street roots
Aug. 16, 2013
Conference of street papers digs into challenges, opportunities
BY COLE MERKEL
S TR E E T R O O T S
V E N D O R C O O R D IN A T O R
reece’s economy is still in shambles
as the country faces record
unemployment amidst austerity cuts.
But in Athens, one street paper is serving
as a life raft of employment for more than
140 men and women, some who have been
unemployed for four years or more. Shedia
was founded less than a year ago and
already has a waitlist for vendors who want
to sell the newspaper.
Earlier this month, in Munich, Germany,
I sat on a panel with Chris Alefantis,
Shedia’s director. It was the International
Network of Street Papers’ 17th annual
conference and we were discussing which
vendors we serve and why. As the only
representative from North America on the
panel, I was discouraged to learn that
criminalizing homelessness is not unique to
Portland and the United States - that many
European street papers are facing the same
issues.
But I was empowered to connect with
P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F T H E IN S P
more than 100 men and women who publish
The author speaking on social media during the 17th annual conference o f the International
Network o f Street Papers in Munich, Germany.
street papers, and over the course of a year,
empower more than 14,000 vendors to work
their way out of poverty. From Serbia to
impact by facilitating conversations and
contributor to Street Roots’ social and
Malawi, Canada to Taiwan, the importance
relationships across socio-economic lines
digital media team, I was proud to see our
of street papers is only deepening as we
through our vendors. Street Roots, in
work highlighted many times over, and to
become more integrated in the fabric of our
particular, has never been shy about
present an overview of our recent social
local communities and the impact of our
reporting what is difficult or uncomfortable,
media campaigns at the innovation exchange
work spreads.
and at any time we have 80-100 vendors
on the second day of the conference.
In the era of 24-hour news and citizen
selling the paper, making a dignified income
Many papers are using Facebook pages,
journalism, the challenge for any newspaper
and building relationships with their
some are on Twitter, but few have employed
is to maintain relevance. Daily newspapers
customers in the community.
social media to create change to the extent
no longer publish quickly enough to
Street Roots has taken street journalism a that Street Roots has through our advocacy
compete with the speed of digital news and
step further by launching news.streetroots.
campaigns and Twitter reports. I returned to
the proliferation of free content on the
org and vocally increasing our presence on
Portland energized to continue using the
Internet makes getting paid for quality
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. As often
power of social media to communicate with
G
journalism difficult. Street papers are poised
to not only provide unique news
as possible, we tell the stories of the streets
th r o u g h t h e v o ic e s o f t h e m e n a n d women
commentary, but to create positive social
who live on them every day. As a
our readers and continue telling the stories
of our vendors in new and creative ways.
At 2 5 ,1 was the youngest delegate at the
Founded in 1994, the International
Network of Street Papers supports and
develops more than 120 street paper
projects with a combined readership of
6 million per edition. Street Roots,
along with its sister papers across
North America, join members from 40
countries in 24 languages.
Street papers are independent
newspapers and magazines that
operate on a social enterprise and self-
help model to provide an innovative
solution to urban homelessness and
unemployment. In addition to
employment, many INSP street papers
offer their vendors ongoing social
support and training opportunities.
conference, but not by much. I was amazed
at the many young faces - I’d guess at least
one-third of the delegates were under 35 —
and passionate energy in the group. Many of
us are stepping up in our roles at street
papers that are well established with a
tradition of strong editorial content and, in
the case of Street Roots, nearly 15 years of
vendor empowerment.
While our careers and media systems may
be new, my generation will constantly learn
from the tried and true methods of those
who started the movement before us. As we
take up the mantle, we will continue to
ensure the regular delivery of high-quality
content and, most importantly will continue
to give a hand up, not a hand out. Vendors
will always be the heart and soul of the
street paper movement and at Street Roots,
our vendors are the hardest working women
and men I have ever met. They inspire me
daily.
Surviving homelessness in the mountains of Austria
hoping he could help me get back on social
benefits again. All he said was that I
should go see an expert and that I
shouldn’t sleep outdoors without a
sleeping bag. And that valerian would be
good for my wisdom tooth. It grows on the
BY ANDREA HOSCHEK
mountain, thank God. But how could I
V E N D O R , A P R O P O S , A U S T R IA
afford a sleeping bag, especially a good
’m going my way. What is this day
one? My mother was unemployed also at
going to bring? Somebody buys a street the time and couldn’t help. An ad in the
paper from me. I also get tipped and
newspaper and a personal connection
I’m happy about it. These days I have less however worked wonders: After two years
to worry about.
