Scam? No!

Well so far you've heard a lot of idealistic, altruistic B.S. about helping homeless people from someone you don't even know anything about.

Granted. At least you have it in writing.

Maybe you're still unclear on what is the purpose? So what's the whole point? What's this project all about? What difference will it make? You want some answers to these questions before you get involved, right?

I asked myself those (and many other) questions from the day I decided our city needed a street paper. I can best answer them with a little thing I wrote to clarify for myself what I want The Rio Grande Report to mean

Statement of Purpose

In the interest of giving voice and opportunity to the homeless, low-income, at risk people of Salt Lake City ...

In the interest of informing and educating the people of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, The Wasatch Front, and the state of Utah about the issues and needs in regard to homelessness and poverty in this community ...

In the hope of creating a forum for dialogue, in which to explore possible solutions to social problems within our communities; and reaching out to bridge the gap between those in need and those who care ...

In the hope of creating a common bond among all people who would implement strategies, encourage action, and stimulate creative thought, to make our community a more satisfying and equitable place for everyone ...

I propose the creation of a "street newspaper," written, edited, produced, published, marketed and sold by the homeless, formerly homeless and other low-income, at-risk individuals of Salt Lake City (and surrounding areas), with co-operation and resources of those who provide services, or wish to provide aid, and promote advocacy for under served and underprivileged of this area.

Written Friday, October 17, 2008

At this point, all I have to reach you, and for you to reach others, is this blog. Help me turn this into something people will want to see, and I guarantee you, we'll take this to the street where it belongs, where it can be most effective.

In closing this post, i want to share with \you a little work of my own:

"The Broken, Glass Side"

On the broken-glass side of my town

All the windows are shut up.

All the factories are shut down.

Each step upon the side walk

Creates a crack-ling sound

On the broken-glass side of my town.

Crystal sherds of history

Once strange and wondrous

Sights did see.

Here, The Wind blew The Sun down.

on the broken-glass side of my town.

On the broken-glass side of my town,

Little children rarely laugh;

Single mothers fret and frown.

The system seems constructed

To keep a good man down

On the broken, glass side of this town.

In the poor past and half-eaten,

Bleak, bombed and blast-beaten,

Broken

Glass

Side

of our town.

Hope you enjoyed that. It's not the original version. Like so many other things I've written, the initial incarnation is lost to me. Some things are easier to re-write than others. I like the new poem, it seems more complete, more inclusive, less self-centered than I remember the first time being.

Well, I may not have assuaged your fears about idealism, or scams. But you know me a bit better

your editor


Send me your experiences, letters art work, poetry, stories.

E-mail me at riograndereport@live.com subject line: "submissions." You may always remain anonymous. If you'd like to donate services, office space, equipment, or any other needs that will help "The Rio Grande Report" become a printed publication, e-mail me with the subject line "donations." Any news people who might like to give permissions to reprint articles and use photographs, use the subject line "news." Letters should use the subject line "letters." Snail mail: P. O. Box 3001 Salt Lake City UT 84110.

In all submissions, please include some sort of signed statement that you give "The Rio Grande Report" permission to publish your work, and that you understand that you will receive no compensation. You retain all rights to your work. The Report's rights are only one-time North American. If anyone wants to use your work further, they have to contact me, then I'll contact you.