Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 16, 2009 at 09:45:47:
In Reply to: StreetWise Magazine In Trouble; May Fold In 45 Days posted by chicagomedia.org on April 14, 2009 at 20:11:04:
Aldermen vow to save StreetWise
April 15, 2009
BY FRAN SPIELMAN | Sun-Times City Hall Reporter
After gut-wrenching testimony from StreetWise vendors and their children, Chicago aldermen vowed Wednesday to save the publication that has helped homeless residents turn their lives around.
Patricia Tillman, a homeless woman who used to ride the CTA back and forth from 95th Street to Howard for shelter, told an inspiring story of determination and renewal that nearly moved aldermen to tears.
"I started selling the paper. It taught me how to manage my money because if I didn't manage it the right way, I couldn't buy the papers to sell the next day," Tillman told the City Council's Human Relations Committee.
"StreetWise is like a life support system for me. ... I haven't been homeless for 15 years because of StreetWise. It helps me to do a lot of things for my children that kids in our neighborhood wouldn't ordinarily be able to do."
Joshua Mosley, one of Tillman's 10-year-old twin sons, underscored his mother's testimony.
"If StreetWise goes away, I'll probably be homeless. I won't have trips to go on. I won't have music class. If you don't want my heart to crumble, please don't let StreetWise fall down," he said.
His brother Joseph added, "I don't want it to close, either. There will be homeless people on the streets, and they won't have no job to go to. I want it to be open so homeless people can come in and work."
Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) said the family's testimony "reminds us that all people really want is an opportunity to be alive - in every way that means. You want to continue to mother your children - be it through roller skates, books - whatever it is."
She added, "If you continue - and you will - you will be all right. This committee will do everything to try to help get you back on your feet."
Ald. Manny Flores (1st), whose resolution brought attention to the newspaper's plight, said the City Council is prepared to support StreetWise, using funds earmarked for workforce development and homeless prevention.
"This is not a hand-out. StreetWise has done an effective job of preventing homelessness. A good number of vendors are no longer homeless because of the income they're earning," Flores said.
He added, "If we lose StreetWise, it would be another black eye for Chicago. Not only would be losing this wonderful institution, but what message would we be sending? Losing hope, losing opportunity and, in many instances, losing homes."
The nonprofit StreetWise Inc. said this week it would be forced to close its doors in a few months unless its gets $75,000 in donations.
Contrary to industry trends, advertising is up since StreetWise made the change from a newspaper to a glossy magazine in November. But, charitable support has declined because of the prolonged recession. Grants comprise roughly half the organization's annual $500,000 budget.