A letter to the Wood Street Commons
By Jaz Colibri on A love letter to Wood Street Commons by a former resident and advocate for her community.
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The ‘unemployable’ also have a right to exist
By Jack Bragen on I’m disabled and I’m unable to make it in a conventional job. I’m facing very hard challenges at this point in life.
Mission Gold:
By Nick Marzano on A magazine exploring the money, magic, and misfits of San Francisco’s shadow economy.
How the climate emergency exacerbates homelessness
By Kathryn McKelvey on Building networks of trust in our community will allow us to help each other survive as the climate crisis pushes marginally housed people onto the street.
Why we made our encampment beautiful
By Stefani Echeverría-Fenn on An encampment, like any city neighborhood, draws support and investment when it is beautiful. This safety can be a lifeline for unsheltered communities.
The weight of depression after a year of isolation in prison
By Christopher Blackwell on In prison, illness means isolation, which has harmful effects, Blackwell says.
‘We need your support’: An open letter from Wood Street
By members of the Wood Street encampment community on The Wood Street Commons is scheduled for eviction on January 9. The Commons is a resource hub for unhoused in the West Oakland area.
A note to my amazing customers—thank you for your support
By Vernon Dailey on Vernon Dailey sells the paper in Fairfax and at Berkeley Bowl West.
My Christmas carol: a roof over my head for the holidays
By Vicky Batcher on After a period of homelessness, housing has allowed me to give my kids the kind of Christmas I used to have, Vicky writes.
I hate smoking cigarettes but I can’t quit
By Jack Bragen on I must face this demon myself, Bragen writes.
Poor in public: Socia, my RV neighbor
By Martha Cast on An excerpt from Martha Cast’s book, Poor in Public: a collection of essays about the people she met and experiences she had while homeless in Berkeley between the years of 2014 and 2015.
Staying warm and dry 101
By Ace Backwords on As the weather changes, some tips for staying warm and dry on the street.