Street Papers Do More Than Report the News
The North American Street Newspaper Association, with the help of the Ethics & Excellence in Journalism Foundation, has launched a new website.
The NASNA, of which I am the chairperson, represents 31 street newspapers that work with more than 1,500 individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty who gain immediate income through the sale of the newspaper every month. We are a growing grassroots media network that believes in creating real change and has a circulation of 300,000. But it's more than that.
Pledge your support for the street newspaper movement!
Street newspapers play a vital role in stabilizing urban street corners through building self-confidence and self-worth among a population that lives without shelter. Alone, each street newspaper acts in a vacuum. Together, we make up a movement to change the way people relate and respond to homelessness and poverty locally, regionally and globally.
Relationships across class and cultural lines are built through the simple interaction of purchasing a newspaper. The general public begins to know the individual on the corner, not as a bum or a drug addict, but as Joe or Jane, and recognizes that individuals on the streets are no different than themselves. The individual on the streets recognizes that being homeless doesn't mean becoming a victim and instead finds that he or she belongs to a community. That person's hopes, dreams and opinions matter. Magic is born.
Check out the "Get to know our vendors" section of the site to see firsthand how street papers are changing lives. Then find out if there's a street paper in your city. (If not, you can always start one!)
Photo credit: Leah Nash
Israel Bayer
is the Executive Director of Street Roots, a street newspaper in Portland, and the Chairperson of the North American Street Newspaper Association.
COMMENTS (0)