Street papers and relationships

I'm a big fan of
street newspapers, and in particular of StreetWise
in Chicago, one of 100
such newspapers in over 38 countries.

From the vendor's
point of view: A homeless person can acquire pride and success--and a few
dollars. Being a vendor empowers someone who has been removed from society to
find the courage to speak up and engage the public, one person at a time. This
is a huge step for someone who's been the victim of eviction, neglect, theft,
abuse and more. But in the vendor/buyer exchange, there is a ritual to follow. The
vendor knows a script--and may be able to get past fear and build up confidence
and self-esteem.

From the buyer's
point of view: StreetWise enables the
buyer to assist someone one-on-one instead of with an impersonal check (which
is also welcome in most instances). As a buyer, I greet someone whom I might otherwise
hesitate to speak to--because I don't notice him or her, because I hesitate out
of fear, because I'm in a hurry or because I've removed myself from the street
scene via my cell phone or iPod. When I buy a newspaper, I initiate a relationship,
however fleeting or superficial it may seem.