somehow our paths crossed and he became my friend. As I leave in a few weeks to University of Notre Dame, I know that there will be many difficult and challenging days ahead but one thing that I will surely take with me is the incredible faith and optimism that Mr. Artis shared with me and the way he helped me see the small miracles that surround us every day. Thank you.

Glen Artis: So many times in my life I have seen miracles and experienced many miracles dealing with other people.

The mind is a powerful tool, though most mysterious… full of mysteries and thoughts and you are left wondering, “what’s behind the world mysteries?”

As a Street Sense vendor, selling on the side watching, “every earthly being,” walk by where I sit… I wonder what is going on in their minds and life.

So much energy in the minds of people (earthly beings) who pass me by, teaches me to show the beauty of love and peace to the great beings who come to me as an angel doing great deeds to people.

My friend Christina is the most kind woman, connected within her beautiful creation. Created from the most high, “Almighty,” she is the best example for an angel. Her helping people is a blessing.

the talented surgeons could not fix. “I dealt with depression. I had an attitude.

I was not the same man I was before the operation.” After a friend invited him to Celebrate Recovery, he listened to a testimony he felt could very well have been his own. “This got my attention.” Once in Celebrate Recovery, his wife noticed the changes he was making within himself, and

What is GWARD?

By Cynthis Mewborn, Vendor C=mb2 Groundwork Anacostia River DC, known as GWARD, began in 2007. It is a program that is vital for the health of the river and the entire region. GWARD’s goals are to reconnect residents to their neighborhood environments, open spaces and parks.

GWARD is funded for start-up by the Environmental Protection Agency out of its brownfields office.

Groundwork started in the UK in the ‘70s and the model was so successful there that in the ‘90s the program was adopted in the United States. The Groundwork strategy is to involve the community in changing places such as vacant land, brownfields and landfills. The projects vary from community parks and gardens to new walking trails and paths.

Groundwork U.S.A has a number of different sites and the program is expanding its network every year. D.C. was lucky number 13. The health of the Anacostia River is very important not just for Washington D.C., but for the entire region. a doubt, it will be costly to reclaim the river. Council member Tommy Wells led the legislation for the five cents plastic bag fee that is dedicated to the cleanup of the river.

One of the projects that Groundwork is involved in pays for three in-stream litter traps. This project was developed in Australia and is the first of its kind in the Western hemisphere, right here in Ward 7. The traps are emptied every week and all trash and debris are removed and disposed of appropriately. From 2011- 2013, Groundwork removed over 11,000 lbs. of trash out of just one trap in the Kenilworth area.

Dennis Chestnut, GWARD”s founding Executive Director, feels it is very important to educate the community about the impact of recycling and how to get rid of trash properly so that it doesn’t end up in

the Anacostia River, Potomac River, Chesapeake Bay and, finally, the ocean. We have the largest treatment plant in the country; if the river were clean and if we didn’t have as much pollution to remove, we could use those resources for housing, education, etc. The more residents understand and are proactively engaged in good stewardship, the more everyone benefits.

The Anacostia River is one of the seven most polluted rivers in the country but because of the collective efforts of a few different organizations and the federal Urban Waters Initiative, it is improving.

Washington D.C. has implemented some very progressive initiatives and as a result, neighboring counties are taking up some of these initiatives like a ripple effect.

One of GWARD’s major programs is the green team program that is centered in high schools. In four local schools, students who are green team members are tasked with developing service learning projects for lower level schools. In addition, they recruit their classmates to volunteer for opportunities that are provided by Groundwork and its partners. GWARD’s teaching process starts from the cradle up and its entire focus is to engage the entire family.

GWARD’s track record speaks for itself.

Six tons of trash and debris have been cleaned up in Anacostia and more than 2,544 trees, 4,000 shrubs, 12,735 bulbs and perennials have been planted. GWARD has involved 20 businesses and created 93 jobs, improved 44 acres of open space and park land and 5 miles of sidewalks, installed 521 small amenities (flower boxes, signs, trash cans, recycling bins), 358 large amenities (benches, playgrounds, raised bed, rain gardens) and reduced 6 tons of Co2 emissions. The work this organization is doing for the community is beneficial now and will be vital for years to come.

