One Step Away Magazine Volume 9 Issue 7

ONE STEP AWAY V OLUME 9 ISSUE 7 # ICYMI PHILLY * HEPATITIS A * RE-FRAMING MEDIA * TINY HOUSES * ON THE STREETS MEET LILY , SESAME STREET’S NEWEST MEMBER , AS SHE HOMELESSSNESSOVERCOMES NESE AS S H O H is for... HOME, HELP, AND HEALIN G $ 5 ONE E STEP P AWAWAY Y IS A PROROGGRAM M OF F R REESSOOURURCCEES FOR R HUMAN DE DEVEVELOOPM P EN E T orkshop.dRicharbyPhotoTermine/SesameW

Why is One Step Away now $5?

The new price allows our vendors to continue to benefit from selling the magazine throughout the city, and allows the program to grow and continue to be an open opportunity and second chance for our neighbors in need. Vendors purchase each magazine for $1.50 and distribute them on the streets for $5 — earning $3.50 for each magazine. What does One Step Away's future look like? We are focused on remaining a no-barrier income opportunity for anyone in need, while supporting vendors and providing them with the skills they need to succeed. We plan on creating internal vendor positions and promotions, while building our community and business partnerships, with the goal of finding stable employment for our vendors.

Why did you change to a magazine?

opportunities

While we are moving to a new format, we will still continue to provide the solutions oriented, community focused, and vendor driven content that you have come to expect. While adding some new sections to engage more of the community.

In honor of our nine years as Philadelphia's street paper, we wanted to celebrate all of our accomplishments and create a magazine to help our vendors earn more money so they can truly break the cycle ofAshomelessness.anewspaper, vendors earned 75 cents from each paper sold.

WHY A MAGAZINE? YOUR IMPACT WANT TO BECOME A VENDOR? Visit our Vendor Site: open Monday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 10am-1pm at Broad & Arch Streets (55 N. Broad Street) BECOME A SHELTER AMBASSADOR: Want to get your organization or shelter involved with One Step Away? We are looking for shelter ambassadors. If you are interested, email osa@rhd.org. WRITE FOR ONE STEP AWAY: Submit article, poems, stories, artwork, or puzzles via email to osa@rhd.org. CONTACT US OSAphilly.orgosa@rhd.org@OSAphilly DONATE! Return the coupon on page 4 with a check, money order, or cash to invest in OSA. online at: osaphilly.org by mail: One Step Away, P.O. Box Philadelphia,63703,PA19147 OSAPHILLY.ORG

Over the past nine years, basic living expenses have increased, and 75 cents does not get you very far these days. We want to help provide our vendors with the best opportunities for success, and stay current in our constantly changing society. To do this we created the One Step Away magazine. We hope you enjoy the new format, and will continue to support us as we prepare for the future.

SUPPORTING OUR VENDORS

2 ONE STEP AWAY

Every day our vendors put on their yellow vests and hit the streets distributing One Step Away. Our vendors work hard to earn the money they need to support themselves, to meet their basic necessities, to overcome homelessness, or to afford rent so they do not experience homelessness again.

Is One Step Away’s content changing?

OSAPHILLY.ORG 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS #ICYMI: PHILADELPHIA 5 #TRENDING: TINY HOMES 9 TINY HOUSES ACROSS THE U.S. 19 SESAME STREET: FROM THE STREETS 21 REFRAME YOUR LANGUAGE 25 VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: EDWARD’S HOME 26 “HEARD” OSA’S NEW PODCAST 29 POETRY 28 PUZZLES 30 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU 31 TAKE OUR SURVEY! THE MAGAZINE VENDORS BUY EACH COPY FOR $1.50 AND DISTRIBUTE THEM FOR $5, KEEPING ALL OF THE PROFITS! Every time you purchase a One Step Away Magazine you create meaningful income and personal growth opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty. JOIN US AND HELP OUR VENDORS WORK THEIR WAY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS. 219 26 One Step Away is a program of Resources for Human Development (RHD), a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. www.rhd.org. We are a member of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), helping 20,500 vendors earn an income each year. Onewww.insp.ngoStepAway is a proud member of Broke in Philly, a collaborative news initiative among 22 local news organizations to provide in-depth naunced, solutions-oriented reporting on issues of poverty and push for economic justice in Philadelphia. OUR AFFILIATIONS StreetSesameGreensGrowDrexel Creating Jobs, Advocating for Social Change

4 ONE STEP AWAY We want to make “From Our Readers” a permanent section. Please help by submitting your thoughts and feedback! THANKS FOR MAKING A INDIFFERENCEINDIFFERENCEAWORLDOF I crossed paths with Ram today at the Trader Joe’s on Market Street. As chance would have it, his story is featured on the cover of the current issue of One Step Away. As someone recently released from federal prison, I want to express my appreciation for the agency RHD gives to folks who persist through the struggles life sends. I was pleased to be in a position to make a donation today and will do so again as resources allow.Thanks for making a difference in a world of indifference. – Joe S YOUR SAY: FROM OUR READERS CONTACT US OSAphilly.orgosa@rhd.org@OSAphilly DONATE! Return this coupon with a check, money order, or cash to invest in OSA. by mail: One Step Away P.O. Box Philadelphia,63703PA19147 online at: osaphilly.org I AM AN INVESTOR: O $25 O $50 O $75 O $100 O $150 O $200 O $250 O $500 O $750 O $1,000 O City,Address:Name:$State, ZIP: OEmail:Phone:I’dlike to be a monthly donor. I WANT TO INVEST IN ONE STEP AWAY! O To create opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness. My vendor is: O To advocate for social justice. O To learn more about what is happening in my community and around the world. O To support independent media. O To read first-hand perspectives about homelessness, housing, and poverty. O To One Step Away is a program of Resources for Human Development, Inc. (RHD), a certified 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All donations go directly to support individuals experiencing homelessness through One Step Away’s magazine, vendor, and community programming.

1. ‘ALEXA, WAKE ME UP FOR CAMP!”: MIGHTY WRITERS. Full story by Michaela Winberg, BillyPenn. com. Philly kids have a strong desire to learn about their neighborhoods. After Mighty Writers tailored summer courses to match interest at its various locations — think slated—faster?”thanhow“ItTimsudden,”areskyrocketed.enrollmentandworkshopsMarket,storytellingimmigration-themedintheItalianorgirlpoweratthe15thChristianoutpost—intheprograms“ItfeelslikethenumbersexplodingonusallofaexecutivedirectorWhitakertoldBillyPenn.hasusreallythinkinghere,dowegetevenbiggerwe’vebeengetting,andMorevolunteerswouldhelprecruitmenteffortsaretorampup—aswould more donations and financial support, to pay the teachers and hire more staff to keep an expanded roster running smoothly.

OSAPHILLY.ORG 5

4. PUTTING ART TO WORK. Article by Patrick at ThePhiladelphiaCitizen.com.

5.

DUEHEALTHDECLAREDPHILADELPHIAPUBLICEMERGENCYTOHEPATITISA.

#ICYMI: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT #BROKE IN PHILLY WITH SO MUCH GOING ON IN THE NEWS, YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED SOME LOCAL STORIES THAT AFFECT OUR COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY. HERE, BROKE IN PHILLY BREAKS DOWN FIVE IMPORTANT STORIES FOR PHILADELPHIANS. READ MORE AT THE LINKS LISTED.

2. STUDY: HARDEST.COMMUTERSHITTRANSFERSEPTAFEESLOW-WAGETHE

In the southeast concourse at SEPTA’s Suburban Station, a poorly lit and once stained white wall now welcomes commuters with a 57-foot hand painted mural boasting big bright flowers and radiant summer colors. But the real significance of the mural, unveiled this week, is less the art — and more the artists. The mural is the first installation in a 28-week pilot program by Mural Arts Philadelphia called Color Me Back, a same day work and pay program that pays economically insecure people in Philadelphia $50 cash for three hours of public art making. The program holds a lottery every morning from Monday to Thursday at Love Park, where 10 people are selected to work that day. As Color Me Back continues, Mural Arts Executive Director Jane Golden says that they will continue to work with SEPTA to create more murals in concourses throughout the city. She says they already looking at several other locations.

Full article by Michaela Winberg, BillyPenn. com. More than 8 million Americans living with economic hardship get internet access for just $10 a month, thanks to a program that Comcast is expanding to a potential audience of 3 million more people this year. Without regular access, it can be very difficult to navigate websites or even know how to use a computer. To bridge the gap in its home city and beyond, Comcast funds digital literacy workshops — and community leaders involved say they actually work. This year there’ll be more people to teach than ever. The Philly-based media giant announced that anyone who receives Income,SupplementalMedicaid,SecurityorSNAPprogram benefits can now apply for discounted broadband. The workshops are what ensures the program really makes a difference in communities. Since 2011, 9.5 million people have gotten help learning how to use the internet, according to Comcast. Last year, the corporation gave out $1 million for workshops in Philadelphia alone.

Full article by Aaron Moselle, PlanPhilly.com. Commuters without a lot of cash to spare get hit hardest by SEPTA’s transfer fees, according to new research from the Pew Charitable Trusts.People using the SEPTA Key card’s Travel Wallet get charged $3 for a ride that includes a transfer — the second highest single-trip fare among peer cities after Washington, according to the report.Butriders who rely on cash — perhaps because they can’t afford to pre-load money onto Key cards — must spend more to get where they need to go. One transfer for these cash riders costs $5 because they’re forced to pay $2.50 each time they board a new vehicle, unless they are switching subway lines at City Hall. That’s free. The findings come as SEPTA begins to consider the future of transfer fees. Spokesman Andrew Busch said the agency may completely eliminate them. Transfer fees could disappear next July if an agency proposal is backed by its board following public hearings, said Spokesman Andrew Busch.

The City Of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health Declared a Public Health Emergency to Address the Rise in Hepatitis A. The Hepatitis A virus is spreading rapidly and is expected to continue to do so.Thus far in 2019, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health Division of Disease Control has confirmed 154 people tested positive for acute Hepatitis A, with 85% of the diagnoses occurring since May. #ICYMI was created by Broke in Philly, a collaborative news initiative among 22 local news organizations to provide in-depth, nuanced, and brokeinphilly.org.challenges.thatengagementreportingcollaborativeorganizationscommunitythePhiladelphia,ThisPhiladelphiaforofreportingsolutions-orientedontheissuespovertyandthepusheconomicjusticeineffortisledbyResolveanewhubforcity’sgeneralinterest,andethnicnewstoproducesolutionsandcommunityactivitiesaddressurgentsocialFormoredetails,visit:

3. COMCAST EXPANDS LOW-COST INTERNET, ALONG WORK.THATLEARNINGWITHPROGRAMSACTUALLY

BUT ON WHOSE BEHALF?

Trump’s comment that world leaders “can’t see that” brings out, too, a not uncommon refrain about the exposure of poverty as an eyesore. But yes, they can — and should — see the truth. The truth is that people are really, really poor in wealthy U.S. cities. And developers like Donald Trump that drive up the price of real estate are part of that truth. But while many of his comments were uncomfortably close to mainstream notions, his misunderstanding of the federal government’s role in housing and services is important to spotlight.Thefederal government, he said, is “not very equipped as a government to be doing that kind of work” of solving homelessness, and “that’s not really the kind of work that the government probably should be doing. We’ve never had this in our lives before in our country. And it’s not only those few cities; it’s a couple of other ones.” No. It’s just the opposite. Federal disinvestment in housing in the early 1980s pushed us into modern-day homelessness. The Western Regional Advocacy Project breaks down this disinvestment in its 2010 Without Housing report, describing how in 1983, funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development was cut to a level 77 percent less than 1978 levels. The report concludes that “ending mass homelessness in the United States will require a serious recommitment by the federal government to create, subsidize and maintain truly affordable housing.” Despite all the work that local and state governments do to address homelessness, when the federal government support is lacking, the chasm is overwhelming.

In July, US President Donald Trump claimed, in an interview on Fox News, that he had “ended” homelessness in Washington D.C., a problem which, according to him, “started two years ago”. He also went on to refer to those sleeping on the streets in other American cities as “filth” and “inappropriate”. Kaia Sand, the executive director of Portland street paper Street Roots, says the president, who deplores the visibility of homelessness, doesn’t understand the federal government’s role in the housing crisis. By Kaia Sand, Executive Director of Street Roots

Courtesy of Street Roots / INSP.ngo

Today, one of the federal government’s best-known assistance programs is Section 8 vouchers for low- and no-income renters, including the disabled and elderly. But only one out of every four people who qualify for a Section 8 voucher receives one. And rent prices have risen to levels that the dollars don’t stretch far enough to cover the need. And Mr. President, that’s not just a few urban centres with extreme situations. This is the entire country. Interceding on their behalf is clearly not what Trump means. He continues to push budgets that would slash HUD’s programs, proposing higher rents and reduced rental assistance. These cuts hit extremely low-income families the hardest and cripple local communities’ efforts to end homelessness among their own neighbours.There’smore. The Trump administration has carried into the housing realm its cruel and relentless preoccupation with inflicting hardship on the lives of people who have immigrated to the United States from Mexico and Central America. This will result in more homelessness.InMay,hisadministration began pushing a new rule. Families for whom even one person is undocumented will lose their federal funding for housing. An estimated 25,000 “mixed status” families – households composed of even one member who doesn’t have documents – would be evicted from public housing and stripped of housing vouchers.

6 ONE STEP AWAY #ICYMI: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT #TRUMP EDITORIAL

While Trump’s comments about “interceding” are ominous, his sentiments are uncomfortably mainstream, embedded in “liveability” policies and voiced on Next Door threads and in letters to the editor. The Oregon Department of Transportation “intercedes” by rolling boulders under overpasses to block unhoused people from taking shelter in the rain.

I applaud her leadership. Say “enough,” and push back against Trump’s racist vitriol. HUD is accepting public comment through 9 July. Register your dissent to this federal rule that will drive more people into homelessness.

On July 1, 2019, Trump free-associated about homelessness with Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, associating “filth” with descriptions of homeless people and declaring his desire to “get that whole thing cleaned up” because the visibility of homelessness is “inappropriate.”“Whenwehave leaders of the world coming in to see the president of the United States and they’re riding down a highway, they can’t be looking at that,” he said. “I really believe that it hurts our country. “They can’t be looking at scenes like you see in Los Angeles and San Francisco. … We’re looking at it very seriously. We may intercede.”

TRUMP WANTS TO INTERCEDE ON HOMELESSNESS CRISIS —

The HUD impact statement estimates that more than 100,000 people would be affected – 70 percent of them citizens or legal residents, 55,000 of them children. And the agency estimates spending $3 million to $4 million dollars evicting people, many into homelessness. Is that what Trump means by interceding? Creating more homelessness?MeyerMemorial Trust President and CEO Michelle DePass issued a statement declaring that it’s time for more people to say “enough.”

“This is likely the first time Meyer Memorial Trust has commented on a pending federal housing rule,” she wrote. “We are moved to do so by HUD’s willingness to use families and children as props in a political drama that will destabilize communities across the United States and directly increase homelessness and trauma among Oregon’s 4.2 million residents.”

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One Step Away in 2009 as a voice of advocacy and social justice, and as an innovative way to solve gaps in social services that would help people achieve self-sufficiency. A national human services nonprofit with the broadest possible service mission, RHD supports tens of thousands of people each year in caring and effective services addressing intellectual disabilities, behavioral health, homelessness, addiction recovery and much more. Find out how you can help at www.rhd.org

dedication to providing income and personal growth opportunities to

APPRECIATIONFriedmanLLP

to

need. © 2019 Friedman LLP. All rights reserved.

Denise McKnight, CPA, Partner

267.886.11162000DMcKnight@friedmanllp.comMarketStreet,Suite500

TOGETHER, WE CAN End homelessness Together we’re better. Together, we’re RHD. Your livelihood, empowered. New York New Jersey Pennsylvania China friedmanllp.com is proud support One Step Away. We appreciate their those in

Everybody deserves a place to call home. From shelters and safe havens to supportive housing and nationally-renowned case management services, Resources for Human Development helps people of all abilities attain and maintain their own housing. RHD is a national leader in pioneering innovative strategies to support people as they work to break they cycle of RHDhomelessness.founded

One

See frompotentialeveryangle.

Willis Towers Watson is a proud supporter of Step Away and Resources for Human Development

A SOLUTION OR A TREND? CAN THEY BE BOTH? EXPLORING TINY HOMES:

The typical American home measures 2,600 square feet. A tiny house is a home with square footage between 100 and 400 square feet. While this may vary, typical “Tiny Houses” are 400 square feet or less. The idea behind the tiny house is more than just the idea of living in a smaller space. It is the lifestyle concept that sometimes less can really be more. Especially when these tiny homes simultaneously reduce the carbon footprint and the high costs of acquiring land and home construction. This could offer big advantages to the average American who spends one-third to half of their income on housing, but can be a total game changer for those who can’t afford housing at all under the current pricing of traditional homes. WHERE DID TINY HOUSES START? A COMMUNITY FOR THE HOMELESS.

Tiny Homes appears to be one of the latest trends sweeping America, along with minimalism, recycling, and climate change, it is easy to question: “is this all just a trend or is it sustainable?” While Tiny Houses are now in the mainstream media and culture, as a lifestyle change, here at One Step Away we were interested in Tiny Homes for another reason: the housing. Forty-five percent of One Step Away’s active vendors are currently experiencing homelessness — they are couch-surfing, on the streets, or in various unstable living situations. For new vendors, that number is even higher, 73 percent of new individuals starting One Step Away report they are currently experiencing homelessness. So for us, people experiencing homelessness or people working directly with individuals in unstable living situations, Tiny Homes may be a trend, but can it be a solution to our City’s lack of affordable housing? WHAT IS A TINY HOUSE?

Dignity Village was the first tiny house community for the homeless. The movement grew in Portland,Oregon, then spread to Seattle and cities around the United States. Although the movement began in 2000, the 2007 housing market crash helped accelerate the concept of tiny houses. Since the movement has grown, several startup, nonprofit, and government initiatives have spearheaded a variety of partnerships and models of tiny houses— in Los Angeles homeowners can even construct tiny homes in their backyards. The backyard approach, which labels each living unit as ADU’s, or accessory dwelling units, is the newest evolution in the tiny house movement. But this leaves the community concept behind, as it is the basis of community that many advocates believe have led to the success of the existing tiny house communities.

OSAPHILLY.ORG 9 TINY HOMES

Dignity Village is the longest-existing, continually operating, citysanctioned homeless village in the United States. The amenities at Dignity Village are sparse. Each unit costs approximately $2,500 to construct and comes with a bed and propane heater. Requests for electrical must be approved and usually must accompany a medical need. There is not running water in each individual tiny house unit. Instead the village features a common area with two sinks, one shower, and several portapotties. Village residents also share a common kitchen and warming room, including a computer room. Dignity Village houses 50-60 residents who pay $35 a month to help supplement their monthly tenant expenses, $60 per resident. Donations and revenue cover the remainder of the costs. Residents can stay for a maximum of two years, unless they are in a leadership position. The village

10 ONE STEP AWAY

TINY HOMES

4.radius.Nodisruptive behavior of any kind that disturbs the general peace and welfare of the

Photo by Kwamba Productions, welcomes residents who are typically excluded from traditional shelters, including couples and those with pets. Dignity Village is incorporated in Oregon as a 501(c)3 membership-based non-profit organization and is governed by bylaws and a Board of Directors with an elected chairman and other corporate officers. It is designated as a campground and is subject to Portland’s rules governing campgrounds. Membership is by application review. Membership is dependent upon following the community’s rules of behavior, contained in their membership agreement. Dignity Village’s Basic Rules are posted in the village: 1. No violence toward yourself or others.

The Tent City Urbanist movement gave birth to the Tiny House Community movement. Almost a decade ago in December 2000 the first tiny house community, Dignity Village, was created in Portland, Oregon. The village was founded by eight men and women who pitched five tents on a public land. In August 2001, Dignity Village was officially recognized by the city and given a designated area. The village is located on city land and shares the property with a municipal leaf composting facility. Due to its success, other communities were modeled after it. There are now dozens of successful tiny house communities around the country, and many more in the planning stages.

FROM TENT CITY TO DIGNITY VILLAGE:

THE FIRST TINY HOUSE VILLAGE IN THE U.S.

2. No theft. 3. No alcohol, illegal substances or drug paraphernalia on-site or within a one-block

5.village.Everyone must contribute to the upkeep and welfare of the village and works to become a productive member of the community.

A “Tiny Home” is a house typically between 100 to 400 square feet.

TINY HOUSES A SOLUTION FOR PHILADELPHIA?

A group of five volunteers can build one house over a weekend.

There are still currently 11,199 people experiencing homelessness in Seattle and King County based on their May 2019 Point-in-Time Count; 5,228 whom are unsheltered. But Melinda knew they had to start somewhere, so in 2015 they started building tiny houses across the county. Each one is the size of a tool shed, just big enough for a bed and a few shelves. Each house costs $2,700 in materials.

THE RISE OF TINY HOMES:

“It is no secret that Philadelphia has nearly 6,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given day, most of whom are in emergency or temporary housing. We have a little under 1,000 people on the street,” said Liz Hersh in a recent interview with One Step Away.

Liz is aware of the many challenges facing Philadelphians regarding affordable housing, poverty, and homelessness. “We also have intergenerational, structural poverty to contend with. About 400,000 Philadelphians are at the federal poverty level. Another 200,000 or so [people] are at half of the federal poverty. For an individual, that’s about $6,000 per year. But of those 200,000 people at half or less of the federal Photos by Kwamba Productions. The transformation from Tent City to Dignity Village, Portland, Oregon 2000 & 2001.

Seattle’s tiny house communities have garnered a lot of press and interest, including the interest of Liz Hersh, the Director of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services. Originally Liz was unsure whether Tiny Homes were a humane and dignified way to address our City’s homeless crisis. In response, Liz traveled to several of the tiny house communities in Portland and Seattle and determined that this was an affordable housing solution that offered residents enough dignity to be considered for Philadelphia.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE Dignity Village led to the building of many other tiny house communities in Portland and around the country, including Seattle. Recognizing that there simply were not enough affordable housing units in Seattle, the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) turned to tiny homes. Four years ago, Melinda Nichols and her colleagues at LIHI decided to build smaller, less-expensive units to shelter people until they were able to find permanent housing, she told WBUR radio in a May 2019 interview. 69-year-old carpenter Melinda Nichols said, “If you come to Seattle, you will see tents all over the place. You will see homeless people everywhere, and it’s shocking and it’s disturbing and it breaks your heart. This is an emergency. We have to do something.”

“I view them as a response to a homeless emergency,” said Melinda. “I don’t look at them as a permanent solution. I look at them as a positive temporary solution.”

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Liz was also approached by Stephanie Sena founder of SREHUP, StudentRun Emergency Housing Unit of Philadelphia, an initiative with area college students to house individuals experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of winter and help connect them to the services they need to climb out of homelessness.

After years of running safe havens out of churches around the city, SHREUP decided they could have a larger impact by owning a property of theirAccordingown.

“This means that the cycle of poverty has existed so long, not just here in Philadelphia but across the nation, that people have adapted to it. This isn’t OK. And it’s a challenge for our city, state, and“Frankly,country.”we simply do not have enough affordable housing to address homelessness and this bleak picture of poverty. The bright spot is the work we do every day with over 60 amazing [nonprofit] providers here at OHS and, like you’re reporting on right now, the community-driven work happening across Philly’s neighborhoods.”

Cathy Farrell and Stephanie Sena are two people who have hope in the Tiny House Movement for Philadelphia; both women are launching Tiny Home projects to make their hopes a reality. In July 2017, One Step Away’s paper featured an article on Seattle’s tiny house communities for the homeless which interviewed the village’s residents and the tremendously positive role having a house and a community played in their recovery. The article ran simultaneously in the University of Pennsylvania’s Gazette alumni publication. The timing was serendipitous; as it was seen by Cathy Farrell, who contacted Pastor Violet Little of The Welcome Church in Philadelphia, to see if something similar could be done here. The Welcome Church, is often known to those in the community as the church without walls. It is a congregation proclaiming the hope and love of God to all people, especially to people experiencing homelessness. Together, Cathy and Pastor Violet envisioned bringing a tiny house community to provide an inexpensive transitional living space for Philadelphia’s homeless community.

to Ellari Hillard’s July 4, 2018 post on SHREUP.org the group spent two years exploring various options, traveling the world to learn successful shelter models, and finally put a building under contract in early 2018. “Unfortunately, there were a lot of unexpected obstacles in obtaining this building...we planned to be an epicenter for community gathering and positivity, we were ultimately met with zoning issues that could not

COMING TO PHILADELPHIA:

ONE STEP AWAY

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TINY HOUSES

“The Welcome Church first brought the tiny house concept to us awhile back. Many of their members have experienced homelessness and thought this would be a cost-effective, compassionate solution,” Liz said. “Later, I visited a few tiny house programs in Seattle that provide alternatives to emergency shelter.”

But Liz, like many other people have hope: “Philadelphia is a city of courageous, trailblazing people, and the fact that caring people are, on their own, trying new solutions to address this crisis is good news.”

“This means that the cycle of poverty has existed so long, not just here in Philadelphia but across the nation, that people have adapted to it. This isn’t OK. And it’s a challenge for our city, state, and country.”

— Liz Hersh Director, Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services poverty level, the homeless services system only makes contact with about 8 percent, a tiny fraction of them.”

Seattle’s tiny house communities for the homeless were featured in One Step Away’s July 2017 issue. This article ran in One Step Away’s street paper publication and also simultaneously ran in the University of Pennsylvania’s Gazette alumni publication. Together, Cathy and Pastor Violet envisioned bringing a tiny house community to provide an inexpensive transitional living space for Philadelphia’s homeless community: Sanctuary Village was born. Stephanie Sena from SHREUP pictured at their July 24 ground breaking form the organizations’ first tiny house, or “Cozy Cottage” as she calls the structures, on Orleans Street in Kensignton. Photo by Kimberly Paynter/WHYY.

Sanctuary Village and Cozy Cottages, while headed by separate groups serving different populations, have support from City Councilmembers. Sanctuary Village has the support of City Councilman Mark Squilla and former Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell. The Cozy Cottage project has the support of Councilman Allan Domb whose team has extensively examined the idea of tiny houses as an innovative solution for Philly’s lack of affordable housing. Councilman Domb extended a personal loan of $75,000 to fund the construction of SHREUP’s first tiny home model in Kensington.

The city doesn’t have any direct role in either of the to current projects, but Liz is supportive of community members joining together to create housing. “The City isn’t operating any programs like this — but we’re thrilled that people are talking about adding another tool in the ending homelessness toolbox!... we’re supportive of getting people off the street and into homes,” Liz continued.

Allan Domb said at SHREUP’s July groundbreaking, reported WHYY.org. “For $80,000 or $90,000 we can deliver a brand-new home,” Domb continued. “The way I see it, we now build affordable homes that cost $418,000. We can build five of these for that price. We need to look at this across the board.”

“This is the most amazing housing cost we’ve seen in this city in many years,” City Councilmember-at-large

OSAPHILLY.ORG 13 be overcome,” wrote Ellari. “So where did we land after countless hours of analysis? A village of tiny homes on land in Philadelphia.”

In PlanPhilly’s July 25, 2019 article Stephanie said, “We were calling them ‘tiny homes,’ we are now calling them ‘cozy cottages’. The term tiny home is very misunderstood. Some people were envisioning a shed, or a unit on wheels. These units will be small, but on foundation, and with electricity andBothplumbing.”Phillyprojects,

COMING TO PHILADELPHIA: TINY HOUSE COMMUNITIES FOR THE HOMELESS

The two Philly projects, Sanctuary Village and Cozy Cottages, differ in their goals. Sanctuary Village is focused more on constructing a model tiny house community that is successful and can be duplicated. The Cozy Cottage project is focused more on a building a marketable solution for affordable housing though they do have site plans for a community called Breaking Bread.

“We don’t want anyone to be homeless. It’s a moral outrage that homelessness exists in a wealthy country like ours. I am very supportive of any and all solutions to the lack of places for people with no or extremely low incomes to live,” Liz stated. “Providing homes ends homelessness. So, any idea or program that works toward that solution and provides homes we welcome.”

Liz stated, “Both of these initiatives are being driven by local nonprofits, which is great. We love innovation from the community. At this time, though, the Office of Homeless Services does not have a role in either effort. This is not unusual. We do not have a role in many affordable housing initiatives! But we love that people are trying new things to solve a community-wide problem. Government can’t solve homelessness alone.”

Cathy Farrell started a nonprofit to create her Tiny Homes community, Sanctuary Village. Stephanie Sena and SHREUP lovingly named their project of Tiny Homes, Cozy Cottages.

TINY HOUSES A CHALLENGE FOR PHILADELPHIA?

As Liz explained in Philadelphia, homelessness, lack of affordable housing, and generational poverty have compounded to create numerous huge gaps in the system. Our city has the

TINY HOUSE COMMUNITIES FOR THE HOMELESS

Sanctuary Village still needs to obtain the property to construct their community on. Their site plan calls for a 6,500 sq ft lot, and though there are thousands of vacant lots currently available in Philadelphia’s land bank, at the moment there are none larger than 5,500 sq ft.

SANCTUARYAWAYVILLAGE:

First Tier Village: The starting village for people who are homeless and their pets. Each person who comes into our first village of cozy cottages has a discharge plan. We will have a community center on site for shared meals and activities, and services needed to help people get back on their feet. (Mental healthcare, physical healthcare, job training, financial literacy workshops, GED training and college prep, etc. Being closely linked to all the local universities helps with this). When our clients “graduate” from this tier (after approximately one year), they move on into the second and third tiered villages/

Second Tier Village: Shallow rent subsidized cozy cottages. Third Tier Village: Home ownership of cozy cottages. All members of our community are lifelong clients, and once they come through our program, they always have access to our services and community centers. We will be cycling people through the program on their way from homelessness to housing.

SHREUP and Stephanie began working on creating this village of tiny homes, lovingly called “Cozy Cottages” by Stephanie, to reach the underserved population of homeless with pets denied services at traditional shelters and who don’t want to leave their companions on the streets. The Cozy Cottage project broke ground on July 2, 2019, for their oneunit model on a small lot on Orleans street. The lot was obtained in 2018 from the Land Bank for free with the support of Councilman Mark Squilla whose district the lot resides in.

Sanctuary Village plans to have eight to ten tiny houses and plans to build them for about $3,500 each, or possibly less, with the help of donated materials. They will have limited amenities like Oregon’s Dignity Village’s homes, but each unit will have their own toilet.

Sanctuary Village’s mission is to provide a community of tiny houses to help people transition out of chronic homelessness. Their website tinyhousecommunity.org states: “We want to make Sanctuary Village a safe community that provides shelter as well the services that individuals who have been experiencing homelessness need to get back on their feet. This will allow residents to move toward stability and permanent housing.”

PHILLY’S HIGH POVERTY & LOW HOUSING

SHREUP’s website details their tiny house plans, to roll-out their village plan in tiers, with the “first-tier village” housing people who are experiencing homelessness with their pets. The original plan had a community center providing meals and resources that helps individuals get back on their feet.

Ellari continues in the SHREUP blog post: “This opportunity also gives us the freedom to scale up over time. Ultimately, the plan for our project is to have different “tiered” villages. Land plots for these villages are being donated to us by generous Philadelphians who love our mission. We’ve had so many offers; our team and lawyers are currently going to work on them.”

14 ONE STEP

COSTS, NEIGHBORHOODS, NIMBY Both Sanctuary Village and SHREUP’s Cozy Cottage ideas have encountered issues identifying a location for their villages, and experienced first-hand the challenges of bringing housing to Philly’s homeless. As Sanctuary Village is still searching for a location, SHREUP realized the disappointment of losing a building after years of searching then trying to answer, “now what?”

As Ellari Hillard’s July 4, 2018 blog post on SHREUP.org posted about losing their building contract: “After this major blow, we decided to investigate other options. We learned about the problems that zoning can present with buildings such as vacant hospitals, schools, warehouses, and other places not intended for habitation. Rezoning properties can take a year or more, and these buildings would cost us upwards of $750k-$1M, with renovations only adding more cost.”

COZY COTTAGES: BREAK GROUND IN KENSIGNTON

Tice of Pathways to Housing stated in our last issue, their Housing First model has an 85 percent housing retention rate. This means that percentage of those served retained housing for more than five years

“Any additional affordable housing means fewer people experiencing homelessness. While I do not know how these projects plan to recruit or select residents, I’m looking forward to seeing the project grow thanks to the can-do spirit and compassion of the greater Philadelphia community,” saidCozyLiz.Cottages is designed by Stephanie to reach the underserved population of homeless with pets denied services at traditional shelters and who don’t want to leave their companions on the streets.

highest deep poverty level in the nation, and its effects are widespread, interweaved throughout all facets of an individual’s life from birth, education, job opportunities, and housing.

“Philadelphia is a city of courageous, trailblazing people, and the fact that caring people are, on their own, trying new solutions to address this crisis is good news.”

TINY HOUSES IN PHILADELPHIA: THE FUTURE

Sanctuary Village has yet to share their site location or residents, but did say that community is very important to them and that they were looking at communities that already exist for people experiencing homelessness, including tent cities.

As Liz said, “The bright spot is the work we do every day with over 60 amazing providers here at OHS and, like you’re reporting on right now, the community-driven work happening across Philly’s neighborhoods.

Another question these Tiny House Builders need to think about is who are they serving, who will be their residents? With a huge lack of affordable housing, a large population in deep poverty, and so many individuals experiencing homelessness in shelters or on the streets, deciding who can reside in the village is a daunting task. Since both Sanctuary Village and Cozy Cottages are not working directly with the Office of Homeless Services, they are not city-sanctioned organizations within HUD’s Continuum-of-Care, a model the city and state uses to move people from homeless to housed. The Continuum-of-Care is structured so an individual can access the support network through a point of entry. In Philadelphia, point of entries are the shelter system. From there an individual is placed in a shelter and works with a case manager to accomplish goals, and get the needed supports and networks, to move into housing. The case manager will also determine if an individual needs temporary or permanent

Tice said it leads to better outcomes since they’re honoring their own choices. “When a person is invested in their own future, rather than us saying, ‘This is what we recommend,’ or ‘This is what we say that you ought to do,’” Tice said, “there’s much more likelihood that they’re going to be willing to engage.”

OSAPHILLY.ORG 15

“In the long run,” Renee Frink-Boyd, a certified peer specialist, at Pathways said. “I think [the support services help people] become more independent and helps them become more of a citizen in their community, because everything we do, we give them the choice.”

“Frankly, we simply do not have enough affordable housing to address homelessness and this bleak picture of poverty,” Liz admitted, the Director of the Office of Homeless Services. According to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, it is not just a shortage of affordable housing, but unusually high poverty rates and poor-quality houses means homeownership is still out of reach for many.

JCHS’s 2018 study The State of the Nation’s Housing estimates that there is a shortage of 117,132 affordable housing units for the 222,146 extremely low-income renters (although these statistics taken from the National Low Income Housing Coalition measure PhiladelphiaCamden-Wilmington as one community).

BUILDING A COMMUNITY: SELECTING RESIDENTS

supportive housing or can receive a housing voucher. Individuals who have been homeless for a long-time, or have frequent bouts of homelessness, might need additional supports, therefore being placed in a recovery program or supportive housing. These steps are crucial to help people identify their needs and resources and continue to be supported throughout their journey of overcoming homelessness. Also, people who receive housing through supportive programs are more likely to remain housed.AsMatt

Hanley Bodek is a Powelton Village resident and West Philadelphia real estate investor who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania. He had been teaching a class to Penn and Drexel students, that required students to purchase an abandoned house and rehab it. Unfortunately, the time needed to complete such a project, it could take more than three years to complete, and rising costs have made it prohibitive for students to participate. This caused Bodek to think smaller, inspiring the tiny house design challenge. Bodek contacted Drexel, and the “Tiny House Challenge” was born. The class is a three-term design studio class in which participants learn about the tiny house movement, urban farming and permaculture, and participate in the design and construction of a trailer-based tiny house. Drexel Professor Kearney, AIA, is the Principal of CuetoKEARNEY Architects and co-founder of their affiliate Home Sweet Tiny Homes. In Professor Kearney’s class students built the Greensgrow Tiny House. His class and this specific tiny house had a focus on sustainable design, reducing the carbon footprint, and eliminating or reversing current carbon emissions.Withproper insulation, tiny houses require very little energy for climate control, and can utilize many creative design opportunities to capture that energy. The class also considered the source of building materials; using as many recycled building materials possible on the tiny house including previously used windows. The students donated their time and labor to build the house. For many students, this project was their first experience with actual construction. Even with donated labor, and the use of recycled building materials, Kearney’s firm advised that they didn’t think it would be feasible to build a tiny house with the amenities of a standard sized house for less than $35,000.

A TINY HOUSE: THE DREXEL PROJECT

Bath: Battery-powered hand-held portable shower: $35 Shower pan: $350

Tiny House

Misc: Nails, supplies, etc.: $500

material cost:

Heating: Propane fireplace: $857 Gas: 20 lb Propane tank: $50 Kitchen: Propane cook-top: $306

Composting Toilet: 960 Propane Tank: $50 Propane valves and sensors: $780

Shower surround: $250 Shower rod & curtain: $200 Propane cook-top: $306

Material Costs:

Tiny $2,200

House Labor Estimates Plumbing: $1,500 Electrical:

Roof (corrugated metal): $1,182

Door with single light: $850

Trailer:Estimates

Total estimated $31,255

Building Materials

Roof: General:$2,000$18,000 Total estimated labor$23,700cost: Total estimated material$31,255cost: Total estimated material & labor costs per tiny$64,955house:

Trailer: $4,149 Tags and taxes: $371

Windows: $850 each

Exterior walls, roof, floor, insulated panels: $7, 179

Electrical System: Breaker, 125 amp electrical panel: $56 20 amp circuit: $12 each 20 amp cable: $60 Park hookup: $32

Plumbing System: Water Pump: $53

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON Community: Georgetown Village, run by nonprofit Low Income Housing Institute. # of Houses: 37 tiny houses. Founded: 2017. Cost: $100,000 total.

Founded: 2015 Cost: $100,000 total. Population: Serving people currently experiencing homelessness.

DALLAS, TEXAS Community: The Cottages at Hickory Crossing # of Houses: 50 homes completed Founded: 2016 Cost: $6.8 million. Population: Chronically homeless.

Population: Serving families and individuals currently experiencing homelessness. PORTLAND, OREGON Community: Dignity Village (first, city-sanctioned tiny house village, ran by a nonprofit).

