11 07 2012

$1suggested donation

Volume 9: Issue 26 November 7- 20, 2012

Street

sense

Read more and get involved at www.streetsense.org | The DC Metro Area Street Newspaper | Please buy from badged vendors

Word On the Street:

Street Press Comes To Baltimore

pgs 4-5

s

es n s s

’ s e n l a e g r m in ete o d H n V E

a special veterans day report

pgs 6-7

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

North American Street Newspaper Association

International Network of Street Papers

comes 8-9 Halloween to D.C. General Group takes 12 Writers’ on Election 2012

14 16

Vendor Eric Thompson-Bey goes to City Hall Executive Director Brian Carome on a rate increase

COVER ART

ADDRESS 1317 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 PHONE 202.347.2006 FAX 202.347.2166 E-MAIL info@streetsense.org WEB StreetSense.org

(Street Sense economics)

Each vendor functions as a self-employed contractor for Street Sense. That means he or she re-invests in the organization with every purchase. Vendors purchase the paper for 35 cents/issue, which will then be sold to you for a suggested donation of $1.

35%

Supports production costs

VOLUNTEERS/WRITERS Jane Cave, Margaret Chapman, Brandon Caudill, Lilly Dymond, Ashley Edwards, Andrew Gena, Steve Gilberg, Jane Goforth, Roxanne Goldberg, Roberta Haber, Jesse Helfrich, Maurice King, Sean Lishansky, Victoria Hatterman O’Banion, Ashley Perkins, David Piper, Mark Rose, Willie Schatz, David Sellers, Kate Sheppard, Ernie Smith, Lilly Smith, Kelly Stellrecht, Brett Topping, Charlotte Tucker, Bryan Watkins, Marian Wiseman, Eugene Versluysen

Photo by jane cave

@ STREETSENSE.ORG

/streetsense

65%

Directly aids the vendor

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

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

Nearly 30,000 copies are in circulation each month.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Brian Carome EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mary Otto MANAGING EDITOR Eric Falquero VENDOR/VOLUNTEER MANAGER Allen Hoorn advertising/communications coordinator Rebecca Stewart INTERNS Joel Barnes, Sydney Franklin, Jeff Gray, Charmaine Miller Nick Mutschler, Lauren Poole

Sammy James is a vendor for Baltimore’s new street paper Word on the Street.

A new issue comes out every two weeks, but you can stay connected to Street Sense every day!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Yebegashet Alemayehn, Margaret Chapman, Kristal Dekleer, Robin Heller, Heidi Keller, Sommer Mathis, Manas Mohapatra, Brad Scriber, Michael Stoops

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

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

3. I agree to treat all others – customers, staff, other vendors – respectfully, and I will not “hard sell.” (threaten or pressure customers) 4. I agree to stay off private property when selling Street Sense.

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

6. I agree not to sell any additional goods or products when selling the paper.

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

8. I agree to stay a block away from another vendor and respect the space of all vendors.

9. 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 while selling papers.

10. I understand that Street Sense strives to produce 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.

VENDORS Gladys Akins, Orin Andrus, Charles Armstrong Glenn Artis, Jake Ashford, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Alan Bates, Grady Baxter, Roberta Bear, Kenneth Belkovsky, Tommy Bennett, Frosty Bibbee, Phillip Black, Reginald Black, Deana, Black, Viktor Blokhine, Harmon Bracey, Debora, Brantley, Andre Brinson, Kanon Brown, Reco, Brown, Percy Carter, Sunny Chadwick, Conrad Cheek, Lea Ciochetti, Elena Cirpaci, Sarah Colin, Theresa Corbino, Anthony Crawford, Kwayera, Dakari, Louise Davenport, Michael Davidson, James Davis, Charles Davis, Clifton Davis, Devon Dawkins, Chino Dean, David Denny, Janna Disraeli, Nema Dixon, Alvin Dixon-El, Charles Eatmon, Richard Embden, Pieus Ennels, Kristin Evald, Betty Everett, Joshua Faison, Patty Feris, Larry Garner, Anthony Gist-El, Marcus Green, Barron Hall, Dwight Harris, Dewayne Harrison, Lorrie Hayes, Patricia Henry, Shakaye Henry, Derian Hickman, Vennie Hill, Ibn Hipps, Jaamill Hipps, Anne Marie Holloway, Phillip Howard, James Hughes, Donald Johnson, Tavon Johnson, Mark Jones, Ryan Jones, Evanson Kamau, Tammy Karuza, Mike Leach, Ziang Lin, Anthony Lindsey, John Littlejohn, Michael Lyons, Kina Mathis, Authertimer Matthews, John Matthews, Charlie Mayfield, Marvin McFadden, Jermale McKnight, Jennifer McLaughlin, Jeffrey McNeil, Kenneth Middleton, Gary Minter, Anton Mitchell, L. Morrow, Jai Morton, Tyrone Murray, Darryl Neal, Charles Nelson, James Nelson, Sammy Ngatiri, Evelyn Nnam, Amen O’Jango, Moyo Onibuje, Douglas Pangburn, Ebony Pannell, Earl Parkin, Franklin Payne, Aida Peery, Michael Pennycook, Lucifer Potter, Frank Pruden, Ash-Shaheed Rabbil, Clifford Ringwald, Anthony Robinson, Andrell Robsinson, Lawrence Rogers, Melania Scott, Chris Shaw, Adira Sheinman, Veda Simpson, J. Simpson, Patty Smith, Gwynette Smith, Yvette Smith, Terron Solomon, Matt Southworth, FranklinSterling, Warren Stevens, James Stewart, Billy Sullivan, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Paul Taylor, Archie Thomas, Shernell Thomas, Victor Thompkins, Deborah Tibbs, Jacqueline Turner, Deborah Turner, Bada Umoja

STREET SENSE November 7 - 20, 2012

Hurricane Sandy

Community Rallies to Get Homeless to Safety

By Eric Falquero Managing Editor With monster storm Sandy approaching Washington on Sunday, Oct 28, city officials and volunteers mustered to get homeless residents to safety.

And with forecasts of 60-to-70 mileper-hour winds and sub-freezing wind chill conditions, a hypothermia alert was activated on Monday, Oct. 29 and remained in effect through Tuesday, Oct. 30. Homeless shelters were opened and vans offered transportation to anyone who needed a ride.

Over 100 homeless people took advantage of the shelter beds on the first night, with slightly fewer using the shelters on the second.

Some, however refused offers of help, and chose to weather out the storm.

One man, who identified himself only as Nathaniel, stayed hunkered down in a Georgetown alley, with his supply of “war blankets” and a wagon filled with

his other belongings. He has built up a supply of weather gear over the years, and said he chose to ride out the storm while taking care of his possessions rather than lose them by leaving for the shelter. He stayed covered in a tent setup on his wagon, with a tarp covering the rest of his things.

“The wind was rocking me this way, then blowin' me back that way,” he recounted.

In spite of his tarp, and a heavy donated coat, the gale soaked him and his things.

Three days after the storm, he was still drying out a blanket.

No deaths were attributed to Hurricane Sandy’s visit to the city, according to the office of the medical examiner.

City officials and volunteers made a priority of locating homeless people and getting them to safety, said Reggie Sanders, a spokesman for the city Department of Human Services.

