With the help of a $1 million donation from Amazon, the D.C.-based nonprofit Friendship Place recently launched Family Connect, a privately funded homelessness prevention and diversion program. The 115-day program focuses on getting participants into stable housing and helping them gain employment as quickly as possible.
Content categorized as Maryland

A $1 million donation from Amazon is keeping D.C. families out of homelessness

Two years after being sued for its derelict housing conditions, landlord Sanford Capital agrees to leave D.C.
Embattled landlord Sanford Capital, sued two years ago by the District for the horrific living conditions at some of its properties, came to an agreement with D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine which requires the company to relinquish all ownership of its residential properties throughout the city.

Discrepancy in City’s Median Income
Funding for housing programs is based on the area median income as determined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The District is at a disadvantage because HUD defines the AMI to include all of the D.C. Metro Region, which means more affluent parts of Maryland and Virginia affect the data.

A birthday party for Dr. King
Annapolis’s Banneker-Douglass Museum hosted an event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

REVIEW: “I Have a Dream”
“I Have a Dream” is a gospel musical about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The major events of the Civil Rights Movement,… Read more »

A homeless memorial in Silver Spring
A memorial to Norman Lane.

More than a name:
Demonstrators share their ties to Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day
Emmalyn Sharf told a crowd of activists huddled in a heated tent at Freedom Plaza about the life and death of her friend of more than 10 years, Michael Dunne.

Thanksgiving in the street: Hundreds of Baltimore neighbors gathered to share food & fellowship
More than 400 volunteers of all ages came together for B & Dee’s Baltimore Love Thanksgiving Clothing Drive and Empowerment Day meal.

Meet the 9-year-old who is leading programs to help homeless people
Nine-year-old Miracle Omar has founded several projects that benefit homeless people. Some of her projects include giving out school supplies, collecting socks and toiletries, and collecting household items to give to previously homeless people after they’re placed in housing.

Thriving, not just surviving: what it takes to heal after domestic trauma
Cassandra Morgan began performing stand-up after escaping an abusive relationship and facing homelessness. Now she is part of a community of survivors that draw strength from each other, share their stories and help others avoid similar situations.

55 Campers Demand Permanent Housing Solutions at Baltimore City Hall
D.C. street paper vendor Henrieese Roberts travels to Baltimore to learn what it feels like on the ground at a live-in demonstration outside of city hall. Fifty-five homeless people and their advocates created what they call Tent City as a testament to their need for public housing solutions.

Them is Us
An poem about the inequality that effects low income people living in the D.C area.

“Father’s Day:” Pookanu provides a peek into his world on a brand new album
On his new album, after years of work, Street Sense vendor Ron Dudley details his experiences with homelessness, loss and faith.

The Myth of ‘Stolen’ Jobs
The jobs immigrants have are undocumented and they are paid below minimum wage.

Can You Go Home Again?
An opinion piece that details how modern liberalism as become a plague of narccissm.

Culture, Classism and Cash Shape America’s Oral Health
Mary Otto’s new book, “Teeth,” explains why the oral health care system in America is in need of desperate repair.

Urban Centers are Contested Territory in Fight to End Veteran Homelessness
D.C. is still on track to end veteran homelessness but housing affordability and availability remains a big issue.

Timebanks Encourage Building Communities Over Giving Handouts
D.C. Timebanking offers itself as a possible alternative to traditional charities as a way to sustainably uplift and build communities.

D.C. Homelessness on the Rise, According to HUD Report
In a new HUD report, D.C. tied with Idaho for the highest percentage increase in homelessness.
Maryland Students Want All Birthdays Celebrated Equally
Two Montgomery County students founded a chapter of Birthday Cakes 4 Free, a national charity that bakes and distributes cakes to low-income children.