V OLUME X X V I / I SSUE 8 / S EPTEMBER 2 0 1 2 WWW . CAGTOWN . ORG Understanding and Helping the Homeless in Georgetown ave you ever wanted to know the the structure of the GMC (supported by 14 back story behind a particular churches and many individual Georgetown resi- Hhomeless person? Have you won- dents), its services (from showers and laundry dered why there are people living on the facilities to activity clubs to support classes), streets in our prosperous community? Do success stories, intractable situations, and realis- you ask yourself if it “helps” to give money tic insight into homelessness in our community. to these individuals? The CAG meeting on Thursday September 27 will feature a panel The dynamic Dr. Ronald Koshes, who has of experts who will give insight – and some been working with the homeless for nearly 20 answers—to these difficult questions. years at GMC, as well as with SOME (So Entrance to Georgetown Others May Eat) and other programs in the Gunther Stern, Executive Director of the Ministry Center city, will talk about mental illness in general Georgetown Ministry Center for 22 years, and homelessness and how they are related. His has organized our program and will open the panel dis- candid and entertaining style will convey the complexity cussion. Gunther has been at the forefront working with and drama of homelessness. the homeless for 25 years. First in developing the assis- tance program at the Shepherd’s Table in Silver Spring, Legal expert Brian Stettin, Policy Director of the Treat- MD and then developing the vital Georgetown Ministry ment Advocacy Center, will explain how changing laws Center and programs for Georgetown. Gunther divides regarding people with mental illness could bring about a his time between case management, program develop- solution to one cause of homelessness. As an Assistant ment, and staff supervision and training. He is particular- New York State Attorney General, Brian conceived and ly skilled at counseling and aiding people suffering from drafted the original proposal of “Kendra’s Law,” land- mental illness or drug/substance abuse. He will describe Continued on page 3 2012 Georgetown Gala: Putting on the Glitz at Russian Embassy he spectacular Embassy of the Russian Feder- ation — with soaring ceilings, gilt architectur- Tal details, dramatic murals, and stunning chandeliers — will be the setting for the 2012 Georgetown Gala on Friday, October 26 from 7 until 11pm. Ambassador and Mrs. Sergey Kislyak, along with Senator and Mrs. Roy Blunt, Senator John Kerry and Teresa Heinz, Senator and Mrs. Joseph Lieberman, The Honorable Selwa Roosevelt, Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia, Mark Ein and Hugh Newell Jacobsen are honorary chairs for the evening. Hosted by the Citizens Asso- ciation of Georgetown, the black-tie formal — and Russian Embassy ballroom. Continued on page 4 1 G EORGETOWN C ITIZENS / S EPTEMBER 2 0 1 2 President’s letter elcome back! I hope you feedback about what is of concern to Michele’s insights have been invaluable. enjoyed your summer. I their neighbors. This has really She lives south of M Street and will be Wmade it down to Bethany opened up the channels of communi- able to represent the unique concerns but that’s about it. I love DC in the cation which is vital in keeping the of her nearby neighbors. In addition to summer. I feel like I have the city to community safe. her work on Historic Preservation, myself. Things with CAG slow down Michele has agreed to help Diane so we are able to do some advance Running the Public Safety Program Colasanto and Brooke Carnot with the planning and work on old projects. is expensive but if we all share the Membership Committee. financial responsibility at the highest Our biggest accomplishment of the level each household can afford, we The Citizens Association of George- summer is the implementation of our will be able to sustain this comprehen- town Board works closely with other security camera pilot program. In sive program. Donations to the Public neighborhood volunteers on thirteen response to serious and wide-spread Safety Program are completely tax CAG sponsored committees which community concerns about public deductible. People who have donated serve the community. These committees safety, the Citizens Association of will be listed in the October newsletter. are open to any CAG member who Georgetown broadened its Public Safe- We ask each resident of Georgetown would like to help make Georgetown a ty Program and installed security cam- to give as generously as possible so better place to live. We are actively eras throughout the residential com- that we will all be safer and more con- seeking volunteers. There is always munity. Hopefully, the presence of nected! See www.cagtown.org for more to do and we love to get a fresh these cameras will act as a deterrent to more