EDITOR’S NOTE ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR AS I WRITE THIS, locals and tourists alike are flocking to downtown Denver for the 2021 Major League All-Star Game. The game comes when local businesses need an infusion of funds and optimism. The city streets that were practically empty this time last year are bustling with activity. Many who have been jobless for the past 18 months will return to work – at least during the All-Star festivities. Unfortunately, that same pride that has gone into showcasing all that makes this such a great location for big events like the All-Star Game is also responsible for sweeping the homeless camps lining the city streets. It is easy to understand why the homeless encampments are not a feature Denver wishes to show off, but what about those individuals who sleep in the tents? Where are they supposed to go? Even if every one of those who were of sound mind and body were to hit up all of the businesses looking for workers, how are they supposed to “clean up” so they can look presentable? It’s not like the encampments have shower stalls with running water. Those camps don’t even have latrines. Where do the people living on the streets clean the few clothes they have? If that weren’t challenging enough, a high percentage of these folks don’t even have the documents employers require for proof of identity, given that many who may have had these records lost them during previous sweeps. It’s no simple matter to get duplicates of birth certificates or social security records without an ID. No doubt, the camps and those living in them are an endless headache for our city. The street enforcement teamsMayor Hancock recently created is a solution to sweep the camps and keep folks from resettling, but is that really the best we can do? ■ August CONTRIBUTORS PAULA BARD is an award-winning fine art photographer, writer, and activist. She lives on a mountain top southwest of Denver. 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. DOUG HRDLICKA is a Denver native who reports on the city’s changes and covers stories on people and organizations who often are overlooked. DENVERVOICE.ORG CE.ORG @deeOCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Seybold MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan PROGRAM COORDINATOR Anthony Cornejo GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Kersten Jaeger Aaron Sullivan Laura Wing PHOTOGRAPHERS/ILLUSTRATORS Paula Bard Giles Clasen Cat Evans WRITERS Paula Bard Giles Clasen Edward Curlee Cat Evans Doug Hrdlicka Raelene Johnson V. beRt 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 4,000 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: 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. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nikki Lawson, President Michelle Stapleton, Vice President Lori Holland, Treasurer Jeff Cuneo, Secretary Chris Boulanger Donovan Cordova Pamela Gravning Raelene Johnson Zephyr Wilkins 2 DENVER VOICE August 2021 STAFF STAFF BOARD CONTACT US
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