Monday, August 31, 2009

A Paper With Street Credibility

Pedestrians greet L'Itinéraire vendor Michel Desjardins by name, and he enjoys the rapport he has developed with his clients. "They all know me," he says. Photograph by: Allen McInnis, The Gazette

From The Montreal Gazette:

L'ITINÉRAIRE, which was initiated by the homeless, is partly produced by them and has changed many of their lives, prints a 150-page special edition tomorrow to celebrate its 15th anniversary.

Gabriel Bissonnette, 51, stands on a street corner in Montreal's Latin Quarter holding a stack of L'Itinéraire newspapers. Outfitted with a black knapsack, he carries himself confidently.

"He's a great guy to have around the city," says Serge Lareault, his boss at the paper, which was initiated and is partly produced by the homeless. Bubbly and passionate, Bissonnette is doing the only job he has known for 15 years - he has been selling L'Itinéraire since its first edition was printed in 1994.

Read more ....

My Comment: Makes me realize that there is hope for all.

No comments: