EDITOR’S NOTE OVER THE PAST MONTH, I’ve spoken to countless people, who seem to be at a breaking point. Thrown into a tumultuous election cycle and a season of countless hurricanes, wildfires, a global pandemic, and a massive loss of jobs and income, it’s no wonder a cloud of malaise seems to be hanging over so many of us. While our individual challenges ELISABETH MONAGHAN MANAGING EDITOR may be numerous, those who have a steady income and stable housing are in much better shape than people, whose best option is to live in a tent somewhere on the streets of Denver (even if they have to move the tent and any personal belongings, whenever the city conducts its sweeps). It won’t be long before we see a dramatic increase of families that have been evicted or are facing eviction, which means, it’s only a matter of time until we see more people standing on street corners with signs requesting “a little help,” longer lines waiting to get into the local shelters, and more encampments scattered around the city. With so many job losses and so much uncertainty, any one of us could find ourselves in financial distress and facing homelessness. This chaotic world is difficult for everyone, but for some, it is even worse. So, as we witness an influx of unhoused individuals, rather than click our tongues or turn our noses at those less fortunate, now is an opportunity to show our humanity, be humbler, kinder, and demonstrate more compassion. After all, isn’t that what we would want if we were the ones holding up the signs or looking for somewhere to sleep? ■ SEPTEMBER 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. ROBERT DAVIS is a freelance reporter for the Denver VOICE. His work has also appeared in Colorado Public Works Journal, Fansided, Colorado Journal, and Medium.com. DENVERVOICE.ORG CE.ORG @OCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Jennifer Seybold MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg DOUG HRDLICKA is a Denver native who reports on the city’s changes. VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Kate Marshall Aaron Sullivan Laura Wing PHOTOGRAPHERS/ILLUSTRATORS Paula Bard Giles Clasen WRITERS Brian Augustine Paula Bard Giles Clasen Robert Davis Doug Hrdlicka Raelene Johnson Myra Nagy Jerry Rosen 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 metro Denver 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. Rachel Sulzbach Nathanial Trotter Rodney Woolfolk Howard Zaremba BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nikki Lawson, President Michelle Stapleton, Vice President Lori Holland, Treasurer Jeff Cuneo, Secretary Donovan Cordova Raelene Johnson Josh Kauer Craig Solomon Zephyr Wilkins 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 1600 Downing St., Ste. 230, Denver, CO 80218 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. OFFICE HOURS: For the immediate future, we will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Orientation is held every day we are open. New vendors must arrive between 9 and 10 a.m. 2 DENVER VOICE September 2020 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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