The Contributor continues to pull in rave reviews, requests for subscriptions and store racks, and the Homeless themselves are showing more and more interest in selling the paper for themselves. Like any new thing designed to "help the Homeless," the population approaches it with cynicism and skepticism, since they've been burned so many times in the past by others who claim they are "only trying to help." It takes some time for the good folks of the street to believe that somethings truly "for real" and actually does what it's intended to do. Once they see for themselves that selling the paper is a great way to earn instant cash, build relationships with the community, gain some self respect for themselves, overcome past employment problems and step over barriers erected as a result of interaction with the judicial system that traditionally bar them from so many other forms of employment, they come to investigate how they can get in on the deal. That is exactly what is happening now, and they are not leaving disappointed, that is for sure. There is plenty of room in town for new vendors at the moment, and just about anywhere in Davidson County is open for business. We consciously chose not to name the paper in a way that would restrict it to a localized area such as Nashville, so actually the paper could theoretically be sold anywhere in the state and for that matter, anywhere in the nation, without losing much of its overall informational value. We are hoping that as the paper grows, so too will its spread of coverage and subsequently, the number of vendors needed to move it into those new areas. For now however, we are pleased that we are able to make such a positive difference in the lives of our vendors in such a short time. Future plans being discussed include establishing a vendor fund that allows our permanent vendors access to free money for prescription purchases, housing and utility costs and deposits, clothing, personal hygiene items and a host of other things to make their lives easier. We will also be supplying bags for carrying the papers and aprons to our permanent vendors around the end of the month and will begin making other clothing items available to them free of charge as we near the first of the year. To the new vendors, "WE APPLAUD AND SALUTE YOU!" May you create great success for yourselves in your new endeavors!
12.02.2007
8 New Vendors Hit The Streets
The Contributor continues to pull in rave reviews, requests for subscriptions and store racks, and the Homeless themselves are showing more and more interest in selling the paper for themselves. Like any new thing designed to "help the Homeless," the population approaches it with cynicism and skepticism, since they've been burned so many times in the past by others who claim they are "only trying to help." It takes some time for the good folks of the street to believe that somethings truly "for real" and actually does what it's intended to do. Once they see for themselves that selling the paper is a great way to earn instant cash, build relationships with the community, gain some self respect for themselves, overcome past employment problems and step over barriers erected as a result of interaction with the judicial system that traditionally bar them from so many other forms of employment, they come to investigate how they can get in on the deal. That is exactly what is happening now, and they are not leaving disappointed, that is for sure. There is plenty of room in town for new vendors at the moment, and just about anywhere in Davidson County is open for business. We consciously chose not to name the paper in a way that would restrict it to a localized area such as Nashville, so actually the paper could theoretically be sold anywhere in the state and for that matter, anywhere in the nation, without losing much of its overall informational value. We are hoping that as the paper grows, so too will its spread of coverage and subsequently, the number of vendors needed to move it into those new areas. For now however, we are pleased that we are able to make such a positive difference in the lives of our vendors in such a short time. Future plans being discussed include establishing a vendor fund that allows our permanent vendors access to free money for prescription purchases, housing and utility costs and deposits, clothing, personal hygiene items and a host of other things to make their lives easier. We will also be supplying bags for carrying the papers and aprons to our permanent vendors around the end of the month and will begin making other clothing items available to them free of charge as we near the first of the year. To the new vendors, "WE APPLAUD AND SALUTE YOU!" May you create great success for yourselves in your new endeavors!
Smiling does a body good
