WTOL 11's Amanda Fay attended the event along with Toledo Mayor Wade Kapsudkiewicz. Toledo Streets Newspapers provides barrier-free access to employment.
TOLEDO, Ohio — “Buy the paper!” That's the cry of the Toledo Street newspaper vendors, heard all over Toledo.
WTOL 11's Amanda Fay wore her iconic reflective vest and held up a paper alongside vendor Linda Kolinsky. She is a top vendor on her TSN. Her record is that she sold 352 papers in one week.
“I pay the rent. I pay for the cat,” Kolinsky said. “I'll buy food.”
She also created the “Stay Focused” cartoon, which appears in this newspaper. It has become part of her sales pitch.
Mr. Kolinsky is one of 80 people served by Toledo Street Newspapers each year. Valerie Vetter, executive director of Toledo Street Newspapers, says about half of them are active members, meaning they come back to sell again and again.
TSN provides barrier-free access to employment. Each vendor starts with his 10 free papers. Then for each paper he invests a quarter. They set their own schedules and secure their own profits.
“So if someone has a criminal record or doesn't have the proper identification to get a job interview, we welcome them,” Vetter said. “So anyone who walks through our doors can start working if they want to.
TSN shares a building with the Toledo Homeless Commission and connects vendors with caseworkers and support services. The goal is to get them into gainful employment.
“I want people to leave this program in a field where they are successful and thriving,” Vetter said.
For those seeking that opportunity, orientation will be held every Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the office located at 1216 Madison Avenue in Toledo.
You can support the work of the Toledo Street Newspaper by making a donation or contributing content to the paper.