I finally got a good sleeping bag and a
I was living on the Kapuzinerberg
military tent. It was a nomadic lifestyle,
(mountain) for a long time in a small cave.
but it was bearable.
The water used to drip on my face despite
I will never forget my first winter in the
the tarpaulin that I had covering the walls.
cave. I tried to tell myself that snowflakes
It was one that painters use; I didn’t have
were ‘romantic.’ I covered myself with
the money for anything else.
expensive fur coats that I got from the
I wasn’t physically fit enough to meet
collection of old clothes at Saftladen
the conditions imposed by social services.
(Social Enterprise). Unfortunately they
I eventually gave up my flat and stopped
never had any sleeping bags. Once at a
getting social benefits - they had already
construction site I found some thermal
been cut anyway. That situation lasted for
insulating material and I took it to sleep
a long time - much longer than I wanted it on so that I wouldn’t get sick. “I’ll return it
to. I would get up in the morning and go
soon,” I thought to myself. Because the
down the hill. Sometimes I would meet
cave was in danger of collapsing — and also
others that lived there and we would beg
because of the noise — I moved to the
on the Staatsbriicke (bridge). They were
other side of the mountain. I was still
also homeless and needing money. Well, I
unable to sleep.
never had to beg because I was selling the
Every week we used to get treated to a
street paper. Many people helped me with
free concert, because we could hear the
my problems and supported me. Like
music from concerts at the Residenzplatz
other homeless people, I was just grateful
(main square in Salzburg). Today they
to have any place to sleep.
actually give a cultural pass to poor
At the beginning I stayed at a friend’s
people, with free entry to the cinema and
place. I didn’t have to pay rent. I sold
other events.
Apropos and cooked for him. But I couldn’t
The basic income support payment that
stand his drinking.
I get now is a little bit higher than social
In the camp, I had a hard time sleeping
benefits I was on, but sometimes I’m still
and that started to take its toll. I looked
afraid that I won’t ever be able to have a
for a doctor nearby because I wasn’t able
“normal” life. My council flat is a salvation.
to go to the city in the state I was in. I was There needs to be a better system to deal
. The following column won top honors
among vendor essays at the International
Network o f Street Paper Awards 2013 in July.
It is written by a vendor with Street Roots’
sister paper Apropos in Austria.
I
Andrea Hoschek
with homeless people. At the moment
there can be four psychologists working on
one case yet the people end up on the
streets after a couple of months anyway. A
shelter should be provided until people
have found their own place to stay.
I like to think back to the beautiful time
that I spent in the great outdoors, in touch
with nature. Sometimes I even feel like I
was living in luxury because of the
beautiful things that I was given. I am very
grateful for the clothing donations. That’s
how I got a camelhair coat; it was always
my dream to own one. I used to wear it
when I was sitting outside the cave.
A friend of mine from Upper Austria
used to come and visit me twice a week to
bring me organic products and arnica
tincture. In return, I made him mountain
tea on the campfire to help with his
circulation. Another friend used to bring
me a special natural medicine from
Germany (made from valerian, lemon
balm, hops and St. John’s wort). One time
when I was ill another cave dweller
brought me food that he got from the
monastery. We would go to the monastery
to get food every day (except Sundays);
sandwiches, sometimes homemade cakes,
fruit, and always friendly conversation.
I used to take food from rubbish bins
and in the tent I would hang kilos of
bananas, organic breads and other
groceries for days so the mice couldn’t
reach them. I even covered the walls with
a Persian carpet that I found in a bin.
People throw away the most beautiful
things. When there was enough to eat I
didn’t have a lot to worry about, but there
were times when I was almost starving
and the rubbish bins behind the
supermarkets were my only rescue.
I’ve had my own flat for five years now.
It’s nice, but can be stressful because of
the crime in my neighborhood, which
never seems to end. I want to work again.
That’s why I started taking courses at the
Public Employment Service (a cleaning
course and a computer course).
When I’m feeling bad, I go back to the
mountain, to the cave that I decorated
with a mattress, a beautiful Persian carpet
and other bits and bobs that I got from
Sam, a painter friend that also lived on
mountain, who has now sadly passed away.
Everything is so peaceful and quiet
there, just like it used to be. I can pass the
day there and feel grateful for everything
that nature gave me.
My friend Sam used to say: “I’m not
poor, I’m rich.”
www.street-papers.org/Apropos, Austria