Street Sense (newspaper)
Encyclopedia
Street Sense is a Washington, D.C.
-based 16-page bi-weekly street newspaper
that was founded in 2003. Its mission is to raise public awareness on the issues of homelessness
and poverty
in the city and to create economic opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. The newspaper features writing and articles about homelessness and poverty, written by homeless or formerly homeless people and other volunteers.
After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers and vendors, Street Sense published its first issue in November 2003 with a print run of 5,000 copies. For the next three years, the paper published consistently on a monthly basis and greatly expanded its circulation and vendor network.
For the first year, Street Sense operated as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless, but in October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space.
In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)(3) status, becoming an independent non-profit organization
.
In October 2005, Street Sense formed a full board of directors, and in November that year, the organization hired its first employee, co-founder Laura Thompson Osuri, as a full-time executive director.
A year later in November 2006, the organization hired its first vendor coordinator, Jesse Smith, Jr.
In February 2007, the paper started publishing twice a month as the network of vendors expanded to more than 50 homeless men and women. To support the increased production, Street Sense brought on Charles Jackson as its first full-time editor in chief in April.
Jackson left two months later, and Street Sense hired Kaukab Jhumra Smith as its new editor in June 2007.
Vendors must wear a Street Sense-issued identification badge while selling papers. Many also wear a yellow vest with the Street Sense logo. They agree to abide by a code of conduct, listed below, while selling papers.
According to a December 2006 survey of 30 vendors:
1. Street Sense is a community of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity. I will work to uphold these values in the Street Sense community.
2. Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $1.00. I agree not to ask for more than a dollar or solicit donations for Street Sense by any other means.
3. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense staff and will not sell papers to other vendors.
4. I agree to treat all others—customers, staff, other vendors—respectfully, and I will not "hard sell," threaten or pressure customers.
5. I agree to stay off private property, including metro trains and buses, when selling Street Sense.
6. I understand that I am not a legal employee of Street Sense but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income.
7. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling the paper.
8. I will not sell Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
9. I agree to stay one block away from another vendor. If a vendor has a badge indicating their right to that corner, I will move a block away to allow them to sell in their designated corner.
10. I understand that my badge and vest are the property of Street Sense and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers and display my badge when selling papers.
11. I agree to refrain from engaging in behavior or discussions that condone racism, sexism or classism.
12. I agree to take breaks from sales when necessary, i.e. to take a phone call, smoke a cigarette, or eat a meal.
13. I understand that Street Sense strives to be a paper that covers homelessness and poverty issues while providing a source of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word.
and the International Network of Street Papers
.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
-based 16-page bi-weekly street newspaper
Street newspaper
Street newspapers are newspapers or magazines sold by homeless or poor individuals and produced mainly to support these populations. Most such newspapers primarily provide coverage about homelessness and poverty-related issues, and seek to strengthen social networks within homeless communities...
that was founded in 2003. Its mission is to raise public awareness on the issues of homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
and poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
in the city and to create economic opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. The newspaper features writing and articles about homelessness and poverty, written by homeless or formerly homeless people and other volunteers.
History
Street Sense began in August 2003 after two volunteers, Laura Thompson Osuri and Ted Henson, approached the National Coalition for the Homeless on separate occasions about starting a street newspaper in Washington, D.C.After bringing together a core of dedicated volunteers and vendors, Street Sense published its first issue in November 2003 with a print run of 5,000 copies. For the next three years, the paper published consistently on a monthly basis and greatly expanded its circulation and vendor network.
For the first year, Street Sense operated as a project of the National Coalition for the Homeless, but in October 2004, the organization incorporated and moved into its own office space.
In March 2005, Street Sense received 501(c)(3) status, becoming an independent non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
.
In October 2005, Street Sense formed a full board of directors, and in November that year, the organization hired its first employee, co-founder Laura Thompson Osuri, as a full-time executive director.
A year later in November 2006, the organization hired its first vendor coordinator, Jesse Smith, Jr.
In February 2007, the paper started publishing twice a month as the network of vendors expanded to more than 50 homeless men and women. To support the increased production, Street Sense brought on Charles Jackson as its first full-time editor in chief in April.
Jackson left two months later, and Street Sense hired Kaukab Jhumra Smith as its new editor in June 2007.
Vendors
With a monthly circulation of about 30,000 issues, Street Sense is always sold by individual "vendors" who are in poverty. Each vendor pays US$0.35 for a paper to cover publishing costs, and in turn, sells each paper for a $1 "suggested donation". Customers may choose to pay more than $1 for a paper as a charitable donation.Vendors must wear a Street Sense-issued identification badge while selling papers. Many also wear a yellow vest with the Street Sense logo. They agree to abide by a code of conduct, listed below, while selling papers.
According to a December 2006 survey of 30 vendors:
- 52 percent have lived in D.C. all their life
- 36 percent sell Street Sense 20 to 40 hours a week
- 14 percent moved into housing since selling Street Sense
- 27 percent started full- or part-time jobs since selling Street Sense
Vendor code of conduct
All vendors must agree to the following code of conduct:1. Street Sense is a community of honesty, respect, support, and opportunity. I will work to uphold these values in the Street Sense community.
2. Street Sense will be distributed for a voluntary donation of $1.00. I agree not to ask for more than a dollar or solicit donations for Street Sense by any other means.
3. I will only purchase the paper from Street Sense staff and will not sell papers to other vendors.
4. I agree to treat all others—customers, staff, other vendors—respectfully, and I will not "hard sell," threaten or pressure customers.
5. I agree to stay off private property, including metro trains and buses, when selling Street Sense.
6. I understand that I am not a legal employee of Street Sense but a contracted worker responsible for my own well-being and income.
7. I agree to sell no additional goods or products when selling the paper.
8. I will not sell Street Sense under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
9. I agree to stay one block away from another vendor. If a vendor has a badge indicating their right to that corner, I will move a block away to allow them to sell in their designated corner.
10. I understand that my badge and vest are the property of Street Sense and will not deface them. I will present my badge when purchasing the papers and display my badge when selling papers.
11. I agree to refrain from engaging in behavior or discussions that condone racism, sexism or classism.
12. I agree to take breaks from sales when necessary, i.e. to take a phone call, smoke a cigarette, or eat a meal.
13. I understand that Street Sense strives to be a paper that covers homelessness and poverty issues while providing a source of income for the homeless. I will try to help in this effort and spread the word.
Affiliations
Street Sense is a member of the North American Street Newspaper AssociationNorth American Street Newspaper Association
The North American Street Newspaper Association is an organization of street newspapers papers that provide employment opportunities, community, and a voice to homeless and other economically vulnerable people. it has 28 members in the United States and Canada with a total monthly circulation of...
and the International Network of Street Papers
International Network of Street Papers
The International Network of Street Papers is an organization of street papers that provide employment opportunities, community, and a voice to homeless and other economically vulnerable people. It spans 94 papers from 36 countries, in total selling about 32 million copies each year. INSP was...
.