Dear Future Supporter,

Whats Up Magazine & The Homeless Empowerment Project, represents the most effective and sustainable model for homeless self help and advocacy to emerge in the last two decades. Whats Up Magazine is a publication sold by homeless and at-risk individuals on the streets of St. Louis as an alternative to panhandling and an invitation for the community to get involved. Since our inception circulation has grown steadily over the past eight years with total vendor circulation of over 250,000 magazines. We attribute the increased readership to improved marketing, and increase in the number of vendors, quality journalism, and heightened public interest in alternative news sources.

I personally believe in this cause. While in the community I came across a homeless couple with kids at their side. The woman asked me for some change - so they could eat. I gave them what I could and invited them to get involved with Whats Up Magazine. In a quick conversation the lady said to me with tears in her eyes “Thank you - we can eat today and now we have a plan for tomorrow.” She turned to her male companion and said “Let’s give it a shot; let’s find a way to get off these streets.” Conversations like the one above are just one of the many reasons we need your support.

I am simply asking for your support of Whats Up Magazine. We are a federal not for profit organization and manage to get by without any paid staff – so your support goes even further. We are working to increase our circulation, improve our vendor support programs, and work to hire a full-time staff member by the end of 2011.

Thanks so much for your support and please contact us with any questions!  

- Jay Swoboda, Executive Director/Founder

314-241-7744 - office

editor@whatsupstl.com