Angelina Avilez, a 70-year-old street vendor, has been waiting for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to renew her permit for two years. She still doesn't know what to do or where to turn.

After working for other bosses, Avilez won the city lottery in 2006 that grants permits to New York's many street vendors. The permit would allow Avilez to become self-employed.

"I worked on 16th Street and 5th Avenue in Brooklyn. I sold rice, chicken, carne guisada [stewed meat], corazones [hearts], pupusas, juice, palitos, empanadas, salad," Avilez recalled.

She remained content until 2008, when it came time to renew her permit (the one she currently has is valid until October of this year). She didn't reach her goal, but she hasn't stopped fighting since then. "Every time I go to see Steven Linden [the director of the department], they ask me for my information. They say that they will call me, but they never do," Avilez complained.

"I won the city lottery and now they want to take it away from me? No! I'm going to fight," affirmed this cheerful woman. At her age, many people are enjoying retirement, but she continues to stuggle for a way to earn a living.

Avilez said she had submitted a complaint to the comptroller of the City's Community Affairs office. "I want them to investigate the issue. I don't want it to get stalled," expressed Avilez. After two years, she lost her cart because she couldn't afford to continue paying the $150 monthly fee for a space to park it.

When El Diario/La Prensa called the comptroller, the spokesperson said they are aware of Avilez's case, but they do not comment on these types of issues.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene responded to our questions in an e-mail: "The street vendor will receive a setter from Steven Linden with information on how she can renew her permit."