Newspaper written by homeless out now

New Haven, Conn (WTNH) - Inside this newspaper are stories of struggle and success, and while they are geared for those living on the street, the writers want everyone in New Haven to read it.

Damian is seeing her story in the first issue of the Elm City Echo, a street newspaper written by the homeless, for the homeless.

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

News 8 was there to see how the paper is put together. The homeless writers dictate their stories to Yale students volunteering their time.

The stories range from a review of soup kitchens, to conditions in the local shelters, but mostly personal stories of struggle and success, the reason Echo is in its name.

The paper will be sold for one dollar by the writers. They keep 75 cents, the rest goes back to the paper. Their words are meant to inform, and help the community understand.

"There isn't this border between Yale and New Haven. They are very much one entity, and just because you are at Yale you can't close your eyes to the homeless population," said Yale student Eliza Dryer.

"It gives me an outlet to write what happened to me on paper, kind of therapeutic," Linda, one of the writers, said.

Once the story is printed the writers are paid ten dollars.