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suggested donation goes directly to your vendor

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Food stamp recertification process inadvertently cuts off some people

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Real People

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Real Stories

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VOL. 19 ISSUE 5

2 // S T R E E T S E N S E M E D I A // D E C . 1 5 - 2 1 , 2021

BUSINESS MODEL

© STREET SENSE MEDIA 2003 - 2021 1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347 - 2006

streetsensemedia.org

info@streetsensemedia.org

How It Works

VENDORS

Street Sense Media publishes the newspaper

Each vendor functions as an independent contractor for Street Sense Media, managing their own business to earn an income and increase stability in their life.

Ayub Abdul, Shuhratjon Ahmadjonov, Abraham Aly, Gerald Anderson, Charles Armstrong, Lawrence Autry, Daniel Ball, Phillip Black, Andre Brinson, Brianna Butler, Melody Byrd, Anthony Carney, Carlos Carolina, Floyd Carter, Jeffrey Carter, Conrad Cheek, Chris Cole, Jenkins Daltton, James Davis, Patricia Donaldson, Ron Dudley, Betty Everett, Queenie Featherstone, Jet Flegette, Jemel

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$.50 Vendors pay

DONATION

per newspaper copy

goes directly to your vendor, empowering them to overcome homelessness and poverty

Fleming, Don Gardner, Chon Gotti, Marcus Green, Mildred Hall, Ibn Hipps, Frederic John, Carlton Johnson, Henry Johnson, Mark Jones, Morgan Jones, Reggie Jones, Juliene Kengnie, John Littlejohn, August Mallory, Marcus McCall, Jeffery McNeil, Ricardo Meriedy, Kenneth Middleton, Collins Mukasa, Evelyn Nnam, Earl Parker, Aida Peery, Jacquelyn Portee, Abel Putu, Doris Robinson, Michele Rochon, Corey Sanders, Rita Sauls, Patty Smith, David Snyder, Franklin Sterling, Beverly Sutton, Sybil Taylor, Jacqueline Turner, Donte Turner, Joseph Walker, Rochelle Walker, Amia Walker, Michael Warner, Robert Warren, Susan Westmoreland, Sheila White, Wendell Williams, Latishia Wynn

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mary Coller Albert, Blake Androff, Jeremy Bratt, David Cloe, Clare Krupin, Jennifer Park, Michael Phillips, Dan

NO CASH? NO PROBLEM.

Schwartz, John Senn, Aaron Stetter, Daniel Webber,

Pay vendors with the Street Sense Media app!

S EARCH “S TREET S ENSE ” IN YOUR APP STORE .

Shari Wilson, Corrine Yu

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Brian Carome AVA I L A B L E

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT Doris Warrell

VENDOR CODE OF CONDUCT

As self-employed contractors, our vendors follow a code of conduct.

1.

2.

I will support Street Sense Media’s mission statement and in so doing will work to support the Street Sense Media community and uphold its values of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity.

I will treat all others, including customers, staff, volunteers, and fellow vendors, respectfully at all times. I will refrain from threatening others, pressuring customers into making donations, or engaging in behavior that condones racism, sexism, classism, or other prejudices.

3.

I understand that I am not an employee of Street Sense Media but an independent contractor.

4.

While distributing the Street Sense newspaper, I will not ask for more than $2 per issue or solicit donations by any other means.

5.

I will only purchase the newspaper from Street Sense Media staff and volunteers and will not distribute newspapers to other vendors.

6.

7.

8.

9.

“I will not distribute copies of “Street Sense” on metro trains and buses or on private property.”

I will abide by the Street Sense Media Vendor Territory Policy at all times and will resolve any related disputes with other vendors in a professional manner.

I will not sell additional goods or products while distributing “Street Sense.”

I will not distribute “Street Sense” under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

10. I understand that my badge and vest are property of Street Sense Media and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing “Street Sense” and will always display my badge when distributing “Street Sense.”

DIRECTOR OF VENDOR PROGRAMS Darick Brown

CASE MANAGER Leo Grayburn

DIRECTOR OF VENDOR EMPLOYMENT Thomas Ratliff

VENDOR PROGRAM ASSOCIATES Aida Peery, Clifford Samuels

VENDOR PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS Jeff Barger, Haley Gallagher, Roberta Haber, Ann Herzog, Kevin Jaatinen, Jacob Kuba, Eva Reeves, Mauricio Reyes

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Eric Falquero

DEPUTY EDITOR

INTERESTED IN BEING A VENDOR? New vendor training: every Tuesday and Thursday // 2 p.m. // 1317 G St., NW

Gordon Chaffin

The Cover

Will Schick

SNAP benefits are loaded onto EBT debit cards, which recipients can use at many grocery stores and some farmers markets.

PHOTO BY

GORDON CHAFFIN gordon@streetsensemedia.org

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

Our media channels elevate voices, our newspaper vendor and digital marketing programs provide economic independence. And our in-house case-management services move people forward along the path toward permanent supportive housing.

At Street Sense Media, we define ourselves through our work, talents, and character, not through our housing situation.

STAFF REPORTER WRITERS GROUP ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Willie Schatz

OPINION EDITORS (VOLUNTEER) Rebecca Koenig, Emily Kopp, Lydia DePillis Interns Michelle Levine, Maydeen Merino, Irene Si

EDITORIAL VOLUNTEERS Ryan Bacic, Katie Bemb, Megan Boyanton, Lilah Burke, Lenika Cruz, Kelsey Falquero, Roberta Haber, Allison Hageman, Alison Henry, Priya Rhoehit, Nick Shedd, Andrew Siddons, Jenny-lin Smith, Rebecca Stekol

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

EVENTS

// 3

AT A GLANCE

Vendor Sybil Taylor displays a story from her book.

PHOTO BY ERIC FALQUERO

9th Annual Homeless Memorial Vigil Monday, Dec. 20 // 5 p.m.

Luther Place Memorial Church // 1226 Vermont Ave NW The People for Fairness Coalition invites you to the 9th Annual Homeless Memorial Virgil, with opening remarks at Luther Place Church and a march to Freedom Plaza, where they will have speakers to commemorate the lives of our neighbors who died on the streets. Activities at the plaza will include an open mic, advocacy film screenings and more. Overnight sleep out scheduled at the end. There will be a large heated tent where participants can bring their own sleeping materials. The organizers ask all attendees to wear a mask and follow all COVID safety guidelines.

BIRTHDAYS Collins Mukasa Dec. 16 ARTIST/VENDOR

ACCOMPLISHMENTS Sybil Taylor

INFO: tinyurl.com/2021-vigil Submit your event for publication by emailing editor@streetsensemedia.org

Work with customer to compile her art and poetry into a book ARTIST/VENDOR

VENDOR PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

CORRECTIONS In last week’s edition, the story “New Anacostia center improves access to health care, but nearby residents unaware, hesitant to change” incorrectly labeled United Medical Center as “University Medical Center.” It has been updated online.

