Dennis Rutledge Dennis Rutledge was born in suburban Alabama on Sept. 15, 1960, and grew up the seventh out of nine children. He described his childhood as "warm" and said his favorite memories were fishing with his father. Dennis still keeps in contact will all of his brothers and sisters today, as well as his parents, who are now in their 80s. After graduating from high school, Dennis moved to Miami to live with his sister and worked as a custodian for a department store there for three years. After a brief stay back in Birmingham, he decided to go to D.C. with his oldest brother. In D.C. Dennis ended up at his favorite job as a supply technician for Children's Hospital. For seven years Dennis worked on the trauma team and helped out in the emergency room, and said he credited with helping to save many lives. During his free time Dennis would jog all over the city. "Jogging just frees your mind and it relieves stress," he said. "Its like I'm flying like an eagle." While in Washington, he also met a woman and had two daughters together. But when things did not work out, he moved back to Birmingham. Dennis said he still stayed involved in his daughters' lives and visited them and often took them to Alabama. In Birmingham, Dennis worked as a boxcar factory worker, a hospital supply technician and a furniture deliveryman. However, all of Dennis’ hard labor and his love of sports took a toll on his body and he developed arthritis and had to quit the furniture delivery job. But shortly after quitting, he started collecting disability compensation from the government. Dennis came back to D.C. in May 2007 to watch his daughter, Denisha, graduate from Hampton University. And he decided to stay to spend more time with his daughters. After going through a 90 day alcohol rehabilitation program, Dennis is now living in transitional housing and is looking for a SRO (single room occupancy) or cheap room to rent. How did you become homeless? When I came to D.C., I spent lots of money on my daughters, so I did not have enough money to get my own place. So I thought I could stay in the shelter for three months and save up to get a place, but that was not the case. I ended up drinking a lot and doing other bad stuff. Why do you sell Street Sense? Because of the beautiful people that give you encouragement and smiles. Even if they don't buy a paper, it means a lot. I never knew people could be so warm and caring until I came to Street Sense. Where do you see yourself in five years? I have an entrepreneurial spirit in me, so in five years, I would like to have my own lawn service, and also volunteer with the elderly and kids so I can give back all the encouragement and love I was given. Favorite music? I love all music – jazz, country, classical – but gospel is my favorite. It's so encouraging. Favorite food? Fish, especially those you catch yourself. Favorite movie? "Fallen." It keeps me on my Ps and Qs as far as spirituality goes. I also love all Disney cartoons, especially "Aladdin." Favorite book? The Bible. It's the book of all books.