2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER Board members discuss Groundcover's impact MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 Since 2010, Groundcover News has provided those who are unhoused and those facing financial difficulties in the Washtenaw County area a sense of purpose. Groundcover News is a street newspaper produced, purchased and sold by the homeless and those facing poverty. These newspapers provide a source of income and platform to interact and build relationships in the community. Street newspapers mainly focus on topics concerning homelessness, poverty, social justice, local issues and events. Publications such as these provide communities with a unique perspective for readers to receive information on topics and issues of being unhoused and/or facing financial hardship. Street newspapers are non-profits; the community itself can be involved through volunteering their time and services. Students from various colleges and universities also do their internships at these publications. Like any other publication, street newspapers provide advertising opportunities for local businesses and organizations. These publications are a part of a street newspaper syndicate called International Network of Street Papers. 92 street papers, in 35 countries, published in 25 languages, make up their network. • 3.2 million readers worldwide. • 904 volunteers worldwide supporting our network • Over 390,000 people in poverty supported since the first street paper was published in 1989 • 5,730 vendors sell street papers at any one time • 13.15 million street papers were sold across the world in 2021 • 1,350 towns and cities had a street paper presence in 2021 Myself and other board members would like to share our thoughts and experiences with the organization. There is an old saying, “Life is what you make it.” This is true when working for a street paper. In the beginning, I was oblivious to the true meaning and purpose of a street newspaper, the possibilities this occupation would lead me to. It took me some time to find my voice as a street paper vendor, and after jumping in the water and getting my feet wet, I finally got my pitch down pat. Once you learn how to vibe and communicate with the public, one should have no problem making money and new friends. There are other financial opportunities within these publications' structures through means of: writings, recordings (Groundcover Speaks Podcast), workshops and through different public engagements. I find this very helpful in two ways: first, it helps make ends meet, and second, allows vendors to explore their creative inner self. — Mike Jones, Groundcover News vendor and writer, board member Groundcover News is an integral part of our richly diverse community, offering valuable benefits to our residents. Firstly, Groundcover provides its vendors, most of whom are economically marginalized, an opportunity to earn a legitimate income by selling the newspaper throughout Washtenaw County. Groundcover gives voice to viewpoints rarely encountered elsewhere, namely issues related to poverty, disenfranchisement and homelessness. — Jack Edelstein, Ph.D., Owner, JonesWoods Properties, board member I believe Groundcover News is an important part of our community because it offers a meeting point between people. It gives us all a reason to stay curious about who we are capable of meeting from our community in a day and the value of sharing space, even briefly. — Jessi Averill, Groundcover News volunteer, board Treasurer Groundcover News is a very important part of our community for multiple see IMPACT page 11 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF-DETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Ann Arbor District Library Brandon Bay Jud Branam Jim Clark La Shawn Courtwright Catalina Echavarria Cindy Gere Mike Jones Bryan Kiser Victor Schmitt Scoop Stevens Felicia Wilbert PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett GROUNDCOVER NEWS ADVERTISING RATES Size 1/8 1/6 1/4 1/2 full page Black/White $110.00 $145.00 $200.00 $375.00 $650.00 Color $150.00 $200.00 $265.00 $500.00 $900.00 Dimensions (W x H in inches) 5 X 3 or 2.5 X 6.5 5 X 4 5 X 6.25 5 X 13 or 10.25 X 6.5 10.25 X 13 June Miller Steve Ross Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jane Atkins Jessi Averill Sim Bose Jud Branam Libby Chambers Yumna Dagher Luiza Duarte Caetano Regina Duerst Jacob Fallman Glenn Gates Bella Martinez Robert Klingler Ari Ruczynski Jack Weinberg Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org PACKAGE PRICING Three Months/Six Issues: 15% off Six Months/Twelve Issues: 25% off Full Year/Twenty-four Issues: 35% off Only run for two weeks/one issue: 40% off Additional 20% discount for money saving coupons MAY 30, 2025
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