“This was an effort of the entire net-

work and community,” he said.

“We have made an effort to properly identify these persons and perform an assessment to determine how we might best assist them. Some may have chosen to return to the street. Homeless families were referred and transported to the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center for proper assessment and services,”Sanders said.

The city is required by local law to provide shelter in the event of “severe weather conditions” defined as “whenever the actual or forecasted temperature, including the wind chill factor or heat index, falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or rises above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.”

With wind chills forecasted as dipping as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, Sandy qualified.

When a hypothermia alert is called,

By Sydney Franklin Editorial Intern to downscale expectations. Organizers have decided to extend the deadline for raising support.

Several DC organizations and churches have either extended monetary deadlines or completely rescheduled the walks for the coming weeks. Under half a dozen walks remain in the D.C., Virginia, and Maryland region.

For an updated list of the walks, visit hthwalks.org.

A Perfect Example

By Barron Hall Vendor Hurricane Sandy: the perfect example of life for the poor and homeless in the most blessed nation on earth.

Everything was at a standstill, and it’s the example of things to come if America doesn’t wake up and be what God called it to be. A new leader coming into play won’t change anything if the purpose of America doesn’t change.

We as a people need to separate ourselves from this false freedom before we suffer its judgment. America can’t afford this mistake it brought here anymore. Every time it looks in its mirror ,it sees its sinful mistake when it put innocent people in captivity, when it enslaved its Black brothers and sisters.

So now it has to find a way to amend.

low barrier emergency shelters are opened throughout the city. Outreach workers let people know the shelters are open, arrange transportation to the shelters as needed, and pass out blankets.

Another homeless man who identified himself as John said he was grateful for the efforts made to get people to safety during Hurricane Sandy. He often stays at St. Luke’s Shelter, but was taken by the hotline van to a shelter in SE during the storm on Monday, and stayed there through Wednesday morning. He heard about this opportunity from Miriam's Kitchen.

“I went there because sometimes there's hot meals in the evening, and while we were there the storm really did start coming down, so they called for help.”

In the event of severe weather, the shelter hotline is 1–800–535–7252.

New York Homeless Further Displaced by Sandy

Sandy Stalls Mini-Walks

Several community mini-walks were rescheduled last week due to Hurricane Sandy’s impromptu appearance in the District. The mini-walks were scheduled as part of the annual Fannie Mae Help the Homeless fundraiser event.

N Street Village put its walk efforts on hold last Oct. 31, stating that it put the “community’s safety as [its] number one priority.”

With a previous goal of reaching 4,000 walkers, N Street Village has had

33

Celebrity chef Sandra Lee serves meals at bowery mission.

Photo courtesy of World Magazine

By Kara Brandeisky Volunteer In the days following Hurricane Sandy, one of New York City’s oldest rescue missions has been overflowing with people displaced by the storm.

The Bowery Mission saw its crowds double, World magazine reported.

On the Monday of the storm, 160 men slept in the chapel and dining hall-triple the Bowery Mission’s normal overnight capacity--even though the building did not have any heat. The overnight crowd later swelled to 250.

When other shelters began to run out of food, many of the displaced turned to Bowery. A mission cook arrived ahead of the storm and planned to stay as

long as necessary, and a donated generator kept the freezers and refrigerators running so the mission could continue to provide food.

“Hurricane Sandy was a calamity for New York City’s street homeless, an underreported story,” Bowery Mission President Ed Morgan wrote on the organization’s website. “There is nowhere to go that’s dry. Familiar places like doorways and grates are full of debris. The parks are barricaded. The subways are roped off. That’s why we’ve had an unprecedented number of overnight guests staying in every corner of our building -- three times the normal number. And yet we are serving each one of them with hot meals and a safe place to sleep. All with the use of a single generator.”

Celebrity chef Sandra Lee also pitched in at Bowery Mission, helping to serve meals and arrange for donations, the New York Daily News reported. Lee brought the organization a $25,000 check from the holding company that owns Sears and Kmart, and the company also sent five large trucks full of food and supplies from Georgia.

Bowery Diner chef Mathieu Palombino brought an additional 75 pounds of brisket, which Lee helped carve.

“Anyone who is able to pitch in and help, needs to,” Lee told the Daily News.

GETTING OUT THE

Word Baltimore’s new street paper gives the city’s homeless a new outlet and a new opportunity — here’s how groups in the city helped make it happen.

Word on the Street vendor Beryl James. photos by nick mutschler

By Nick Mutschler Editorial Intern

Word on the Street, Baltimore’s new street paper, has hit the ground running.

Like Street Sense and dozens of other sister publications across the globe, the new street paper aims to tell the stories of poverty and homelessness, while helping poor and homeless people help themselves.

Since the first issue came out in March, Word on the Street has been keeping Baltimore readers informed, with reports on social issues including police brutality and the shortage of affordable housing.

“We’re not only educating the public about homelessness issues, we’re also giving individuals a chance to write who never envisioned themselves putting together great stories,” said Vanessa Borotz, chief coordinator of the paper.

“Word on the Street allows a chance to develop not only their writing, but

75%

The percentage of content for Word on the Street that comes from writers who are either currently or formerly homeless.

their leadership skills as well. We can see how truly empowered people become by being able to share their stories.”

Marc Schumann, a formerly homeless Baltimore resident, got the idea of starting the paper back in 2010.

But making Word on the Street a reality required a large fellowship of organizers, from members of the homeless community and their advocates to college students and a

Vendors Bonnie Lane (top) and Maria Horsey handing out papers.

professor.

The paper, which is published q u a r t e r l y, b e g a n t o t a k e s h a p e with help from Baltimore’s Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau, a group supported by the National Coalition for the Homeless and several Baltimore homeless organizations. The speakers’ bureau, based at Baltimore’s St. Vincent dePaul Church, works to inform the public about the causes of homelessness and train homeless men and women to be community educators.

Many of the speakers are now lead organizers, writers and editors of Word on the Street.

“We have such a diverse group of people who come to our meetings.

It’s easy to see how much help these meetings provide,” said speaker Tony Simmons.

Roughly 75 percent of the written content in the newspaper is provided by writ e rs a n d a rt ist s wh o h a ve experienced homelessness in the past or are still homeless today.

In a report called the “The Waiting

STREET SENSE November 7 - 20, 2012

55

news

Marc Schumann, a formerly homeless Baltimore resident, had the idea for the publication in 2010. He’s now the editor-in-chief.

Baltimore’s Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau, above, spearheaded many of the ideas for the newspaper. photo by nick mutschler

Game,” vendor, reporter and community advocate Bonnie Lane chronicled the story of a Baltimore native who was on the city’s public housing waiting list for over 14 years before being approved, only to die a week later.

The paper is designed and composed

by Towson University professor Jessica Ring and her graphic design and social issues class.

“The students take so much out of this course. Our hope is that they continue this sort of activism even after they finish the class,” Ring said.

The course is primarily filled with graphic design students who regularly work directly with the writers and contributors at Word on the Street.

Although the students do not contribute stories, there is a great deal of crossover between the class and the paper.