Also in last week’s edition, the poem “Facts About Life” was misattributed to Marcus McCall. It was written by Carlos Carolina and has been reprinted in this edition with the correct name and author photo.

• Holiday Gift Bags are here!

Ask for yours in the lobby.

• The December Vendor Meeting will be this Friday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m.

• Office hours during the holidays will be the same as usual except for the following: • Fri (Dec. 24): 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Mon (Dec. 27): Closed • Fri (Dec. 31): 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Mon (Jan. 3): Closed

4 // S T R E E T S E N S E M E D I A // D E C . 1 5 - 2 1 , 2021

NEWS

New research: Driving causes worse air pollution and health outcomes in areas of DC with more Black residents

BY JACOB FENSTON // @JacobFenston

This article was originally published on Nov. 16, 2021

by DCist.

A

ir pollution has dropped significantly in D.C., and around the country, over the past two decades — District-wide average pollution levels have been cut in half. But the benefits of cleaner air are not evenly distributed; neighborhoods with the most Black residents are the most impacted by dirty air. According to newly published research, in some neighborhoods in Southeast D.C., there are more than four times as many pollution-related premature deaths compared to wealthy neighborhoods in Northwest D.C. D.C. has disparities in both health and air pollution, and those two disparities overlap: the people most vulnerable to air pollution are concentrated in the most polluted neighborhoods.

Kelly Crawford, one of the authors of the research paper, calls it a “double whammy.”

“We have communities that are already overburdened by lack of access to medical care, lack of access to food, lack of access to green space. Then on top of that, we place additional burdens in the form of urban air quality burdens in those same communities,” says Crawford, who leads the air quality division at the District Department of Energy and Environment.

The research, published in the journal GeoHealth, examines health risks from air pollution across the city, overlaying data about fine particulate matter in the air (known as PM 2.5) with data about residents’ underlying health that puts them at higher risk.

“Somebody who has really great access to health care will likely have better health outcomes than somebody who has poorer access to quality health care, even exposed to the same level of pollution,” explains Susan Anenberg, an associate professor of public health at George Washington University, another author of the research.

The health disparities in D.C. “stem from decades of race-based policies,” says Anenberg.

Likewise, the disparities in exposure to air pollution can be traced to racist housing policies that have concentrated Black residents near pollution sources.

Crawford says most of the air pollution generated within the District comes from driving, and the most congested corridors, including most of the District’s freeways, pass through Wards 5, 7, and 8. Those same wards, which have the highest percentage of Black residents in the city, also have the most industrial facilities. Crawford says that while the federal Clean Air Act, passed in 1970, has been successful curbing air pollution overall, “communities of color end up being left behind.”

Neighborhoods with high rates of premature deaths related to air pollution include Fort Dupont, Marshall

Heights, Lincoln Heights, and Hillcrest in Ward 7, Washington Highlands in Ward 8, and Woodridge, Fort Lincoln, Trinidad and Michigan Park in Ward 5.

Neighborhoods with the lowest rates include Woodley Park, The Palisades, and Tenleytown in Ward 3.

The underlying health disparities vary much more by neighborhood than do the disparities in pollution levels. For example, life expectancy varies greatly by neighborhood: a baby born in Woodley Park, in NW D.C., can be expected to live 21 years longer than a baby born six miles away in Congress Heights, in SE, according to DC Health data.

That’s equivalent to the difference between being born in Switzerland versus being born in Haiti.

Baseline disease rates are 5 times higher in SE than in NW for lung cancer, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 9 times higher for heart disease, while emergency room visits for asthma are 30 times

higher in SE zip codes, according to the study.

Air pollution varied between neighborhoods by up to 2 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the study. This difference is minor compared with how much cleaner air in the city has gotten in the past two decades: average annual PM 2.5 concentrations in D.C. have dropped from 17 μg/m3 to 8.7 μg/m3. Even the most polluted neighborhood today has far cleaner air than the least polluted neighborhood did in the year 2000.

Data on air quality is limited; in fact, there are only three federal air quality monitoring stations in the District, located at McMillan Reservoir in NW, Hains Point in SW, and River Terrace in NE. “This monitoring network was set up to track regional air pollution,” says Anenberg. “We’re not able to measure from that sparsely located monitoring network what people in different communities are experiencing in terms of pollution levels.”

To get around that limitation, the authors used satellite data from NASA to map air pollution concentrations across the city, filling in the gaps between the three on-the-ground sensors. Still, the satellite data isn’t detailed enough to show differences in air quality at the street or block level — something that could be addressed in future research with further innovation, such as using mobile sensors, and driving street by street.

Crawford says research like this is a first step toward addressing the inequitable impact of air pollution. Too often, she says, air quality regulations ignore, and thus perpetuate, the disparities in health risks.

“We have to take a deep dive into the regulations to see where racism was structured into those policies,” Crawford says.

The percentage of Black residents in each D.C. neighborhood cluster, with dots representing the rate of deaths attributable to air pollution per 100,000 residents. GRAPHIC PRODUCED BY SUSAN ANENBERG GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, COURTESY OF DCIST

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 5

You’re not alone. These mental health resources can help you get through the holidays

BY ALISON HENRY Volunteer

T

he holiday season can be tough for those impacted by mental illness or substance use disorders, and a global pandemic can make things worse. Sixty-four percent of people with mental illness report that holidays make their condition worse, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

“With the pandemic right now, a lot more people are isolated,” said Hunter Stephens, chair of the Young Professionals Advisory Board at Capital Clubhouse (capitalclubhouseinc.org). It’s a D.C. nonprofit based in New York Avenue Presbyterian Church downtown that provides fellowship to residents struggling with mental health challenges. “That isolation can be really hard, especially when you’re suffering with a mental illness because it can make you feel very alone. And we as people really do need a human connection.”

At a Dec. 9 panel event hosted by the Clubhouse’s advisory board, attendees learned about resources available to help themselves and others. The offerings help participants to navigate mental illness and substance use challenges through the holiday season and beyond.

The Access HelpLine, run by the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), is an important tool for addressing mental health needs. The phone hotline connects those in need with mental health services and certified behavioral health care providers and can activate mobile crisis teams.

“It’s essentially the fastest way for consumers in D.C. to be linked with mental health services like therapy, medications, and case management,” said Melanie Minges, a clinical care coordinator with DBH and one of the panelists.

Access HelpLine call volume was 149,518 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, according to DBH officials. Call the HelpLine at 1 (888) 7WE-HELP or 1-888-793-4357.

Starting next July, people will be able to access those same resources by dialing just three digits: 988.

Congress passed legislation in 2020 designating 988 as the national number to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a national network of more than 180 local crisis centers aimed at helping those experiencing a mental health crisis. The Lifeline answered more than 2.1 million calls and more than 234,000 chats in FY 2020, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

DBH is increasing staff numbers and trainings in preparation for fielding incoming calls to 988, Minges said.

