Street Sense is a stepping stone. We are not a service provider, but a means to an end. So when I became chair of the board of directors a year and a half ago, I hoped to focus on the newspaper’s mission. Despite all the amazing things that happen here every day, some fundamental questions deserved more attention.
I’ve always hoped the paper can give our vendors the tools to improve their lives. We should help them get on the road out of poverty, or to freedom from addiction, or to managing a mental illness, or to sustainable employment elsewhere.
And as much as I love them, I want our vendors to move on (unless they are coming back for a visit). Our goal is to help people to earn and learn, and then graduate to something bigger.
Our collective success depends on broad-based solutions to these challenges.
Sometimes life has other plans for us, though. As board chair I’ve worked to grow the board, and also acted as interim director while our executive director took maternity leave. That meant handling personnel issues, vendor disputes, and a rising budget deficit. It was tough!
And even now, Street Sense faces a serious budget crisis. Individual donations are down from last year, and significantly under projections. This means we cannot properly meet the needs of our vendors. And while we have an aggressive line-up of fundraisers in the next two months, there is still uncertainty looming over us.
The entire nonprofit sector is taking it pretty hard now. But there are bright spots.
Our editor, Mary Otto, came to us from the Washington Post, bringing a passion for writing and compassion for our vendors. Gregory Martin has brought a new level of organization to the job of vendor manager. And as for Laura – just take a look at the New York Times, Voice of America, and many other news stories that highlight her.
I’m impressed with vendors like Reggie Black, whose writing and other work is all over the newspaper. It’s good to still see Cliff Carle’s photography in color, and Jeff McNeil always has an idea that he’s willing to share.
And there are long-time volunteers like Marian Wiseman and David Hammond, and newer ones like Kim O’Connor, and interns like Alecia Peterson and Natalie Yu. I want to thank all of them immensely. Laura and I started the paper as volunteers and I know how thankless it can feel.
The board of directors has grown in the past year and we are active and engaged. The new energy has really boosted my own morale.
And for our supporters in the community – you who are reading this now and who have gotten to know and support our vendors – you have been the backbone of the paper’s success. Your financial support from newspaper sales and individual donations literally keeps the paper running.
Without all of these people, there would be no Street Sense. But to keep our doors open, we need to give it all we’ve got right now.
So I feel compelled (although uncomfortable) to ask for your support.
If you can, please make a contribution, no matter how small, and help us weather these tough times. I’d love to be able to go to our next board meeting and focus on the bigger issues I raised above.
And I’d like to close by inviting you to join the conversation about Street Sense. If you are interested in volunteering, or joining the board, or learning more about the paper, please contact me.
Street Sense started as a conversation between community activists and homeless people. Let’s continue that dialogue. E-mail me at [email protected]
