Welcome to the 51st Ward.
Rivet 360 + StreetWise are proud to present a second season of the Shorty Award finalist documentary series, WHERE I STAY, exploring homelessness and the housing crisis in America.
ABOUT SEASON 2: Welcome to Chicago’s 51st Ward, where the unseen and unheard find a voice.
In Season Two of the Shorty Award finalist documentary series Where I Stay, Rivet 360 + StreetWise delve deep into the heart of Chicago’s housing crisis. As winter’s chill grips the city, thousands are forced to seek shelter wherever they can—many in makeshift communities known as “tent cities.” This season, we explore the roots of these camps, the policies that have left so many without a home, and the challenges of a city grappling with an influx of migrants and a critical lack of affordable housing.
Through the eyes of StreetWise vendors, who have lived the reality of homelessness, and our team of dedicated reporters, we uncover the untold stories of Chicago’s forgotten residents. Our goal is to challenge perceptions, spark conversations, and, most importantly, inspire change.
Join us as we navigate the complex web of segregation, public policy, and community resilience. Together, we’ll ask: What do we owe each other?
Where I Stay isn’t just a podcast—it’s a call to action. Your support can make a difference. Listen, share, and join us in raising awareness and funds to combat homelessness in America.
ABOUT SEASON 1: Angelica first became homeless at the age of twelve, but she didn't live on the street. Prisons. Vegas condos. The living room of an Iowa drug queen-pin and an inpatient facility for adolescents. This is WHERE I STAY.
Over the course of 8 gripping episodes Host Jesse Betend explores the issue of invisible homelessness through Angelica's story. Season 1 has been called a “wonderfully empathetic telling of a story you will be richer for knowing” and “an incredibly impactful and illuminating podcast about hidden youth homelessness.”
WHERE I STAY is a serialized podcast designed to challenge the way people think about homelessness. Each season dives deep into a single story to unravel the many interconnected threads that can leave someone without a home. The show also serves as a grassroots campaign to raise funds and awareness.
About StreetWise magazine StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods. Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout.
About Rivet360 Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.