ASK A VENDOR THIS COLUMN IS A PLACE FOR DENVER VOICE VENDORS TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM OUR READERS AND STAFF. THIS MONTH’S ASK A VENDOR CAME FROM DENVER VOICE VENDOR JOHN ALEXANDER. Q A Do you have a different opinion of the Denver VOICE since you fi rst became a vendor? LANDO ALLEN When I first heard about the VOICE, I thought it would be easy to vend papers, but it wasn’t. I thought I could save money and start another business while doing the VOICE. The mistake I made was getting into relationships with people that didn’t bring anything to the table. So, I was stuck taking care of people who didn’t do things for themselves. Today, I feel I have the skills for the VOICE and to not make the same mistakes I made before. I’ll try to save money, so I can build a houseboat. ZAKIYYAH BROOKES Yes. I thought [the VOICE] was just getting the word out about the stories that people tell and write, but it’s more than that. It’s your voice that does good work because you act on not only helping someone be heard, but you’re also being heard. JACOB MARSH I first started in 2009 with the Denver VOICE. I have met a lot of good people at the VOICE. We have lost some of those people, due to weather, starvation, self-inflicted harm, or something unforeseen. I have seen several directors come and go, and several staff members as well, but every time I come into the office, I am welcomed in like family. Yes, a lot has changed, but in some ways, it is still very much the same. STEVE SZLOBODA Over time, the community has gotten to know me. A few months ago, someone even gave me a Facebook shoutout to support me as a vendor. I also recently brought in a volunteer to help at the Denver VOICE office. JOHN ALEXANDER My opinion of the Denver VOICE was really based on just meeting this non-profit. I felt it was just an organization that helps people if it could – nothing special, though. But today, I have a much different opinion. The Denver VOICE is a lifechanging open door to unlimited opportunities. RAELENE JOHNSON My life has changed since coming to the VOICE. I was sleeping under a bridge when I started. The paper gave me a job when no one else would. We have more [resources] to help vendors now. We now have an art program [to help vendor artists get their sales licenses and sell their artwork on their own.] Now, they help [by connecting vendors] with mental health providers. I wish we had everything 16 years ago. I now have been with the VOICE for 14 years and lived in my home for 13 years. Your support of the VOICE goes to keep us working. HOW TO HELP The money we take in from vendors helps us cover a portion of our printing costs, but we depend largely on donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations to help us pay our rent and keep the lights on. 1 4 GET THE WORD OUT We rely on grassroots marketing to get the word out about what we do. Talk to people about our organization and share us with your network. Support us on DONATE Donations to the Denver VOICE are tax-deductible. Go to denvervoice.org to give a one-time or recurring donation. You can also mail a check to: Denver VOICE | P.O. Box 1931 | Denver, CO 80201 3 VOLUNTEER We need volunteers to help with everything from newspaper distribution to event planning and management. Contact program@denvervoice.org for volunteering information. 5 SUBSCRIBE If you are unable to regularly purchase a newspaper from our vendors, please consider a subscription. We ask subscribers to support our program with a 12-month pledge to give $10 a month, or a one-time donation of $120. Subscriptions help us cover our costs AND provide an amazing opportunity to those who need it most. Go to denvervoice.org/subscriptions for more information. @denverVOICE 2 ADVERTISE Our readership is loyal, well-educated, and socially concerned. Readers view purchasing the paper as a way to immediately help a person who is poor or homeless while supporting long-term solutions to end poverty. If you are interested in placing an ad or sponsoring a section of the paper, please contact us about rates at ads@denvervoice.org. May 2023 DENVER VOICE 3
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