EDITOR’S NOTE CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY and the many ways we express love, this issue features stories about love among those experiencing housing or financial instability. Among ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR them is the story by our newest contributor, Isabel Guzman, who writes about how Mark Gaskin is caring for his Aunt MaryLou in the final stages of her life. Titled “Love of Family Transcends Homelessness,” Guzman’s story shows Gaskin’s tenderness for his aunt and why he is doing everything he can to make her last days memorable. Giles Clasen’s article, “Love on the Run,” tells the story of “Juan” and “Maria,” who recently fled to the U.S. with their three small children. Juan and Maria’s journey from their home in Venezuela to Denver has been treacherous and unpredictable, but as Juan explained about his and Maria’s love for each other and their children, “For us, love means sacrifice and teamwork. We’ve faced every hardship together, and we’ll keep fighting for our family’s future.” In this issue, Denver VOICE vendor Raelene Johnson reflects on how her sense of self allowed her to endure a physically and emotionally draining 2024. Johnson has written several inspirational “self talks” over the past several years, but this month’s piece reflects how much trust she has gained in herself by tuning into her inner power and faith in God. Each of these exemplifies how love – whether romantic, spiritual, or expressions of kindness towards and tenderness for others, is the ultimate power to fight intolerance and hate. By sharing stories of individuals who face challenges like poverty, homelessness, or government persecution, we hope we can raise awareness of their plight and foster empathy, compassion, and love for them. THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS ISABEL GUZMAN is a freelance journalist and recent graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver. She served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Metropolitan. Guzman has been published in Denverite, MSU Denver’s RED, Colorado Community Media, and The Emerald Magazine. DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG @OCE MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Giles Clasen ART DIRECTOR Andrew Fraieli GILES CLASEN is a freelance photojournalist who is a regular contributor to the VOICE. Several of the photos he’s taken for the VOICE have won national and international awards. He also served on the VOICE’s Board of Directors. ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Rea Brown Giles Clasen Isabel Guzman Yvens Alex Saintil WRITERS Steve Anson Giles Clasen Isabel Guzman Raelene Johnson 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: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Michael Burkley Mackenzie Langley Ashni Pabley Eduardo Platon Edwin Rapp Charity Von Guinness Cabal Yarne 2 DENVER VOICE February 2025 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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