New Year’s resolutions are often hard to keep. Vendor Martin Walker was one of millions of people in the world who made lofty promises at the beginning of the year. In the first Street Sense edition of 2010, he listed a variety of goals for the new year: get his own place so he could provide a safer place for his son to live, get to work using his commercial driver’s license, find a vehicle for himself, get his status straight with the IRS and obtain his high school diploma.
Some of us have not yet been able to check any of our resolutions off our lists. Earlier this month, Walker proudly donned a cap and gown and received his high school diploma from a Prince George’s County program.
Here’s a message from Walker:
“Actually, to me, it was more than just a New Year’s resolution. This was my lifelong goal, and now that I finally obtained it. I’m a very, very happy camper. I would like all Street Sense customers to know that some homeless individuals, such as myself, are trying very hard to better themselves and their lives.
“For all the wonderful people who have supported me and the other Street Sense vendors, I also would like to say that I have always cherished having an opportunity to express myself verbally, especially since most people seem to write the homeless off as mindless, lazy individuals. I know that could not be further from the truth.
“I hope that you good people will also support me and my new book, which is the introduction into my life and will be available on or around July 1. If you would like to reach me or try a copy of my new book, you can catch me at Farragut North Metro station Monday through Friday between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
“I want my readers to know that I am working on improving my life and I am accomplishing my resolutions.”
Congratulations, Martin!