“As we are preparing the layout for the paper, students may have an idea for a photo or image for a story, so we’ll get in touch with Word on the Street and collaborate. There is a really good back and forth that goes on between us in this way,” said Ring.

Photography workshop coordinator Michael Jefferson said engaging readers in the stories of homelessness is the objective.

“Our goal is really to expose Baltimore residents to the issue of

Charm City Connection

By Morgan Jones Vendor

On Saturday, Oct. 27, I took a trip to Baltimore. Taking a MegaBus to Baltimore cost me $15. There I learned about another paper like Street Sense. It’s called Word on the Street, and it comes out four times a year.

Bonnie L ane usually hosts work shops for writers and photographers, but she was unable to attend that day. Vanessa Borotz filled in and did a great job. I introduced myself as a vendor and writer for Street Sense in Washington, D.C. I met some of the staff, like editor-in-

chief Mark Schumann, photography group instructor Michael Jefferson, and content editors Joanna Gervais and Damien Haussling. We had a passionate discussion about the homeless issues of the day.

Editor Joanna Gervais handles community services and the back page of the paper, which has a map of service locations in the city. She wants to conduct a survey of service providers for the homeless.

T he s e are car ing, d e dicate d people fighting for the cause to end homelessness and pover ty.

If you would like to help Word on the Street, you can email them at wordonthestreet.submit@gmail.com.

“We have such a diverse group of people who come to our meetings.

It’s easy to see how much help these meetings provide.”

— Tony Simmons of Baltimore’s Faces of Homelessness Speakers Bureau

homelessness through storytelling and doing so through as many mediums as possible,” Jefferson said.

Also playing a vital part in the paper’s creation has been 1620AM WLOY Loyola Radio station and its program, “Both Feet In,” which features stories on homelessness and other social issues.

WLOY provided funding to the paper for the entire first year’s printing costs and also hosted a fundraiser on April 27 at the Cork Gallery which raised over $2,500 more. The students have learned much about homelessness through their involvment in “Both Feet In,” said John Davecka, Operations Manager at WLOY. “The first episode of ‘Both Feet In’ came out in February 2010, right after ‘snowmegeddon,’ which was a great time to launch,” Davecka recalled. “We have a fairly affluent student body, so while students were complaining about not having hot cocoa, the less fortunate were outside freezing on the streets and stuck in shelters. The program helped open the eyes of the students and get people’s attention.”

Word on the Street shares a business model common to many street newspapers around the world.

Word on the Street vendors pay a quarter for each issue, which covers production costs. Then they ask their customers for a dollar donation.

The paper is hoping to keep growing and fundraising too.

“We are really looking to humanize and bring a general understanding of the problems facing Baltimore, but we could use all the help we can get,” Borotz said.

Understanding Poverty

By Joel Barnes Editorial Intern Recently, a group of Washington lawyers left their successful lives behind for an alien world.

For a few hours, they assumed new identities. They struggled in school.

They lost their jobs. They faced eviction. Bill collectors and criminals haunted their footsteps and they were helpless to defend themselves.

They were poor.

They were participants in a National Pro Bono Week “poverty simulation” workshop sponsored by the National Council of Lawyers. The Oct. 24 program, held at Mayer Brown LLP, was designed to help the legal community better understand the hardships faced by the poor, and to to encourage attorneys to volunteer their time to help low-income people address their legal problems.

During the three-hour interactive training session, known as “Walk a Month in My Shoes,” each participant

was asked to step into the life story of a potential client in need of help. Each was assigned a difficult and challenging circumstance that might be faced by a low-income individual attempting to navigate the tricky legal system.

The workshop was led by Tiela Chalmers, a consultant with the organization Access to Justice.

“The purpose of the simulation is to give you all, the participants, a chance to experience what it’s like to live in a low-income community and face the challenges and struggles everyday that members of those communities face,” Chalmers said.

“It’s going to offer you a chance to have some insight into why people make the decisions they do and what you might take into consideration as you work with clients in your daily life,” she added.

The role-play simulated a one-month time frame, with each week consuming four 15-20 minute periods. The par-

Occupy the VA

By Sydney Franklin Editorial Intern The protesters, a group of homeless vets camped outside the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said it took two weeks for the federal agency to acknowledge them. The group contended the response was not enough.

“Since they won’t answer our questions here, we will take it to the commander-in-chief and tell him to talk to the VA,” said Navy veteran and protester John Penley.

VA officials met with campers on a recent morning, listening to their concerns. They also offered to help individual veterans with immediate questions or needs.

But Penley said the small group of campers were not there to simply discuss their own needs.

“We are here to represent all homeless veterans,” said Penley. “I want to take care of myself, but we aren’t just here for ourselves.”

He said the group’s next step will

be proposing an emergency hearing in Congress to talk about housing for homeless veterans. There is also talk of a march from the department to the White House.

The small group of homeless veterans and supporters first gathered at the department on Friday, Oct. 6, hoping to stage a 24-hour sleep-in protesting their grievances.

Denied access to the building by security officers, the group staked their claim to the sidewalk.

“They block us,” said Bill Minuitti, a homeless veteran, former marine in Vietnam and volunteer for Veterans for Peace. “It’s symbolic of how they’re blocking us from getting the care we need.”

While some have stayed overnight with security on guard, others have protested outside the building weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We aren’t trying to break the rules,” said Forrest Bibbee. “But they don’t handle our questions.”

Minuitti said that the protest is

ticipants were divided into “families” ranging in size from one to five persons.

There were tables set up throughout the room representing various government agencies: the police, schools, and the department of social services.

There was a homeless shelter and businesses like pawn shops, liquor stores and banks.

Each family group was was assigned a different life scenario, and volunteers lived the life of that family for one “month,” trying to work and access benefits, buy food, and maintain housing. The adults had to go to work, kids had to go to school, and the family had to eat and get their bills paid, just like a regular family. The family also had to cope with adverse circumstances as they arose.

Ravi Desai, a lawyer for the firm Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, played the role of a 15-year-old girl.

The parents in the family struggled to make ends meet. According to Desai, during the simulation his family couldn’t pay the bills. He had to pretend like he wasn’t home because bill collectors frequently called the house.

His family or her family really tried to

get by week by week.

Bread for the City lawyer Esther Adetunji was a 25-year-old homeless man for the simulation. This man had no family support but still had to maintain a job. He didn’t get food until the third week in the simulation and had nowhere to go or no one to turn to.

“I had nothing to do,” said Adetunji.

After the simulation, the participants held a debrief led by Chalmers to discuss their experience.

Many of the attorneys in the room recognized that it was difficult to play the role because they themselves grew up in middle or upper class families and that it was hard to forget the benefits that they had growing up. Their real life experience informed how they interacted or dealt with certain situations in the simulation.

So what should the attorneys have taken away from this simulation? Marcia Maack, Assistant Director of Pro Bono Activities for Mayer Brown LLP, says that it is crucial for a lawyer to have an understanding of clients’ circumstances beyond the legal issues.

“Trying to accommodate their difficult circumstances is important,” Maack said.

Council of Governments set the numsomewhat unorganized, admitting they ber far lower, finding 710 homeless needed more supporters and materials veterans throughout the region on a to make their case. day in January 2012.

