Good afternoon!
Ruth first connected with Speak Up in 2012 to sell magazines as a way to earn money, use her voice, and overcome personal challenges.
Speak Up’s model has evolved over the years: we now focus on writing groups that bring people together and develop social capital. As that change has happened, our partnership with Ruth has now become extremely tailored for her particular needs.
We are looking for volunteers to join Team Ruth. She has a number of ongoing projects that she uses to make money, use her voice, and maintain big-picture stability. We need more hands involved in these projects.
The type of help we are looking for:
- Publish her weekly podcast onto Substack, recurring weekly
- Publish her video podcast onto social platforms, recurring weekly
- Help design a Ruth-specific magazine — which she’ll sell for income, quarterly
- Other recurring, mostly digital media-focused areas
You’ll bring creativity, existing skills, and a willingness to try new things and take initiative. It’ll be a way to sow directly into the life of one person and have a lasting impact.
Could this be you?
Thanks for considering it.
May 26, 2026
Team Ruth – Another Opportunity
Yesterday I asked for potential volunteers to come alongside Ruth and work with Speak Up to help her with online publishing and other creative projects.
I talked with her on the phone today and she’s really excited about the possible partnerships there. Please do email me if you’re interested.
Also — there is a financial need.
Ruth sells Speak Up magazines and personally-designed greeting cards as her source of income. We’re looking for donors who can help fund some small print runs for these to re-equip her with needed supplies. She’s also seen her medical costs skyrocket due to new medications.
Aiming for $800 total. The first $200 covers a quick print run of greeting cards. The next $250 goes to emergency support. The rest covers a magazine print run for her to sell at a higher profit, which will sustain her income for several months.
Thanks for considering! Your gifts are tax-deductible.
June 4, 2026
Team Ruth Update: Generous Response!
Here’s a quick update on the support campaign for Ruth.
Thanks to five generous donors, $275 of $800 has already been donated.
Those funds will primarily go to printing art and magazines that she will sell for critical income. Ruth also has some emergency needs that this will help offset. Thanks for your support!
June 8, 2026
Plant a Seed that Multiplies for Ruth
I saw Ruth several days ago and was able to hand off some more voice-giving materials for her to sell.
As always, it was easy to see why she is one of the most impactful and best-loved Speak Up community members. She has used and uses the Speak Up magazine selling opportunity to build community and form lasting friendships.
Already we’ve been able to move forward toward placing an order of art print greeting cards for Ruth to sell. The funds donated toward this become a seed that becomes a product that she multiplies into essential income. Thanks for considering a donation!
June 13, 2026
Ruth – Building Bridges and Making Connections
Recently I met with Ruth for lunch. We connected on a number of things and I was again reminded of how Ruth has been a trendsetter for Speak Up. For over a decade, we helped equip people facing financial hardship with a magazine to sell—for income and for a voice. Ruth has by far been the most successful in this approach. Why? Because she used it to build community.
Even more than money, having community—social capital, genuine friendship—is a lifeline for people on the margins.
Speak Up’s primary model has changed (now focused on writing groups that connect the disconnected), but Ruth continues to use everything at her disposal to build bridges and make connections.
June 26, 2026
Your Ruth Support
Thank you for supporting Ruth by reading her Substack, subscribing to it, donating to help her in various ways, and—perhaps most importantly—buying her art and other work when you encounter her out and about.
Currently she is selling her handmade prints and an indie children’s book from a local author.
We kicked off a fundraiser last month to help with her emergency needs and printing costs of various types. Thank you to all who donated.
The need continues: new weeks bring new challenges, new opportunities.
Thank you!
