THE RIO GRANDE REPORT: Local (Salt Lake City) & regional subjects of interest to homeless persons and their advocates.
Showing posts with label NASNA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NASNA. Show all posts
Monday, December 13, 2010
A little late
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
New Salt Lake Street News
Image from: Salt Lake City Mission.
And have a great Independence Day!
your editorimage from: http://www.trawelmart.com/
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Turf War?
Unfortunately, there are always people who want to make things difficult.
The entire time I was homeless, I never panhandled. I didn't feel right asking hard working people for their money without giving something in return. Yet I know there are people on the street who have done it for years, at the same spot, everyday, without fail. They get to know people and people get to know them, so it becomes a sweet deal.
So I try to be respectful of that. I never sell on the same corner as panhandlers. If they are there first, I cross the street or go to the next intersection. At the Bees games I talk and have a laugh with the sign flyers. When I do well selling the paper, I've even been known to slip them a buck or two.
So it was frustrating the other day when a panhandler showed up on the corner where I'd already been selling for two hours. He proceeded to solicit change. I pleaded the case that I'd been there first, and asked him could he please go across the street to an unoccupied corner.
You would have thought that I had asked for a pound of flesh. This man called me everything but a human being, began to badmouth Street News, the Salt Lake City Mission, and those running the organization and the street paper project. Everyone within earshot heard his slanderous remarks. I tried to stand my ground, but sir kept talking smack, interfering with my right to sell. To avoid losing my temper, I left, so angry that I quit selling for the day.
The way I see it, we're all in the same boat and have the same goal-to put a buck in our pocket. I give the panhandlers respect and courtesy. I would expect the same in return. So I have a proposition and a challenge for those with whom we have to share the streets.
When you see vendors selling our paper, don't hassle us, put us down, or try to intimidate us. There are a lot of street corners, people, and events to go around. If you are there first, OK, but if you're not, it's only fair that you concede to whomever is. Nobody wants a turf war; you'll lose eventually anyway. Let's be civil and fair to one another. Those of us who are no longer homeless still remember what it was like. We vendors are just trying to improve our lives a little and make some cash, just like you.
I challenge panhandlers to try vending SLSN before you go around knocking it. At least come to an orientation and get the information. It may not be for you, but at least you'll know. Just don't blame the dedicated people who put this program-along with others from which you may benefit-together without having the facts. They deserve your thanks, not your distrust and badmouthing.
If we cooperate, everyone can benefit from the kindness and generosity of everyone, resident or visitor, on the streets of Salt Lake City.
Peace
Monday, April 19, 2010
For better? or worse?
[I didn't finish this edition. Too busy the last 2 weeks of tax season. Furthermore, after careful consideration and deliberation, I have decided to discontinue Rio Grande Report. After several attempts to interest local public figures, and to recruit contributors and volunteers, it seems there is little interest in establishing a street paper here in SLC. I have not abandoned those efforts which will see our city have such a paper in print. I have decided that trying to elicit interest through the blog has been fruitless, and no longer can spare the time and effort as a staff of one.]
your ed.
******************************************************
I can't decide whether things are getting better or worse. There's been good new from financial sectors and on Wall Street. So I guess the fat cats will be richer again one day soon.
But how does that affect homeless people and others living in poverty? It seems the second the graphs go into the red, State and Federal governments start to cut services that help the truly needy. the poor suffer more during a recession than anyone else. They are suffering every day. If they have anything at all, is it very little.
Do you think it's right that the poorest people lose what little support they are entitled to while tens of bilions of dollars bailed out financial institutions and rewarded incompetence with huge executive bonuses?
Home seizures by banks set record by Melinda Fulmer of MSN Real Estate msn.com
Homeless man lives on rewards points by Karen Datko msn.com
From homeless drug user to millionaire from Inc.com
your ed.
******************************************************
I can't decide whether things are getting better or worse. There's been good new from financial sectors and on Wall Street. So I guess the fat cats will be richer again one day soon.
But how does that affect homeless people and others living in poverty? It seems the second the graphs go into the red, State and Federal governments start to cut services that help the truly needy. the poor suffer more during a recession than anyone else. They are suffering every day. If they have anything at all, is it very little.
Do you think it's right that the poorest people lose what little support they are entitled to while tens of bilions of dollars bailed out financial institutions and rewarded incompetence with huge executive bonuses?
One family's desperate fight for its home from msn.com
This article was reported by Alain Sherter for MarketWatch. It's Part 1 of a two-part series. To read Part 2, click here.Home seizures by banks set record by Melinda Fulmer of MSN Real Estate msn.com
Homeless man lives on rewards points by Karen Datko msn.com
From homeless drug user to millionaire from Inc.com
Friday, February 26, 2010
Street newspapers: a great alternative to panhandling
Greetings!
