StreetWise
Encyclopedia
StreetWise is a street newspaper
sold by people without homes or those at-risk for homelessness in Chicago
. Topics covered in the paper vary depending on what is happening in Chicago at the time. In 2003, it had the largest readership of any street newspaper in the United States of America.
StreetWise contains art, poetry, and articles by vendors; as well as stories of local and national interest, particularly progressive issues.
The weekly Chicago magazine, created as a method by which the homeless or at-risk could derive an income, had fallen victim to a slow economy. Foundation support had made up nearly half of StreetWise's $500,000 budget but is down 60 percent. Ad revenues also are in decline and street sales have dropped 20 percent, publishers say.
After the newspaper's publishers and board members announced on April 15, 2009 that declining revenues and foundation support might force a closure with 45 days, donations began pouring in. Before the end of the day, an influx of almost $41,000 helped the ailing publication halfway to its goal. Within a week, over $190,000 in donations were made, far exceeding the needed $75,000 to keep afloat, stated StreetWise board Vice Chairman Pete Kadens.
Street newspaper
Street newspapers are newspapers or magazines sold by homeless or poor individuals and produced mainly to support these populations. Most such newspapers primarily provide coverage about homelessness and poverty-related issues, and seek to strengthen social networks within homeless communities...
sold by people without homes or those at-risk for homelessness in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. Topics covered in the paper vary depending on what is happening in Chicago at the time. In 2003, it had the largest readership of any street newspaper in the United States of America.
StreetWise contains art, poetry, and articles by vendors; as well as stories of local and national interest, particularly progressive issues.
History
The paper was started in 1991 by Judd Lofchie and about 200 vendors sell approximately 20,000 papers weekly. The vendors buy the paper for 90 cents each and sell the newspaper for $2, keeping the profit.The weekly Chicago magazine, created as a method by which the homeless or at-risk could derive an income, had fallen victim to a slow economy. Foundation support had made up nearly half of StreetWise's $500,000 budget but is down 60 percent. Ad revenues also are in decline and street sales have dropped 20 percent, publishers say.
After the newspaper's publishers and board members announced on April 15, 2009 that declining revenues and foundation support might force a closure with 45 days, donations began pouring in. Before the end of the day, an influx of almost $41,000 helped the ailing publication halfway to its goal. Within a week, over $190,000 in donations were made, far exceeding the needed $75,000 to keep afloat, stated StreetWise board Vice Chairman Pete Kadens.
See also
- International Network of Street PapersInternational Network of Street PapersThe International Network of Street Papers is an organization of street papers that provide employment opportunities, community, and a voice to homeless and other economically vulnerable people. It spans 94 papers from 36 countries, in total selling about 32 million copies each year. INSP was...
- North American Street Newspaper AssociationNorth American Street Newspaper AssociationThe North American Street Newspaper Association is an organization of street newspapers papers that provide employment opportunities, community, and a voice to homeless and other economically vulnerable people. it has 28 members in the United States and Canada with a total monthly circulation of...