New issue of Megaphone out on the streets, with a special feature on Vancouver's history of drugs and addiction: http://t.co/VMd2LMDs Jan 27, 04:54 PM
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"Selling Megaphone has helped me build my confidence and made me feel proud of myself. I like selling the magazine because I can get out of the apartment and do something I really love. And I like talking and interacting with my clients and people on the street."
“The magazine gives people the opportunity to put themselves out there. I’ve had opportunities to read my poetry at the Waldorf, at the First United Church summer picnic and I was also invited to read at the Rhizome Cafe. Those have been really important episodes because it gives me a chance to connect with the audience in a way that you can’t do by just submitting works."
"I got started with Megaphone when I was panhandling in front of the IGA on Burrard. I was having a tough time looking for work and trying to make ends meet until cheque day. So far I really enjoy it.
"I like the fact that I’m actually doing something to earn my money rather than begging. I think that it’s positive, it gives me some self-esteem and it also gives me the chance to interact with people and practice my social skills, which is important for work also."
"I was mulling around feeling depressed and came upon Megaphone. I’m really enjoying it and I enjoy the people I work with. It’s given me more of a sense of self-esteem, I feel like I’m being productive and that I’m a contributing member of a society, rather than taking. Previous to this, I was panhandling, distributing resumes here and there, not getting anywhere, getting no responses.”
Now, since I’ve started selling Megaphone, I’m feeling much better about myself. I’ve always maintained that I want to be a giver, rather than a taker, and this is my chance.”
“I like getting out and meeting people. The money helps, and [selling] really helps the confidence, but I also like the weather and the sunshine and putting a smile on people’s face.
“Megaphone has published a few of my poems and it gave me more confidence—now I get to say that I have something printed in here. It means a lot to be published. My kids think it’s cool. It’s my little 15 seconds of fame."
"I like communicating with people— getting to talk to them, and them getting to know me. I used to panhandle and no one would talk to me. Now people are coming up to me and asking me questions. Now we’re on a first name basis. Once they put a name to you, you’re not just a bum on the corner, you’re a person: you’ve got a name."
"I have a unique way of distributing Megaphone. I love riding my bicycle, so I set up a route along Hastings Street and Commercial Drive. It’s fun to ride the bicycle and visit my customers. That’s the main goal for me, to keep in touch with the community, get some healthy exercise and make a little bit of money along the way."
"Being homeless just sucks. It’s a vicious cycle and I feel like a mouse trapped in a spinning wheel that just goes on and on and nobody can stop it. I don’t think shelters are doing enough because they got a 30-day limit.
But being a Megaphone vendor gives me an option to work. Because of my illness, I can’t hold down a job in a factory or anything. Selling the magazine and being outside is the ideal situation for me so. I also like that I have the opportunity to write in the magazine as well. I have an ambition to write, so I fit with Megaphone and its vision."
“Selling Megaphone has been helping. I really like it. Most of my life I’ve been an independent business person, my own boss. With this, I can get up at seven in the morning and go sell it if I want, or I can go out at nine o’clock at night and sell it if I want.
“I get to meet really neat people. Sometimes it’s not customers, but other people you meet on the street. Once a guy gave me his lunch because he had some extra sandwiches. He was completely broke, but he had food for me. That was really nice."
"What I like most about selling Megaphone is just getting out there, meeting people. It brings your spirits up. I also like going to different areas of Vancouver that I don’t usually go to. I think that’s important, because you should get to know other people from other communities and they should get to know you so they can get through the stereotypes of the Downtown Eastside."
