Help Us Start 2027 Strong

Dear Friend of Street Sense Media,

What makes Street Sense Media special is that the people at the heart of our mission are also the people who make our work possible. Our program participants become our journalists, our artists, and the entire sales team behind our award-winning newspaper. Their work brings important perspectives to conversations about homelessness while creating opportunities to earn income, develop skills, and build more stable lives.

This year, over 185 men and women participated in our programs, including 21 individuals who completed training to join our newspaper sales team. Five of our colleagues moved into permanent housing with the support of our case management program, while hundreds of interactions with housing, healthcare, and mental health providers helped others take important steps toward greater stability

Our newspaper circulation increased by 22%, despite the continued changes to downtown Washington that have made reaching customers more difficult. That growth reflects the dedication of our sales team, our strong reader relationships, and the quality of the journalism they’re providing.

We also launched a new employment and training program in partnership with the DC Department of Human Services. With a dedicated, full-time Employment Specialist, we're helping members of our community develop new skills, navigate the job market, and prepare for the next chapter of their careers.

These achievements are worth celebrating. But they also remind us of how much more we can accomplish together.

Across Washington, more people are struggling to make ends meet. Affordable housing remains out of reach for too many of our neighbors, and for those already living on very limited incomes, even a small financial setback can threaten the stability they've worked so hard to build. Many of our colleagues are also navigating significant physical and mental health challenges, making access to consistent support all the more important.

At the same time, the costs of operating Street Sense Media continue to increase. Between tariffs on paper, and the high cost of fuel and energy, we anticipate our 2027 printing costs rising to $70,000 from just $42,000 in 2025—a large, but necessary expense that provides income for our sales team and brings essential reporting to our community.

That's why, between now and December 31, we need to raise $175,000 from individual donors to sustain our work in the year ahead. And we're counting on you to help us reach that goal.

Your support will help keep our newspaper in circulation. It will sustain the case management services that help people secure housing, access healthcare, and navigate essential benefits. And it will support our expanding employment program, helping more individuals pursue their professional goals and build greater financial independence.

At Street Sense Media, we've never believed that there is only one path toward stability or success. For some, selling our newspaper provides an important and ongoing source of income. For others, it's a steppingstone toward a new career. And for many, the opportunity to write, create art, or contribute to our newsroom becomes an equally meaningful part of sharing their perspectives and helping us understand their experiences.

What unites them is the chance to put their talents to work, make their own choices, and move forward with a community of supporters alongside them.

Our colleagues are doing the hard work every day. Now we're asking you to help us make the next year of opportunity possible.

Your support will help us reach our $175,000 goal and continue building on everything we've accomplished together.

Thank you for being part of the Street Sense Media community and for the role you play in making this work possible.

Sincerely,

Brian Carome
CEO