“As a result of the 988 number, we’re expecting an increase in calls, an increase in services,” she said. “So we’re really excited about that, not only for the nation but the D.C. community to really integrate a lot of our crisis services together and to use that line to be able to have an easy way to access it.”

Understanding mental health first aid Access HelpLine isn’t the only resource available for addressing mental health needs. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), a course offered by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches individuals how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of metal illnesses and substance use disorders.

“Just like CPR can help someone with a heart attack or

The holidays can be a tough time for people struggling with mental health.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NIK SHULIAHIN.

Núñez, executive director of Capital Clubhouse. experiencing respiratory distress, MHFA is there to help “Often people don’t want to talk about what they’re experiencing a mental health crisis or a substance abuse experiencing,” said Núñez. “They don’t want to feel like crisis,” said Micah Saviet, clinician and director of the Springer they’re judged. They don’t want to feel like they’re sort of Institute and a panelist at the event. seen in a different light. And so, it’s really important that we More than 2.5 million people across the United States have all get to learn more about it. It’s really important that people been trained in this type of aid, including former First Lady be able to seek help and know that there is recovery.”

Michelle Obama.

Mental illness is no different MHFA training focuses on than physical illness, Núñez a five-step action plan that said, but the reaction to it can includes starting a conversation vary widely. Education plays to figure out whether someone an important role in eliminating is at risk for suicide or harm. the stigma. The more people You’re supposed to listen Maria Núñez know about mental illness, the without judgment, giving less frightening it will seem, them reassurance and useful she said. information. You encourage Talking openly about mental health, showing compassion them to seek professional help. You help them identify their for mental illness and encouraging equality between physical support network and programs in the community that can aid and mental illness can help eliminate stigma, according to the them. There are MHFA trainings for for adults and another for National Alliance on Mental Health. youth ages 12 to 18.

Keeping an eye on friends, family and colleagues to identify “It really works to equip people with the knowledge and when someone may be struggling is important, too. This means tools and skills, but also the resources that they [need to] help noticing when someone’s habits deviate from the norm, such as talk with and assist a friend, family member, or coworker who staying in bed or not showering for days on end, Núñez said. may be experiencing a mental health issue, a substance use “Sometimes I think we want to gloss over and say, ‘Oh issue, or a crisis such as being suicidal,” Saviet said. they’re okay. They’re fine,” she said. “Because it’s kind of hard to deal with that. But it’s important to pay attention to those things, to see those changes. Especially if they’re continuing.

And so, we need to be able to step in and say it looks like something is going on with you. Is there anything I can do? Is there anything you want to talk about?”

Reaching out and starting a dialogue doesn’t need to be complicated, said Saviet, who is trained in Mental Health Stigma about mental illness — both the public’s reaction to it First Aid. and the prejudice that people with mental illness turn against “I just think it can be as simple as saying, ‘I’m concerned themselves — can make seeking help more difficult. about you. This is what I’ve been noticing, and I’m concerned,’” Yet mental illness is common in America. Nearly one in five he said.

U.S. adults live with mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Stigma can prevent people from asking for help, said Maria

“Often people don’t want to talk about what they’re experiencing.”

Destigmatizing mental illness and starting the conversation

6 // S T R E E T S E N S E M E D I A // D E C . 1 5 - 2 1 , 2021

NEWS

DC leaders lag in finding funds to keep STAY DC afloat

BY JOSHUA MONTGOMERY-PRATT Greater Greater Washington

This article was originally published on Nov. 22, 2021.

After spending $352 million in federal funding, the District has stopped accepting applicants for its rental relief program established during the pandemic.

STAY D.C., which was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, was a major success. Each week, officials distributed $10 million in rental relief funding to landlords and tenants, aiding more than 23,000 households that were impacted by the pandemic. With 83% of households bringing in less than 80% of the area median income (approximately $38,700 for a family of four), the funds overwhelmingly went to the residents who needed them the most. D.C. was also significantly ahead of Virginia, Maryland, and almost all other states, in dispersing the funds.

While D.C. is not the only jurisdiction to exhaust its funds, the closure of the program has caused many district residents to lose access to critical support. As of Oct. 11, 39,000 renters, making up 13% of total renters in the city, were not caught up on their rent and 29% of those renters stated they were either very likely or somewhat likely to be evicted within the next two months. These numbers are higher for Black renters: 33% of Black renters in the District were not caught up on their rent as of October 11, while only 0.6% of renters of all other races reported similar challenges.

Now, the D.C. Council, housing advocacy groups, and Mayor Muriel Bowser are scrambling to find new funding for the program.

DC could pull local funds from multiple sources On Oct. 28, 10 D.C. councilmembers — Brianne Nadeau, Janeese Lewis George, Brooke Pino, Mary Cheh, Kenyan McDuffie, Charles Allen, Trayon White, Anita Bonds, Christina Henderson, and Robert White — introduced Resolution 24068, which calls on Mayor Bowser to reopen STAY D.C. with the assistance of local funding. The resolution stated that the mayor was able to use resources such as “contingency cash reserves, unallocated Fiscal Year 2022 revenue, and other funds available within the District’s operating budget” to fund the continuation of the program.

Echoing the council on Nov. 10, 33 local organizations submitted a letter to Mayor Bowser’s office that requested the continuation of the program by using funds from the Fiscal Year 2021 surplus and agency underspending to continue to support it.

While the District had $1.48 billion placed in reserved funds at the end of Fiscal Year 2020, most of this money is either not well-suited for the purpose of continuing STAY D.C. or has already been used up.

Of the District’s four reserve funds, the Contingency Cash Reserve fund and the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve are almost completely exhausted, with their balances falling from $311.3 million to $8.1 million and $218.2 million to $5.7 million, respectively, at the end of Fiscal Year 2020. The Cash Flow Reserve fund holds $795 million, but since it must be repaid in the same fiscal year, it can’t be effectively used to make up for long-term shortfalls in federal funding.

Emergency cash reserve fund has a remaining balance of $155.9 million, which is available for use when there is a declared state of emergency. The District’s state of emergency

Columbia Heights apartment building. PHOTO COURTESY OF ELVERT BARNES / FLICKR

has been extended to January 7, 2022, which provides an opportunity for these funds to be used for the continuation of STAY D.C. Money taken from the emergency fund must be fully replenished within two years, with 50% repaid within the first year. This requirement is no different from the limitations on the use of the contingency cash reserve fund and has not stopped that fund from being fully used during the pandemic.

“Any costs for local spending on rental assistance could potentially be reimbursed by the federal government...”

In addition to using the emergency cash reserve, the District also has the option of redirecting its existing surplus towards continuing STAY D.C. The Nov. 10 coalition letter details how the District could redirect half of the Fiscal Year 2021 budget surplus, which is projected to be at least $311 million, from the District’s pay-as-you-go-capital account toward eviction prevention. This is bolstered by the large amount of underspending in many of the District’s agencies, such as the

Department of Human Services’ underspending of $38 million for the fiscal year 2020 budget.

