KLAMATH FALLS, OR— All homeless are not the same.
People need to educate themselves when it comes to homeless. They are not all the same and they are not all old and drug addicts and alcoholics or mentally ill. They each have their reasons as to why they are homeless and how they ended up being homeless. Yes, there are the career homeless and they choose to live that life style. But there are many others struggling each day to survive to the next, to get back on their feet, and be like the rest of us, with a roof over their heads again, to call home.
I had other plans that I have put on hold for the time being, to concentrate on assisting as many homeless on the streets, that I can. I can't do it alone. I need your support and help too. Along with the homeless doing their part by selling the Klamath County Record Weekly Street Paper on the streets. And the support from the community by purchasing a copy each time they come out and are sold in Klamath Falls, OR.
And for others to purchase a subscription to go into a fund like the following: Homeless Helping Homeless Family and Friends HHH Homeless helping Homeless and Homeless Helping Homeless HHH.
As much as I love to write, it is time for me to let others do it now. From hopefully having an Editor to take that responsibility. Where groups of homeless can be taught to write their articles and stories for the local street paper. Where the community will be supportive, and do their part by buying the street paper, with stories that they will be interested in reading too.
Giving the homeless hope and their dignity by doing something that will help them get back on their feet, and a home of their own once again. Like the rest of us take for granted everyday. And most people do not realize they are only a pay check or two themselves away from being in the same place as the homeless are in now.
The street paper will take some time to catch on, but once it does I feel it will take off like a wild fire. People who buy it will know they are doing their part to help a homeless person have a job. A job helping them get off the streets by working for themselves. To be able to have an income to pay for motel rooms, instead of a homeless shelter. A motel room is the next step to having a home of their own once again.
The homeless buy the paper from the publisher and then sell it on the street to gain an income. And they have the right to do that according to the First Amendment of the United States of America, by law.
Don’t look away
The more we look away and pretend the problem does not exist, the more ignorant we become and the less willing we are to help. It is important to acknowledge that homelessness is a real problem in the community and not to deny that it exists. Help someone when you can and other people around you will follow and do the same.
Talk to the homeless
Sometimes all it takes is a conversation to turn someone's life around. Even if it doesn’t turn their life around, it can be insightful for both you and them. You can only learn about someones situation by asking and the more informed and educated we become about the ways in which people become homeless, the less likely it will be to happen. This will help us to prevent others in similar situations from becoming homeless.
Acknowledge the problem.
Don’t be one of those people who tries their best not to stare in the direction of a homeless person. You do not have to give, but at least acknowledge that there are people suffering.
Give when you can.
It is not rational to expect people to always give. But when you can, it is worth doing. If you have some spare change and you’re near a vending machine, get something and give it away.
Street newspapers (or street papers) are newspapers or magazines sold by homeless or poor individuals and produced mainly to support these populations. Most such newspapers primarily provide coverage about homelessness and poverty-related issues, and seek to strengthen social networks within homeless communities.
'Street Papers' Sold By Homeless Are Thriving
Homeless newspapers around the country have grown by double digits over the past few years, even while most printed publications struggle to keep their paying customers. The so-called street papers create jobs for homeless people, who buy the papers at cost and sell them for a dollar.
The model is simple, but it works. And it's caught fire in places like Nashville. The publication's explosive growth raises questions about sustainability of the street paper business model — like what happens when the vendors are making so much money they're no longer homeless?
Klamath County Record Weekly Street Paper is a street paper in which homeless and formerly homeless people, as well as homeless advocates, can write and produce. Our mission is to be a voice for homeless people.
Objectives
To publish a street newspaper written mainly by homeless people, formerly homeless people, and homeless advocates in order to empower them and give them a voice.
To build and enhance a sense of community and facilitate positive communication between homeless people, homeless advocates, service providers, and the general public.
To build awareness of social services that are available to poor and homeless people, and other such information that would be educational to the homeless population.
To expand and redefine our charitable, educational, and literary program from time to time as necessary to meet the continuing need to empower homeless people.
Submission Policy
Klamath County Record Weekly Street Paper welcomes all submissions in the form of fiction, journalism, artwork, photography, and poetry.
We especially encourage those living on the streets to use this space to debate and discuss issues of poverty, housing, and homelessness.
Klamath County Record Weekly Street Paper does not support censorship, and the selection of submissions for print will be made based on the quality of a piece, not its viewpoint.
However, Klamath County Record Weekly Street Paper discourages pieces intended to harass, incite bigotry, or advertise for profit.
Send sources on local and national news:
Email: tulelakenews@yahoo.com
Cell # (530) 708-7852
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