“I like selling Megaphone because I get into nice conversations with people about Megaphone. One lady for instance, she asked me at the (Eastside Flea) why I sell the magazines. And I say it’s because all the people who sell them are my friends or acquaintances and their stories are very interesting. And it’s a good way to break the ice with some people and say, ‘Hey, that’s my friend’s story in here, you should check it out, it’s only $2.’

“One other lady has bought so many from me I think her house is full of magazines. She says she likes coming to me because she can have a laugh, a one-on-one conversation.

“One of the most memorable things this past year is going to my friend’s wedding. I went to her wedding and I was happy. Her and her boyfriend had to wait six years before they got married.

“My best accomplishment this year is working for Megaphone. I feel I can do anything I put my mind to, but Megaphone, they put me out in the spotlight. I sell these papers, talk to these people.

“I like to say hi to people at the vendor meetings. A lot of them, I only knew their faces before. Now we know each other by name. All the vendors need to feel that they’re important. This isn’t just selling papers, it’s a job and it’s giving them an opportunity to step out to the world. If I can sell papers, I can do anything.

“One of my surprises this year was my granddaughter graduating into her next grade. She was born with a learning disability. Her teachers were amazed because she wrote a story and it’s called, ‘My Nanny said.’ So that was my big surprise, when my son called me and said, ‘Guess what was the name of her story.’

“My granddaughter, I call her my little miracle baby. They didn’t think she was gonna live, and I said, ‘Of course she is, she’s got a little bit of my blood in her.’ She’s seven and going on 40. My granddaughter loves books and nature shows like me. I love reading about nature. The biggest surprise is knowing my granddaughter is doing good.

“Next year I’m looking forward to no more drug deaths and a lot more people selling Megaphone. Getting young people out there selling something that makes them feel good about making money the right way—that would make their parents proud. That’s what I would like to see for 2018.

“I want to see kids helping kids, and people helping people—no matter if they have a college degree or don’t have a college degree.

“I want people to treat people like people. I want people to be able to say, ‘Hey what’s your name? I haven't seen you in a long time. I saw your picture, how are you doing?’ Talking to somebody like they’re your sister or your brother.

“I think we need to start to see 2018 as better than this year. I want to see a lot more happy stories of people having babies, people learning how to dance. I’m learning how to step dance. I feel like I’ve got five legs. It’s a joy. This 18 year old is teaching me how to step dance. We do more laughing than we do dancing but it’s interesting watching an old lady try to step dance!”

Catch Elizabeth selling in Vancouver at the Eastside Flea Market. Photo by Geoff Webb.

Since you are already here: We’re working hard to create more low-barrier work opportunities while we build support to end poverty. But we need your help to continue. There’s still a $25,000 gap for what we have planned for next year. Please chip in $10 or more today to build solutions to homelessness: www.megaphonemagazine.com/donate