information. perspective on the issues. The current crime and assist the Metropolitan committees are Public Safety, Beautifi- Police Department with criminal inves- cation, Alcohol Beverage Control, His- tigations. Right now we are focusing toric Preservation and Zoning, Oral on the gateways into and out of the History, Membership, Finance, Trans- community but we hope to expand the portation, Concerts in the Park, the program within the year. Georgetown Gala, Airports and Utilities, George- resident, Bill Dean, CEO of M.C. town University relations, and Trees Dean, Inc., has generously donated the for Georgetown. More information on cameras for our pilot program. His each can be found on our website company will handle the camera www.cagtown.org. If you are interested installations and maintenance. in helping with any of these please let New board member us know. These cameras are just one of the Michele Jacobson elements our association has in place to Another exciting success for the And finally, an ongoing summer keep us safe. Our private security summer is that Michele Jacobson project is the 2012 Georgetown Gala guard program employs two guards in agreed to serve on our board. A San which will be here before you know patrol cars who police our streets, Francisco native, Michele moved to it. We are “Putting on the Glitz” at escort residents home, check properties Georgetown in 2003 in response to the Russian Embassy - Friday, Octo- when residents are away, and work job demands and quickly became a ber 26. We aim to make this magical with the police to deter crime and track fan. For about 30 years she has venue even more glamorous. We have down criminal suspects. worked as an urban planner, mostly booked Big Ray and the Kool Kats to on rail transit projects and in US channel the Sinatra vibe – wear your We also organize a neighborhood coastal cities. Currently she is part of dancing shoes. There will even be block captain program which acts as a large team working for the Metro- gaming tables where you can try “crime communication central.” Our politan Washington Airports Authori- your luck and win incredible loot volunteers send notices to neighbors ty on the extension of Metrorail to (drive a Bentley for the weekend, stay about matters relevant to their block. Dulles International Airport. She is at the Four Seasons with brunch the They quickly disseminate informa- the mother of two daughters and a next day, dinner for 10 at Café tion if there has been a mugging or new grandmother. In her spare time Milano…). Be sure to save the date. burglary in the area, and, through she enjoys gardening and sculpting. Invites coming soon! email chains, report to neighbors and police on crimes or suspicious activi- As an active member of our Historic —Jennifer Altemus ties. They give the police invaluable Preservation and Zoning Committee, 2 S EPTEMBER 2 0 1 2 / G EORGETOWN C ITIZENS Understanding and Helping the Homeless in Georgetown continued from cover mark legislation establishing Assisted down the hill from the intersection of place every Thursday evening in Sep- Outpatient Treatment (AOT) in New Wisconsin and M Streets) is hosting tember from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. On York. Since joining the Treatment the CAG meeting on September 27. September 27th, writer and performer Advocacy Center in 2009, Brian has The church was founded to serve the Holly Bass and her Jazz band will be been active across the U.S. in foster- laborers, craftsmen, shopkeepers, and playing. Her pieces have been pre- ing the creation of local and regional watermen of the Georgetown water- sented at the Kennedy Center, Arena Assisted Outpatient Treatment pro- front. It has a long history of sup- Stage, and the Whitney Museum. grams and reforming states’ inpatient porting outreach programs to the dis- commitment standards. enfranchised of the community, and Please join CAG and Grace providing a spiritual refuge for every- Church for the reception which will And we will hear personal one living and working in the start at 7:00 pm and then hear from accounts from several people about Georgetown area regardless of their the well-versed panel at 7:30, fol- their experience with homelessness religious affiliation. lowed by Q & A. It’s bound to be an and mental illness in their families. enlightening and helpful evening! And music too! Come early to the Grace Episcopal Church George- CAG meeting and enjoy Music on the —Betsy Cooley town, 1041Wisconsin Avenue, (just Lawn, a free performance taking A Georgetown Story from the Schedule for Music on the Lawn GeorgetownForum Listserv Music on the Lawn is a free event every Thursday evening in September from 5:00 to 7:00pm in the Garden of Resident 1 (me) accidentally drops the memory card Grace Episcopal Church Georgetown, from his camera somewhere between his 32nd Street 1041 Wisconsin Avenue NW.