AUSTIN, TEXAS Community: Community first village. # of Houses: 120 micro homes, 100 RV’s, 20 canvas-sided tents with concrete foundation. Founded: 2015 Cost: $14.5 million for village, privately funded.

Community: My Tiny House Project. # of Houses: 40 homes completed (20 more being built).

Population: Serving people currently experiencing homelessness, 60 people a night.

Population: Individuals with a disability and are chronically homeless.

TINY HOMES: ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

# of Houses: 43 homes. Founded: 2001 Cost: $28,000 (to operate), $35 a month fee from residents.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK Community: A Tiny Home for Good, local nonprofit run. # of Houses: 11+ (trying to complete more by the end of 2019), 300 sq ft.

Population: Previous U.S. War veterans.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN Community: CASS Community Tiny Homes # of Houses: 7 of 25 built, 250 to 400 sq ft Founded: 2016 Cost: $60,000 each unit, totaling $1.5 million for the village.

Founded: 2014 Cost: $28,500 per tiny house.

Population: Serving low-income population: students, senior citizens, formerly homeless.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

Founded: 2012 Cost: $35,000 construction cost per unit, donated student labor.

Population: Serving people who are currently experiencing homelessness or close to it.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Community: Infinity Village # of Houses: 6 shelters, 60 sq ft shelters Founded: 2015 Cost: $8,000 each unit, totaling $50,000 for the village.

Amenities: Full bathroom including composting toilet ($800), Full Kitchen including instant hot water ($800), Heat, Air Conditioning. Map from Curbed.com.

NEWFIELD, NEW YORK Community: Second wind cottages. # of Houses: 18 houses. Founded: 2012 Cost: $15,000 per tiny house. Population: Men experiencing homelessness.

Community: Drexel Tiny House Project, Designed and built by Drexel Department of Architecture & Interiors: Greens Grow. # of Houses: 1 unit, 200 sq ft.

20 ONE STEP AWAY We provide the technology and the support you need to move into the future. PROUD SUPPORTER OF ONE STEP AWAY CANON BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, INC. 1650 Market Street, Suite 300 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215-567-0303 www.solutions.canon.com

Courtesy of The Big Issue Australia, insp.ngo

H is HealingHelpHomefor...

Based in New York City, Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit organisation behind Sesame Street. It strives to educate, entertain and enrich kids tuning into the longest-running children’s show in America. With their program now aired in more than 150 countries, Sesame Workshop runs national and international impact campaigns that complement the stories unfolding on screen. Since its debut in 1969, Sesame Street has reflected the diversity of urban life. Its human cast features folks from varied cultural backgrounds and people living with disabilities, alongside Jim Henson’s

Meet Lily. After losing their apartment, and spending time in a shelter, she and her family are staying on Sesame Street with their friend Sofía (played by actress Jasmine Romero) while they look for housing.

“I love watching Lily,” says Kama Einhorn, senior content manager at Sesame Workshop, who speaks fondly of the “sweet, hopeful, optimistic” young Muppet she helped create.

OSAPHILLY.ORG 21

All Photos used in this article, including the cover photo, are by Richard Termine / Sesame Workshop. [Editor’s note: information and statistics about family homelessness in America was added by One Step Away, as family homelessness is an issue that affects people around the world.]

Today’s episode is brought to you by the letter “H” — for home, help and healing… The Big Issue Australia meets the first Muppet to be portrayed as homeless and looks at why it’s so important to talk to kids about the hard stuff.

guardian.withoutofAmericahomelessnessexperiencein700,000whomareafamilyor

To many, homelessness means rough sleeping [on the streets], but that’s far too dangerous for families. They may stay at a refuge [shelter], in a car, or with relatives and friends, but they’re out of the public eye. These kids become, in Einhorn’s words, “invisible children”.

22 ONE STEP AWAY beloved Muppets like Cookie Monster, Elmo, Ernie and Bert. In recent years, Sesame Street — and its many international co-productions — has also welcomed new puppets who are neuro-diverse, HIVpositive, and, most recently, experiencing homelessness.“Weknewthat homelessness was on the rise,” Einhorn says, citing some heartbreaking statistics. “In the US, 2.5 million children go to sleep without a home of their own. Nearly half are under the age of six.” Sesame Street has always tackled difficult topics — hands up who remembers Big Bird grieving for Mr Hooper — and Sesame Workshop goes “wherever vulnerable children and families could most use The Muppets”. Einhorn’s group, US Social Impact, helps kids deal with divorce, incarceration, family violence – anything that could diminish their resilience. As the rental market gets increasingly competitive, families like Lily’s struggle to find affordable homes. In Australia and across the United States, poor investment in affordable housing — and the lack of a national strategy for early intervention — is one factor causing family homelessness to spike. Data from the 2016 Australian Census showed that there were 15,872 children under 12 without a safe place to call home — an increase of 11 percent since 2011. Of the growing number of Australians experiencing homelessness, 43,552 of them are under the age of 25. Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experience homelessness in America — 700,000 of whom are without a family or guardian. On any given night in America, approximately 41,000 unaccompanied youth ages 13 to 25 experience homelessness. According to America’s 2018 Homeless Assessment Report, that year more than 180,000 people in families with children experienced homelessness, 91 percent of whom were staying in sheltered locations. Yet family homelessness is still largely unseen by those who don’t experience it.

Sesame noticed a need for materials that explain homelessness to pre-schoolers. “We knew we could present this topic to the youngest children, in this special Sesame way,” she says. “Because of The Muppets, we have a light touch with this heavy topic. We can present information from a child’s perspective, offer them comfort.” They set about creating videos, articles, activity sheets — even a storybook starring Lily, written by Einhorn herself — to discuss homelessness with children. Now available on the Sesame Street in Communities website, there are resources for kids who have and have not experienced homelessness, all informed by rigorous research — “The lifeblood of Sesame Street,” says Einhorn. Each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults

“If they’re walking by a person on the street without permanent shelter, [kids] might read adult body-language and cues to be scared,” Einhorn says. If a child is not being compassionate, the adult should counter that“Wedirectly.nevershy away from tough topics with kids. They’re dealing with the same world we are. They need a caring adult to explain things honestly; to feel like they can ask difficult questions.”

The Muppeteer behind — or, rather, below — Lily is Leslie Carrara-Rudolph. What was it like, finally watching her bring Lily to life? “It was completely silent on set,” Einhorn recalls. “There were chills. She was tearful. We watched the character we’d been thinking about and talking about come into existence. It’s something you don’t forget.”

In Australia, family violence is the primary cause of women and children’s homelessness. Compounded by unaffordable housing, it’s also a key factor in youth homelessness, which has increased 26 percent over the past decade. People aged 12 to 24 now account for almost a quarter of all Australians staying in supported accommodation, and a third of those living in severely crowded dwellings.

OSAPHILLY.ORG 23

Lily first trod the boards at 123 Sesame in the 2011 special Growing Hope Against Hunger. Part of Sesame Workshop’s response to America’s malnutrition crisis, it showed Lily experiencing food insecurity — one possible precursor to homelessness.

Fascinated by children’s world-views, Sesame Workshop wanted to glean the age at which kids start to notice some people don’t have homes. When does that recognition become stigma?

“All trauma creates a public health risk,” says Einhorn. “Homelessness is one of the more complex ones. We talk a lot about ‘help, hope and healing’. Our Sesame stance is about kindness, empathy and compassion — building smarter, stronger, kinder kids.”

A national advisory panel helped inform Lily’s story. “We took everything they told us and we ‘Sesamatised’ it,” she says, referencing that X factor that makes Sesame Street so charming, engaging and enduring. (“H” is also for “Happy birthday!” This year, Sesame Street celebrates a half-century on air.)The next step was focus-testing. Einhorn’s team took preliminary materials to social workers, teachers and health care professionals for feedback. After all, the resources can help them, too. Lastly, they spoke to parents with a current or past experience of homelessness.

Honest, age-appropriate questions. Adults should give concrete answers — “He doesn’t have a place to live right now” and “People without homes don’t always have a place to shower” — without stigmatizing or judgement.Whendiscussing homelessness with kids who haven’t experienced it, Einhorn suggests waiting for the child to broach the subject. Pay close attention to what they’re thinking and feeling. You might need to ask them a question to find out what they’re really wondering.

Kate Colvin, acting CEO at the Council to Homeless Persons, says “it’s very difficult for a young person to rent in the private market, so they’ll end up couch-surfing”. Moving disrupts study and disconnects young people from natural support networks.

“That can be really traumatic. Instability has a devastating effect on young people.”

She says a child as young as three may ask, “Why is that man lying on the ground?” or “Why are that woman’s clothes dirty?”

“That was where the really poignant stories and insights worked themselves into the folds of the work,” she says.

So what can kids and adults do to address family homelessness in their communities? Colvin says, “Be an active citizen. This is a major issue for Australia. Not just for people “If Lily’s parents were struggling with poverty,” says Einhorn, “it was likely that the dominoes might start falling. Shelter would likely be down the row. It was a sadly logical narrative.”

“If Lily’s parents were struggling with poverty,” says Einhorn, “it was likely that the dominoes might start falling. Shelter would likely be down the row. It was a sadly logical narrative.”Whilethere’s overlap between poverty and homelessness, the latter is also a specific trauma, with distinct risks and repercussions. Einhorn says homelessness is a “layered trauma”, the first tier being the circumstances that put a family at risk. Next is the ordeal of actually losing the home. Then there’s the distress of homelessness itself, and the related dehumanisation.

“We learned that there’s a continuum of bias development,” says Einhorn. “Part of that is simply how the human brain works. We sort in ‘same’ and ‘different’, by color, shape, size. That’s a go-to cognitive strategy that happens pretty early.”

Colvin says adults who experienced homelessness as children are much more likely to be long-term unemployed. This, in turn, catalyses various physical and mental health issues.

“They have a special power, so it’s not surprising that kids relate to them. That’s why Lily looks more like a human rather than a monster Muppet,” she says. “We really needed kids to see themselves in her.”