Edwin was at peace with the idea that CR is Christ-centered. He is concerned about the welfare of troubled people in our society and hopes CR can help with some of that. “The nation’s falling apart,” he said.

“We have so many kids overdosing, babies dying because their parents were not there looking after them. Some of the adults, kids, are gonna do what they’re gonna do. They’re gonna steal, rob, and kill - whatever necessary - and they’re gonna get their drugs one way or another.

If we could reach those kids before they get to the adult side, maybe we could save a few. We can’t save everybody. If we could just save one or two, and if maybe that one or two could save somebody else, then that’s how it starts.” Heavily involved in CR and his church, Edwin likes to greet people at both venues. “When they first walk in that door – the newcomers -- they have no idea what they are

getting into, and they feel intimidated, lost, hurt, ashamed. They got that sad look on their face. I get a chance to witness to them, a chance to welcome them, make them feel at home, welcome to be part of the family.” He wants people to know about the benefits of Celebrate Recovery, as well as the healing powers of Jesus Christ. “I’m a grateful believer. It was Christ who allowed me to live, to be a witness, and to preach the gospel. I have to talk to other individuals. Let them know what I have been through.” He went on to recognize the loneliness a lot of people deal with, be it a ramification of their own troubles or someone else’s.

“A lot of those who come to Celebrate Recovery don’t have families. They’ve been kicked to the side, or abused. They are waiting for someone to tell them ‘it’s gonna be alright.’” (to be continued)

The Need for Service: Many Paths to Homelessness

COMMUNITY SERVICES

By Jacqueline Turner Vendor Little girls want to grow up to be happy, just like little boys. They want to be useful, have work they like, and a family that loves them. Nobody ever plans to be homeless or to live in the streets. Fact is, it happens more than most people know. You could have a family, a job, and maybe a good life. But, if you get ill and can’t work for six months or maybe two, all you have can be lost and you may become homeless.

If a child gets ill and needs 24-hour care, or if you get laid off or put back, whatever people want to call

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

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

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

Catholic Charities: 772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

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

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

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

Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place: 364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave, NW cchfp.org

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

it, the downside is that you are out of work. Not all of the homeless are just out of work. Some have medical problems that prevent them from working. They might be having some marital issues, or drug or alcohol problems. The thing is they all want a chance to help themselves and receive a little help from others.

Whether you believe it is karma from God or humanity, you have a way out. Street Sense is a way for people to keep their dignity.

Housing/Shelter

Clothing

Outreach

Transportation

Education

Legal Assistance

Food

Showers

Medical/Healthcare

Laundry

Employment Assistance DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS HOTLINE 1-888-7WE HELP (1-888-793-4357)

SHELTER HOTLINE: 1–800–535–7252

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Community of Hope: 232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

15

STREET SENSE October 23 - November 5, 2013

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

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

Rachel’s Women’s Center: 682-1005 1222 11th St, NW rachaels.org

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

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

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

Subscribe to Street Sense 1 Year: $40 2 Years: $80 3 Years: $120 I want half of my purchase to benefit a vendor directly Vendor Name

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

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

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(TOP RIGHT) PHOTO BY JENNY GUDMUNDSEN

Cynthia Mewborn spoke at the opening ceremony of the Loving Kindness Relic Tour. The free event took place at The Church of the Holy City, and was hosted by Allies in Compassion and BuddhaFest. A diverse crowd assembled to deepen their commitment to peace.

“There’s lots of energy in here, I can feel it. There is an internal beauty in spiritual people,” Mewborn said. After given her speech, she received a warm applause by the audience.

(BOTTOM RIGHT) PHOTO BY GWYNETTE SMITH

The Smithsonian National Gallery of Art has a garden filled with statues at 6th Street and Constitution Ave. NW. There are all kinds of works, some more literal, and others, requiring an attempt to understand the artist’s meaning.

October 23 - November 5, 2013 • Volume #10 • Issue #25

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