A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR A PLACE TO CALL HOME ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR AUGUST MARKS THE LAST full month of summer, a time when many of us begin to sense the seasonal shift, not just in weather, but in mood, priorities, and routines. This transition from summer to autumn is a fitting backdrop for our Ask a Vendor question this month, which explores how our vendors experience the changing seasons, both in their lives and in their environments. As summer fades into autumn, longtime Denver VOICE vendor David Gordon no longer has to worry about spending nights outdoors. This is because David recently moved into his own apartment, which is why we have profiled him for this issue. I met David on the bus as I was headed to my first day as managing editor of Denver VOICE six years ago. He was easy to talk to and made me feel welcome, so that by the time I got to the office, I wasn’t quite as anxious about starting my new job. David’s story is a reminder that everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home—a space where they can lay their heads at night and not worry about losing their belongings in a sweep or having them stolen in a shelter. David’s move into permanent housing is a personal victory for him; it’s also a powerful example of why our work matters. To our supporters who have donated to the Denver VOICE over the years, thank you. It is because of your generosity that we can continue to offer opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness to earn an income, build confidence, and work toward a brighter future. THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS 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. JULI YANAI is a Japanese-American photojournalist and freelance photographer based in Denver and Beyond. Hailing from Tokyo, Japan, Yanai moved to Colorado in 2017 and received her bachelor’s degree from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in the fall of 2024. KHALEIGH REED is a senior at the University of Colorado Boulder majoring in journalism with a minor in media production. Reed’s work focuses on social issues and highlights in the community. She intends to continue her work within documentary filmmaking and multimedia journalism after graduating. Outside of work she enjoys photography, reading, and all things art and music. DENVERVOICE.ORG E.ORG MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Giles Clasen ART DIRECTOR Andrew Fraieli ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Maddie Egerton VOLUNTEER COPY EDITOR Aaron Sullivan @OCE ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Rea Brown Giles Clasen Juli Yanai WRITERS Giles Clasen Raelene Johnson Wayne Easterling Charles Spring Juli Yanai 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. Khaleigh Reed Jerry Rosen BOARD OF DIRECTORS Robert Davis, President Isabella Colletti, Secretary Michael Burkley Eduardo Platon Edwin Rapp Donald Burnes Jennifer Forker Ande Sailer 2 DENVER VOICE August 2025 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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