Past Issues :: 2007 June 15 :: Director's Desk
Director’s Desk
Street
Roots managing editor, Joanne Zuhl, recently got back from the
International Network of Street Papers conference in Poland.
The organization’s
focus this year is to bring knowledge of street newspapers
and poverty worldwide to a wider audience, along with creating
a sustainable network of funding and editorial content for papers
throughout the world. Several start-up newspapers from around
the world have begun production, including several papers in
Africa. Papers closer to home include start-ups in Providence,
Milwaukee, Madison and Las Vegas.
We are proud to welcome intern Elizabeth Oochs from Street Sights in Providence, who will be working with us over the summer between her gigs with Janus Youth to gain more experience in the street newspaper movement.
Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Carolyn Cole from the Los Angeles Times recently spent a day with Street Roots. Cole was working on a multimedia immersion program for photojournalists with the National Press Photographers Association.
She’s producing a 5-minute piece called “Street Roots: Jamie’s Journey.” Cole, who recently finished a stint in Afghanistan, spent a day and part of a night with Jamie, a vendor who frequents Powell’s and Whole Foods in the Pearl. She also was able to interview several vendors about life on the streets and selling a street newspaper. The video will be available on the Street Roots website soon.
Street Roots has raised nearly $6,000 in this year’s summer fund drive. We want to thank all of the dedicated supporters who have taken the time to donate to the organization this year. Your contribution is what makes the organization a powerful voice in the community. Street Roots is also glad to be partnering with the Ralph L. Smith Foundation. The foundation recently gave the organization $5,000 for general operating costs.
Other fun things happening around the organization include gearing up for a full-time staff hire and a freelance journalist. Both hires will start at the beginning of July and will help Street Roots fulfill the next steps in the organizations strategic plan to empower vendors, improve the quality of the newspaper and maintain a sustainable funding program.
The organization is in the process of putting together lunchtime focus groups for the newspaper. We are reaching out to community members asking what they like or dislike about the newspaper and what can help the organization reach more readers in the community.
If you are interested in attending one of the focus groups, please e-mail or call us at 503-228-5657.
