Some of the best memories of my life have been made with Street Roots. I could write a book about the many beautiful and tragic stories that I’ve witnessed on the streets.
Honestly, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching people come together collectively to better themselves. Some of the most powerful things Street Roots offers are self-confidence and hope. The self-confidence to get up every single day while experiencing the hell of homelessness, and the hope that one day there will be a brighter tomorrow. The idea that people are able to earn an income through the sales of the newspaper while gaining that self-confidence and hope is what makes it all come together.
Street Roots started a little more than 15 years ago with community volunteers and five vendors. During that time we’ve helped thousands of individuals and families improve their quality of life. We helped hundreds of people access housing and helped maintain housing for hundreds more.
Street Roots exists to give people a hand up through the sales of the newspaper. The money and friendships developed around the city are priceless. The journalism that Street Roots is producing speaks for itself. Offering vendors the best newspaper we can produce is always our highest goal. The activism and voice Street Roots offers in the community will not only continue with a weekly publication, but it will get stronger.
Not so long ago Street Roots set out to go from a biweekly to a weekly publication. It’s been a dream since the organization started. That dream becomes a reality today with the first edition of a weekly publication.
“Going weekly will bring more customers, better dialogues, better relationships and more money for vendors,” says Betty Jo who sells the newspaper at Alberta Food Cooperative.
Here’s how you can help:
- Take a photo of you and the new weekly paper and/or with a vendor and post the pic on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #SRGoesWeekly
- Purchase Street Roots on a weekly basis
- Share the paper with your friends, family or coworkers. Telling people about the quality of the newspaper and how the vendor program works makes you a Street Roots ambassador.
- Tell businesses where Street Roots vendors are located how much you appreciate having a vendor in the neighborhood. It makes all the difference in the world.
By doing one or all of these simple steps you are helping spread the Street Roots love.
The best years at Street Roots are ahead of us and that has everything to do with you. Everyone at Street Roots couldn’t be more excited and looks forward to bringing you a professional publication week-in and week-out. Cheers.
This article appears in 2015-01-02.