“More ex-soldiers at risk of homelessness”, “American poverty: living on less than $4.50 a day”, an article about Queen Elizabeth, a recipe about Pan Seared Cajun Tofu, book reviews, Sudoku and crossword puzzles, are just some of the articles and features one can read in the January 2012 issue of STREETZine. If one works, lives or spends any time in the Downtown Dallas area, one will eventually encounter a newspaper vendor distributing this newspaper that covers issues pertaining to the homeless community in Dallas. STREETZine is one of 110 publications in cities around the world from Seattle to Boston and Milan to Johannesburg, that primarily addresses issues related to poverty and homelessness and is distributed by poor or homeless vendors.
How long has STREETZine existed in Dallas? Pat Spradley, its current editor tells me that she has been editing the paper for four years now, and that the paper has existed under the name of STREETZine since 2006 when the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas’ Stewpot, believing in the street paper concept, started publishing StreetZine to replace the prior street paper Endless Choices which had ceased publication. Whereas the Stewpot manages and supports STREETZine in Dallas, most other papers catering to the street population are independent non-profits.
Pat has a heart to serve those members of the street population in Dallas who have a real desire to improve their wellbeing. She has worked to ensure that the publication is something that interested members of the public will actually appreciate receiving each month because of interesting articles, smart diversions, and an overall perceived value, instead of something that people are grudgingly giving money for as their contribution toward the homeless. This is a real one woman operation where Pat does the layout for the paper, comes up with the articles, and publishes writings from individuals in creative writing groups or other pro-bono writers who submit material for publication. Her second cousin, a recent college graduate, contributes healthy recipes to a recipe blog. Another individual, who felt the stories about everyday people in Dallas needed to be told, approached Pat about writing articles relating to downtown workers and residents. His January article is about the people associated with an Italian restaurant in Downtown Dallas. Pat has crossword puzzle software on her computer and uses that to create puzzles each month for the paper. Other articles published in StreetZine are provided by Street News Service which shares articles from Reuters and other street papers around the world.
I asked Pat how many vendors distribute this paper in Dallas at any given time. She said the number of vendors typically averages between 40-50. I would have assumed that all of these vendors lived on the streets but she informed me that about 30% of them have acquired housing made possible by their StreetZine earnings. A number of the vendors are disabled, and so they are eligible for $600/month disability checks. As any reasonable person knows however, that amount of money will pay for very few of life’s necessities, much less wants. They benefit from being a vendor and earning enough money to supplement their income. This allows them to eat an occasional meal out or enjoy some simple pleasure in life.
Those who are interested in becoming vendors for STREETZine are required to attend an orientation which is held every Wednesday afternoon at 1:30. At that meeting, they are told what is expected. Those who are accepted as vendors go through a trial period with a temporary badge. After they sell a certain number of papers and complete their trial period, they are given a permanent badge.
The vendors are free to distribute the newspaper anywhere, however, many distribute this paper in the Downtown Dallas area as that is the geographic area of Dallas-Fort Worth with the greatest concentration of daytime population, and is most accessible to public transportation on which the vendors depend. Also, the police in the Downtown Dallas area are very familiar with the program, ensuring the vendors have a fairly comfortable working environment. Some of the more enterprising vendors however, do travel to Plano, Garland and other places reached by transportation, and where there is substantial foot traffic.
By and large, Downtown residents and businesspeople are beginning to recognize that these vendors are real people who they are seeing each week in their daily routines. Some still view this as panhandling, but greater numbers are stopping and talking to them and finding out more about their lives. People are beginning to respect the fact that these vendors are actually working part time to full time jobs distributing these papers. Some readers are thinking more about the issues of homelessness and developing a deeper understanding of the causes of it. Some are beginning to sponsor their vendor with a one time gift or a monthly commitment. Some are becoming more generous to them than the normal contribution that a paper brings. One special gift that Pat remembered a vendor receiving was a $100 bill in a Christmas card one year.
Through the growth of the reputation of this paper the past few years, Pat has been a tireless advocate who works to educate people about the value of the paper and the work that the vendors do, while maintaining positive relationships with those who can be champions in the political arena to ensure the continued success of this program.
The way STREETZine in Dallas operates is a Vendor pays twenty five cents for each paper, asking readers for a suggested contribution of $1.00. They are able to keep 100% of the donations they receive. New vendors receive 10 free copies of the paper to get them started.
If you are interested in assisting STREETZine or its vendors, here are some ways that you may get involved.
• Sponsor a vendor
$15.00 will purchase sixty papers for your vendor which will help him/her earn $60.00. Donations can be made by credit card using the Stewpot’s secure Donation Link. Select STREETZine as your designated fund and note your vendor number in the comments section of the donation page.
If you prefer to sponsor by mail make your check or money order payable to STREETZine and mail to: STREETZine 408 Park Avenue Dallas, Texas 75201. Please note the vendor number on the check to assure your vendor will be credited with your sponsorship.
• Submissions
If you have any art, poetry, stories, etc. that you would like to submit for publication or if you are interested in becoming a photographer or features writer contact Pat Spradley at 214-746-2785 ext. 334 or email Pat at PatS@thestewpot.org.
• Financial Support
Your STREETZine support will help cover the cost of publication, contribute toward the purchase of caps, hats and other apparel for the vendors, provide food at the monthly vendor meetings, and help purchase badge supplies. Donations can be made by credit card using the Stewpot’s secure Donation Link. To direct your donation to STREETZine simply select STREETZine as your designated fund option.
• Advertise in StreetZine
A Dollar on the Street
Posted: January 31, 2012 by Chuck DeShazo