Any costs for local spending on rental assistance could potentially be reimbursed by the federal government if the District receives federal rental assistance funding again in the future.

The mayor is holding out for federal funding Any reprogramming of district funds must be initiated by Mayor Bowser, but she has instead been primarily focused on acquiring more federal funds to revive STAY DC. On October 14, she called on the Department of the Treasury to expedite the reallocation of rental assistance funds from municipalities, counties, and states that were not fully using them, which would allow DC’s program to stay afloat. She could not be reached for comment on potentially using local funding to support STAY D.C. According to a letter from the Department of the Treasury on Sept. 24, reallocation of funds is expected to occur in the spring of 2022, but Treasury officials have contradicted those reports, saying that it could happen after the end of Nov. 2021.

Regardless of when federal rental assistance can be expected, D.C.’s renters should not go without assistance especially as the pandemic continues to be a threat. Local leaders should collaborate to revitalize the program as soon as possible.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 7

Federal food assistance users struggle with recertification, go days without benefits

BY MICHELLE LEVINE @michelleleviine

J

ew e l S t r o m a n k n e w recertification for her SNAP food assistance benefits from the Department of Human Services (DHS) were due in August. She filled out the application online one week before the deadline.

She even called the department to confirm that it was received and was told that she should have no issue getting her benefits.

The following week, she noticed her Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card had an empty balance. Frustrated, she called DHS and said that her questions were never fully answered.

“I still to this day do not have a clear understanding of why they were off,” Stroman said about three months after the incident.

She continued calling DHS and went to a service center in hopes of getting answers.

As she was waiting at the Congress Heights service center, she overheard receptionists repeatedly telling other SNAP recipients that came in: “Benefits will be turned back on in 30 business days.” Immediately, Stroman was alarmed.

Stroman said DHS did not provide alternatives for people to get food. They recommended various nonprofits throughout the city that provide grocery pick up or free meal services. Stroman said that neither of those are sustainable for a full month.

DHS did not answer questions about the program before Street Sense went to press.

Levester Green, a Street Sense vendor and artist, uses SNAP and frequents local nonprofit organizations to get food. He has received housing assistance through the nonprofit Friendship Place for about three years. He’s been using SNAP for nearly 10 years.

Until recently, Green said he had never had issues with recertifying his benefits. However, this autumn the notice that he was due for recertification was sent to Friendship Place instead of to his apartment, he said. So he was unaware that he was due for recertification.

Green said he worked closely with DHS representatives but was unable to figure out the cause of the issue.

Since he didn’t see the letter, Green’s benefits were terminated starting with the new fiscal year in October. As of Dec. 12, Green said he checked with DHS and was being denied for SNAP. The most recent set of data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that 82,598 households participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in D.C. in September. This is a 1.3% decrease from the month prior, but a 2.7% increase compared to Sepwtember 2020.

Thousands of District residents continue to rely on government assistance, such as SNAP, and have limited ability to survive more than a month without robust support to buy food.

For those that do rely on SNAP, data suggests it is not enough even when benefit applications and recertifications go smoothly.

The Urban Institution found that in 2020, the average meal cost in D.C. was $3. This is 26% higher than what SNAP provides per meal, which is $2.38.

Researchers suggest that the recent updates to the Thrifty Food Plan could help decrease that gap. The new plan increases the maximum benefit amount per meal and widens the foods the government considers necessary for a healthy diet. It began this past October, so there is not enough data to determine if SNAP recipients are benefitting from the change.

For now, others are still struggling. Kisha McDougald lost her job in July and had been using SNAP, among other benefits, to support her family. On Oct. 21, she received a letter from DHS saying that they were going to be cut off because her kids didn’t live with her full time.

She had to submit school enrollment forms and other financial documents, which could not fully be done via the District Direct — a mobile app that D.C. uses to coordinate public benefits. The app was supposed to make this process easier, but McDougald said it added to complications.

She mailed in the forms and as of Nov. 17, there had been no progress. After spending almost three hours waiting to speak with a representative on the phone, McDougald was told that the mail must be running late which is why they hadn’t received it.

“It’s just ridiculous,” was all McDougald had to say of the process.

“For those that do rely on SNAP, data suggests it is not enough...”

SENSE STREET MEDIA Real Stories Real People Real Change ILLUSTRATIONS BY DANIEL BALL, QUEENIE FEATHERSTONE, MILDRED HALL, CARLTON JOHNSON, RITA SAULS, AND DONTÉ TURNER. DESIGN BY DAVID SEROTA.

1 0 // S T R E E T S E N S E M E D I A / / D E C . 1 5 - 2 1 , 2021

OPINION

When zealotry turns to Tyranny

BY JEFFERY MCNEIL

I don't watch CNN or MSNBC and am a better person for not attempting to understand Joy Reid and Don Lemon. I meet very few liberals that behave like the hosts of these networks. I try not to insult liberals — I just believe they're too timid, afraid and cowardly.

I understand their mindset, because in the end we all believe we are doing the Lord's work. Social justice warriors don't see themselves as irrational fanatics. They believe they are fighting for a world where everyone is the same. However, they never consider that in order for that beautiful world to exist, one must relinquish their personal authority to a single ruler.

Many tyrants have pitted their subjects against one another, leading to bloody conflicts and genocide, and blaming Trump supporters or the unvaccinated is no different. I respect people's personal space and beliefs, but Leftists don't.

Everyone believes they are fighting for a cause. The Karens of the world don't think they're irrational for harassing people who don't have their masks over their nose, COVID19 gives them meaning, for if restrictions are lifted, they go back to their miserable fate of being irrelevant.

Perspective is not a forte of angry Leftists.

It doesn't matter that Glenn Youngkin won in a landslide and the Virginia legislature went Republican. It falls on deaf ears that Ed Durr, a New Jersey truck driver with a history of racist and misogynistic social media posts, defeated the second most powerful legislator in the state because people were fed up with high taxes, high unemployment, and crime.

They wouldn't care if every American arrived in Washington protesting, they're not moved or swayed by public opinion because they know what's best for humanity.

Wokeness is cancer, but there is a cure. I believe the solution to idealism is realism. Let them put their hands on the stove so they can feel the pain of their foolishness. They are passionate about abortion, racism, and a genderneutral society.

Everything you cherish, liberals want to cancel. You are what’s keeping them from achieving their perfect world, and the fanatics are willing to go bust before they realize they have been chasing a lie.

Jeffery McNeil is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

ILLUSTRATION BY QUEENIE FEATHERSTONE, ARTIST/VENDOR

Get the vaccine!

BY JACKIE TURNER

Public health officials have tested the vaccines so many times. Each time they come to the conclusion that vaccines work, they stop people from getting the virus. But people are hesitant to get vaccinated because of the talk surrounding it.

