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The paper that helped the homeless

In 1989 celebrities in New York set up the 'Street News' paper to help the homeless. People living rough sold the paper instead of begging, the idea was copied around the world.

In 1989 celebrities in New York set up the 'Street News' paper to help the homeless. People living rough sold the paper at a profit instead of begging, initially it was very successful with around 250,000 copies sold per issue and the idea was copied around the world. Lee Stringer was living on the street when he began selling 'Street News', he discovered a talent for writing and went on to be a columnist and then editor of the paper. He told Witness History how living on the streets made him a better writer and how he became a successful author as a result of the chance he was given at 'Street News'.

(Photo: A street vendor holds a copy of 'Street News'. Credit CBS)

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9 minutes

Last on

Thu 11 Feb 2021 03:50GMT

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  • Wed 10 Feb 2021 08:50GMT
  • Wed 10 Feb 2021 12:50GMT
  • Wed 10 Feb 2021 18:50GMT
  • Wed 10 Feb 2021 23:50GMT
  • Thu 11 Feb 2021 03:50GMT

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