Vendor Writing

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

BY WILLIAM B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Sept. 4 of this year my daughter turned 33. It breaks my heart around this time because I haven’t seen her since she was 8 years old. It hurts, it hurts very much. Her and my son are only 11 months apart. I’m in contact with him, but I can’t see my daughter. Her husband is a cop. I’ve been in a lot of trouble in my lifetime — even as a child. I turned to trouble after my brother was murdered.

This is post-traumatic stress. I know what it is, and I’m trying to get help. The thing is, I know there’s people out there that are suffering from the same kind of things I’ve been going through. Let me tell you what I would suggest, or hope you would listen to. First of all, if you have a problem with alcohol, drugs or whatever — admit it to yourself. You got a bunch of people out there that’s on drugs and alcohol and will not admit they have a problem. Well, I admitted it when I got tired of messing with people I

loved and hurting them so bad. I never got to pay back some of the people that I’ve done wrong. These are some of the things that still haunt me today.

When I met The Contributor two years ago, I fell in love with the organization. I fell in love with the staff. I saw a lot of people on the streets doing the same thing I’m doing: playing music. They actually give me some of their money! They insist. They say, “You earned it. You’re good.” I say, “I’m not homeless.” They say, “Well I didn’t ask you that. You earned this money. We love you.”

What I’m saying to you out there is if you got problems, talk them over with yourself. Admit to what you can do to make yourself better. Or just completely do what I’ve done. Change your life. Do a complete change in your life. And if you do this and make your way to The Contributor newspaper you will find friends that will help you in many ways.

NEW WAYS TO MEET POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

BY ALONZO K., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

I work at a stoplight, and sometimes people ask me, “What is The Contributor newspaper?” I say, “It is a newspaper for the homeless and the impoverished to make a legal income, and contribute to society.”

One thing you can do to meet potential customers is join a group or club whose purpose is to build community around common grounds. Social clubs and public interest, etc. These themselves fuel out emotions and conversations even among strangers.

Always work the participants to build relationships outside of official groups. Always use body language to make people feel comfortable like you. Don’t make them feel you’re a threat. When you engage in a new conversation, don’t always ask where you from? Talk about common grounds, sports, books, movies, recreation. These wield interesting information that you can bond over in future encounters. May God Bless You always!

MY FRIEND THE MOUSE

BY JUNE P., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

As everyone knows, I got me an apartment a couple of months ago with the help of the paper, The Contributor, of course. Osborne Bi-Rite has been my selling spot for years now. If you didn’t know, I have to sell 300 papers in a two period time, which is a month, to keep my spot mapped. That way, when I’m there no one else can sell there but me. And all my dear customers help me do that every month. Thank you all very much. I am grateful.

Well OK, back to my apartment. My mouse I found on the street, I really believe he has found me in my apartment. I really believe it’s him. He acts the same. He’s a little like I remember out on

the street. I’d be lying on my box and he’d come and look me in the eyes. Well you know how it feels when someone is just there looking at you? Well the other night I woke up feeling that in my apartment. I was so scared to open my eyes, but did, of course. There sat a mouse on the floor looking up at me. It was him! I really believe it’s him. So he’s back, cute as hell, and as always, friendly. Gave him cheese and told him goodnight. He ran off.

The next morning, I went to make coffee and get ready for work selling my papers. Behold, there he was in the kitchen waiting on me. My friend is back. I missed him so much. Happy Day everyone!