Americans are hard on themselves. They go over and over everything trying to get perfection. That’s good — just trust in the U.S. standard and save some lives.

Get vaccinated.

Jackie Turner is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

Keep each other safe

BY SHEILA WHITE

Wearing a mask on public transportation is a requirement.

So why are people riding without them on or wearing them under their chin? COVID-19 still exists and is making people ill. People are still dying. COVID has been around for a long time, and seems to be here to stay. So why not do the right thing and wear your mask the proper way?

The proper way to wear a mask is to cover your mouth and nose while riding public transportation. This will ensure your safety just as well as mine.

COVID has touched all of our lives in many ways.

Many people have lost their jobs, died, and even killed themselves because of COVID. Many people are so depressed

that they need to seek help.

That’s why we need to wear a mask and do our part to protect each other in public. I wear my mask every day. I don’t like it, but this is the new norm.

Our children are getting sick in schools and this is unacceptable. Our lives have changed so much during the pandemic, but what can we say, this is life. You can accept it or not, but it’s a reality, so why not wear your mask while riding the bus or the Metro? I lost a family member who drove a cab —he is no longer with me due to COVID. Please wear your mask!

Sheila White is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

America, be for real!

BY RITA SAULS

What is really causing the divide between Black and white America? Is it the digital divide? The hypocrisy and the lies? Or reality and the truth?

You see, everyone agrees that some of that shit on Facebook isn’t true. They are creating hate in other dimensions, even making enemies of me and you.

Day after day, they feed us untruths through our cell phones. When my best friend died, he asked me “Don’t let them tell no lies.” They’ve been lying ever since.

We need to expose these liars by finding out their names and who they are. Do not let them hide behind garage doors that probably have that Teslas and Range Rovers parked beside their BMW motorcycles.

So, before they go on and airplane shop, let’s make it stop!

My friend said just because you read it in a magazine, or see it on the movie screen, don’t

make it factual. So I’m challenging all my Street Sense readers, let’s create a law that says whoever publishes information must put their name beside it.

Show your sources and your work. Anything else is playing with fire.

That’s how computers are supposed to operate: By making it easier to access information. But instead, we now have to work harder to separate fact from fiction.

We all know fire spreads. So, since we know that so much of the stuff they are feeding us through the phone is a burning fire, let’s put it out now before it destroys everything, past and future. Let’s expose these parasites who spread misinformation and don’t care what they write.

Rita Sauls is an artist and vendor with Street Sense Media.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 11

ART

I’m gotta freeze

Oh, winter!

BY RON DUDLEY, A.K.A. “POOKANU” Artist/Vendor

BY EVELYN NNAM Artist/Vendor

I know thats it's cold right now, I gotta freeze.

I know it's zero below right now, I gotta freeze.

My coffee just turned into ice, I gotta freeze.

I gotta work cause they might turn off the lights, I gotta freeze.

Cold and bare trees Wonderful fluffy white droplets of snow Wearing warm puffy jackets and warm wool coats Scarfs, mitts, earmuffs, boots, and wool hats All the winter clothing bundled up keeping us cozy and snug

My daughter turning sweet sixteen, I gotta freeze.

When my son need cake and ice cream, I gotta freeze.

Everybody in my family broke, I gotta freeze.

I’m here to give my family hope, I gotta freeze.

When my baby momma stressing me out, I gotta freeze.

‘Cause she don't know what god and love is about, I gotta freeze.

I gotta give her a reality check. I gotta freeze And I'd do it all again for respect, I gotta freeze.

My present condition is not my conclusion, I gotta freeze.

See, my reality is not an illusion, I gotta freeze.

I pray that one day he stop shooting, I gotta freeze.

I pray that one day she stops prostituting. I gotta freeze.

See every new level, I gotta freeze.

There's gonna be a new devil, I gotta freeze.

God gave me back my mind, I gotta freeze.

Now, I talk to God like all of the time, I gotta freeze.

God said, “You chosen, so never look back Unless you’re saving a life, use your purpose for that.”

I GOTTA FREEZE.

Winter is here and the weather is changing The nights are getting darker and days shorter Heated up with hot blazing fire and Christmas jingles Sipping hot cocoa and tasty hot tea To get the magical days and nights going Nothing but great cheer and love being spread by all From all those with precious giving hearts Nothing gets better than a wonderful winter season Enjoying and doing what matters the most Taking each moment and living Going out doing wild and adventurous activities Taking in all the nature that has evolved from the past seasons Going through the full and bountiful spring trees The hot summer skies, rainy fall days, And coming into darker winter nights Winter is a blessing, getting us to understand that things change And things might not always be the same But knowing that seasons must flow, to keep like at a balance Life on its toes is what I love most about the wintertime Winter is here and we must enjoy the days to come!

Stay warm and God bless!!

Thank you.

Random Acts of Kindness:

Staying Warm

BY WENDELL WILLIAMS Artist/Vendor

Last week, I got a call from someone who’d heard of my work on the streets and asked how their church could help. All of my clients are unhoused, or they live inside some abandoned structures without heat, as I once experienced. So I thought of the coming weeks and how bitter cold it will be. I immediately said I’d love to be able to give away long johns this Christmas.

This time of year, homeless people will receive all kinds of gifts from the places they frequent. But, with the pandemic and concerns about safety, a lot of those contact points have been eliminated. You cannot understand the importance of those highly valued garments by those experiencing homelessness. They can be a difference in making an uncomfortable situation at least bearable.

Some years ago in Michigan I had tried every way I could to work my way out of homelessness, including

Wendell Williams is presented with 100 pairs of long johns by members and leadership form Genesis Covenant Church.

PHOTO COURETSY OF WENDELL WILLIAMS

working any temporary jobs I could get. I was registered with two temp agencies and a labor-ready type of one.

I did everything from wash dishes to light-industrial work, including shoveling snow at apartment complexes.

I worked in the snow without boots because I couldn’t afford them.

PATTERN COURTESY OF JILL WELLINGTON / PIXABAY

It's me, the chosen one; I’m a diamond, I gotta freeze.

The tree of life told me I gotta keep trying, I gotta freeze.

I lost everything I had in one sec, I gotta freeze.

And,I’d loose it all again for respect, I gotta freeze.

One of the things I remember fondly is taking an assignment as a bell ringer for a well known charity.

I was assigned to be outside the entrance of a big box discount department store in Ann Arbor. I rang that bell for 8 hours a day between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It’s bad enough to be cold as you move around, but try standing in one place all day. I guess I was still noticeably freezing, wearing sneakers, even after following the advice to stand on multiple pieces of cardboard.

A lady walked by and asked, “aren’t you cold.” She walked past, unassuming, into the big box and I continued to ring that d*** bell. Low and behold, she later walked up and handed me a bag. She kept going without a word.