“We’ve got to get our thoughts toWhile 47 percent of homeless vetgether,” said Miniutti. “But we need a erans served during the Vietnam War, permanent liaison in place at the VA.” the U.S. Department of Veterans AfLeaders in the department did not fairs estimates 3,700 veterans from respond to calls regarding the protest Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation but said in an email that they “respect Enduring Freedom had taken part in and support the freedom of citizens to its homeless-outreach programs as of exercise their constitutional rights.” mid-2010.

“The VA’s highest priority is to make “An average of 18 veterans comsure that veterans have access to the mit suicide each day,” said Minuitti. services they have earned and de“Something has to be done. Something serve,” wrote the email. has to be done yesterday.”

Estimates as to the number of homeless vete r a n s v a r y.

Longmarchhome.org estimates that 2,500 homeless veterans live in the District alone.

But an annual point-in-time count, conducted by the John Penley and Forrest Bibbee sit ouside the Department of Metropolitan Veterans Affairs in protest for homeless veterans across the Washington country. | photo by sydney franklin

STREET SENSE November 7 - 20, 2012

Remember Veterans Day on November 11th!

77

news

Federal Spending Helps Combat Local Veteran Homelessness

By Jeff Gray Editorial Intern When Kevin Orie’s GI Bill housing stipend was cut off by a technicality last summer, the military veteran wasn’t sure where to turn.

The stipend which Orie, who served seven years in the Army and 14 more in the Coast Guard, relied on was dependent on his enrollment in a certain number of college courses. When he was informed that the school he had attended for the past year and a half would not be offering enough summer classes to meet his requirements, the service veteran found himself cut off and with no way to pay his rent.

“The landlord was getting ready to evict my family and I didn’t know what to do,” said the husband and father of five.

Fortunately, Orie was able to get in touch with Veterans First, a veterans housing program run through DC-based Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place. Through government funding, the organization was able to pay $4,500 towards Orie’s back-due rent and prevent his eviction.

The support was enough for him to hold him over until he could enroll in fall classes and once again become eligible for GI Bill assistance.

Orie is one of many veterans who have benefited from increased federal funding as part of a nation-wide initiative to ensure housing for former service members. In 2009 President Obama and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shineski announced an ambitious goal to completely eradicate veteran homelessness in the US by the year 2015.

“We’re seeing a lot more funding become available to help end homelessness among veterans,” said Kally Canfield, Assistant Director for Veterans First.

Friendship Place was recently awarded a $1 million grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to fund Veterans First, which, in addition to providing spot assistance to those trying to avoid homelessness like Orie, primar-

ily targets high-risk veterans who have a history of chronic homelessness.

“We’re doing whatever we can to get these people back into housing and stabilize them financially,” said Friendship Place’s Executive Director Jean-Michel Giraud.

The grant has greatly increased the scope of the program. Since funding kicked on October 1, Veterans First has increased from one staff member to nine, and expanded it’s territory to include the eight counties surrounding the District.

The program is currently supporting 35 vets, including 25 who were homeless at the time of their application.

The success of Veterans First in getting vets off the street reflects a national trend. A 2009 survey concluded that 150,000 veterans were either living on the streets or in shelters on any given day. Since then, officials say, over 90,000 veterans have been housed in the US. Pathways to Housing DC, the District’s local chapter of the larger national organization created to provide permanent housing to homeless, has also benefited from increased government funding.

To aid its veteran housing initiative, the program receives 50 housing subsidies vouchers per year through a government program know as Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing. VASH, as it’s known, is a joint venture of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the VA that combines rental assistance with case management and clinical services in an effort to move homeless veterans into permanent housing.

After being screened for eligibility, voucher recipients are placed in private-market rental housing. Participants contribute 30 percent of their monthly income, whatever that amount may be, towards rent, and the rest is picked up by the government.

Many housing organizations have adopted the Housing First model pioneered by Pathways. The model challenges traditional concepts of homeless

Community members march to during a recent event benefiting Friendship Place’s Veterans First program.

Photo by Jeff Gray

care by placing individuals in permanent residences without first requiring rehabilitation or other forms of treatment services.

“The traditional way of providing shelter is to put the hoops before the housing and make people jump through them, whether it be sobriety or getting a job or getting compliant with medication,” explained Will Connelly, Director of Outreach at Pathways DC. Developed by the national Pathways organization, Housing First has caught on quickly across the nation, including at Friendship Place.

“There are no questions asked at the door, no conditions,” Giraud said of Friendship Place’s acceptance policy.

“It’s come as you are. Come rebuild your life with us.”

Housing First utilizes the“scattered site” approach, which places participants in private apartments instead of congregate housing. In an effort to avoid the perception of group housing, programs like Pathways DC never rent more than 20 percent of a building’s units. According to Pathways’ website this “fosters a sense of home and self-determination,” helping to “speed the reintegration of clients into the community.”

“We’ve always believed in small community-based housing,” added Giraud, whose organization currently serves 165 people living in non-traditional apartments. “It helps the person rebuild their life faster.”

Participants are also allowed to de-

termine what area there rental property will be located, a choice which Connelly asserts is important in the rehousing process.

“It’s been shown that if someone is given that choice they are more successful in maintaining housing.”

Veterans receiving HUD-VASH vouchers are also provided with clinical services from VA medical facilities or community-based outreach programs.

Pathways DC administers this clinical care through multi-disciplinary outreach teams called Assertive Case Management Teams. Each ACT team is comprised of a range of professionals, from a psychiatrist and nurse practitioner to vocational specialists.

“The idea is to provide someone with housing and then wrap the services they need around them,” said Connelly.

With a ratio of roughly ten clients per team member, these ACT teams are able to provide intensive individualized care tailored to the specific needs of each person, and can deliver care in the comfort of a private residence.

The progress of local organizations like Pathways DC and Friendship Place provides hope for the continued progress of the federal government’s campaign to end veteran homelessness, and success stories like Kevin Orie serve as reminders to the importance of the mission. “[Without help], me and my five kids would have been out, and I have no idea where,” contends the grateful vet.

“Veterans First was a Godsend.”

Taking a Break for Fantasy & Fun

Homeless Children’s Playtime Project Brings Halloween to DC General

By Sydney Franklin Editorial Intern

Volunteer Kassi Webster painted childrens’ faces throughout the party.

PHOTO BY SYDENY FRANKLIN

Antonio, age 2

Seventy-one small superheroes, princesses, and wild west rangers gathered last Thursday night for DC General’s annual Halloween party.

Throughout the night, volunteers painted faces, passed out candy, made paper-plate masks, and gave out snacks to the kids.

The Homeless Children’s Playtime Project, an organization that provides weekly visits to DC shelters, hosted the event. A costume drive was held earlier this month for the children.

Site Manager Danielle Rothman helped organize the event and checked the kids in.

“After Hurricane Sandy delayed the party and kept the children cooped up in the shelter for two days, it was especially heartwarming to see so many joyful kids dressed up in costume and to see the smiles on their parents’ faces as they watched their children play,” said Rothman. “We are proud of the impressive number of volunteers who turned out to make this party happen for the families and kept things running smoothly and safely!”

Volunteer Nikki Zumbrun and Elysia, age 5

Of the 71 children who attended the party, 55 were regular or part-time attendees of HCPP’s weekly playtimes at DC General.

