"Target poverty, not the poor"
America likes to declare war against anything we are having trouble with. It's easier to punish people than come up with solutions that get at the root of the problem. Fining and jailing people will never end homelessness and poverty, in fact it merely perpetuates the cycle. Real Change is not only an innovative way to empower homeless people, it's a pretty good little newspaper as well. The website states that their mission is to "create opportunity and a voice for low-income people while taking action to end homelessness and poverty." This organization gives down and out people a chance to help themselves.
Some reviews criticize the paper, saying that since you see people selling Real Change for long periods of time, the program is a failure. I disagree. Selling the papers may not be enough to lift someone out of poverty, but it's a step in the right direction. It gives the vendors the opportunity to earn an honest income. Working for a non-profit brings a sense of dignity, direction and achievement. A Real Change vendor may not be able to save enough money to buy a house, but unlike the guy spare-changing at the bus stop, they're actively trying to improve their circumstances. I get really irritated with panhandlers and those annoying clipboard people, but I respect the Real Change vendors.
I generally find the articles and interviews in Real Change to be well written and interesting. It's just a few pages long, but I don't miss the sports, real estate, or gossip sections of a regular paper. Real Change covers current events plus issues impacting Seattle's low income and homeless citizens. They poetry corner isn't always great, but if someone needs to write a poem to help keep them clean, so be it.
The reason I don't give 5 Stars is because I can't go anywhere in this city without someone harassing me, asking me to sign something or give them money. Just once I'd like to be able to walk unaccosted through the streets of downtown. While I have to give the more exuberant vendors alot of credit for remaining chipper and positive, everyone annoys me equally at 7:50am when I'm making my way from the bus stop to work. It's like a freakin gauntlet. The vendors I am most likely to purchase a paper from are the vendors that leave me alone!! Anyways, Real Change only costs $1 and is well worth it. It's a purchase that helps someone out and makes you feel like you did your good deed for the day. read more