The regional work of INSP has increased dramatically since the first lockdown as solidarity and connection have become more important than ever. That has overwhelmingly been the case in Latin America, as INSP’s tight knit group of publications have battled through adversity to continue their work. This is an overview of the region’s street papers.

Alejandro Peña left his beloved home country of Venezuela with a heavy heart. Living in a country mired in crisis was a nightmare; it was impossible to have hopes and dreams for the future. Faced with uncertainty about what the future would hold, Peña felt his only option was to flee and seek refuge elsewhere. This is his story.

‘Empowering The Poor: Street Newspapers and their Global Impact’ was panel hosted by the Society of Journalists on Wednesday 18 August. Moderated by founder of Real Change and INSP board member Tim Harris, the discussion included members of staff from INSP and its associated member publications. Watch the panel again here.

The Big Issue took stock of how coronavirus is affecting the world’s homeless community, providing another update on just how severely the spread of the virus is impacting street papers and the people for which they provide an income.

To mark the end of INSP’s 25th anniversary year, we have been asking vendors across the street paper network to write a letter to their 25-year-old self. Four Mi Valedor vendors contributed to the #VendorLetters series, one of which chose to write something more poetic.

The Big Issue has been reaching out to vendors across the street paper network to get the inside scoop on the cities they know best. This instalment features Mi Valedor vendors Erasmo, Antonio, Juan and Isaias talking about Mexico City.

INSP has launched a new initiative to help support street paper members situated in the US, Canada and Mexico. The North American Bureau will be led by the former executive director of Street Roots and backed by Seattle street paper Real Change.

Mexican street paper Mi Valedor has multiple #VendorWeek activities planned throughout the annual celebration, including traditional food, an opportunity to get their eyes tested, and meeting up with members of the public to show them exactly what it’s like to be a street paper vendor.

This year we asked vendors: if you could give a song as a present this Christmas, what would you choose? The result was the INSP Vendor Playlist, which is now available for your listening pleasure. Mi Valedor vendor Erasmo talks about his love of singer José José and how it links with a lifetime of struggling with alcoholism.

Mauricio Rosas is a Mi Valedor vendor who has experienced both homelessness and addiction. He started experimenting with drugs and alcohol while he was a teenager and went on to rely on alcohol to feel better. It was when Rosas first went to the offices of Mi Valedor that he realised that he needed help. Now that Rosas has made positive changes in his life, he feels that he has been reborn and urges those in need of help to reach out for the support that they need.

Erasmo Navarrete has found hope and direction since becoming a Mi Valedor vendor. Despite his earlier struggles with alcoholism, he never lost his enthusiasm for work or his honest approach to life. Here, he looks back on his life and talks about the positive changes that have taken place since he became a Mi Valdor vendor, thanks to the support that he has received from others.

Aristeo wanted to be a sport star. But somewhere along the way, he lost himself. Thanks to Mi Valedor, things are looking up for him. Here, he explains why.

Today, North American street papers will join in with the #VendorWeek celebrations by hosting selling events, some for the first time. This #VendorWeek tradition is a chance for those unfamiliar with the street paper movement to understand better what street paper vendors do.

Despite struggling with a knee injury, Isaias, a Mi Valedor vendor in Mexico, has had quite an eventful year. Looking back on 2017, he tells us about the moments that made him feel proud as well as what it feels like to become famous!

Becoming a Mi Valedor vendor has given Hadassha hope: hope that she can resist despair and move towards a more hopeful future. Here, she reflects on her life and talks about the lifeline that selling the magazine has offered her.

We catch up with Arturo, a Mi Valedor vendor, who is grateful for the support that he has found by selling the magazine. He tells us about his past, his experiences as a vendor and his mission to help others.