PHOTOS BY SYDNEY FRANKLIN

STREET SENSE November 7 - 20, 2012

99

FEATURE

Malaike, age 8

Sean, age 4

Geneva Smith and daughter Shyion, age 2

CHILDREN’S ART: my Collage (#2)

“I really tried my best Skunks Twins and Glamour Girl Twins

on my collages. I hope everyone likes my artwork. I like that my collages come off the paper.”

-AJ, age 11

There are 1,880 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.

Comics & Games

Glarph The postulatin’ shark: bad dreams

Street Universe Terron’s Game: Street universe

By Chris Shaw, “The Cowboy Poet”

By Terron Solomon, Vendor

C

G

F

E

O

H

P

J

D

A

K

E

W

Q

A

M

R

Y

A

W

Y

K

L

I

M

V

F

H

K

P

B

N

N

O

O

M

X

E

X

A

S

E

R

E

F

E

R

K

G

A

B

P

F

C

F

M

O

A

D

I

X

E

A

R

T

H

B

F

K

Z

T

R

O

L

A

R

M

S

T

R

O

N

G

B

A

N

T

B

H

E

J

D

H

T

W

A

O

J

U

V

A

G

F

P

O

R

F

E

O

S

U

N

Q

M

H

S

G

B

K

I

G

A

D

A

V

X

E

D

P

R

A

J

L

E

F

O

B

M

H

R

Equator

Neil Armstrong

Sun

Orion

Earth

Liftoff

Nasa

Mars

Milky Way

Moon

STREET SENSE November 7 - 20, 2012

opinion

Are We Awake?

By Jeffery McNeil Vendor

Hunger and Homelessness, since 1972 Floods and Nor’easters in the last twenty years have seemed to be in-

By Rebecca Stewart Advertising & Communications Coordinator

creasingly severe and destructive.

When I see photos of my hometown

When I started seeing tropical fish such

of Seaside Heights after Hurricane San-

as grouper and spanish mackerel on the

dy, I wonder if this may be the end of

coastlines in late September. I really

my ties to New Jersey.

knew something was off.

I haven’t heard from the members of

The greatest sadness for me was the

my family as of this writing; but I pray

dwindling of birds like blue jays, orioles

they are okay. I wonder if those who say

and finches that were once plentiful.

the homeless have chosen to be home-

When I was younger, I returned from

less would like to tell those who live in

a fishing trip with bags of fish of every

the Northeast they deserve what they

species from sea bass to porgies. The

have received.

area was a flowing ecosystem of clams,

In the coming years, there will be

crabs and small fish. Then came over-

many theories about Hurricane Sandy.

development and over-fishing. Quiet

Some will say God caused this devasta-

fishing areas became hotbeds for trawl-

tion; others will blame man. My vote is

ers and commercial fisherman. Dredgers

for man.

would collide with surfers and jet skiers

I used to distrust environmentalists,

in search of clams and scallops.

considering them to be left-wing nut-

Some of my friends and relatives

jobs. But I am evolving. Sandy is evi-

moved further down south to Cape

dence that all is not well on our planet.

May because the fishing was awful.

Living not far from Island Heights, I

Other people convinced themselves

remember town hall fights between fish-

that nothing bad was happening to the

ermen and environmentalists. I sided

ocean and waterways.

with the fishermen. There was a time

My last visit to Point Pleasant was

I could tell you the weather by the fish

sad. Before the storm happened, the

caught: cod and whiting in winter, croak-

whole river system was destroyed by

ers and sea bass in summer. My greatest

residential development.

memory is catching a giant tuna.

were once muddy and full of clams and

Jersey Shore, in the back in my mind I

sea worms reduced to shallow gravel

had worries about a storm like this ar-

beds and white sand. Open water be-

riving on the coast.

came a harbor for wealthy yacht owners

sey, I watched the ecosystem decline.

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week began in 1972 when a group of students at Villanova University saw the need to raise awareness about poverty.

They held special events such as sleep outs, dining hall fasts, and food drives aimed at building a greater understanding of the barriers people experiencing homelessness and hunger encounter on a daily basis. Today percent of Americans are living in poverty, approximately 770,000 people experience homelessness each night, and over 50 million people are living in food insecure households.

In response to these problems many cities have developed ten year plans to end homelessness. In 2004 Mayor Anthony Williams developed a plan for DC called Homeless No More. The plan features three major initiatives: utilizing local and federal resources to increase homelessness prevention,

and fishing boats. Nature was replaced by parking lots and restaurants.

Marshes and wetlands were replaced by

I blame it all on the motive to make

residential homes, shopping centers and

money regardless of ecological conse-

roads. It was not uncommon to see dead

quences. When you destroy what God

foxes and deer lying on the side of the

creates by building parking lots and

roads. Wild animals from the pine bar-

restaurants, letting trash and chemicals

rens were coming closer to the ocean.

flow into the ocean, it’s only a matter of time before a biblical calamity occurs.

This storm makes it hard to not argue that there is something happening to the planet. But what is the solution?

How many Sandys will it take before we say that something is happening?

I don’t know if we can reverse the trend of climate change or a declining ecosystem.

Maybe a tragedy like this is a wakeup call for the self-interested. I didn’t choose to see my neighborhood wrecked by restaurants and casinos. My mistake was being too poor to do anything to stop it.

The reason I can’t go home again is because my home is gone.

providing wrap-around social services in coordination with the Continuum of Care program, and developing or subsidizing 6,000 affordable units or permanent supportive housing beds by 2014.

Although homelessness in DC increased in 2010 the city continues to make progress with the Homeless No More plan.

There are many ways to help fight poverty in your community. Participate in one of the many events during the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in DC and raise awareness about these important issues. Contact local, state, or federal government and advocate to end hunger and homelessness. Educate your friends and family and sign up for the National Coalition for the Homeless newsletter to stay informed about legislative alerts.

To find a list of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week events in DC visit nationalhomeless.org.

c=MB on the environment: Thinking outside the can

By Cynthia Mewborn Vendor, “C=MB”

I was shocked to see river banks that

While I am nostalgic about life on the

In my thirty years living in New Jer-

121

We need to rethink what we mean by reduce, reuse and recycle. As the human population exceeds the 7 billion mark, the creation of garbage and use of natural resources grows as well. The average human being uses 15 gallons of fresh water per day, averaging 1,280 gallons per year just for basic necessities. However, there are numerous ways to conserve these natural resources.

Here are a few suggestions to conserve and reduce your fresh water use, which I currently do. Turn the sink water on only to rinse when brushing your teeth. Turn the shower water on only to lather up and rinse off during showers. Use filters on your faucets instead of buying bottled water. Set your water heater at 75 degrees all year round.

Wash your clothes only in cold water. If you have a leaky pipe or fixture, turn off the central control valve under the sink or behind the device while you are waiting for the repairman. Use rainwater to wash your car, water the lawn, or plants by collecting it in rain barrels; make sure you put mesh covering on the barrels to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Electricity is another important re-

source we should conserve. Turn off all lights when you’re not using them. In the summer months, turn off the air conditioner when you are not home, keep the temperature at 65 degrees during the winter months, and turn the heat off at night. Buy energy-efficient appliances, or use solar-powered and motion-detecting lights for outside.

