Content categorized as Education

Aging out, and into homelessness

I grew up living in Baltimore City. When I was 18, I was independently living until I turned 21 when I aged out of foster… Read more »

New STEM lab showcases a dedication to improving the lives of disadvantaged students at Ketcham Elementary

An Anacostia public school just created a brand-new STEM lab for its students  — many of whom may be experiencing homelessness or poverty.

A student and her shelter

Most students don’t start their day with “WAKE UP!” at 6 a.m.  I’m not most students. My “dorm” is a shelter. My “library” is any… Read more »

Good things are coming for these scholarship recipients as they recover from substance use disorder or mental illness

The scholarship from Woodley House will support all five awardees as they complete the certification program or pursue internships and jobs to put their credentials to use.

Giving Up the Streets for a Better Life and a Smarter Me

Vendor Marcus McCall shares the difficulties of his childhood.

Middle schoolers asked to develop cities that are resilient to climate change also addressed poverty

Middle school students from the U.S. and abroad came to Washington, D.C., as finalists in the Future City competition.

Longstanding local school is “homeless” and “on the Go-Go”

“I wish I had a school like that when I was growing up,” one parent said. 

Adult literacy app competition awards $3M to teams with most progress for users

The first phase of the $7 Million Barbara Bush Foundation Adult Literacy XPRIZE competition resulted in a tie between the two teams that saw the most growth in English literacy among users of their apps.

New Year, New Friend

I’ve had the pleasure and honor to be a cardmaker with Second Story Cards for the past year. Second Story Cards is a D.C.-based social enterprise that… Read more »

Georgetown’s new program prepares returning citizens to be entrepreneurs.
K-12 schools should follow GU’s lead.

Steve Lilienthal argues the GU Pivot program should be demonstrated in other schools throughout the U.S.

This local librarian is serving his community by serving up food and literature

Christopher Stewart has been reaching out to his community by standing on a street corner with free breakfast food and novels.

Adult literacy? There’s an app competition for that.

More than 30 million adults in the U.S. struggle with literacy. The XPrize Foundation is trying to revolutionize adult learning through mobile phone apps. With these apps, adults can learn on their own time so that they can get a GED, get a better job or prepare for college.

Random acts of kindness: McDonald’s to Scotland

After being selected as a finalist for best contribution/story of the year, vendor Wendell Williams raised the funds to travel to Glasgow, Scotland, for the International Network of Street Papers Awards.

Product of Progression: Gotta keep moving

Tyrone Chisholm Jr. writes this series to demonstrate the challenges and opportunities
he has found while homeless, employed and enrolled in higher education in our
nation’s capital.

Product of Progression: Overcoming others

Tyrone Chisholm, a Street Sense Media volunteer, writes about keeping a positive outlook while being stereotyped.

D.C. Council stands up to Trump Administration’s attempt to eliminate LGBTQ health data collection

D.C. local government agrees upon LGBTQ health data collection, in opposition to Trump Administration’s attempt to eliminate it.

D.C. Central Kitchen will expand their services in response to youth crisis

D.C. Central Kitchen, a work force training program, will create a youth program for food service training

Product of Progression: I’m Trying To Succeed In Rapid-Rehousing

An opinion piece depicting author Tyrone Chisolm Jr’s struggle to succeed in governmental rehousing.

Product of Progression: ‘Why can’t the homeless help themselves?’

Volunteer Tyrone Chisolm describes the methods he uses to improve his life as a homeless person.

D.C. Adult Literacy Programs Are Under Threat

A woman whom I tutored in reading stunned me years ago when I mentioned the Vietnam War. Even though we both grew up in the 1960s and 70s, she never knew it happened. She didn’t know about World War II or many other events of which most American school children would have a foggy grasp.