There was much fanfare and media coverage of the Haiti earthquake evacuees when the filed off airplanes at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport in late January. But what happened to the evacuees after the spotlight was turned off?
ChicagoStorytelling’s Jon Niederkorn, Maham Khan Amed and Ike Gioshvili reported this story for Chicago-centric site Gapers Block about what has happened to the people who survived one of the worst earthquakes in history.
Audio Slideshow: How Chicago helped the Haiti evacuees.
By Kim Dunbar, PJ Randhawa and Randell Golman
“Good morning, good morning, Chicago Tribune, 75 cents!”
Keisha Coolidge repeats that phrase as people pass her on their way to work. She is peddling the Chicago Tribune from her spot on the corner of Van Buren and Michigan Avenues.
Coolidge is one of many Chicagoans who sell newspapers on the street in order to make a living. According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago, street peddling is in fact part of the city’s legacy, and has provided an important service to Chicago residents and continues to operate as an economic option for entrepreneurs.
From hot dog vendors to impromptu performances, people can find many things on Chicago streets. But for those who hawk newspapers to pay the bills, their reliance on selling what some experts say is a dying industry and product is a growing concern.
Coolidge, 23, is prepared for the worst.
“I’m looking for another job right now,” she said.
Posted in Chicago, Maps, News, Streets
Tagged Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, newspaper vendors, newspapers, RedEye, street vendors, StreetWise
ChicagoStorytelling’s Aixa Velez and Araceli Pedroza wrote a story for Chicago-centric Web site Gapers Block about how Chicago’s Latino street vendors are battling the city over permits that will allow them to serve warm food to customers.
Audio Slideshow: What are the Elotes served by Latino street vendors, and how is one street vendor in the Little Village neighborhood making ends meet?
Posted in Chicago, Food, Global, Health, Maps, News, Streets
Tagged Chicago, elote, Food, Gapers Block, latina, latino, Little Village, public health, street food, street vendors
The True Star Foundation program gives Chicago students hands-on experience in the media arts, including magazines and radio.
Since the Fall of 2004, the True Star Foundation has been working with Chicago youth to teach them skills in journalism, marketing and publishing. The nonprofit organization that provides a creative outlet in the form of literary and professional development programs for youth.
ChicagoStorytelling’s Stephanie Williams, Cicely Teal and Essence McDowell spent time with the students, True Star’s founders and others to see how the program is making a difference in the kids’ lives.
Posted in Chicago, media, News, Streets
Tagged Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, journalism, media, True Star, youth
Comedians from all over the Chicago area perform at "Your Sunday Best" open mic night at Schubas. (Photo by Andy Kahn)
Each week Schubas holds Your Sunday Best – an open-mic comedy night – in the small upstairs bar reached by an inconspicuous staircase in the front of the downstairs establishment. The North Side bar has faithfully played host to the event for more than a decade.
ChicagoStorytelling’s Andrew Kahn, A.Jay Wagner and Lars Weborg spent a night watching some of the Windy City’s aspiring comedians, who are not only performing for an audience, but also for each other.
Audio Slideshow: Hear the comedians tell their stories in their own words.
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