Keep your home well insulated. In general, all electrical appliances can be repaired rather than replaced. For example, most lamps can be rewired, which costs less than buying a new one; they’re very simple to repair.

Conserving fresh water and electricity are important, but using less is probably the biggest way to protect the planet. Walking, riding bikes, carpooling, taking public transportation, purchasing smaller vehicles, not idling your car while you wait, and driving only when necessary would not only help reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but also promotes a wealthier and healthier you.

We can all play a vital role in conserving natural resources, it starts when we begin applying just a few of these simple suggestions today. Let’s encourage each other to make our future brighter by conserving and reducing.

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 colaborate on the next great issue of Street Sense.

Being Thankful

Top Ten

By Phillip Black Vendor, “The Cat in the Hat”

By John “Mick” Matthews Vendor

No matter what situation you’re in, be thankful for what you have. Even if you’ve lost some of the things you had, you can still find a way to just be thankful.

Material things come and go, and we must remember that we can always get them back.

A few years ago, a good friend of mine lost his job. He was devastated.

Then his car was repossessed, and he felt really bad. So I asked him what was more important—him or the car. I explained my situation to him, and how I had lost everything I had and become homeless. This made him see things a little differently. His situation could have been a lot worse than it was. If I could overcome it, so could he.

Now he has a better job, he bought a better car, and improved his life for the better. So just be thankful. If you’re going through anything in your life, find a way to be thankful. Trust me, you will feel a whole lot better.

2012

Election A Hope Verse

City United

By Chris Shaw “The Cowboy Poet”

By Victoria Beaumont Vendor

Barack, Buck up!

Back in time the opponent Wants to gallop; Hope seekers want Comity, rather than Self-pity.

Build that sparkling citadel On foundation of Heart!

There is no art To the sowing of Dragon teeth from A new kind of Hell.

To whom it may concern: Quite honestly, I don’t give a damn about who you vote for.

It’s not about Democrats or Republicans. It’s about people coming together. Why must we get so consumed with politics and lose a human touch.We need to communicate love and respect to each other.

10. Why do we even care what Lindsey Lohan, Honey Boo-Boo and the Kardashians are doing?

9. Why do we put such value in completely useless things like diamonds and gold, and so little value in really useful items like shoelaces?

8. How can the government be broke when it possesses acres of unused land as well as all the gold in Ft. Knox?

7. Why do I have to wait 10 minutes for a cup of coffee at McDonalds? Fast food indeed!

6. If George H. W. Bush wasn’t good enough for a second term, why did we

elect his much less intelligent son?

5. Why are guns and cigarettes – which when used properly result in death – legal in most states, but marijuana – which when used properly has never even been attributed to a single death – isn’t?

4. Does anyone really know how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop? 3. Who actually watches golf on purpose?

2. Wanna pull my finger?

And the #1 question I’d like to ask the human race...

If you went back in time and killed your mother before you were born, what would really happen?

My Predictions

By Jeffrey McNeil Vendor Now that the election is winding down, I feel both relief and sadness. I want it to end to prove I’m right. But like someone who has lost a loved one, I will be aimless and depressed.

October has been a rough. After ratcheting up my cocksuredness of an Obama landslide, it’s been a time of suitcases and Canada in case of a Romney win.

To say I’m not worried would be a lie.

But hopefully if Obama wins, I can gloat and rub it in to all those Romney supporters who would do America such irreparable harm. I am partisan and have no love for conservatism.

Since I wrote this article on Nov. 2, 2012, I don’t really know what the results of the election will be. But I want to predict what states and what margin Obama will carry.

Looking at economic and emotional indicators in key swing states, I believe this is why Obama will win.

New Hampshire: Out of all the battlegrounds, to me, this one is the most important. If Romney wins New Hampshire, it will be a long night for Obama. The state has voted Democratic three out of the last four elections. If Obama wins, it will be time to get the champagne on ice.

Virginia: I think Obama will carry Virginia because it hasn’t been a good year for women there with personhood laws. In the Senate race, the Democrat looks strong. I don’t see Virginians passing over Obama at the top of the ballot to vote for Tim Kaine down ballot. Start the celebration party.

Ohio: Contrary to popular belief in the media, this will be a blowout. Look at the Senate race where Sherrod Brown will crush his opponent Josh Mandell.

A governor with lower approval ratings than disapproval ratings and unemployment below the national average will seal the deal for Obama.

Nevada: Nevada will be overkill for Obama, but he should win there handily because of huge minority populations and high union presence.

Michigan, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin: Don’t believe the hype; these states are not in play. If Romney carries one of these states I will consider never writing again. Thats how cocksure I am in an Obama victory in these states.

Florida: Florida has too many shenanigans to call, even though the fundamentals look good.

My election day prediction is Obama 294 to Romney 244.

How sure am I? 95 percent.

STREET SENSE November 7 - 20, 2012

news

The Truest Words I Ever Wrote

By Ibn Hipps Vendor Once lived a child who never felt true love from whom he belonged except from his mother then soon that was lost The child’s father, rugged, abusive a woman beater, and a child abuser What a life this young soul lived tears rain his pillow from whips of hatred whipping at his soul Alone at his window pane he sings a song fly the eagle, fly... wishing he was that eagle As time consumed his lonely soul it starts to show on his face

people start to stare s they laugh and whisper what a dim glare These are the truest words I ever wrote at school when the bell rings it’s about Mohammad Ali Not alone came black eyes, busted lips, slave whips father used to So he’s kinda numb and cold to whatever life blows so toe to toe he goes his life tumbles to a fold He loses a wife and four kids as the fight goes on He felled five incarcerated Now life laughs a giggle no family no friends no one to really love him

Before the rain pt. 9: Treadin’ those waters

By Chris Shaw Vendor LOOMIS could hear only the incessant roar, in his face, ears, and eyes.

From waist down, brown soupiness swirled. Near horizontal barbs of gray rainshot, flew. No letup. Now Loomis flails, stumbles, but he refuses to stop his grim slog.How sanguine of Loomis.

Refusing as he would, not allowing his torso to flop over, letting him into the quagmire. Then a true miracle, as a long two-by four floated into his range, and Loomis made the big grab.He seized the ole wood andpulled, or more accurately, poled himself frenzied, going due west of Charity Hospital. Then: “YO! Dawg!” Loomis jerked his head in the dimness, seeking the direction of that uncomfortabl;y familiar salutation. Yet, all he could see ahead was something akin to a small tangled octopus? Cluster of water snakes--? Closer inspection yielded up the top-knots of a young man’s braided hair do. No! Not that devilish dude, that thug from Saint Roch, by the name of CRAIG!!

Loomis pulled on the “thing,” didn’t like what he found, retched, pitched forward, sliding away from the balled

143

deathly shape. Found himself half bobbing, half kicking his way in the direction of Gentilly Boulevard, when “Ho!”, he struck a hard concrete bump. He met hard with his sodden Timbaland boots upon a sloping riser, maybe a speed bump, who knew.

“Out of dat damn’ble blobby muck at last,” yawped Loomis, attempting to sound triumphal.

