On August 24, 1992, the first edition of StreetWise, the newspaper, hit the streets of Chicago. Because of your support for StreetWise and our vendors, more than 14,000 Chicagoans have gone from being beggars to being microentrepreneurs through the sale of StreetWise Magazine. Since 1992, vendors have sold more than 19 million copies of StreetWise, putting more than $15 million in the hands of those with the most need. Selling StreetWise Magazine is a hard job that requires consistency, dedication, and investment on the part of vendors. When you purchase the magazine and take the magazine, you are giving a hand up to someone committed to changing their path. This rings true now more than ever as we are slowly emerging from the grips of the pandemic. The sudden job loss when StreetWise had to halt street sales could have been devastating. The sudden loss, sudden change, and sudden shift to a new normal, is well, normal for many of our vendors. They are resilient, resourceful, and innovative in how they manage the systemic and situational barriers to their success. But the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong. And because of you, WE ARE STILL HERE! Your support for the magazine vendors means that:
125 StreetWise vendors were able to maintain their businesses once street sales returned. Sales of StreetWise Magazine returned to pre-COVID sales levels in June. Don (pictured) was able to come back to sell StreetWise while he was looking for a new job after losing his just before the holidays. StreetWise has been a trailblazer in providing low-barrier, entrylevel income-earning opportunities for some of the most economically marginalized. With each magazine purchase, you have an impact on the lives of each vendor at StreetWise.
Julie Youngquist Executive Director
Kimberly Brown
I have worked for StreetWise and I come to work every day and I come on time. I also got a second job and I am enrolled in a job training program. I just got my certificate in janitorial and I am also going for my culinary certificate as a professional cook. I accepted Christ at an early age and I go to church every Sunday. I am very well educated. I went to college. I don’t drink or fornicate. I volunteer more at church (help serve food and with the clothing giveaways) in the last two years. I am a good mom. I have a daughter and take care of her, give her an allowance and helped her get a summer job. I have an email address and a resume.
Another Anothe
To celebrate StreetWise's we ask our vendors how t Compiled by Suzanne Hanney
