Yale University Students Help Conn. Homeless Launch 'Elm City Echo' Newspaper

Although it may be said that it's a tough economic time to start a newspaper, a group of homeless people in New Haven, Conn. are doing just that.

WTNH reports that the stories of Conneticut's disadvantaged are being told through the Elm City Echo, which recently released its first edition. With the help of Yale University student volunteers, the newspaper is written by the homeless for their local community.

Damian, a contributor for the Elm City Echo, told WTNH that she wanted to change the perception people have of homelessness.

"We're just as human as everybody else. That's what I need people to understand."

The paper features opinion pieces, personal stories, and poetry. There is also a section dedicated to reviews of local soup kitchens and shelters, to inform local homeless of safe havens in their city.

Each writer of the Elm City Echo receives a stack of newspapers to sell for $1 each. The writers keep 75 cents of as profit and the remaining 25 cents go to the costs of running the paper.

Articles can also be viewed at the Elm City Echo's website.

The homeless of many large cities have launched street newspapers in the past, such as Cleveland, Ohio's "Homeless Grapevine" and the "StreetWise Magazine," which circulates in Chicago, Ill.