Story by Andy Freeze
Circulation numbers continue to rise at newspapers across North America. No, not daily newspapers, but street newspapers, papers that cover homelessness, poverty and other social issues while providing a means for gainful employment to the homeless and impoverished in cities across North America and across the world.
As unemployment continues to rise in North America, more and more individuals are seeking new jobs. Street newspapers have seen a rise in the number of vendors seeking to sell newspapers and as a result, circulation is growing.
Seattle’s Real Change News has seen its circulation increase 20 per cent since last year. In Portland, Oregon, Street Roots has increased circulation 59 per cent and the Denver Voice, has tripled circulation since last year. Megaphone has also seen dramatic increases in vendors and circulation, which have both grown by 20 per cent in just two months.
Last July, Street Speech in Columbus, Ohio, had a circulation of 800. In July of 2009, Street Speech had increased their circulation to 7,600. These are just a few examples of how street newspapers throughout North America are beating the odds by increasing circulation and offering a helping hand to those on the street.
Not only do street newspapers provide their vendors with a source of income from selling the paper but they also ensure that even more homeless individuals across North America have a platform for impacting community policies. In most papers, vendors also contribute articles, essays and artwork.
In response, more and more cities are looking to copy the model as new papers look to get started in Windsor, Ontario, and Toledo, Ohio. NASNA Street newspapers are currently operating in 18 U.S. cities and four Canadian cities. Our model is more relevant than ever as more people look for new ways to earn money and as others seek to educate themselves about homelessness and poverty in their own cities.
Andy Freeze is the Executive Director of the North American Street Newspaper Association (NASNA) - NASNA.org
