EDITOR’S NOTE ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR WHILE IT IS DISHEARTENING that COVID may not be finished with us, the good news is more vendors are returning to the VOICE. That means more vendors can be found at their posts with the latest issue of the Denver VOICE. My hope is the return of our vendors means more of them will be able to participate in our Ask a Vendor section, submit their work for In Your Own Words, or write an article or story they’d like to share with our readers. Speaking of Ask a Vendor, a few weeks ago, longtime vendor Rea Brown was working on an art piece for a project on housing justice for the International Network of Street Papers. He asked, somewhat rhetorically, “What are the two most important things people who are homeless need?” Rather than make a guess, I opened up the question to our vendors. You can see how some responded in Ask a Vendor on Page 5. While their answers may not be surprising, perhaps they’ll reinforce why compassion for and awareness of our fellow humans, matter. Maybe, if enough of us understand the most critical items and services needed by people experiencing homelessness, those individuals who “just don’t understand homelessness” will recognize that most do not choose housing instability. What’s more, those who cannot take care of their basic needs, due to unstable or unsafe living conditions, have even fewer choices. In our In Your Own Words section, you can read Brian Augustine’s story of how he lost the house he’d co-owned with his brother, suffered a debilitating injury, and now lives in a room, which by no means is a home. Augustine recently returned as a volunteer for the VOICE, helping around the VOICE office on days he’s not vending. If you’re curious about a specific vendor or would like to see one of our vendors spotlighted in a future issue, let me know. Their stories deserve to be heard. ■ THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS GILES CLASEN is a freelance photographer 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. CAT EVANS is a Colorado native born and raised in the Baker neighborhood of Denver. She is a musician, poet, photographer, cinematographer, and free thought enthusiast. She is focused on translatable activism through visuals and sound. 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. DENVERVOICE.ORG CE.ORG @deeOCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Seybold MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan INTERIM PROGRAM COORDINATOR Caitlin Henrie GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Andrew Fraieli Kersten Jaeger Aaron Sullivan Laura Wing ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Giles Clasen Cat Evans Gigi Galen Adrian Michael WRITERS 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. John Alexander Brian Augustine Sue Blosten Giles Clasen Shawn Cunningham Cat Evans Adrian Michael Jerry Rosen BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nikki Lawson, President Chris Boulanger, Vice President Jeff Cuneo, Treasurer Zephyr Wilkins, Secretary Donovan Cordova Raelene Johnson Julia Watson Cabal Yarne 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 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open, but prospective vendors must arrive by 10:00 a.m. 2 DENVER VOICE June 2022 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
3 Publizr Home