FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK DENVER VOICE 2.0 is beginning to take shape, and we couldn’t be more encouraged about the future. This is a vision we created in September 2024 during our temporary shutdown. It involves achieving three goals: provide more stability for our vendors through ROBERT DAVIS BOARD PRESIDENT entrepreneurship and community partnerships; create products and services that align with the needs of our audience and community; undertake a digital transformation and embrace multimedia storytelling. I couldn’t be happier with the results we’ve achieved thus far. Our vendors have begun selling seasonal greeting cards that they designed. This venture gives them another avenue to earn money by selling their art. We couldn’t have done it without the generous support of Denver Arts & Venues. We have recently launched a new line of t-shirts designed by our art director, Andrew Fraieli. Our vendors are currently working on designs we can incorporate into the merchandise as well. This venture was made possible by the great folks at U.S. Recognition in Lakewood, a socially conscious manufacturer that upholds SMETA standards to ensure their products are produced ethically and responsibly. You can order one of our shirts by visiting this web address: denvervoice.itemorder.com/shop/home. After receiving input from our vendors and supporters, we’re looking at ways to expand our coverage of the unique cultures, arts, and events that unite us as a community, while also supporting our neighbors who are unhoused or otherwise marginalized. We will share more information about this expanded coverage in the coming months. We are also embracing the digital age by creating more multimedia stories. We recognize that it’s important to hear directly from the unhoused community and have been producing more content for social media to share those stories. In March, we began a venture into documentary filmmaking in partnership with the Denver Basic Income Project and Elevated Denver. The final film will be released later this year. We plan to host a movie premier event with DBIP and Elevated Denver. Stay tuned! Thank you for all of your support over the last several months. We couldn’t have done it without you. In solidarity, Robert Davis, chairman of the board. DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG @OCE MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Giles Clasen THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTOR 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. ART DIRECTOR Andrew Fraieli ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Maddie Egerton VOLUNTEER COPY EDITOR Aaron Sullivan ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Giles Clasen Yvens Alex Saintil Julia Yanai Sara Monteith 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. WRITERS Steve Anson Giles Clasen Raelene Johnson John McDermott Jerry Rosen Sondra Jeffries BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Michael Burkley Mackenzie Langley Eduardo Platon Edwin Rapp Donald Burnes Jennifer Forker 2 DENVER VOICE June 2025 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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