Alicia Jones By Jessica Elliott Alicia Jones was born in Queens, N.Y. She came from an average family, including her father, motherand several brothers and sisters. Her father thrived on taking his family to sunny Florida, including Disney World. So every December, the family packed up the station wagon with suitcases, tents and camping equipment. Her mother loved opera and was accepted to The Julliard School, but her husband wanted her to stay home and be a homemaker. In 1974, Alicia and her family moved to Washington, D.C., where she attended Woodrow Wilson High School. After high school, she and her family moved to Miami where several siblings moved out as they grew old enough. In 1981, Alicia moved to New York and became a dental assistant and then went into the postal service for the next 16 years, eight as a letter carrier in Brooklyn and another eight as a window clerk in D.C. In between her time as a dental assistant and postal worker, Alicia’s son was born. Alicia continued to work fulltime and single–handedly raised her son, who is now 23 and going to school to become an electrician. In 2003, when her son was 17, Alicia was still working in the postal service. This was the year the anthrax scare broke out. Alicia says that everything at that time was crazy. She was forced to wear gloves and a face mask, as well as take antibiotics as a precaution. The anxiety of the anthrax scare is what pushed Alicia to leave the postal service. Ever since leaving the service, Alicia has been struggling, moving around to different shelters. Alicia is trying to find her niche, and until she is able to do so, she sells Street Sense. She is very appreciative of the general public and those who contribute and support her in selling Street Sense. “I hope the general public finds the articles to be helpful and enlightening,” she said. How did you become homeless? When I left my career in the postal service I had no income. Why do you sell Street Sense? I like to put the word out as to the plight of the disadvantaged, and inform the general public about the services available. It allows the general public to peek into a world that may be unknown to them, and helps push the door open to awareness, donating and possible participation. Where do you see yourself five years from now? I see myself on the path to completing a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science. Favorite movie? “Philadelphia” with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, because it forces people to investigate further. My favorite scene takes place in the library when Tom Hank pushes the book across the table toward Denzel Washington. Favorite music? Nina Simone and “The Wonder of You” by Elvis Presley Favorite food? Anything that has levels of deliciousness Favorite book? “Arthur Ashe: A Biography” by Richard Steins