After every initiative launches, Sesame Workshop conducts research to measure its

“Seeing their situation represented, seeing that other families struggle with these issues, will make a real difference,” Colvin adds. “It helps them make meaning.”

ACTIVITIES TO DO: Home is not necessarily a house or apartment—it can be wherever you feel safe and loved. Write or draw what home means to you in the space below. You can share with us @OSAphilly.org. Home is...... One Step Away is...... Or share by mail at: One Step Away P.O. Box Philadelphia,63703PA19147

If your child is keen to help, Einhorn recommends donating pocket-money or clothes. “When we’re cleaning out our homes, make a special effort to consider who’s vulnerable,” she says, adding, “It’s not ‘us’ and ‘them’. Everyone wants to feel safe, happy, healthy, and loved.”

reach and impact. “We’ve had some really beautiful stories,” says Einhorn. “They all speak to this idea that The Muppets have a straight line to our hearts — and that’s not just for children. Most adults have their favorite Muppet.” Hers is Grover.

In true Sesame style, Lily’s family surmounts their crisis. “That’s what we hope for every child and adult who comes through trauma,” says Einhorn. To pay her good fortune forward, Lily gifts Elmo a visual reminder of her survivor’s pride: her rainbow ribbons of — remember the letter of the day? — hope. Find out more at sesamestreetincommunities. org and everybodyshome.com.au. Courtesy of The Big Issue Australia / INSP.ngo.

“We never shy away from tough topics with kids. They’re dealing with the same world we are. They need a caring adult to explain things honestly; to feel like they can ask difficult questions.”

Children like Lily feel “a profound sense of dislocation and isolation, like this is only happening to them”, says Colvin, moved by the warmth that Sesame Street’s residents extend to their newest neighbor. “If a child feels as though Lily represents them, then that care can be transferred through watching the show. They can feel that people care about them.”

24 ONE STEP AWAY who are experiencing homelessness, but for people on the cusp of homelessness because they pay so much in rent.” As the national spokesperson for Everybody’s Home — a campaign to fix Australia’s broken housing system — she urges people to demand governments deliver affordable social housing and provide better support for young people struggling at home.

EX-OFFENDEREX-CONFELON reframed is

HOMELESS PERSON reframed

OSAPHILLY.ORG 25

One Step Away is part of a larger human services nonprofit, Resources for Human Development (RHD). In our nonprofit we strive to take a person-centered approach — i.e. they are experiencing homelessness vs. homeless people. We recognize that an individual is going through an experience, but that experience doesn’t define him/ her/them. So, we want to bring this concept to the mainstream media — to get journalists to understand, report, and write with a “person-centered” approach. For news organizations and journalists, we want to rebuild trust and forge genunine connections with our community. For community members, we want to cover topics that effect you and matter to you! How can we make a difference? To kick off our work, we’ve partnered with One Step Away, Resolve Philly, and Broke inPleasePhilly. start by taking our Community Investment Survey now! In Spring 2020, Resolve Philly will launch a pilot program with a handful of newsrooms that will put our tools and resources to the test. Throughout the pilot we’ll also evaluate how these language reframes changes how we interact with the media, journalists, reporting, audience, and overall trust in the process and partners.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Marginalized communities continue to feel be inaccurately depicted in the media. Language that promotes stereotypes, erases nuance, or highlights implicit bias is all too common in the news. Meanwhile, distrust of media organizations, political division, and industry upheaval run high. So we want to fix this! Have you lost trust in the media? Can it be restored? How?

If you are a newsroom or journalist that wants to test our tools or contribute knowledge and expertise to this initiative please reach out to Aubrey Nagle at aubrey@resolvephilly.org. If you just want to stay in the loop about Reframe, sign up for our email list below. We’ll let you know about big news and other ways to get involve: resolvephilly. org/reframe. Or fill out the above boxes and send them to us on social media: @OSAphilly, our website: OSAphilly.org, or by mail: One Step Away, P.O. Box 637073, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Can you?

REFRAME Reframe is a new initiative to help communities have a voice in their communities and reporting. What do you want journalists to know or understand? Resolve Philly, a local media group, is developing a set of tools and resources that will help newsrooms use more accurate, inclusive language to describe our communities when reporting. We’re working with journalists, community leaders, educators, and industry-thought leaders to create tools that will work for journalists and, YOU, the community!

YourReframeLanguage

WHAT’S THE PLAN?

Everyday we use language that may be hurtful to others whether at school, work, or in the media. That is why One Step Away is joining with Resolve Philly’s Reframe Inititaitve. You can join too.

ACTIVITY

DRUG ADDICT reframed is

26 ONE STEP AWAY

On any given night, over 5,000 of our fellow citizens in the City of Philadelphia find themselves without stable housing. It could literally happen to anybody, and while many stories may not be as complex as Edward’s, the outcomes are just as painful.

Edward shuffled through the city’s shelter system, at one point being denied access to a bathroom for disabled individuals despite the shoulder injury he still sustained and that had caused his unemployment. He soon found himself sleeping at the Jefferson SEPTA station in Center City Philadelphia. When he witnessed a fight that he believes may have been a murder that was reported in the location, he again returned to the shelter system.

Edward began working as a vendor with the magazine. Initially, he was opposed to the proposed price increase from $1 to $5, but soon he became grateful for this, too.

Now, after working with One Step Away for more than a year, Edward is also grateful for new opportunities to share hisHowstory.has this new development in his life made him feel?

“I have money in my pocket,” he says. “[Emily] did it.”

A prolonged custody battle followed within CYS between Edward and his son’s mother. During this period, as a result of constant trips to and from court with his son, Edward lost his job and source of income before the court ultimately sided with Edward’s son’s mother. According to Edward, this was decided despite that CYS also determined that the markings weren’t cigarette burns after all, but the result of an infection.Stillunemployed, Edward, who maintains that the markings WERE cigarette burns and believes he knows who is responsible, was evicted from his apartment in February ofAt2018.first, after becoming evicted, Edward lived with his cousin in Norristown, PA. In October of 2018 he found work again, at a graphics company, and then subsequently with an online retailer and a brewing company. His cousin, however, was no longer able to provide him housing so he began staying at a shelter in Philadelphia. Given the change in his commute he found he was no longer able to work at the brewery and so found employment at a furniture store in Northeast Philadelphia. It was there that Edward encountered the man who he believes caused the burns on his son’s Edwardarms.andthe man fought, and Edward broke his shoulder. For this reason, Edward says he lost his job moving furniture for the store.

Unemployed and without stable housing, Edward felt hopeless with “no one to turn to.”

As Edward tells it, in May of 2017, during a hospital stay, hospital staff noticed what appeared to be cigarette burns on the arms of Edward’s son. Children and Youth Services (CYS) was notified, however they could not prove who caused the burns.

According to Edward, “words can’t even express” his gratitude toward the magazine and Emily. “She gave me information,” he says, “and shared my story.” “She told me it’s going to be okay, and listened to me.”

There is no one single cause of homelessness, just as there is no one single “type” of person who experiences homelessness. For some of us who experience homelessness, it might be illness, mental or physical, that causes us to have no recourse but to take to the city’s streets or to otherwise find ourselves in an unstable living situation. For others, it might be the loss of a job due to recession, downsizing, or

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: EDWARD

According to Edward Johnson, he has never been convicted of a crime. Yet, from hearing his story, you might believe he has.Edward has spent months and years couch surfing and then living on the street. Shuffling between, and losing, jobs as he negotiated the maze of a confusing and contradictory legal system that has robbed him of his relationships with his children and then, ultimately, of stable and consistent housing.WhileEdward’s story may sound tragic, it is not unique. On any given night, over 5,000 of our fellow citizens in the City of Philadelphia find themselves without stable housing. It could literally happen to anybody, and while many stories may not be as complex as Edward’s, the outcomes are just as painful.Yet,despite the tragedy and pain, there can be a silver lining. A reason for, a first step in the direction of, hope. Thankfully for Edward, this is also part of his story.

He felt this way until he found One Step Away, and met Emily Taylor, the program’s director.

some other reason. For those like Edward, the reasons can be Furthermore,complex.the causes of homelessness lay beyond the scope of any one person’s life circumstances. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a lack of affordable housing and low incomes that make it difficult to afford food and clothing, let alone stable and consistent housing, are leading systemic reasons for the homelessness crisis. In a 2011 report from the Alliance, the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness increased by three percent and four percent, respectively, due to the Great Recession that lasted from 2007 to 2009. With concerns growing about the potential for another impending economic downturn, it should also be clearer than ever that anyone is vulnerable to finding themselves in unstable living circumstances.Theverywords used to describe those experiencing homelessness or other similar ordeals can also be damaging and reinforce the stigma associated with such experiences. Edward himself knows this firsthand.

“She told me it’s going to be okay, and listened to me.” — Edward Johnson

OSAPHILLY.ORG 27

WANT TO HEAR MORE ABOUT EDWARD? LISTEN TO EDWARD TELL HIS STORY ON “HEARD”, ONE STEP AWAY’S PODCAST

SERIES.

Years earlier, he was alleged to have kidnapped his child and labeled a “fugitive,” including by a local media outlet, despite that, according to Edward, he was never convicted of a crime and the legal system was working with him up until the markings on his son’s arms were discovered. The fact that he had been labeled in this way and that his son’s injuries were ultimately determined to have resulted from infection rather than the deliberate harm that he believes to have happened continues to upset him deeply. “The system messed up,” he says. For his part, though he still feels the need for justice for the hardships he has experienced, Edward feels immense gratitude toward One Step Away and is now himself finally one step closer to putting his own life back together. He moved into his new residence on August 19. Thank you to volunteer Tim Kelly for interviewing and writing Edward’s story.

