The guy on the corner

In Cincinnati we have guys on the corner asking for money.  Usually they sit on the cold concrete, some at least sit on a bucket, while others are on a bench.  Some are regulars and some are not.  There are two that I see regularly one of which has sat in the same spot for at least 3 years now on nearly a daily basis.  The other is more social and is usually seen all over the south side of downtown.  I don't know their names and honestly I've never given them money.  I want to help but I don't know how, beyond what I already do with the taxes I pay that fund the many programs that this area has.  I worry that any handout would just be used to feed an addiction and my help really is only help for that fleeting moment.  I'm not cold but I guess I'm callus.  Then I look at the guy selling Street Vibes on the corner.  He is a different type from all the rest.  They ask if you would like to buy a paper.  If you say no or motion no they continue on to selling to the next passer by. 

That paper has always left me wondering.  Who on earth would want to buy a paper about that.  It has no value to me to make me go awesome the new edition is out like when "Everybody's News" was around (I miss that paper).  Now of course that paper was free but I think you can see my point.  It doesn't have a draw to it, well except for one that I came to realize.  This paper provides those people with a job, something that in their current situation would be hard for most of them to have.  A job can be a good thing.  It will earn you some money, keep you busy, and if things work the way they should a better life.

In the end I finally found how I can help.  Buy a paper from the guy on the corner.