Chicago is a bustling metropolis. The city gains global recognition from its dazzling skyline and eloquent architecture. Several societal and cultural indicators represent the great City of Chicago; however one indicator is often overlooked. Chicagoans often turn the other cheek or blush when challenged with the idea of homelessness. It exists everywhere in America, especially in large cities such as Chicago. The general public often shuns homeless men and women. Society tends to forget these faceless individuals carry a biography within their docile spirits. In an individualistic society, it is assumed if a person is homeless they are lazy or uneducated.
For the past fifteen years, a Chicago-based organization has fought to give the homeless population a chance to become enterprising individuals and re-gain their confidence. Streetwise is a newspaper which is produced in Chicago that chronicles issues and happenings within the city. Streetwise employs homeless men and women as vendors to sale the magazine on Chicago streets. Streetwise vendors, who can be easily identified by ID badges, are supervised by on-the-job Streetwise personnel and local law enforcement.
Streetwise boasts that with employment from the newspaper its vendors are able to find housing and secure other basic life necessities. Besides receiving employment and the ability to secure housing, Streetwise vendors are given tools to insure their financial stability and personal empowerment. Streetwise has several key dates within its fifteen-year history. In 1995, the publication introduced its first color issue and in 1996 became bi-weekly. The newspaper has accomplished in fifteen years what some publications can not accomplish for decades.
The media has a responsibility not only to provide information to the masses but to also empower its following. Streetwise does not flourish on the profits of the newspaper but rather the welfare of its vendors and constituents. Streetwise is a social institution engraved in the urban culture that encompasses Chicago.
Streetwise strongly suggests to the general public the best way to become engaged with the newspaper is to buy an issue. However, if an individual wants to provide internal support, Streetwise has many volunteer opportunities such as special events planning. For further information about Streetwise and volunteer opportunities please log on to www.streetwise.org