By Robert Fulton

Born in Panama – her father was in the military – vendor Melania Angela Scott first came to the Washington, D.C. area when she was three years old. Because her family moved around a lot, she attended a number of local schools both in the city and the suburbs, and has held a number of jobs, including at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA.

Scott became homeless when she lost her home to redevelopment, and the situation at her following apartment didn’t work out. She’s doing much better now, with a spot at a rooming house and prospects of a place of her own.

“Now, I am focusing on myself . . . I’m trying to get (my life) in order again. God is blessing me.”

Do you have any family?
I’m the oldest out of six of us. My mom and dad are deceased now, so I have to check on everybody.

Do you have any children?
I have two kids – a son that’s 29 and a daughter that’s 27.

How do you sell Street Sense?
A lot of times when I got out to sell Street Sense, I got my spot, which is between 7th and 14th St. on U Street, Northwest. A lot times I read my Street Sense paper, kind of get an idea of what’s in the paper, for that particular week. A lot of times, people will ask me “Can you tell me about the paper?”

Favorite food?
Hamburger and French fries.

Favorite Movie?
I like anything with Denzel Washington.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Owning my own business. I like art. So, having an art gallery slash something for the homeless, as well as just helping people.