It Could Happen to You and the Paper Offers the Other Side of the Story

By Mark Read

     To me, the Cleveland Street Chronicle is a very important publication. In short, the Cleveland Street Chronicle brings about the awareness of homelessness and the issues surrounding the homeless population. The best part of Cleveland Street Chronicle is that through interviews and statistics we can dispel the rumors and attached stigma that all homeless persons are either addicts, alcoholics, or people with mental health issues.

     In today’s economy, the 9 to 5 person is suspicious of all homeless problems in America. If you are living from paycheck to paycheck, all it takes is a layoff or a company down sizing and you could be homeless. As you wait on your unemployment benefits, which could take weeks or months, you may have a problem.  If you don’t have a sympathetic landlord, then you get a three day notice.  After that, there is a court date and a move out date is assigned by the magistrate. 

     So,as all this goes on, you can become homeless. You are Joe citizen and ask yourself, “how did this happen?” In writing all this, I am hoping that our readers realize how easy it is to become homeless.

     I would like to thank all of our readers and sponsors for supporting our newspaper. 

 Editor’s Note: Mark Read passed away March 2, 2012 in his home.  Mark was a vendor for at least six years.  All of the vendors and staff were sad to hear about his unexpected death. 

 Copyright Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless Cleveland Street Chronicle Volume #19.1 April – May 2012