As she moved toward the parking lot, I peeped into the bag and, what do you know, in it were two pairs of long johns. I looked up and she was gone. She had put nothing in the nonprofit’s kettle but she put something in mine: the gift of warmth.

So this time of year, I think back to that Random Act of Kindness towards me that day. I want others who are experiencing homelessness to feel the same warming security I felt when I ran to the restroom and slipped on that game-changing anonymous gift.

I hope others will do that too in coming weeks as I ride around giving 100 pairs of this precious gift provided by a church congregation who have demonstrated they really believe they are their brothers’ keepers.

1 2 // S T R E E T S E N S E M E D I A / / D E C . 1 5 - 2 1 , 2021

ART

An enjoyable Winter

Without her for two years now

BY JEFF TAYLOR Artist/Vendor

Dec. 18, 2021 will mark two years since the untimely death of my best friend and fellow Street Sense Media artist and vendor Alice Carter.

I know I've written about Alice numerous times before. But as long as I'm alive and writing for Street Sense, I'll likely always do a write up for her around this time of year. Not just to acknowledge her existence and early passing, but to wish her a happy birthday as her birthday is just one day after Christmas. I guess I want to make sure I do my part to assure Alice is remembered by more than just myself and her family.

I still think of her every day that goes by. I don't miss her one iota less with the passage of time. It's really not getting any easier to live without her. Maybe that's natural. But oftentimes I still weep.

I weep for missing her presence in my life. Though

we lived together most of the years she resided in D.C., even when living separately we managed to run into each other regularly throughout the DMV. My heart would leap for joy as I'd unexpectedly see Alice at Street Sense or the food stamp office or one of her panhandling spots in D.C., or in Virginia at Pentagon City, or old town Alexandria.

I have no doubt that area residents who were so accustomed to seeing Alice at her primary spot at 17th and Corcoran NW still walk by her spot and think of her. She was here for only a few years but she definitely made her mark on the city.

You can still see performances

by Alice at Busboys and Poets on YouTube. Just Google “baby alice busboys and poets” and you'll find two different videos that someone posted years ago. I have a hard time watching them. I still miss her too much.

So, until next year, Alice, to you from all of us who still miss you so much, Merry Christmas and happy birthday.

BY BRIANNA BUTLER Artist/Vendor

It’s a winter morning and cardinals and chipping sparrows fly as I’m standing, smelling freshness in the air. The outside whispers of the wind grip around my body.

The tall aromatic pine trees refresh you while you're around with a joyfulness in your heart. A lot of white hexagonal crystals of snow flow all over me. I decide to taste a couple of them. The fallen snow grows thick, covering my shrubs.

My siblings and I take up sledding after watching the Olympic bobsled team. We are having so much fun. People in the neighborhood watch us and start joining us. We are going very fast down the hill in our purple and gold sled.

A while later, we eat grilled cheese with shaved steak inside, with a nice hot cappuccino with whipped cream on top. The food warms us up for the next round of snowball playing and shoveling snow from the sidewalks. That night, we sit in awe of what we saw roaming through the snowy alpine trees: a huge rack of antlers upon his head and a large breasted body A beautiful brownish-colored deer was leading his family on a walk, eating grasses!

Thanks and gratitude I want to give thanks and gratitude to God for letting me live to see another day. I thank him for every new day. As a senior adult who is in my late 50s, I am thankful to have experienced the trials and pressures of life. I have learned to appreciate the good and the bad because I have learned from both.

I have gratitude due to the fact that I’m still in my right state of mind. I still at times go through stressful situations but I don’t let them break me. I thank God for my health and well-being.

I have thanks and gratitude that I still have my housing and I am working on eating a good, nutritional diet. There are many other things that inspire gratitude. I am thankful for having good and positive people in my life. In the midst of tough times, we can still find many ways to give thanks and gratitude.

—JACQUELYN PORTEE, Artist/Vendor

My name is Latishia Wynn. I have so much to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving was nice and I am grateful to see another birthday. This December will be calm, filled with faith.

God-willing, I’ll see another year. So, I give thanks to all my family and friends. I am happy to say I am blessed.

I am going to be a grandmother. My daughter Joy Wynn is having a girl, coming due in March. I thank you, Jesus!

—BY LATISHIA WYNN, Artist/Vendor

My Dream

Facts about life

BY CARLTON JOHNSON Artist/Vendor

BY CARLOS CAROLINA Artist/Vendor

I walk in the time of the Shadow of Darkness, feeling the times of homelessness, feeling the times of needing something to eat, a place to sleep; Living the advocate's life on the streets of Washington, D.C.

Facts about life.

What are the facts about life?

Don’t do no wrong, Things won’t go right.

Put God first.

First fact about life: Always check in and check right Gotta have peace, know we need peace, but peace is a plight That’s a respite in life Life treats you fair when you treat life kind Fears disappear in life all the time Life is a grind.

Life is a grind.

Dress life up and overt time, you will find She’s fine.

Tell me: Where do I go?

When is it time to eat?

Where do I sleep?

I just want to be off the streets —the streets— of the nation's capital of D.C. Helping the homeless, my job on the streets.

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

// 1 3

Through it all

BY MARCUS MCCALL Artist/Vendor

To get down

BY KYM PARKER Artist/Vendor

To know one’s self, To truly know your pain, And to travel, To visit, To understand that God is always without fear.

She takes away everything.

It’s crazy how being in jail exposed to you how much fake love people have for you.

Some of my closest family and so-called friends haven’t sent me a letter, haven’t come to visit, or sent me any books to read. They’re the same people that I’ve looked out for — people that were doing less or had less. I helped them out or I assisted the people dealing with the same problems that I have.. I’ll forgive y’all, but I’ll never forget.

I haven’t gotten one visitor since I’ve been locked up. But, I’m supposed to have so much love out there. LOL. I’ve got people throwing dirt on my family name: McCall. I’ll forgive y’all, but I’ll never forget.

You can put me in any situation and I’ll stand tall in it and deal with it. Because, that’s just how I’m built. But, if you have a loved one incarcerated, support does matter. Because, they are probably at the lowest point of their life. Something as simple as hearing their name called during mail call can make a difference in their day. So, in the words of my great mom, “Y’all hold your people down.”

I’m straight, as long as I keep writing for Street Sense. But, I know there’s a lot of people who aren’t as strong as I am and who need you. So, be there for them. I’m not talking about asking them if they’re straight or if they need something. Because, if they are prideful like me, they’ll always say that they’re good. Just do it, like Nike, for them — if that’s your true intentions. 99.9% of “being real” is still fake and 101% is animated. Keep it 100 with your people!

Treading the Waters, Part 42

Unlikely

BY DONTÉ TURNER Artist/Vendor

It’s unlikely for me to go far because of my skin color It’s unlikely for me to continue when I’m hated by my own brother It’s unlikely for me to succeed When evil and hatred made it hard But it’s really unlikely for me to push on or make it through all this

BY GERALD ANDERSON Artist/Vendor

Emotional

BY AYUB ABDUL Artist/Vendor

The best place to live is inside the heart.