17TH & BEN FRANKLIN PARKWAY VENDOR SINCE NOVEMBER 2013

WILLIAM POWELL

UNCOVERED ISSUES GIVES OUR VENDORS AND WRITERS A VOICE. IT IS A CHANCE FOR THEM TO SHARE THEIR STORIES — AND CONNECT WITH YOU, OUR READERS. VOICES: UNCOVERED ISSUES

To see the bottom of the barrel that in reality. Check this has felt like a long time coming! How awful then amazing as time keeps a running to say. Things change with time as a person can. Also, then again on the other hand. We can call this a win, lose. Then on another angle we could try to use force with power. May we then become aggressive with good strength for some hours? Do we debate or intake the fake?

ABOUT AUTHORTHE Brian Belcher is a writer and vendor, who uses his writings to help overcome issues in his life.

THIS HAS FELT LIKE A LONG TIME COMING BY: BRIAN BELCHER THINK OF ALL THE THINGS TO DO TO KEEP UP BY: BRIAN BELCHER

UPDATE BY: WILLIAM POWELL Hello, and how are you this is William. Nice things going on out there, you got your double decker buses housing the homeless and do you want to move out there in London are what. I want to make my move soon there, it sounds go. And my guy Ram, he’s got a brand new home and that is real encouraging. The situation with the magazines are coming along, and we can buy one get one free and that is a real outcome. I am still at home watching my guide and schooling right along, and also awaiting to recover myself, and a new room on it’s way. Thanks to One Step Away and my supporters. ABOUT THE AUTHOR William is a One Step Away vendor and writer who uses his writing to keep in touch with all of his supporters.

VENDOR

To prey on the weak the selfless being selfish. Just seeming to be the one to state the claim! This has felt like a long time coming! Sure, as the sky is blue at times this also gets grey. Well every now and then too do some things for prep to do in. Time gets so hard! When thoughts even seem challenging. So now you know, I’m emotional, and very well damaged! Now we walk to get to square store. What is happening here, because this is rest. The aftermath of a whole raw deal. The emptiness, the loneliness, and all of the mixed-up ways I feel! I also know that I have been holding back for so long. That surely this has felt like a long time coming! So, whatever the outcome is, I have to stand strong. Like this as time goes along, all the hurt, pain, and the wrong. How do I explain what went on? This is no fair, and a dirty game so come along.

Just couldn’t see an honest better way. To legally honestly be doing something straight from the heart, and mind. For the fact that this is mine occupationally. I try to climb gradually through the stumbles, and falls. The thing is that in the process the brain can slip and come up short actually. So, let me pray for strength to rise up instantly, factually. When the time comes, I disappear, and you best believe all my loved ones who I have built within this circle of business will be checking for me. The same as I have kept a strong responsibility to do something right, and hopefully pleasing to God’s sight. With all these thoughts trust that! When, I turn off the right, to at least take a nap. Everything will be alright just like that! Now think of all the things to do to keep up! Yes, then trust when the hard work is done then time for re-up! No quitting here, let’s get this clear. The time is now to get ahead, make a change, and come out of the rears.

Think of all the things to do to keep up. I better set to turning. Possibly to burn off steam. Try to keep business professional maybe, and work as a team. Representing to the fullest extreme. The new One Step Away Magazine!

BRIAN BELCHER 16TH & MARKET

To settle, to see, the difference between right and wrong. This has felt like a long time coming!

OSAPHILLY.ORG 29 POETRY

Esteem Honor & Respect, Payton

PRAYER REQUEST

Dear One Step Away, Prayer request: Is there anyone [in your organization] that is a born-again believer in CHRIST, that would truly pray for us U.S. Marines, returned from overseas on a US Base, drinking, cooking, showing in vile polluted contaminated chemical water. This caused sickness, diseases, and deaths (kept secret) in the 1960s-1987. In 2012, the news reached U.S. Congress and they passed a law in 2017 but pending by the Veterans’ Affairs, it was one of the worst water contaminations in the history of our Nation (the USA).

We are still suffering in our health although some US Marines have been compensated by Veteran’s Affairs. Take this request before God in Jesus’ name I have to think and believe outside of the box. I’m also as many others are volunteers at the Veteran’s Hospital here in Philly. Pray for my hearing loss. Thank you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bryant overcame homelessness and now advocates for others through his writings. Here he is pictured reading an original poem at the 2018 Homeless Memorial Day in front of a sign listing the 270 names of individuals we lost that year due to homelessness.

S K Y M L A G U A R D I A R S C E E R I N G W A Y U I R H P H R A H B R O M N A L S L O E I K D E C L V R M P L T A O K P Y O I S G L M T N E P N S E O R N N G E O O Q H S A D E D L A U M B R I R G R O U A E K L O D A B D O R V A L L T A E H E R I A B V R A J N S T C L A I H N R M A P L I N I Y O M M O D U M O N T E A A D N H D B S N A R I T A T K U U O A O U L N P K N J S T E G E L R N R O I S S Y F T A C O M A E D G F J S B Y K O V O M O R L Y WORD SEARCH 8 4 3 2 6 7 5 9 1 7 6 5 4 1 9 8 3 2 9 1 2 3 5 8 7 4 6 4 5 9 7 3 6 2 1 8 6 3 7 8 2 1 9 5 4 2 8 1 9 4 5 3 6 7 1 7 8 5 9 4 6 2 3 3 9 4 6 7 2 1 8 5 5 2 6 1 8 3 4 7 9 SUDOKU 1 7 2 1 5 9 4 6 8 3 9 6 8 2 3 1 5 7 4 5 3 4 6 8 7 2 1 9 8 7 3 9 5 6 1 4 2 1 9 6 4 7 2 3 5 8 4 5 2 3 1 8 7 9 6 6 1 7 8 4 3 9 2 5 3 4 5 1 2 9 8 6 7 2 8 9 7 6 5 4 3 1 SUDOKU 2 N U S S P L I T S D A C E A P P I S A I A H R U L E P R E S T I D I G I T A T O R L A N C E L I M O S E T C H A T M O S A G E S S E E N U R I A H I D O O A R I N G A C R I D G O O D A F T E R N O O N G E C K O L I N E A L A N C S E E D S O B I S B O U L L E R A T G E N T C R O A T O N I C E D I R E C T O R G E N E R A L O D E S E L U A T E U S A T E D S E D E M A S T E E CROSSWORD LAST ISSUE’S PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

BY: PAYTON FORREST

BY: BRYANT E. CULPEPPER SR. Can I die for you, so that you can live, Can I give you all that I have to give. You mean more to me than my own self, I saw you crying on that lonely shelf. Not die literally in the natural, but die to things of old, To show you and comfort you, and bring you out of the cold. Let me fight your battles, let me suffer the cross, Let me show you’re loved, and say you’re never lost. Can I die for you, so that you can live, Can I give you all, the love I have to give. You really do mean more, to me than my own self, Your tears sadden my heart, as you played the lonely Someoneshelf. died for me, and so I must do the same, That someone pulled me from the mud, placed me back in lane. That someone is my Father above, as delicate as a dove, But fierce when it comes to justice, in perfecting Agape’ love. He showed me the blueprint, of wonderful earthly He’slife, truly true to tell me, all my efforts won’t be right. But He continued to tell me always, to shoot for the Heavenly prize, And now the sparkle lives forever, that dried my sadden eyes. So can I die for you, so that you can live, And can I give you all the love, that I truly have to Yougive.mean more to me, and I love as my self, And no more do I want to see, you crying on lonely’s shelf.

CAN I DIE FOR YOU

30 ONE STEP AWAY PUZZLES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 ACROSS 1. Sweetener source 6. Fries, maybe 10. Arctic native 14. Worse, as excuses go 15. Clickable image 16. consultant’s17.sometimesAces,Media field 20. Slump 21. Like some traits 22. berry43.42.39.38.36.34.30.28.informally25.military24.wordHat-tipper’sCampusorg.Physique,High-five,e.g.RentsoutagainMimicAuspices(Var.)AutomatonMacy’sorSearsStandoftreesAntioxidant 44. Cheat, slangily 45. 69.68.67.ingredient66.regular65.64.e.g.62.58.organblood54.52.unhinged50.49.“out”managed,47.activityRestaurantBarelywithJoshBecome“Beowulf,”e.g.RestrictedsupplytoanGetsused(to)“Toboldlygo,”Bigwaterpipe“Cheers”GunpowderE.P.A.concern“Cutitout!”“Silly”birds DOWN 1. “The Sound of Music” backdrop 2. Ancient France 3. Early pulpit 4. Soft palate 5. Writer Jong et al. 6. Counterpart of 7.22-AcrossDecorated, as a 10.9.8.cakeGriefBewitchTarzan’s outfit 11. Buffalo’s cousin 12. ___ Station 13. “Check this 18.out!”Ski lodge 19. abs32.download31.29.27.offering26.authority25.23.concentrationsChemistryVolcanicflowSymbolofLaScalaStationFragmentKindleTheymayhaveofstone 33. Charger 35. handful63.61.classifieds60.one59.a57.56.55.54.53.51.48.and46.accessory41.40.animal37.attractiveExtremelyChinesezodiacMilkcurdlerNeckwearOliverTwistothers___roomBurgundygrapeAdorableoneDoctrinesJunkemailHistoryMuseAlternativetofadeBaptism,forTimestocall,inAridBabysitter’s CROSSWORD FOR ANSWERS PICK UP OUR NEXT ISSUE OF ONE STEP AWAY! CONTRIBUTED BY STREET ROOTS, PORTLAND, OREGON. 2SUDOKU 2 9 7 2 6 1 6 4 1 8 3 2 4 5 1 9 7 8 4 4 3 8 9 7 6 1 1SUDOKU 7 4 6 9 2 7 5 1 8 9 5 4 2 1 6 5 8 5 8 3 2 6 4 1 7 1 8 WORD SEARCH C A R B O N N E U T R A L Q C W A T E R S U P P L Y U P Z S W E S C M A C I D R A I N T E E G A O Q W G V E X T I N C T M H N S P O L L U T I O N M E I V D Y X D C Q T I D P R G W S E S S J Y S S M O G A A N X S L T T C K O A O C F W S I Y I N O E T P N L I D E S B L W O I R M M U F N N S D C B V Z N N M O S R A I N F O R E S T S O C T F G W C W E A T H E R D E S E R T I F I C A T I O N W C Q O R R E C Y C L I N G H E A R T H D A Y Q B A M B O O Acid EcosystemEarthDesertificationCompostCFCCarbonBambooRainNeutralDay El RecycleRainforestPollutionOrganicFloodExtinctEmissionsNino WindWeatherWaterTsunamiSmogSewageSandRecyclingStormSupplyFarm The object of a Sudoku puzzle is to fill in the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Good luck!

