Curbside vendor Mildred has faced her fair share of challenges. She tells us about her personal history and describes the ways in which being a Curbside vendor, her faith and love of art are helping her to move forward.

Cynthia, a talented and passionate dancer, moved to Denver to help out her brother who was experiencing homeless. By getting involved with selling street papers, she has found a bigger family than she could ever have expected.

Rose moved to the US from the Philippines and she has been through some big changes in her life. But working with Real Change has finally made her life change for the better.

Darnesha first left home at age 13 to escape her mother’s abusive boyfriend. Three years ago, she moved to Oklahoma City with a controlling partner, but left him when his unreliable behaviour threatened to jeopardise their housing situation. Now she is raising her daughter on her own, and says selling The Curbside Chronicle has saved her.

Army veteran Anthony hasn’t had a home to call his own for 27 years. But after seven years’ hard work selling The Contributor, he finally has his own place.

Maria has always held physically demanding jobs, but recently that has been causing her pain and difficulty. Selling Street Roots gives her independence while she finds the right career. “They have always welcomed me,” she says.

U.S. campaigner Michael Stoops, who passed away this week, spent decades fighting for people experiencing homelessness. Street Sense pays tribute.

Nathanial is an entrepreneur, inventor and artist, but what truly defines him is his talent for making friends. His customers feel they can open up to him, returning time and again to talk – and buy the paper.

After Hurricane Ivan, Jessica Thurmond lost her home and was forced to live in her car. Jessica found help through the kindness of strangers – and now she wants to pay that compassion forward.

After five years of homelessness, Real Change vendor Lisa Sawyer finally got somewhere to live with her boyfriend. Now it looks like her new home may be slipping away. 

Curbside Chronicle vendor Chazzi Davis lives with bipolar disorder. Twenty years ago, he lost everything due to his mental health issues. He can never have his old life back, but has found that photography – and selling the paper – is like therapy.

Rachel loves her home city of Seattle, but also feels a strong connection to Montana – she named her beloved Chihuahua-terrier puppy after a city there. When she’s not selling Real Change, or advocating for people with disabilities and service dogs, she likes to make balloon animals and even perform as a clown.

Sheila has lost many things in her life, but never her creativity or her desire to make a difference. Through art, poetry and activism, she uses her experience with homelessness to educate the public and advocate for others in her position.

As the global war against truth rages, the Alternative journalism vs. ‘alternative facts’ event on 30 March will explore how alternative forms of journalism can lead the fight against fake news.

Vickie is currently homeless and battling cancer for the second time. She sells The Contributor to provide for her family.

In January, INSP was delighted to report on the incredible story of Raven Canon, an activist in Colorado Springs who launched brand new street paper The Springs Echo, whilst sleeping rough. A little more than a month later, we are saddened to be reporting on her death.

When Norm lost his job and his home, it was thanks to the kindness of a stranger he ended up in housing once again. Now he sells Street Roots, accompanied by his dog Heidi. He says being a vendor is an adventure – and good for his mental health.

“The idea came from being hungry – the desire came from wanting to fight.” Currently homeless in Colorado Springs, Raven Canon is a campaigner and the founder of the world’s newest street paper. We caught up with her just after she published the first edition of The Springs Echo.

Selling the paper helps with the basics like bills and food, but also helps vendor Mellie Kaufman to feel better about herself and her life. “”Before I sold Real Change, I felt like I was nothing. Now, I feel better,” she says.

Today, as part of our vendor wishes series, we visit Vicky who sells The Contributor in Tennessee. She has big plans for the new year…

For New Year’s Eve, we have a bumper series of vendor wishes to share from StreetWise in Chicago.

Amy and Dewayne sell Speak Up in North Carolina. They hope in the new year to get a home or camper, so they can get their daughter back and be happy.

Eileen and Mike both sell Street Roots in Portland, USA. They join our vendor wishes series, both calling on the government to tackle affordable housing.

Today in our vendor wishes series, Street Sense vendor Sheila has a message for the US government about affordable housing.

In the last weeks of 2016, INSP has spoken to vendors worldwide about their hopes for the coming year. Today, we meet Robert and Vicki in Downtown Dallas.

One Step Away vendors Bernard, Howie and Jeff tell us about how they’d like to make the world a better place in 2017. Despite concerns about Trump.

For Armand Casazza, selling Denver Voice was a chance to start anew. The job helps him face the challenges of a troubled past with an ever-present grin.

“I stay positive by recognising the negatives first,” says Street Roots vendor Janick. “Get those out of the way, and figure out how to change the things you can change.”