Must-Read Post from Street Roots

In my Facebook feed appears this link from NASNA to a blog post from Portland, OR's Street Roots Executive Director, Israel Bayer. If you've wondered about the purpose, even the ethics, of street papers, you can't miss it.

Just yesterday, I was coming out of Mr. Hero on Manhattan with dinner for my dad and I which I was then going to drive over 20 minutes to deliver and enjoy with him. As I got situated in my car to leave, I was approached by a man in t-shirt and shorts who showed me a dollar and a Black & White Cab Co. gift card, saying he needs help getting home. He got stuck at the Greyhound station (which is about 4 miles away via Cherry Street, if he walked) and needed just a few more dollars to get him on his way.

In my limited (but less limited than it used to be) experience with folks asking for money on the streets, this is usually a line. Whatever the money is for, getting a ride is often not the real "need". So why did I still hand him some money? Because it's not for me to judge whether or not he's lying, and even if he is, whether or not his hidden reason is good enough for my help. And, for once, I happened to have some cash on me.

I believe in taking opportunities to help people. I even believe in creating opportunities (hence, Toledo Streets). I believe in executing judgement in safety (which is why I locked my car door as he approached and rolled my window down only part-way) and in deciding if I can afford to let some cash slip through my fingers and to whom I give it. I also believe in accountability and in allowing other people to make their own choices. It's a hard line to walk, but it's worth walking.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SMALL CHANGE.

Gotta Love Facebook

The interwebnet gods are good. Thanks to facebook (and my friends), I have been able to connect very quickly to a lot of people who can help see Toledo Streets become a reality.

Case in point: I became a facebook fan of INSP (International Network of Street Papers), which allowed me to post a little message on their wall asking for anyone who might be able to help as I start a street paper to befriend me. Next day I have a message from Andy Freeze, the Executive Director of NASNA (North American Street Newspaper Association), who I'd been meaning to call anyway.

Meanwhile, my great friend, Ken Leslie (more on him another time), is talking to one of his friends about the street paper. This friend of his is the Executive Director of the Downtown Toledo Improvement District and, as I understand it, one of the head guys for the Greater Downtown Business Partnership, which involves the Downtown Toledo Parking Authority, CitiFest and the Toledo Design Center. Long story short, this gentleman may be able to help "grease the wheels" for me downtown.

Now I am compiling a list of questions for Andy, as I expect to give him a call Monday. I'm sure it will be the first of several calls, but I'd like to ask as many questions as possible, as I have people asking me questions I can't answer yet. And these people are the folks who can really help.

The snowball is starting to roll...

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SMALL CHANGE.

Safety Vests

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Possible uniform? Would like to scrren print these. This site has the cheapest price so far.

More Coverage on Street Papers

INSP (the International Network of Street Papers) linked to a great article regarding street papers and the power of writing for the unhoused by the unhoused. My favorite quote:

For people who are living on the streets or in temporary housing, the bonds of community are difficult to build and sustain. But as writers, they join a community of people just like them who are learning to build their capacity to express their concerns, fears and hopes.

You can read the entire article here: http://tinyurl.com/nnrp7y

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SMALL CHANGE.

New Adventure

I remember always being fascinated by tunnels, secret passageways, and rabbit trails in the woods. I want to know what's around the bend. Less because I think something fabulous is at the end but more because the adventure of exploring something new is alluring. The thrill is in the moment - the journey itself - and not in the anticipation of the outcome.

But in this adventure there is both the journey and its aim. Starting a street paper will be a completely new adventure for me, and there is also the delight of imagining how it might make a positive change in Toledo.

There is much to be done: feasibility study, funding, networking with the city, networking with local agencies, legal legwork, selling ads, selling subscriptions, developing relationships with vendors, finding a base of operations, creating a website, and much more. I have doubts, both regarding my own abilities and the viability of the paper itself in the specific locale of Toledo; however, the idea of this is too important to not pursue. The potential aid it can bring to however many people is worth it.

The purpose of this particular blog is for both my reference and to help anyone else out there who might have the hope of starting a street paper in their own city. Here I will chronicle the adventure as much as possible.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS SMALL CHANGE.

For more about street papers, please visit http://www.nasna.org/stpaper.html.