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As we sunk deeper into the worst recession since the Great Depression, The Repository staff considered how we could document the difficult year while also providing practical help for those still going through tough times.
Our quest brought us, literally, to Easy Street NW, a small street in the middle of our coverage area that seemed to be the perfect setting. The neighborhood of about 38 homes included the right economic mix of our county.
Our team of reporters, editors, photographers and a graphics artist met weekly for nearly three months, methodically planning the series.
First, we sent letters to each home in the neighborhood, informing folks we soon would be knocking on doors to introduce ourselves and explain, in person, our intentions. Then our three reporters canvassed the neighborhood to ask for their cooperation.
More than half of the homes in the neighborhood agreed to participate.
As we moved closer to publication, we scheduled a neighborhood photo shoot. We secured pizza and drinks, and asked everyone on Easy Street to assemble under the street sign for a neighborhood photo.
Unfortunately, the Easy Street sign had been stolen, as it has been many times before. Fortunately, a couple in the neighborhood had made their own sign, which we used for our photo shoot. The residents of Easy Street seemed to enjoy our being there; more than 20 attended the photo shoot.
We divided our series into six topics: avoiding foreclosure; a good buy in a bad economy; planning for the future; coping with job loss; weathering tough times; and planning a life-changing event.
We published it three stories at a time, Sunday through Tuesday, during two weeks in October.
Our online presentation of the series included a slide show of nostalgic photos from Easy Street; a video in which residents discuss how the recession has shaped their lives; a slide show sharing investment strategies; and a downloadable chart to help readers plan for retirement.
We have heard positive feedback about the series from our readers. Easy Street, it seems, is just like most other streets across America.
As we sunk deeper into the worst recession since the Great Depression, The Repository staff considered how we could document the difficult year while also providing practical help for those still going through tough times.
Our quest brought us, literally, to Easy Street NW, a small street in the middle of our coverage area that seemed to be the perfect setting. The neighborhood of about 38 homes included the right economic mix of our county.
Our team of reporters, editors, photographers and a graphics artist met weekly for nearly three months, methodically planning the series.
First, we sent letters to each home in the neighborhood, informing folks we soon would be knocking on doors to introduce ourselves and explain, in person, our intentions. Then our three reporters canvassed the neighborhood to ask for their cooperation.
More than half of the homes in the neighborhood agreed to participate.
As we moved closer to publication, we scheduled a neighborhood photo shoot. We secured pizza and drinks, and asked everyone on Easy Street to assemble under the street sign for a neighborhood photo.
Unfortunately, the Easy Street sign had been stolen, as it has been many times before. Fortunately, a couple in the neighborhood had made their own sign, which we used for our photo shoot. The residents of Easy Street seemed to enjoy our being there; more than 20 attended the photo shoot.
We divided our series into six topics: avoiding foreclosure; a good buy in a bad economy; planning for the future; coping with job loss; weathering tough times; and planning a life-changing event.
We published it three stories at a time, Sunday through Tuesday, during two weeks in October.
Our online presentation of the series included a slide show of nostalgic photos from Easy Street; a video in which residents discuss how the recession has shaped their lives; a slide show sharing investment strategies; and a downloadable chart to help readers plan for retirement.
We have heard positive feedback about the series from our readers. Easy Street, it seems, is just like most other streets across America.
