Veda Simpson, born in 1955, just got an apartment a month ago after being left homeless for two years. Her previous building was condemned because of structural and safety issues. Immediately after she began vending for Street Sense after a friend recommended her.
She sells papers on 13th & G NW, where she says she begins at 6 a.m. and leaves at 2 p.m. Her regular customers frequently comment on her presence, saying that she’s there, “rain, snow, or sleet.”
She loves animals and gives treats to customers’ dogs. One customer in particular has a dog who tackles her when they walk by. She also has pets of her own: she began with a stray, who had kittens. She learned her lesson and spayed and neutered the kittens and has kept them since.
“Sometimes they keep me from getting up because they’re all over me in the morning,” she said.
She says that she enjoys what Street Sense does in aiding with whatever the homeless people need, even when they just need to talk to someone.
“I like it because it’s helping people.”
Favorite food: fried chicken
Favorite music: soul
Favorite movie: Portuguese films
