My husband, Jim, aside from being incredibly talented, and an all-around, stand-up kind of guy, often surprises me with stories about the people he meets in his photographic jaunts around the city.  He'll head out on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, favorite camera in hand, taking pictures of whatever and whoever he encounters along the way.

But, this blog isn't about his photography -- there won't be any pictures.  Because what he brought home last weekend introduced me to a world that I hadn't realized existed, and I thought it would be of interest to OS, a community of generous and talented writers.

Did you know that there is a nationwide (indeed worldwide) community of homeless and formerly homeless writers, and that their work is published in over a hundred "street papers"?

In the U.S., street papers are currently being published in:

• Seattle, Washington (Real Change)
• Portland, Oregon (Street Roots)
• San Francisco, California (Street Sheet)
• Sacramento, California (Homeward Street Journal)
• Los Angeles, California (Community Connection)
• Venice, California (Making Change)
• Salt Lake City, Utah (no name available at this time)
• Denver, Colorado (Denver Voice)
• Lawrence, Kansas (Change of Heart)
• Dallas, Texas (Street Zine)
• Madison, Wisconsin (Street Pulse)
• Chicago, Illinois (Street Wise)
• St. Louis, Missouri (What's Up Magazine)
• Nashville, Tennessee (The Contributor)
• Cincinnati, Ohio (Streetvibes)
• Columbus, Ohio (Street Speech)
• Washington, DC (Street Sense)
• Providence, Rhode Island (Street Sights)
• Cambridge, Massachusetts (Spare Change News)

The Contributor is the paper that is published every month here in Nashville.  Its motto is "Diverse perspectives on homelessness.  Genuine opportunities for advancement."  It costs $1, and all profits benefit the vendors -- the homeless people who sell them out on the streets.

From The Contributor's website:

"The Contributor is Nashville's street newspaper.  We strive to print a monthly paper that accomplishes the following:

• Provides a diversity of perspectives and information on the state of homelessness.
• Highlights the contributions of homeless and formerly homeless contributors.
• Provides vendors with a source of income.

All of the vendors selling this paper have experienced homelessness and they keep the profit from each paper they sell.  They start out with free papers, and, if they like selling, they return and purchase their supply for 25 cents each, sell them on the street for $1 and keep the profit.  Vendors have the opportunity to earn additional free papers by pursuing greater involvement in The Contributor by writing stories, photographing events, recruiting other quality vendors, and attending monthly paper release meetings."

The paper currently operates with a volunteer staff and the majority of its printing costs are covered by individual donations.  (Individuals or businesses can also purchase ad space, and donations of $25 or more come with a subscription upon request.)  Vendors must agree to a basic code of conduct, which is emphasized during their training.  Among other things, vendors agree to refrain from "panhandling" while they are selling the paper, agree to remain free from the influence of alcohol or drugs while selling, and agree that they will stay off of private property and move to another location if someone complains about their presence or activity.

The August issue of The Contributor is 20 pages long, and looks much like any other professionally-published local newspaper.  It contains personal stories from individual homeless writers (as well as interviews of homeless people by homeless people) about how they got to where they are.  As you might imagine, there are some common themes (being raised in poverty, lack of parental involvement, mental illness, drug addiction, job loss, displacement by natural disasters, etc.,) but the stories are unique and compelling.  Photographs accompany each of the stories, giving bleak testament to the toll that homelessness exacts on the human face.

There are also stories about local agencies and programs that provide assistance with food, shelter, employment, safety and health care.  This month features a program sponsored by Halcyon Bike Shop and The Oasis Center, which have teamed up to teach bicycle restoration and repair to underprivileged young people.  The kids pick from a selection of bicycles that have been donated, take them apart, and rebuild/repair them from the ground up.  At the end of the workshop, they each take their bike home with them. 

I also have to say that I was surprised by the humor and grace displayed in The Contributor's pages.  There are original cartoons, poetry, songs, artwork, book and music reviews, satire, puzzles, and even a "Hoboscope", written by the cryptically-named "Mr. Mysterio" (who, by the way, can be followed on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/mrmysterio).  Here's the entry for my sign, Cancer:

• "You remind me of Tom Sietas, the man who has set and reset the world record for holding one's breath on 6 different occasions. The thing about Mr. Sietas is that every time some young upstart showman comes along to break his record - like professional endurance artist David Blaine did in 2007 - Sietas simply puts on his wetsuit , jumps in a tank of water and holds his breath even longer. Currently he holds the record at 17 minutes and 19 seconds.  Cancer, we're all very impressed at how long it's been since you've come up for air. You've proven time and again that you barely even need to breathe.  We know it hasn't been fun or easy to stay down there. But I'm telling you it's better up here."

 I like that!

And there are national and international organizations devoted to this effort, as well.  The North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) recently held its yearly conference in Denver, Colorado.  This year's theme was, not surprisingly, "Navigating the Recession", and workshops addressed subjects like writing grant proposals, engaging volunteers, building the donor base, and how to develop story ideas. Awards are also presented to individual papers and writers, recognizing outstanding achievements for the year.

The International Network of Street Papers is worldwide in scope, while the Street News Service is a content sharing site that each week showcases featured stories from street papers around the globe.  Both are on Facebook.  These organizations are incredibly savvy about using the internet.  Even the homeless have email addresses and know how to use the web to their advantage.

The business model being used by these publications may not be sustainable everywhere.  I would think that sales are dependent on having a pretty vibrant downtown area and/or lots of tourist foot traffic, both of which Nashville has.  (I was surprised to read that Big News, New York City's street paper, is defunct.  Hopefully, they can become operational again soon.)  And, certainly, this is but one way to address the issues of poverty and homelessness.  It is not the answer to the problem.

But, if you live in one of the cities where a street paper is being sold, buy a copy for yourself, or a few for your office.  If you can, make a donation to the paper itself.  

I know that I was humbled and inspired by the work of these writers.  And I thought blogging -- in the comfort of my home -- was hard!  I can hardly imagine, amid all of the fear, uncertainty and deprivation of being homeless, taking the time to write a story, a poem, or a book review.  I think all writers can understand, though.  When you tell your story or express yourself through the act of writing, you assert your personhood in the world.  You simply cannot be ignored.