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Chicagoans Respond in Big Way to StreetWise's Financial Plight
StreetWise has been given new life, thanks to the more than $200,000 in donations it has received in the past seven days.
CHICAGO, IL, April 25, 2009 /Publications PR News/ -- StreetWise, the 16-year old non-profit organization that publishes StreetWise magazine that is sold on the street by homeless and near homeless individuals, has been given new life, thanks to the more than $200,000 in donations it has received in the past seven days.
Today, one week after the story of StreetWise's financial plight broke in the media, the organization held an emotional press conference to express its sincere gratitude to the people of Chicago and to Chicago's media community for stepping up at a difficult time to come to the aid of this iconic Chicago institution. Rob Federighi, president of the StreetWise board, announced that due to a record number of donations, large and small, StreetWise has raised more than $200,000 in less than a week.
Last Tuesday (April 15), StreetWise publicly announced that, due to current economic times, its usual flow of charitable donations and private grants had all but dried up, causing a severe financial difficulty for the organization and threatening its very existence.
Hundreds of people came to StreetWise's support during the past week. Major donations were given by Chicago area residents Brook Baxter and Wood Chatham, Kay and Jim Mabie, Greg Zeman and Michael Clune. StreetWise's executive director and long time board member, Bruce Crane, told those assembled at the press conference that all donations, even small ones, are important to StreetWise, for a donation represents more than just money—it also means that Chicagoans are willing to come together as a community to support each other.
Pete Kadens, a Chicago entrepreneur and vice president of StreetWise's board, made opening remarks that expressed his joy and gratitude for the selflessness of Chicagoans and thanking 1st ward Alderman Manuel Flores for his leadership in bringing this story to the attention of the public and the city council.
Alderman Flores, who has been a strong advocate of StreetWise throughout this ordeal, took action last week by announcing his support for the StreetWise community and arranging for StreetWise board members and vendors to meet with the city council's committee on human relations. At that time, Flores and the committee stated their commitment to keeping StreetWise's doors open. The alderman also praised StreetWise vendors as entrepreneurs who represent the heart and soul of America.
Several StreetWise vendors spoke eloquently at the press conference of their gratitude to StreetWise and the difficult time they would have had if StreetWise did not receive the financial support that came so generously.
With this short term financial crisis now abated, StreetWise will continue to operate as a lean, efficient publishing operation, and will redouble its efforts to reduce costs while generating more revenue from the sale of its flagship publication and from advertising, Crane explained.
Board president Federighi discussed some of the new initiatives StreetWise will be undertaking to expand the program and be of more service to the vendors. He also declared his intention that StreetWise would continue to be on the forefront in helping find solutions to the problem of homelessness in Chicago. Among new initiatives being finalized at StreetWise are workforce training programs, a mentoring program, health and wellness program and expanded outreach to recruit more vendors.
When asked what the people of Chicago can do to get involved and support the StreetWise efforts, Federighi enumerated a number of options. First, he encouraged Chicagoans to buy the magazine and read it—don't just give two dollars to the vendor and walk away without taking the magazine. He reminded the public that they should only buy StreetWise from official vendors who wear a StreetWise vendor badge. Secondly, people should volunteer; there are many activities that would benefit from the public's time and talent. Thirdly, businesses should explore advertising in StreetWise. Now a full color glossy magazine, StreetWise is a good vehicle for reaching a caring, concerned and informed community of readers. Fourth, he encouraged people who live outside the city or who do not encounter vendors to consider buying a subscription to StreetWise. Similarly, he suggested that doctors, dentists and other professionals with waiting rooms, and companies with employee cafeterias, consider getting subscriptions so that StreetWise can be available to a larger readership.
StreetWise sells for $2.00 per issue. Vendors purchase the magazine for $.75 and the remaining $1.25 goes directly to the licensed StreetWise vendor. People are urged to make a financial contribution to help support StreetWise and the important mission it carries out. For more information or to make a contribution, please contact Bruce Crane at 312-829-2526. Donations can also be made online at the StreetWise website, www.streetwise.org. StreetWise is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Contributions are tax deductable.
About Kurman Communications, Inc.
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