EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S NOTE JOHN GOLDEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I HAD A GREAT DAY RECENTLY because I was able to share in the outstanding news that one of our vendors had secured stable housing. Truly something to celebrate. He was so happy to simply have house keys in his pocket, secure in the knowledge that he would return to his own home each night moving forward. As we move through our busy daily routines, it’s easy to forget how blessed so many of us are to have a roof over our ahead and return to the same place every day. It’s no secret that the cost of living in our area, particularly the price of rent, is prohibitive for many. People can’t afford to live in the communities they work in; they struggle to put gas in the car to make it to work so they can earn a living and feed their families. Fuel, food, and housing prices rise, but their income does not increase. Consequently, it is challenging to survive. Older adults planning to retire may find that they need to keep working. And some, retired and living on a fixed income, are forced to return to the workplace. My passion for working in the nonprofit sector is born out of a steadfast belief in community; the opportunity to join together to help those in need, collaborating on solutions to social issues such as poverty. The majority of us live paycheck to paycheck and are only one financial emergency away from needing help ourselves. During the height of the COVID pandemic, for example, many people who never saw themselves needing assistance, sat in long lines at food pantries. I am privileged to lead the Denver VOICE as we continue our longstanding commitment to help those struggling with poverty and homelessness in our community by providing a low barrier opportunity to make an income. I’m proud of our award-winning street newspaper and so thankful for our incredible team of staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and our many hardworking vendors. We welcome you to be a part of our community as everyone can make an impact! ■ THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS ASHTON BROWN graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in convergent journalism and a minor in cinema studies. She and her fiance currently live with their two cats in Lakewood. 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. DENVERVOICE.ORG CE.ORG @deeOCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John Golden MANAGING EDITOR Elisabeth Monaghan PROGRAM COORDINATOR Lara Keith GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hannah Bragg VOLUNTEER COPY EDITORS Kersten Jaeger Kendall Schmitz Aaron Sullivan Laura Wing ARTISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Asthon Brown Giles Clasen Gigi Galen 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. 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. John Alexander Brian Augustine Ashton Brown Giles Clasen David Gordon Raelene Johnson 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 2 DENVER VOICE September 2022 STAFF CONTRIBUTORS BOARD CONTACT US
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