Paula D. Holmes

If someone were to tell me when I first walked into StreetWise that I would end up finding confidence in myself, the courage to ask for what I need, and the love of my life, I would have told them that they were crazy.

StreetWise changed my life. It gave me opportunities that I didn’t know were possible and, most importantly, confidence in myself. I had never sold anything before, and selling magazines was out of my comfort zone. On my first day selling magazines, I was extremely nervous. A woman walked by me, and I started to try and sell my first magazine. I was so scared that I mumbled all of my words and spoke in a whisper. The woman looked at me, confused, and continued to walk into the grocery store. When she was finished shopping, she came back and asked me what I was trying to tell her. I took a deep breath and told her I was selling StreetWise magazines.

Once I explained the company to her, how they help people get jobs, the purpose of selling the magazine and why I was out there, she happily bought one. This gave me so much courage and confidence, something I had not felt in a long time. After my first day, I would spend hours in front of my mirror practicing how to sell a magazine; I wanted to get it right. StreetWise taught me that when you are out of your comfort zone, you grow the most. I am about to complete my second year at StreetWise and have sold more than 1,000 magazines in my career. Through StreetWise, I learned that I could motivate myself and empower others.

When I started at StreetWise, I did not have money or a job. I was in an abusive relationship and an unsafe living situation in an abandoned building. By connecting me to YWCA, StreetWise offered me the support to get my son and me out of our living situation. We got shelter and clothing, and I could talk to a counselor about my problems, which helped me become more self-confident. One of the first job opportunities I got through StreetWise was working for the 2020 census. This was one of the first of many opportunities StreetWise gave me, and as soon as it was offered, I took it as fast as possible. I went door to door and explained what the 2020 census was and told people how important it was that they took part in it. Having this job was empowering, because I had job security for the first time in a long time. Earning an income allowed me to feel good about myself. Supporting myself financially and not leaning on anyone else taught me strong independence. Because of StreetWise, now I live in a lovely apartment with running water, food, heat, lights, gas, and I am safe.

We both knew StreetWise was the perfect place when picking our wedding location. StreetWise helped me gain enough confidence to put myself first and to engage in healthy behaviors/relationships I could not imagine my wedding anywhere other than StreetWise, because that is where my best friend and I rekindled our relationship and eventually got married. We would go to the exact locations to sell magazines every week, and through this, we grew closer and closer. After work, we would go to a little Chinese restaurant or another StreetWise vendor’s house, and he would cook dinner. The next day we would presumably go back to work selling our magazines and wait until the other ran out so we could buy more to sell together. Shortly, we became inseparable.

Standing at the altar with my husband, I remember looking around at the group of people attending my wedding. The room was filled with friends and family, and I felt loved. We invited everyone we worked with at StreetWise and had a big party. This was one of the most important days of my life because I celebrated the new life that StreetWise gave me. StreetWise gave me a career and the support to leave an abusive relationship and ultimately get into one filled with unconditional love. And I could not be more grateful.

People need to read my story in StreetWise because it gives background to the faces of StreetWise vendors that most residents see daily. Behind every one is a story of trauma, truth, strength, and in my case, love. While not everybody has had the same experiences as I have, we each have our own story, which shows our strength and hopefully, motivates people to buy more magazines. You never know how $3 for a magazine can change someone’s life. I want people to see that it is essential to put yourself out there, because opportunities will come if you do. StreetWise is a fantastic organization, and if someone is feeling lost and in need of a job and a community, StreetWise is the perfect place for them.

Everyone should know how impactful StreetWise is. It helps motivate people and gets them out there. I learned how to sell magazines successfully, relate to customers, and network. Through StreetWise, I was able to start other jobs. One of the other jobs I currently do is at HHPLift, where I work in a workshop making products. StreetWise pointed me in the right direction and helped me get to where I am today.