I really had no time to scour the headlines and bring you links this week. In lieu of the regular content, I want to share with you something sent to me by Andy Freeze of NASNA (North American Street Newspaper Association). This is my goal for Salt Lake City, and I want it to be a goal for pro-active homeless people and our fair city:
3 ways to start a street newspaper
On average 20 people or organizations inquire with NASNA about starting a street newspaper each month. And one of the most common questions involves where to get started or how do [sic] to start an organization. Below I will explain the 3 most common ways to start a street newspaper organization. Also know there are other ways to be successful, however the 3 below tend to be the most comman and easiest.to get started.
Volunteers (fiscal sponsorship)
In this model, the organization is started and run at first by a group of volunteers. It is tough to get start up funding to finance staff positions from the beginning. It is highlly encouraged to try and obtain a fiscal agent from the beginning so that you can be collecting tax-deductible donations and apply for grants. It is also encouraged to have a fiscal agent, because the process to receive a nonprofit certificate (501c3) can take up to 6-12 months after your application is submitted. Most times the cost of the printing of the actually [sic]newspaper can be covered by the sale of the paper to the vendor.
An example of a paper that was started by volunteers and had fiscal agent is Street Sense. They published their first issue in 2003 and hired their first staff in 2005.
Another example of a paper started and run by volunteers and just recently secured a fiscal sponsor is The Contributor . They have been able to raise enough funds to hire their first staff person who will start in March.
A new program
In this model, a current nonprofit decides a street newspaper fits their mission and can be sustainable in their city. This is often a quicker way to start a street newspaper because many of the organizational compnents are already in place. Also there is staff whose job is to oversee the project.
An example of this model is One Step Away, which launched their street newspaper in 2009 and is financed by Resources for Human Development in Philladelphia, PA.
Major backer
If you are lucky enough to have someone who is willing to finance the start up costs and pay staff from the beginning this is a great way to start. In this model, a major backer provides funds to hire staff rom the start and slowly the staff is able to raise funds to run the organization.
An example of this model is The Denver Voice in Denver, CO.
Summary
The most common way is the first and allows for the most freedom in choosing how your organization will be run. The second model provides stability from the start but can sometimes be overshadowed by the larger organization. The third model is not common, but can provide time to build up a brand and awarwness in the city while developing funding sources. All three can be successful with the right people and desire to provide work opportunities for the homeless.
Feel free to share this with anyone you think may be interested and helpful.
I really had no time to scour the headlines and bring you links this week. In lieu of the regular content, I want to share with you something sent to me by Andy Freeze of NASNA (North American Street Newspaper Association). This is my goal for Salt Lake City, and I want it to be a goal for pro-active homeless people and our fair city:
On average 20 people or organizations inquire with NASNA about starting a street newspaper each month. And one of the most common questions involves where to get started or how do [sic] to start an organization. Below I will explain the 3 most common ways to start a street newspaper organization. Also know there are other ways to be successful, however the 3 below tend to be the most comman and easiest.to get started.
Volunteers (fiscal sponsorship)
In this model, the organization is started and run at first by a group of volunteers. It is tough to get start up funding to finance staff positions from the beginning. It is highlly encouraged to try and obtain a fiscal agent from the beginning so that you can be collecting tax-deductible donations and apply for grants. It is also encouraged to have a fiscal agent, because the process to receive a nonprofit certificate (501c3) can take up to 6-12 months after your application is submitted. Most times the cost of the printing of the actually [sic]newspaper can be covered by the sale of the paper to the vendor.
An example of a paper that was started by volunteers and had fiscal agent is Street Sense. They published their first issue in 2003 and hired their first staff in 2005.
Another example of a paper started and run by volunteers and just recently secured a fiscal sponsor is The Contributor . They have been able to raise enough funds to hire their first staff person who will start in March.
A new program
In this model, a current nonprofit decides a street newspaper fits their mission and can be sustainable in their city. This is often a quicker way to start a street newspaper because many of the organizational compnents are already in place. Also there is staff whose job is to oversee the project.
An example of this model is One Step Away, which launched their street newspaper in 2009 and is financed by Resources for Human Development in Philladelphia, PA.
Major backer
If you are lucky enough to have someone who is willing to finance the start up costs and pay staff from the beginning this is a great way to start. In this model, a major backer provides funds to hire staff rom the start and slowly the staff is able to raise funds to run the organization.
An example of this model is The Denver Voice in Denver, CO.
Summary
The most common way is the first and allows for the most freedom in choosing how your organization will be run. The second model provides stability from the start but can sometimes be overshadowed by the larger organization. The third model is not common, but can provide time to build up a brand and awarwness in the city while developing funding sources. All three can be successful with the right people and desire to provide work opportunities for the homeless.
