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Streetwise is celebrating its 15-year anniversary this year, and they’re having a big party at the Garfield Park Conservatory with drinks and prizes and dancing. Streetwise — the newspaper that has homeless people as its vendors — is a pretty good deal at a dollar a copy. We like Streetwise, we think it feels better for all sides to get something of value in return for our dollar, and the calls of "Streetwise!" in the Loop have become part of our urban lexicon.
According to the Trib, Streetwise sells about 15,000 copies a week at a profit to the vendor of 65 cents. Some critics have said it’s not enough to start a new life with; but Streetwise maintains that it is enough to get its vendors out of truly desperate situations and has the added incentive of making their vendors feel like they have control over their lives.
We’re curious — do you buy Streetwise? After you buy it, do you read it, or does your satisfaction come from the act of buying it?
Celebrate with Streetwise on Friday, February 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Garfield Park Conservatory. You can R.S.V.P. online or call 312-829-2526.
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I buy it sometimes, and I always read it after I buy it. I was once annoyed to encounter a Streetwise vendor who didn't want to give me a paper after I paid him. Apparently he only had one left and was basically using it as a prop. But I know he's in the minority.
I usually just give them a dollar and tell them to keep the paper.
I have never read a Streetwise... what exactly does it contain? Articles about how to spruce up your refrigerator box? Reviews of local soup kitchen cuisine?
I do like the concept behind StreetWise, in that rather than simply pan handling it gives the homeless something to sell. But wouldn't it make sense to have them sell something more people would find worth buying? Like one of the real newspapers, or maybe RedEye?
Benjy,
Last time I checked, Streetwise was a real newspaper.