Real Change Vendors: Opportunity and a Voice
Real Change offers an immediate, low-barrier work opportunity and caring community. We meet people where they are, without judgement, and support each other in reaching personal and professional goals.
Vendors are self-employed, earning an income by selling the weekly, award-winning Real Change newspaper. Vendors purchase the paper for $0.60, and sell it for $2, keeping the proceeds. No ID is required, and people begin earning an income after a brief orientation.
Each year, over $1M goes directly to vendors through the sale of the paper. 600 people find meaningful work and community at Real Change each year.
We’re more than a job. We’re a community and a chance to grow.
Vendors have access to services including case management, food assistance, service referrals, medical and veterinary care, mailboxes, a computer lab, and so much more.
Real Change is accountable to and led by vendors. The Vendor Advisory Board advises on program direction.
Animation by Oh No Gravity.
What Vendors Say:
“I really love selling Real Change. I get to make my own hours; I don’t have to work on somebody else’s time clock or call in sick. The flexibility of it is great.” — Jen Tibbets
"I got regular customers. I love them. They help me out a lot.” — Thomas Shipley
“I began selling the paper because my husband died. I was grieving. I would run into people who told me they had also lost their spouse or their children. There was this sense of community. And now I can’t even get out of it. I look forward to people talking to me every single day.” — Ivy Irving
"Real Change tells the truth; it’s innovative; it talks about the real issues. If I didn’t believe in this paper, I wouldn’t sell it. I can make a difference and make people start listening.” — Nick Maxwell
Read Real Change Vendor Stories here.