Now, I laugh.

I have succeeded to touch your soul like water to a flower waiting to come alive.

Touch me with your flower more.

It was won with words of passion from the very start.

I have a strong desire for you.

It is like a flower that grows.

Let me have your nectar.

I shall always water my love.

When we were last with Gerald in New Orleans, he was fighting a charge in jail and he’d just gotten a new lawyer…

It’s funny how I met this lawyer, Wayne, but it’s the truth. I met Wayne and he say, “Look, they want you to sign this.”

I say, ”Honestly, I can’t read or write.”

(Like I can now.)

He tell me, “Sign these papers, you might get a probation.” So I’m thinking I’m gonna get a probation. I sign the paper.

I say, “When I’m going home?”

He say, “I don’t know, the judge ain’t made a decision.”

I go back there to Templeman, the prison.

Come to find out I get seven years.

Or boot camp. I do six months in boot camp, or I do the seven years in prison.

I said, “Damn! They’re gonna give me six months of boot camp. What the hell!?”

It’s so funny, but that’s from not going to school and not reading.

I got my stuff packed up and one night they come got me out of Templeman and told me I was going to DOC, Department of Correction.

We get there, they book me, they fingerprint me. So I stays up in RODC, the center where people stay a week or two and the boot camp was next door. You could see ‘em in the morning, Hut Two Hut. Back then the boot camp was funny. They make you get on your back, say you’re a

cockroach and all that.

I was hearing some guys they come in, “Man, I checked in, I ain’t going no boot camp. I’m gonna go do my time. I got six years, I gotta do three years on it.”

I’m like, “F*** it, I ain’t going to boot camp neither.”

So they come got me. I said, “Man, I’m not going nowhere.”

I was fat, I was big. They tell me, they say, “They gonna work your big ass. Make you drop your big ass.”

Then they might make me get on the floor, say I’m a cockroach!

I told the deputy when he come down, we call him Free, I say, “Man, Free, look, let me tell you something, man, I ain’t going.”

He say, “Well, I can’t make you go. But you know that mean you gotta go do the seven years.”

“I don’t care.”

Long story short, I get shipped out to WCI, Washington Correction Center up in Bogalusa, Louisiana. I’m a prison dude anyway, so it didn’t even matter where they sent me. I’m gonna be a man. Get up there, chat around, move around, everything was alright with me.

I went to the prison, did my time. At least I didn’t say I’m a cockroach.

To be continued.

Raindrops

BY DON GARDNER Artist/Vendor

Raindrops falling by the minute, Cleansing the earth.

Can’t count its worth.

Drip drop, the raindrops talk, Speaking to you and me.

Baptizing everything, imaginable love, In the language of clear power.

Right down to the last drop.

So, always listen to the raindrops.

1 4 // S T R E E T S E N S E M E D I A / / D E C . 1 5 - 2 1 , 2021

This is the Daily Crossword Puzzle #4 for Dec 14, 2021

FUN & GAMES

1. Gawk

Novice Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 20, Book 50

1

7

8

7

8

3

2

5

4

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7

4

7

3

9

1

6

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© 2019 KrazyDad.com

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain Sudoku #4 all of the digits 1 thru 9.

If you8use4 logic2you 5 can solve guesswork.

1 7the puzzle 3 6 without 9

Need6a little page7shows 5 help?

9 hints 2 8 1 a 4logical order to solve the puzzle.

3 The Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you7really get stuck.

9 1 6 3 4 8 5 2 >> This crossword

7 4 2 8 1 9 3 6 1 3 6 7 9 5 2 4 8 9 2 8 3 4 6 5 7 1 4 1 5 8 7 2 6 9 3 3 8 7 1 6 9 4 2 5 2 6 9 4 5 3 1 8 7 5

Sudoku #6 3 1 2 7 6 8 6 9 8 4 5 3 5 7 4 9 2 1 9 5 3 6 8 7 4 8 1 3 9 2 7 2 6 1 4 5 1 3 9 8 7 6 8 6 5 2 1 4 2 4 7 5 3 9

3 9 8 2 5 4 7 3 9 8 6 1

Sudoku #8 6 8 9 7 2 7 5 6 4 1 3 2 5 2 4 3 8 3 7 1 9 6 1 5 1 5 8 4 7 4 2 9 3 9 6 8

5 4 8 1 3 6 7 9 1 9 8 5 6 2 4 3 7 9 2 6 3 8 5 7 4 1

1 3 4 9 5 8 7 6 9 4 8 2 3 7 6

1

2

5

4

4 5 2 7 8 3 1 2

5

7

9 1 6

2

6

puzzle’s answers: tinyurl.com/SSMcross-12-15-2021

<< LAST EDITION’S PUZZLE SOLUTION

"Art is the daughter of freedom."

-- Friedrich Schiller

5 7 1 8 4 7 4 2 1 5 3 Novice Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 20, Book 50 Sudoku #27 5 4 3 9 5 6 2 4 8 65 6 4 2 1 7 2 2 9 2 2 19 3 6 4 3 9 9 8 3 1 6 19 4 8 1 9 6 4 5 3 6 5 8 8 2 1 8 9 6 5 6 8 51 1 4 9 3 25 9

1. Gawk 5. Plenty (2 wds.)

5. Plenty (2 wds.)

9. Delete 9. Delete 14. Office acronym 14. Office acronym 15. Mama's spouse 15. Mama’s spouse 16. King, e.g.

16. King, e.g.

17. Boundary 17. Boundary 19. Fall flower 19. Fall 20. flower Mexican sauce 20. Mexican sauce 21. Greek mythology figure 21. Greek mythology figure 23. "My Three ____" 23. “My Three ____” 24. Charged atoms 24. Charged atomstitle beginning 26. Dickens 26. Dickens title beginning (2 wds.)

(2 wds.)

28. Wolfgang ____ ____ Mozart 28. Wolfgang Mozart 31. Basement 31. Basement 35. European 35. European capitalcapital 36. Gather 36. Gather leavesleaves 39. Move smoothly 39. Move smoothly 40.

Raw material 40. Raw material 41. Breakfast 41. Breakfast foodsfoods 43. behind Pull behind 43. Pull 44. Heavenly 44. Heavenly dish dish 46.

