Helping the Homeless Lift their Heads High(b)

by Marcus Maurice

Sometimes people down on their luck need a little help to get back up.

　　To sell The Big Issue, there are a few qualifications that are required. A person must either be homeless, in temporary housing, or in danger of losing their place to live. If someone meets these requirements, they can head to The Big Issue office and start selling right away. At first, they will be given free copies to get started. They will also be directed to an empty distribution point. Once the sellers make enough money, they must purchase The Big Issue and then sell them for double the price. That way, they can start making money and solve some of their problems. The Big Issue offices also offer counseling for drug or alcohol dependence, housing help, and even health training.

　　One of the best parts about being a vendor for The Big Issue is that there are real success stories, which are posted on their website for the public to read and enjoy. A recent interview with Matt Thomas in Oxford, England, revealed that after seven months of selling The Big Issue, he is still basically homeless, but he is living in a long-term hostel. Thomas has been getting his life back together and even has money to see his two children on the weekends. He is now sober and regularly attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Thomas has enjoyed being off drinking and drugs so much that he has signed up to be a counselor. The Big Issue helped Thomas have a better life. He said, "On the streets, I was living in shadow. I didn't lift my head for a long time." Now, Thomas has a few reasons to be proud.

 

　　若想贩售《大志杂志》，必须要具备某些资格。此人必须是无家可归或是没有固定的住处，亦或是身处在无家可归的风险中。如果某人符合这些条件，他们就可以前往

 《大志杂志》的办事处，并立刻开始贩售杂志。起初，他们会拿到免费的杂志让他们可以开始贩售。此外，他们还会被引导至一个没有人占用的分销据点。一旦这些卖杂志的人赚了足够的钱，他们就必须购买《大志杂志》，然后以两倍价格卖出。透过这样的方式，他们就可以开始赚钱并且解决一些自身的问题。《大志杂志》的办事处另外还提供毒品或酒精依赖者的辅导、住房协助，甚至还有健康训练课程。

　　成为《大志杂志》贩售者最棒的部份之一就是确实有成功的案例，这些案例会被张贴在该杂志的网站供大众阅读和欣赏。近期有一则来自英国牛津的麦特‧汤玛斯的专访透露，在贩售了七个月的《大志杂志》之后，基本上他仍旧是无家可归，不过他现在居住在一家长期的旅社。汤玛斯现已重拾正常生活，甚至还有钱可以在周末时去看看他的两个小孩。他现在不会过量饮酒，而且还定期参加匿名戒酒的聚会。汤玛斯现在对于远离酒精和毒品乐在其中，而且他还签署成为一名辅导员。《大志杂志》帮助汤玛斯拥有更好的人生。他说：『流落街头时，我活在阴影里。我很久没有抬头看看这世界了。』现在，汤玛斯有了一些可以感到光荣的理由了。