Meanwhile, the clouds were lifting a tad over the Morial Convention Center, though inside the vast hall was yet awash with sighs and cries of a vast miserable multitude. Lindsay Patterson fussed and arranged Ms. Lyvania’s Afghan blanket around her spiky shoulders, as the dear old soul nodded gently into a much needed nap. Outside the steel doors, a bleary-eyed NOPD officer, Odin Troupe,led a largely incoherent, unshaven man, who repeatedly insisted he was a”Reader,” by the name of “Loomis,” in to be dealt with by someone kind. In this case, the caregiver was Lindsay.” Can I git a lil’ HELP?”, Troupe bellowed. Linsay smiled wanly, and helped Loomis to a cot. “I’ll deal with this,” she said softly. (to be continued)

Rumble in the jungle that young man’s a true champ.

Weak soul, weary bones he’s not done yet he throws life some blows he scored, but not enough to soar

He comes in contact with a true old friend not minutes later, his only true friend ashes in the wind, life strikes again

Feathery wings, fighting for a better dream life’s gotta be better than this! he yells and screams

See that old friend when life took him on those wrong turns that old friend took him in

Fist ball gripped as he reminisces, of his tumbles, flips, falls gains and losses These are the truest words that I ever wrote Through his twists and wrong turns he noticed he lived to learn That road says condemned, do not turn one arrow pointing right and one arrow pointing left life’s commentators yell, “What a fight!”

Now lost alone to fend what a swirl, what a spin worthless he was told still he stands high, tippie toe.

These are the truest words I ever wrote.

End of part one.

Keeping Up Effective January 2, 2013, the suggested donation for a copy of the newspaper will increase to $2.

Street Sense

Street Sense is a nonprofit organization. The suggested donation for a copy of the newspaper has not increased since 2003. Since then the cost of living for our vendors and our production expenses have increased dramatically. This change is intended to help Street Sense and our vendors catch up economically.

Questions and comments may be directed to our Executive Director Brian Carome. brian@streetsense.org

Thank you for supporting our vendors!

our page

The Unexpected Advocate

By Eric Thompson-Bey Vendor A big Homeless Town Hall meeting was planned for Oct 29 but then Hurricane Sandy came to town, so the meeting had to be rescheduled.

I heard a few homeless people would be going to the Wilson Building on Nov. 1 to talk to city leaders. I decided to go, because they said there would be food.

My mission was to eat. But once I got there it was an experience for me.

I was amazed at how beautiful the Wilson Building was, with the old city council pictures and all. I’d only been there once before; for an emergency shelter back in the 1990s. It didn’t look like it looks now. Now it is beautiful.

There were maybe half a dozen people there to speak for the homeless. All except two of us are homeless right now.

Eric Sheptock, from SHARC (Shelter, Housing and Respectful Change) put in a lot of work to set the town hall meeting up. I was amazed at how it was organized.

First we went to Councilman Jim Graham’s office. We had a conference room reserved next to his office. As we

got there a few more advocates showed up. They told us the food would be on the way. We started with pastries. It was between 10 and 11 o’clock.

We had introductions. When it got to my turn I said my name was Eric Thompson-Bey and I was there to find out what was really going on.

Afterwards, Eric passed out a list of demands called “the Homeless Town Hall DC Council List of Demands.” At the top of the list was restoring the $7 million for homeless services.

After he passed out the demands, Eric said we would take the demands to each council member and the mayor.

We went to Jack Evans office and I was amazed to see him face to face and to shake his hand. He was friendly. He and Eric talked briefly about taking our demands to the council. The council was taking a break. So Mr. Evans took us straight to the front of the big council meeting room, with a long desk for all the members.

City Council members Jim Graham, Michael Brown and chairman Phil Mendelson were all there. Eric did most of the talking as far as the list of de-

mands. I was amazed at how much he knew about the budget and about the laws for the homeless. Mr. Brown seemed like he was supportive of us.

Mr. Mendelson too. What impressed me was that they were willing to let Eric talk. And they listened.

I was just sitting back and enjoying the moment. After that, we wanted to give the mayor a list of our demands. So we went to the sixth floor to the mayor’s office. When we got there there was a police officer there. He spoke to Eric and said that there was a process we had to go through. He was very polite. While we were speaking to him, another officer came out and gave us instructions on how to set up a meeting with the mayor.

He was real polite too. He was very nice.

He took our list of demands. He said he would make sure the mayor gets them.

He sent us to another office where we could set up an appointment to meet the mayor.

The woman we spoke with said it’s

alright to set up an appointment but that it won’t be anytime soon. They didn’t give us a date.

After we left that office, we went back to our conference room by Mr. Graham’s office. We ate more pastries and sandwiches. We had a discussion about what was accomplished. Everybody felt good that we got to go straight in before the council. Eric said they’d never been able to do that before.

One more thing I liked that Eric did, he gave everybody a copy of the form he filled out for the appointment with the mayor. We had the room until 2 p.m. At !0 minutes until two we started cleaning up. We left the room as we found it. Nice and neat.

That was an experience for me. That was good.

Eric reminded everybody of another SHARC meeting this Monday coming up at 1 o’clock.

It’s at the CCNV drop in. I’m going to try to make it.

er’s markets, including production and delivery of goods 3) Develop leadership and social or ganizations for better function of the market 4) Compare annual reports of existing markets to find where farmer’s 5) markets can integrate and best fit

increased demand 4) supermarkets in developed coun tries buy from farmers only the best part of a crop, the leftover medium and small portions of crops can be sold through the new markets, maximizing sales and of fering reduced cost to customers low start-up costs 5) these markets will not damage existing markets, only cut losses and maximize opportunity 6) ncreased production and sales mean increase revenue from taxes 7) funds currently devoted to unemployment benefits would be reduced as more people began producing, working and selling in these markets

A Possible Solution to Unemployment Ahmadjonor Shuhratjon Vendor Unemployment is a significant problem around the world, especially in developed countries, including the United States. More than 197 million people are unemployed, 75 million of which are young people age 15-24, according to an annual report on global unemployment prepared by the International Labour Organization (ILO) titled “Global Employment Trends 2012: Preventing a Deeper Jobs Crisis.”

“Despite strenuous government efforts, the job crisis continues unabated, with one in three workers worldwide or an estimated 1.1 billion people - either unemployed or living in poverty,” said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia.

“What is needed is that job creation in the real economy must become our number one priority.”

There are more than 310 million people in the U.S., and more than

eight percent of the workforce is unemployed--more than 13 million people.

I offer a solution to the unemployment problem in developed countries: encourage growth and use of farmers’ markets, and protect markets in other countries to encourage development and participation in a larger farmers’ market system.

In our history this millenium and in the 21st century, billions of people work and earn, creating goods for the market. The local economy and empowerment to individual sellers promotes more participation in the market, offering more opportunity and stability.

Heads of states and international human rights organizations suggest the following measures: 1) support the growth of farmer’s markets 2) learn from the experiences of other countries in organizing farm

Benefits 1) opportunity for millions of unemployed persons to develop their own employment 2) additional outlets for existing farmers and small to medium size stores 3) stimulation of production, due to additional outlets and possible

Service Spotlight: Pathways to Housing

By Charmaine Miller Editorial Intern Among organizations involved in the city’s permanent supportive housing efforts, Pathways to Housing DC has helped lead the way. The organization seeks out the most vulnerable chronically homeless, those with serious mental illness or addictions, and places them in affordable housing.