7. I buy the One Step Away magazine to: (Select all that apply) Employ individuals who are homeless Support the One Step Away program Learn more about poverty and homelessness in my communitySupportindependent media and gain a different perspective on the news Read about first-person experiences with poverty andLearnhomelessnessaboutwhat is happening in my Philadelphia communityOther:

specify)

a staff member

2. Where did you first hear about One Step Word with Broke

6. How often do you buy the One Step Away magazine? This is my first magazine Once a day At least once a Every time a new issue comes out Every Other (please

few months

OSAPHILLY.ORG 31 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please take our community engagement survey so we can better learn how to secure you and our vendors!

out about this survey? In the One Step Away Magazine Email link, FromSocialOSAphilly.org________________wesbitemediaResolvePhillyorBrokein

an

t-shirt or tote bag, and

you

of OtherPhilly.commouthblogmediastories, please name: An event, please name: _______________ A staff member or organization. Name staff member or organization: From RHD 3. Are you familiar

PROGRAM INFORMATION How do you like our vendors and program? 1.

6. What would make you more likely to buy the One Step Away magazine?

will

Philly From From OSA or Staff’s win “A Legit Jawn’

Names: _____________ (Your vendor will be entered to

Participants receive “A Legit Jawn” One Step Away so will your vendor from Q1. TAKE OUR SURVEY online: OSAphilly.org by mail: One Step Away P.O. Box Philadelphia,63703PA 19147 How did find

tote and gift certificate.)

Away? Saw a vendor on the street

5. From whom do you typically receive your One Step Away magazine? This is my first magazine I have a subscription I buy from any vendor I buy from a few select vendors I buy from my vendor only Name of Vendor(s): ___________________

week

in Philly, a collaboration among more than 20 newsrooms reporting on economic mobility in Philadelphia? Yes No 4. When were you first introduced to: One Step Away; year ____________. Broke in Philly; year ____________.

Vendor OSA Vendor

32 ONE STEP AWAY

10. How do you feel about your One Step Away vendor interactions:

I support vendors on the street I donate to the One Step Away organization I read the magazine I volunteer with the organization I visit the website, OSAphilly.org I am subscribed to the e-newsletter I follow @OSAphilly on social media (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) I attend OSA events or fundraisers I listen to the podcast “Heard”

18. Would you use Venmo or other cashless payment apps to purchase One Step Away on the street? Yes, app: ___________ Yes, Venmo. No to using an app. No, I don’t know how to.

8. My typical purchasing pattern is:

I give more than $5 and take one magazine I give money without taking the magazine I buy one magazine at $5 then donate the rest of the month I buy multiple magazines at a time Other:

I pay $5 and take one magazine

12. How would you describe One Step Away’s mission?

14. Why do you support One Step Away?

Yes! No, thank you. I don’t use social media.

9. I donate $_______ on top of the $5 cover price.

KnowledgeableCheerfulPoliteProfessional&Friendly about the program Informed about the magazine and content Rude or Misleadingaggressiveaboutthe program I give more than $5 and take one magazine I give money without taking the magazine I buy one magazine at $5 then donate the rest of the month I buy multiple magazines at a time Other:

15. How much of an impact do you feel that your support has on One Step Away, our vendors, and our 16.community?Wouldyou advocate for the homeless by liking, following, & sharing @OSAphilly on social media?

17. How often do you think One Step Away should publish the magazine?

11. What is your familiarity with One Step Away? (Select all that apply)

13. Which One Step Away’s programs or activities are you familiar with? Our Vendor Program Our Magazine Program Our Volunteer Programs Our Corporate Activities and Sponsorships Our Champions Celebration Fundraiser Our Vendor Representative promotions

34. When you were answering the above questions, which news outlets did you have in mind?

21. If you had one piece of advice for journalists in Philadelphia and One Step Away, what would it be?

justicehomelessnessSocialNonprofitProfilesProfilesHealthHomelessnessreportingandhousing&wellness,ofcommunityleadersoflocalorganizationsspotlightsjusticearticlesbeyondArtfeaturesandphotospreadsTravelarticlesCookingarticlesorrecipes.SportsarticlesCommunityeventsCelebrityprofilesArticlesunrelatedtosocial

30. Did you feel your concerns were addressed?

32. How would you rate the One Step Away

22. What are the top issues currently facing you or your community or

news organization?

23.neighborhood?Haveyou seen those issues represented in the media?

20. What would you like to hear in the second season of “Heard,” a One Step Away Podcast?

29. Have you ever given feedback to a

CommunityInformativeRelevant

35. Which topics do you prefer reading? (Select all that apply) Vendor submitted pieces Philadelphia specific news International stories Investigative

19. Did you know that One Step Away launched a podcast featuring our vendors called “Heard”? Yes, I listen to the podcast. Yes, but I have not had a chance to listen to the podcast. No, I do not listen to the podcast nor have I heard of it. No, I do not care.

UnbiasedUniqueQualityTrust-worthyFocused/drivenJournalismContentReporting

UnbiasedUniqueQualityTrust-worthyFocused/drivenJournalismContentReporting

magazine?

33. How would you rate the overall local journalism in Philadelphia?

25. Have you ever spoken with a reporter about an issue affecting your community? 26. Were you satisfied with the results of that conversation? (Please explain.)

INFORMATIONMAGAZINE/EDITORIAL Help us improve the overall content of Philadelphia media outlets 31. Where do you currently get your news in Philadelphia? (Check all thatTelevision:apply.) _______________ Radio: _____________ Social Media: _____________ Print Podcasts:DigitalMedia:_______________Media:Websites?_________________________

CommunityInformativeRelevant

OSAPHILLY.ORG 33

36. What other kinds of stories would you like to see local media outlets covering?

37. What would you like OSA to cover in the magazine? 38. How likely is it that you would recommend One Step Away to a friend or colleague? 0 wouldn’t recommend 10 extremely likely to recommend DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION Help us get to know you! 39. Where do you live?

Delaware(Montgomery,SuburbPhiladelphiaofPhiladelphiaChester,Bucks,County)PennsylvaniaNewJerseyDelawareOtherState/Country:

24. If so, what did you think about how those issues were represented?

27. Was there a time that the news media positively affected you or your community? (Please explain.) 28. Was there a time that the news media negatively affected you or your community? (Please explain.)

47.

50. I want to be Legit

46.

What is your annual household income? Less than More$101,000-$200,000$86,000-$100,000$66,000-$85,000$41,000-$65,000$30,000-$40,000$18,000-$29,000$18,000than$200,000

49. I’d like

34 ONE STEP AWAY 40. In what ZIP code do you live? 41. What is your age? 17 or 70+60-6950-5940-4930-3921-2918-20younger 42. What is your gender? Non-binaryTransitioningFemaleMale 43. What best describes your level of formal education? Currently a student Some high school High school graduate/GED Some higher certificationTechnical/vocationaleducationAssociate’sDegreeBachelor’sDegreeMaster’sDegreeProfessionalDegreeDoctoralDegree 44. Which of the following categories describes your employment status? Employed, working full-time Employed, working part-time Not employed, looking for work Not employed, not looking for work Disabled,Retired not able to work 45. In what ZIP code do you work or attend _________________school?

Jawn” Tote Bag, T-Shirt, or Magazine Subscription! Tote OneT-shirtBagStep Away Magazine SubscriptionNo,thankyou. In order to be entered to win “A Legit Jawn” tote bag for participating in this survey, please provide contact information so you can get your winning tote and show your support for One Step Away! EMAIL:PHONE:ZIP:STATE:CITY:ADDRESS:NAME: My preferred method of contact is: TO ME, ONE STEP AWAY IS.... Thank You for your time!

to learn more about One Step Away through: (select all that apply) The One Step Away Magazine Social Media Website:EventsMailPhoneEmail OSAphilly.org Heard Podcast Broke in Philly

How often do you want to hear from our organization? _________ 48. What would you like to hear from our organization? (Select all that apply) Organizational updates Vendor HowVolunteerupdatesopportunitiestodonate(OSAphilly.org/ donate) Advertisement options Business BoardServingCollegeHighYouthCorporateHowEventsSubscriptionsSponsorshipsopportunities&fundraiserstobecomeavendorteam-buildingvolunteeractivitiesschoolvolunteeractivitiesvolunteeractivitiesonOSA’sAdvisoryOther:___

entered to win “A

OSAPHILLY.ORG 35 insp.ngo /inspstreetpapers@_INSP 1,850 volunteers support our global movement Over 100 street papers Published in 25 languages Our network in numbers is made up of: Our global network Every month, collectivelyvendorsearn Million$2.78,750 vendors sell street papers at any one time 20,500 vendors earn an income by selling street papers each year Million4.6 readers worldwide in 35 That’scountriesagrand total of $32.4 Million in the pockets of vendors every year 19.4 Million street papers were sold across the world in the past year

36 ONE STEP AWAY 2 One Step Away ● OCTOBER 2017 OSAPHILLY.ORG Tell Us How We’re Doing! TAKE OUR SURVEY ONLINE OR IN THE MAGAZINE WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!