EDITOR’S NOTE DENVER VOICE VENDOR Jerry Rosen was visiting family outside of ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR Colorado when we published our January issue. Because he was traveling, he wasn’t around to answer our Ask a Vendor for that month, which was when vendors shared stories of their favorite jobs. So, for our March issue, I asked Jerry what he’d like our “Ask a Vendor” question to be, and he suggested we ask vendors about their hobbies. Since coming to work for the VOICE, I’ve had to confront my biases towards individuals experiencing homelessness. I know folks who read and support the Denver VOICE are aware of common assumptions people hold about the unhoused. But some of us don’t realize that like any other members of society, those experiencing homelessness are individuals with their own memories, dreams, and pastimes. Many have jobs they go to each day. They also have unique hobbies, just like the rest of us, which is why I’m glad Jerry suggested this month’s question. When driving past a gated community, it’s easy to make general assumptions about the people living behind the guarded gates, just like it is when driving past tent cities or queues of people waiting for their turn to get a meal or secure a shelter bed for the night. I always appreciate when vendors come up with the question for Ask a Vendor because it gives them a chance to talk about themselves and share those things that interest them, concern them, or bring them joy. It also is a reminder that many of us may have been born into better circumstances, but we are no better than and not-so-different from those experiencing housing instability. ■ DENVERVOICE.ORG CE.ORG @deeOCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James Kay MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan PROGRAM COORDINATOR Connie Gaitan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTOR 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. GILES CLASEN is a freelance photojournalist who regularly contributes his work to the VOICE for editorial projects, fundraisers, and events. He has also served on the VOICE’s Board of Directors. VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Aaron Sullivan Laura Wing ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Breez Giles Clasen Connie Gaitan 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 Lando Allen Rea Brown Giles Clasen David Gordon Stephanie Rogers Jerry Rosen BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nikki Lawson, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Jeff Cuneo, Treasurer Zephyr Wilkins, Secretary Albert Bland Donovan Cordova Raelene Johnson Jennifer Seybold Julia Watson Cabal Yarne 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 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. OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. 2 DENVER VOICE March 2023 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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