This model, called Housing First, has been in use by Pathways since the organization’s start in 2003. Research has shown it to be cost -effective and successful: Pathways has placed over 500 people in housing so far.

While people are not forced to make use of the social services that are provided to help them address their illnesses and addictions, once they are housed, they usually do.

Around 90 percent of clients are actively engaged in treatment.

Though this isn’t the traditional approach, Pathways’ chief operating

Department of Mental Health Access Hotline 1-888-7WE HELP (1-888-793-4357)

SHELTER Calvary Women’s Services 110 Maryland Avenue, NE (202) 289-0596 (office) (202) 289-2111 (shelter) www.calvaryservices.org Central Union Mission (Men) 1350 R Street, NW (202) 745–7118, www.missiondc.org Open Door Shelter (Women) 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 393–1909 www.newhopeministriesdc.org/id3.html Community of Hope (Family) 1413 Girard Street, NW (202) 232–7356,www.communityofhopedc.org Covenant House Washington (Youth) 2001 Mississippi Avenue, SE (202) 610–9600, www.covenanthousedc.org John Young Center (Women) 119 D Street, NW (202) 639–8469, www.catholiccharitiesdc.org

officer Amanda Harris said that getting housed first opens the door for people to seek treatment.

“It really creates this platform to talk honestly about these issues,” Harris said.

Pathways targets people who would otherwise stay on the streets, those who haven’t asked for help but are seriously ill. The organization offers psychiatric services as well as full primary health care.

They are currently collecting donations of household items for this initiative, to make it feel more like home for the veterans.

“It’s hard to move from 20 years on the street to an apartment,” Harris said, “every veteran deserves a home.”

For more information, contact Development Director Hannah Zollman at info@pathwaysdc.org or visit the Pathways to Housing DC office at 101 Q ST NE, Suite G.

My Sister’s Place PO Box 29596, Washington, DC 20017 (202) 529-5261 (office) (202) 529-5991 (24-hour hotline)

STREET SENSE November 7 - 20, 2012

COMMUNITY SERVICES St. Stephens Parish Church 1525 Newton St, NW (202) 737–9311, www.thrivedc.org

Martha’s Table 2114 14th Street, NW (202) 328–6608, www.marthastable.org

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

Rachel’s Women’s Center 1222 11th Street, NW (202) 682–1005, www.ccdsd.org/howorwc.php

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

Sasha Bruce Youthwork 741 8th Street, SE (202) 675–9340, www.sashabruce.org

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

So Others Might Eat (SOME) 71 “O” Street, NW (202) 797–8806; www.some.org

MEDICAL RESOURCES

Academy of Hope GED Center 601 Edgewood Street, NE (202) 269-6623, www.aohdc.org

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 N Street Village (Women) 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060, www.nstreetvillage.org Samaritan Inns 2523 14th St., NW (202) 667 - 8831 http://www.samaritaninns.org/home/ New York Ave Shelter (Men 18+) 1355–57 New York Avenue, NE (202) 832–2359

FOOD

15

Bread for the City 1525 Seventh Street, NW (202) 265–2400 1640 Good Hope Road, SE (202) 561–8587, www.breadforthecity.org Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW (202) 364–1419, www.cchfp.org Bethany Women’s Center 1333 N Street, NW (202) 939–2060, www.nstreetvillage.org

Charlie’s Place 1830 Connecticut Avenue, NW (202) 232–3066 www.stmargaretsdc.org/charliesplac

Father McKenna Center 19 Eye Street, NW (202) 842–1112

Church of the Pilgrims (Sundays only) 2201 P Street, NW (202) 387–6612, www.churchofthepilgrims.org

Friendship House 619 D Street, SE (202) 675–9050, www.friendshiphouse.net

Thrive DC Breakfast served Mon.-Fri., 9:30-11 a.m.

Dinner for women and children, Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m.

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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Catholic Community Services 924 G Street, NW (202) 772–4300, www.ccs–dc.org D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW (202) 347–8870, www.dccfh.org Community Family Life Services 305 E Street, NW (202) 347–0511, www.cflsdc.org Foundry Methodist Church 1500 16th Street, NW (202) 332–4010, www.foundryumc.org Gospel Rescue Ministries (Men) 810 5th Street, NW (202) 842–1731, www.grm.org Hermano Pedro Day Center 3211 Sacred Heart Way, NW (202) 332–2874 www.ccs–dc.org/find/services/ JHP, Inc. 425 2nd Street, NW (202) 544–9126, www.jobshavepriority.org Samaritan Ministry 1345 U Street, SE 1516 Hamilton Street, NW (202) 889–7702, www.samaritanministry.org

Shelter Hotline: 1–800–535–7252

keeping pace with the economy Brian Carome Executive Director Beginning January 2, 2013, the suggested contribution for a copy of Street Sense will increase from one to two dollars. At the same time, the per-copy cost that our vendors will pay for the paper will increase from 35 to 50 cents.

This will be the first time in our nine years of operation that we are asking our readers to contribute more for the paper. Since November 2003, when we published our first issue, the cost of just about everything has gone up – for the organization and for our vendors.

In 2003, it cost us $1,340 to produce a single issue of the paper. Today that cost is $3,260, a 143 percent increase.

In 2003, our nonprofit organization was managed, and the paper produced entirely by volunteers. Back then we published 12 times a year.

Today, a professional staff oversees production of the paper and management of the organization, and we publish 26 times a year. I serve as the full time executive director. The paper is produced by two professionals who work part-time: editor-in-chief Mary Otto, an award winning journalist and former reporter for The Washington Post; and managing editor Eric Falquero, a talented graphic artist and former Street Sense intern. They are ably assisted by a rotating cadre of editorial interns, aspiring journalists from colleges around the country who come to Street Sense for a semester or more. They gain aca-

demic credit, as well as the experience of reporting on issues affecting people living in extreme poverty that we hope they will carry with them into their professional careers.

While Street Sense has financially survived these last nine years, not enough of our vendors have been able to break the cycle of poverty. Since 2003, the overall cost of living has increased 24 percent nationally. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Washington, DC has risen even more steeply. In April 2009, as Street Sense began to feel the impact of the economic downturn through a drop in individual giving, we asked vendors to pay a higher share of production costs, raising the per copy price they pay from 25 to 35 cents. Once again, we are asking vendors to pay more. But coupled with the contribution increase we are asking from our readers, vendors’ percopy net profit will increase from 65 cents to $1.50.

For months now we have been crunching numbers, talking to vendors and surveying the practices of similar street papers across North America. We believe these rate increases are for the best of the organization and our vendors. You get the final say in this equation however. We hope that you will continue to support the vendors and read the paper and in so doing continue your partnership with us as we strive to end homelessness in Washington, DC. (Send comments and questions to brian@streetsense.org.)

Consider contributing to Street Sense during this year’s CFC Campaign

November 7 - 20, 2012 • Volume 9 • Issue 26

Street Sense 1317 G Street, NW

Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Washington, DC

Washington, DC 20005

Mail To:

Permit #568

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

Interested in a subscription? Go to page 3 for more information.