Speak Up Magazine

Speak Up Magazine

Since 2011, Speak Up has been publishing work from writers facing homelessness who had no other voice. In print and online, these writers and stories will surprise, educate, and inspire.

Photograph accompanying “One Week on the Streets”
One Week on the StreetsVince Shumate

I’m now in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s a beautiful city nestled in the southern Appalachian Mountains. I’ve been here since November. I was here for a while the year before last but headed south to…

Cover photograph for “No Idea Why”No Idea WhyEdward SmallsI grew up out in the country in a little town twenty miles south of Charleston, South Carolina. My relatives are still there. We weren’t rich but it…Cover photograph for “Junkyard Angels”Junkyard AngelsDustin LaPresWe were dreamers living under the bridges and in the train yards of my hometown. I was the youngest member of a small band of vagabond romantics who…Cover photograph for “My Homelessness”My HomelessnessLynn MendesI was a productive member of society, had a good job, attended school, raised a family, and was leading the good life when all of a sudden it came to…
Cover photograph for “Fresh Start”Fresh StartVince ShumateCover photograph for “A Life of Homelessness — Part 2”A Life of Homelessness — Part 2Mark GansertCover photograph for “Staying Clean”Staying CleanMatt HoffmanCover photograph for “Three Friends That I Have Lost”Three Friends That I Have LostDustin LaPresCover photograph for “The Kindness of Strangers”The Kindness of StrangersVince ShumateCover photograph for “A Life of Homelessness — Part 1”A Life of Homelessness — Part 1Mark GansertCover photograph for “Homeless in Charleston: Part 2”Homeless in Charleston: Part 2Vince ShumateCover photograph for “Meet Hippie and An Introduction”Meet Hippie and An IntroductionMichael Glass

Facing Homelessness

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Cover photograph for “Down and Out — and Loved”Down and Out — and LovedMichaelMy name is Michael, I'm 36 years old. I live in South Carolina. I became homeless a couple of years ago through poor…Cover photograph for “Dustin's Story”Dustin’s StoryDustin HinsonMy name is Dustin Hinson. I am 31 years old and have been homeless on and off for the past five years. I say “on and…Cover photograph for “We Aim High”We Aim HighMichael Glass'Tis the season for giving, sharing, warmth, family, and love, and my wife and I are grateful to all the individuals…Cover photograph for “On and Off the Streets”On and Off the StreetsTroy BurtnickThere were multiple factors that contributed to my journey out of homelessness. The most important factor is one with…Cover photograph for “In Search of Sleep”In Search of SleepVince ShumateEditor’s Note This piece was first published by I Am Vince, a new publication from longtime Speak Up writer Vince…Cover photograph for “Why are you homeless?”Why are you homeless?GarthI grew up in a farming community in central Minnesota. I later spent 20 years living in the Washington D.C. and…

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Featured Writers

Mark Gansert15 piecesBill McIlmail9 piecesVince Shumate8 piecesFranklin Wright5 piecesMichael Glass5 pieces

Featured Writers

Print Issues

Speak Up cover — Letters from PrisonSpeak Up cover — Blessed Are the Poor, the final issueSpeak Up cover — Zine 03Speak Up cover — Issue 91Speak Up cover — One Week on the Streets · Vince ShumateSpeak Up cover — Zine 18

Print Issues

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