Interested 46. Interested by by 47. Actor Richard 47. Actor Richard ____ ____ 48. Communion tables 48. Communion tables 50. Scoffed 50. Scoffed 52. Malice 52. Malice 55. Festive occasion 55. Festive occasion 56. Skirt opening 56. Skirt opening 59. Fictional clownfish 59. Fictional clownfish 61. Classified 61. Classified 64. Fertile desert spot 64. Fertile desert spot 66. Sacred writings 66. Sacred writings 68. Small bay 68. Small bay 69. Athletic group 69. Athletic group 70. Spring bloom 70. Spring bloom 71. Wary 71. Wary 72. Sharp bark 72. Sharp bark feature 73. Giraffe's 73. Giraffe’s feature

Down 1. Mountain passes 2. On the ocean

© ONLINECROSSWORDS.NET

3

3

Find the solution at https://onlinecrosswords.net/81020

Across Across

Sudoku #5

9

OnlineCrosswords.net

3. Legislature, in the UK Down 4.

TV series installment Mountain passes 5.1.Large primate On punctual the ocean 6.2.Not Legislature, in the UK 7.3.“Phantom of the ____” 4.

TV series installment 8. Gypsy’s card Large primate 9.5.Gay Nineties, e.g.

6. Not punctual 10.

Actor ____ Crowe 7. "Phantom of the ____" 11.

Choir member 8. Gypsy's card 12. Visualized 9. Gay Nineties, e.g.

13. Goofs 10. Actor ____ Crowe 18. Horse’s hair 11. Choir member 22. Cul-de-____ 12. Visualized 25. Free of doubt 13. Goofs 27. Lower limbs 18. Horse's hair 28. Perfume 29. Ethical 30. Indian robe 32. Written works 33. Cherish

34. Married again 37. Barbie’s beau 47. Molded dessert 22. Cul-de-____ 38. Chows down 25. Free of doubt 41. Food fish 49. Transgression 27. Lower limbs 42. Extensive 51. Old West lawman 53. Irritable 28. Perfume 45. More unpleasant 54. Host 29. Ethical 47. Molded dessert 56. Earth 30. Indian robe 49. Transgression 57. Highway section 32. Written works 51. Old West lawman 58. ____ of Capri 33. Cherish 53. Irritable 60. Of the mouth 34. Married again 54. Host 62. Rock's ____ Clapton 37. Barbie's beau 56. Earth 63. Office furniture 38. Chows down 57. Highway section 41. Food fish 65. Sow's home 58. ____ of Capri 42. Extensive 67. Mischievous child 60. Of the mouth 45. More unpleasant 62. Rock’s ____ Clapton 63. Office furniture 65. Sow’s home 67. Mischievous child

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

STREETSENSEMEDIA.ORG

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SHELTER HOTLINE Línea directa de alojamiento

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1-800-799-7233

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Clothing Ropa

Legal Assistance Assistencia Legal

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

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

Calvary Women’s Services // 202-678-2341 1217 Good Hope Rd., SE calvaryservices.org

Food and Friends // 202-269-2277 (home delivery for those suffering from HIV, cancer, etc) 219 Riggs Rd., NE foodandfriends.org

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

Friendship Place // 202-364-1419 4713 Wisconsin Ave., NW friendshipplace.org

Catholic Charities // 202-772-4300 catholiccharitiesdc.org/gethelp

Georgetown Ministry Center // 202-338-8301 1041 Wisconsin Ave., NW georgetownministrycenter.org

Central Union Mission // 202-745-7118 65 Massachusetts Ave., NW missiondc.org

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

Charlie’s Place // 202-232-3066 1830 Connecticut Ave., NW charliesplacedc.org

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

Christ House // 202-328-1100 1717 Columbia Rd., NW christhouse.org

Martha’s Table // 202-328-6608 marthastable.org

Church of the Pilgrims // 202-387-6612 2201 P St., NW food (1-1:30 on Sundays only) churchofthepilgrims.org/outreach

Community Family Life Services 202-347-0511 // 305 E St., NW cflsdc.org

Community of Hope // 202-232-7356 communityofhopedc.org

Covenant House Washington 202-610-9600 // 2001 Mississippi Ave., SE covenanthousedc.org

D.C. Coalition for the Homeless 202-347-8870 // 1234 Massachusetts Ave., NW dccfh.org

Father McKenna Center // 202-842-1112 19 Eye St., NW fathermckennacenter.org

2375 Elvans Road SE 2204 Martin Luther King Ave. SE

Miriam’s Kitchen // 202-452-8926 2401 Virginia Ave., NW miriamskitchen.org

My Sister’s Place // 202-529-5991 (24-hr hotline) mysistersplacedc.org

N Street Village // 202-939-2060 1333 N St., NW nstreetvillage.org

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

1-888-793-4357

Samaritan Ministry 202-722-2280 // 1516 Hamilton St., NW 202-889-7702 // 1345 U St., SE samaritanministry.org

Sasha Bruce Youthwork // 202-675-9340 741 8th St., SE sashabruce.org

So Others Might Eat (SOME) // 202-797-8806 71 O St., NW some.org

St. Luke’s Mission Center // 202-333-4949 3655 Calvert St., NW stlukesmissioncenter.org

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

Unity Health Care 3020 14th St., NW // unityhealthcare.org - Healthcare for the Homeless Health Center: 202-508-0500 - Community Health Centers: 202-469-4699 1500 Galen Street SE, 1500 Galen Street SE, 1251-B Saratoga Ave NE, 1660 Columbia Road NW, 4414 Benning Road NE, 3924 Minnesota Avenue NE, 765 Kenilworth Terrace NE, 555 L Street SE, 3240 Stanton Road SE, 3020 14th Street NW, 2700 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, 1717 Columbia Road NW, 1313 New York Avenue, NW BSMT Suite, 425 2nd Street NW, 4713 Wisconsin Avenue NW, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 2100 New York Avenue NE, 1333 N Street NW, 1355 New York Avenue NE, 828 Evarts Place, NE, 810 5th Street NW

The Welcome Table // 202-347-2635 1317 G St., NW. epiphanydc.org/thewelcometable

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

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

Samaritan Inns // 202-667-8831 2523 14th St., NW samaritaninns.org

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOTLINE Línea de salud del comportamiento

Laundry Lavandería

Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless 1200 U St., NW // 202-328-5500 legalclinic.org

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

// 1 5

WE WANT YOU! JOIN OUR STAFF Seeking a courageous accountability reporter to join an award-winning weekly paper.

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By joining Street Sense Media, you will become part of an elite team of top-notch journalists and storytellers who are passionate about informing the public on some of the most pressing issues facing the region. We produce compelling stories about everything from homelessness to the impact local government policy has on the city’s most vulnerable communities.

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Y R OET

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FRANKLIN STERLING

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REGINALD BLACK

SYBIL TAYLOR

DON GARDNER

On Nov. 29, Street Sense Media hosted a poetry slam competition at our offices. Artists debuted their wit and stage presence to discuss many topics in a room filled with their colleagues.

Thank you for reading Street Sense!

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Watch the performances: tinyurl.com/2021-slam

DEC. 15 - 21, 2021 | VOLUME 19 ISSUE 5 FREDERIC JOHN

NO CASH? NO PROBLEM. WE HAVE AN APP! SEARCH “STREET SENSE” IN THE APP STORE ANTHONY CARNEY

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