Vendor Profile By Madeline Egerton LIZ HUBBARD lizabeth Hubbard, known as Lizzy, has been facing homelessness on and off since dropping out of high school in the mid 2000s. She’s also battled drug addiction for nearly 20 years. In February, she became a Denver VOICE vendor at the recommendation of veteran vendor David Gordon, and the new opportunity has been a step toward bettering her life. She said working as a vendor has improved her self-esteem, confidence and feelings of self-worth. E JEROME ROSEN erome Rosen, better known as Jerry, is a gentle and inspiring vendor. He joined the Denver VOICE 15 years ago after meeting vendor Bruce Wright in Boulder. Rosen grew up on the East Coast in New York and came to Colorado to work at a mountain resort in Dillon. His time here has been spent traveling and being a jack-of-all trades. J He is resourceful and polite when asking for help at the VOICE office, whether it be with a phone call or heating up a cup of ramen, and he wholeheartedly loves his job at the VOICE. Most of the vendors see their employment at the street newspaper as a stepping stone toward a more substantive career. However, Rosen knows he’s his own boss at the VOICE. “I like being a vendor because you can set your own hours and days,” Rosen said. “You are independent and work when you want to.” Rosen is a dedicated newspaper salesman who enjoys talking with customers. He regularly sells papers at the Pearl Street Farmers Market and throughout Boulder, where he resides. Being a VOICE vendor means Rosen can work anywhere, at any time. “I think the VOICE is a very good source of income, because you can travel with it,” Rosen said. “If I’m going up to the East Coast to visit my brother, I can take the paper with me.” side gigs. They give me free food and discounted food.” vendor. Being a vendor offers flexibility, which means Rosen is free to take on “I help out at a restaurant in Lakewood,” he said. “I pick weeds and bus tables. Rosen worked several different jobs before settling in as a newspaper “I had many jobs that weren’t as good,” he said. “I got ripped off; businesses closed. I was robbed when I was selling flowers once and had to pay for it all myself.” Rosen said selling the paper is one of his favorite jobs. “I like working for the VOICE,” he said. “There’s good stories, and it gives you some perspective [on] where to get food and housing.” Rosen’s dedication and love for the job pays off. He is regularly a top seller, purchasing an average of 250 papers each month. He also earns free papers by helping in the office and continuing to be one of the VOICE’s top-selling vendors. “[The VOICE] gives you an income,” Rosen said.“There’s no pressure. You set your own hours. I’d rather do this than any other work.” 4 OK.” “[Also] my faith,” Hubbard said. “[I’m learning] that everything is going to be Before becoming a VOICE vendor, Hubbard’s tumultuous life consisted of jail time, drug use, theft and “spanging.” “I was always a big proponent of spanging, ya know, asking people for spare change,” Hubbard said. “In my opinion, it is the most dignified way to make money as a homeless person, without having a job. Because you don’t have to steal or prostitute.” That was until Hubbard learned of street papers and the International Network of Street Papers, which is the non-profit organization dedicated to tackling the homelessness crisis globally. “Some people call it glorified panhandling, but it’s way more than that,” Hubbard said. “It’s selling an important newspaper. All the money goes into your pocket but also [there’s] an added sense of responsibility, because you pay for your papers.” Hubbard says selling newspapers provides her with a purpose. The last time she felt a similar sense of normalcy was when she was serving time. “When I was in jail … It was the highlight of my life. To have a routine, to have that structure,” Hubbard said. “It creates a lot of endorphins and a sense of leadership. I was always a leader in jail.” Hubbard was released on probation, and with the aid of a drug counselor, she returned to school. In her late 20s and seven years sober, Hubbard earned a degree in human services, with an emphasis on drug addiction, from Metropolitan State University. She had a part-time job waitressing at Applebee’s, and an internship at Synergy Residential, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility. Addiction is a battle of progress and setbacks, and Hubbard relapsed after her father passed away. “Being homeless, you can look at it, like everywhere is my home, except when you’re getting kicked out by the security,” Hubbard said. “But like, there’s always somebody over. I don’t ever have to be lonely.” “I always tell people, [selling] this paper is the most honorable job I’ve ever had,” Hubbard said, comparing it to working with troubled teens as a drug and alcohol counselor in training after college. “This is grassroots, in the world. It’s not just something you can do online. You’re right out here in the streets.” Hubbard participates in a weekly methadone rehabilitation program and tries to stay positive without the assistance of a high. “You have to talk to people” to sell newspapers, Hubbard said. “I’m a better communicator. I feel more like myself before I relapsed into drugs.” Despite years of drug abuse, Hubbard, now 41, focuses on positive changes and helping others as best she can. “In order to truly make changes in one’s self, you have to be exactly who you are right now,” Hubbard told the Denver VOICE. COMMUNITY PROFILE
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