Feel free to share this with anyone you think may be interested and helpful.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Most shocking homeless stories of 2009
Story of the Week:by Shannon Moriarty on change.org
"THE RIO GRANDE REPORT"
Friday January 8 2010
Although there are resources available to help homeless people get in out of the cold, they do not meet the need. In addition, there are waiting lists.
When shelters are at maximum capacity, as they are during winter months, one can wait up to two weeks to get a bed.
Many people choose not to stay indoors, perhaps due to drug or alcohol abuse ( those who have been drinking are not allowed in shelters). Other valid reasons include violence and stealing. Many homeless youth, some already subjected to physical or sexual abuse, are afraid they may be vulnerable to such treatment in shelters. Many people have mental disabilities which make it difficult to tolerate the environment and conform to the rules and routine. Shelters have experienced infestations of bedbugs that make people hesitant to stay in them.
There were many nights throughout my years of homelessness that I had no where to comfortably sleep, feared for my safety, and wondered if I would wake up in the morning, or freeze to death. I was one of the lucky ones, unlike the gentleman in the story below. One of 58 souls that died on the street, cold and alone.
Utah
[St. George] Shelter fights bedbug outbreak by Tiffany De Masters The Spectrum
Jordan Beetdiggers raise cash for charity by Lisa Schencker The Salt Lake Tribune
Number of homeless deaths continues to rise by Julia Lyon The Salt Lake Tribune
Nation
More from The Associated Press below
In the shadows, day laborers left homeless as work vanishes by Fernanado Santos The New York Times [photo below: Fred R Conrad NYT]
Tunnels beneath Vegas a refuge for homeless people The Associated Press
blog by Miki Meek The New York Times.
Pulitzer Prize nominated photos by Shiho Fukada
World
[Jolly good show, your highness.]
Prince William sleeps on streets in solidarity with homeless youth by Shannon Moriarty on change.org [image: Sky News]New center helps homeless women BBC News
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Street news, Homeless News.
Welcome to the smallest of beginnings for the biggest of ideas.
This is the original manifestation of "The Rio Grande Report", a street newspaper of my personal conception, of which I am the founder, editor, and currently, the sole contributor and employee.
Before I attempt to change that, let me explain what a street newspaper is. Better yet, I'll link you to somebody who can explain it better that I can.
Now that you've read that, let me explain that this, "street blog" I guess it can be more appropriately called at this juncture, is the creative, educational, and journalistic resource for Salt Lake City Utah. That doesn't mean that I will only publish things for people in SLC, but that the editorial and upcoming news content will predominantly deal with local issues. This doesn't mean won't be informed, entertained and educated if you live somewhere else. Homeless issues are universal.
Let me explain that I do not currently have a computer in my home. I am producing all of this on public computers. (Shhhh! Don't tell. They hate that.)
I am a very recent escapee from the homeless experience, but still teeter on the brink of poverty, and could easily rejoin the ranks. I think everyone can relate to that these days. Well not everyone. Not fat-cat bureaucrats who don't have the slightest clue what it's like to relish a stale, dry baloney sandwich because it's the only thing you've been able to get to eat today.
But I want those guys to read this too. they could use a little "get in touch" therapy.
Let me just quickly say, since my computer meter's almost run out: I need your help. Homeless, formerly homeless, people threatened with poverty everywhere: send me your experiences, letters art work, poetry, stories.
E-mail me at riograndereport@live.com Subject line: Blogger
Hope to hear from a lot of you soon.
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.
This is the original manifestation of "The Rio Grande Report", a street newspaper of my personal conception, of which I am the founder, editor, and currently, the sole contributor and employee.
Before I attempt to change that, let me explain what a street newspaper is. Better yet, I'll link you to somebody who can explain it better that I can.
Now that you've read that, let me explain that this, "street blog" I guess it can be more appropriately called at this juncture, is the creative, educational, and journalistic resource for Salt Lake City Utah. That doesn't mean that I will only publish things for people in SLC, but that the editorial and upcoming news content will predominantly deal with local issues. This doesn't mean won't be informed, entertained and educated if you live somewhere else. Homeless issues are universal.
Let me explain that I do not currently have a computer in my home. I am producing all of this on public computers. (Shhhh! Don't tell. They hate that.)
I am a very recent escapee from the homeless experience, but still teeter on the brink of poverty, and could easily rejoin the ranks. I think everyone can relate to that these days. Well not everyone. Not fat-cat bureaucrats who don't have the slightest clue what it's like to relish a stale, dry baloney sandwich because it's the only thing you've been able to get to eat today.
But I want those guys to read this too. they could use a little "get in touch" therapy.
Let me just quickly say, since my computer meter's almost run out: I need your help. Homeless, formerly homeless, people threatened with poverty everywhere: send me your experiences, letters art work, poetry, stories.
E-mail me at riograndereport@live.com Subject line: Blogger
Hope to hear from a lot of you soon.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)