EDITOR'S NOTE ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR INSP GLOBAL SUMMIT ATTENDEES. CREDIT: JASON LOCK PHOTOGRAPHY DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES we have as a member of the International Network of Street Papers is the cumulative experience and knowledge of the different organizations and vendors who make up the street paper movement. The sizes of our papers and the frequency at which we publish them may vary. We may be spread out around the world and speak different languages, but we are united in our mission to alleviate financial and housing instability by providing lowbarrier income opportunities. The Denver VOICE is one of about 100 street papers that belongs to the International Network of Street Papers. Every other year, INSP holds its Global Street Paper Summit. In September, I attended the 2024 event in Liverpool, England, thanks to the generosity of INSP donors, who awarded me a scholarship. The opportunity to share best practices or troubleshoot ideas with other street papers has saved me from wasting time on lessons they’ve already learned. We are not the only street paper to struggle with finances. We're also not alone in facing the challenge of bringing in more individuals who could benefit from our programs. Every one of us working for street papers also shares in the responsibility of doing more to help the growing population of unhoused individuals, while addressing the needs of individuals who have been forced to leave their homes and relocate to places they are not welcome. Homelessness and the issues resulting in homelessness remain an international crisis. The need for more services and affordable housing continues to grow — not just for the unhoused in our community but also for migrants across the globe who are trying to create a better life for their families and themselves. There is no shortage of challenges we face as street papers, but by talking through our concerns, or sharing our successes, we have a road map to avoid common mistakes while increasing our chances for positive outcomes. ■ THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTOR JAMIE MILLER graduated from the University of Georgia with bachelor’s degrees in journalism and business management. She enjoys exploring the Colorado mountains, reading a good book at a local coffee shop, and doing yoga. ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Rea Brown Giles Clasen Charles Spring WHAT WE DO The Denver VOICE empowers homeless, impoverished, and transient individuals by creating job opportunities through our vendor program. We give our vendors a job and help them tell their stories; this creates a space for them to be part of a community again. Vendors purchase copies of the VOICE for 50 cents each at our distribution center. This money pays for a portion of our production costs. Vendors can buy as many papers as they want; they then sell those papers to the public for a suggested $2 donation. The difference in cost ($1.50) is theirs to keep. WHO WE ARE The Denver VOICE is a nonprofit that publishes a monthly street newspaper. Our vendors are men and women in the Denver metro area experiencing homelessness and poverty. Since 2007, we have put more than 4,600 vendors to work. Our mission is to facilitate a dialogue addressing the roots of homelessness by telling stories of people whose lives are impacted by poverty and homelessness and to offer economic, educational, and empowerment opportunities for the impoverished community. We are an award-winning publication, a member of the International Network of Street Papers and the Colorado Press Association, and we abide by the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics. With the money they make selling the VOICE, vendors are able to pay for their basic needs. Our program provides vendors with an immediate income and a support group of dedicated staff members and volunteers. Vendors are independent contractors who receive no base pay. EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT editor@denvervoice.org VENDOR PROGRAM program@denvervoice.org • (720) 320-2155 ADVERTISING ads@denvervoice.org MAILING ADDRESS PO Box 1931, Denver CO 80201 VENDOR OFFICE 989 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204 OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. WRITERS Lando Allen Rea Brown Connie Gaitan Raelene Johnson Jason Martin Jamie Miller Jerry Rosen Larmarques Smith Charles Spring @OCE MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan PROGRAM DIRECTOR Connie Gaitan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Lanie Lee Cook Aaron Sullivan BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Antonio Diaz, Treasurer Michael Burkley Jeff Cuneo Johnna Flood Eduardo Platon Charity Von Guinness Cabal Yarne 2 DENVER VOICE October 2024 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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