FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK DEAR DENVER COMMUNITY, If there’s one word to describe 2024, it would be “impactful.” We overcame multiple leadership ROBERT DAVIS BOARD PRESIDENT changes, funding gaps, and internal consternation about the sustainability of our organization. Through it all, we learned a lot about the value of our work and the impact it has on the Coloradans we serve. As we look ahead to 2025, I can say with confidence that the Denver VOICE is not going away any time soon. So far, the Denver community helped us raise more than $100,000 to continue operating. That money is going to rebuild our award-winning paper by adding new contributors, hiring new vendors, and fostering new partnerships to tell the stories that other publications overlook. But we’re not stopping there. We also want to create more income-earning opportunities for our vendors. That’s why we are working to launch a merchandise line of t-shirts, prints, greeting cards, and other artworks created by our vendors. We are also creating new partnerships with service providers. This will help us position the Denver VOICE as a bridge for our vendors to find stability. As the calendar turns to 2025, I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. I am also thankful for all the love and support of the Denver community that has gotten us this far. We couldn’t do this work without it. Happy holidays and Happy New Year! President, Denver VOICE Board of Directors THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTOR ADRIAN MICHAEL is a Denver-based photographer who specializes in editorial, portraiture, documentary, and street photography. He’s been creating images for over 15 years and has a passion for capturing the true essence of people`. DENVER VOICE SURVEY Please take 5 minutes to complete our Denver VOICE Reader Survey! Your input will help us rebuild the Denver VOICE vendor program and improve our street paper. To participate, scan the QR code below. DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Giles Clasen ART DIRECTOR Andrew Fraieli WRAPPING PAPER INSERT DESIGN Hannah Bragg PHOTOGRAPHERS/WRAPPING PAPER ARTISTS Lando Allen Rea Brown Raelene Johnson Jason Martin Adrian Michael Jerry Rosen Larmarques Smith 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. WRITERS/RECIPE PROVIDERS Lando Allen Albert Bland Rea Brown Giles Clasen Robert Davis Andrew Fraieli Raelene Johnson Mackenzie Langley Adrian Michael Jamie Miller Elisabeth Monaghan Charles Spring BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Antonio Diaz, Treasurer Michael Burkley Mackenzie Langley Eduardo Platon Charity Von Guinness Cabal Yarne @OCE 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: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2 DENVER VOICE December 2024 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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