What makes Street Roots successful is the community support behind the organization.
SR operates on a humble budget of less than $200,000. For your investment in SR, the Portland region gets one of the best grassroots newspapers in town- informing readers through professional journalism and opinions on issues that affect the community.
The newspaper also offers individuals experiencing poverty a platform to be recognized and published, and offers the community an understanding of people struggling to survive.
SR works with more than 400 individuals experiencing extreme poverty over the course of a year to improve their quality of life and to find community through the vendor program. Last year, SR helped scores of people avoid becoming homeless and helped others access housing services. SR sits outside the traditional framework of the social-service network, but the work we do is no less important. We help take some of the strain off an already burdened system, while offering individuals income that supports the local economy.
It’s springtime in the city. That means SR vendors are out and about in force, working to sell a copy of the newspaper, and to build a relationship that keeps you coming back. They do it with a paper in their hand, and often a resource guide for the next soul who needs a little hope and a roadmap to reach it.
But really, it’s about more than delivering interesting news and opinions, or the resource guide. It’s about being stewards of our collective urban landscape.
George, a vendor who sells in front of Powell’s downtown, brings stories to the newsroom of helping individuals dealing with mental disabilities and helping guide them to the necessary resources. In the way George talks about selling the newspaper and helping people on the streets, it’s as if he was a paid social worker on a mission to help individuals, instead of a SR vendor who shares their ranks.
Ted Jack, who sells near City Hall, now has housing after living on the streets for more than a decade. To give back, he makes bologna and cheese sandwiches each morning to pass out to other individuals on the streets while he sells the newspaper. George Mayes, who sells at the courthouse, makes birdhouses for his customers. Leo Rhodes, who has become a staple in the Hollywood neighborhood, sits regularly with other vendors and talks about their experiences.
“I get excited when customers greet me or ask me questions about being a vendor and what they can do to help the homeless,” says Kim, who sells in east county. “I feel like a little kid in a candy store when someone actually greets me.” For some, selling the paper reminds us of our shared humanity, and that we all have something to offer.
Lastly, SR doesn’t shy away from advocacy efforts. Street Roots is actively engaged in building a political movement to support housing in our community, while working to ensure that the general public, foundations and government are aware and informed about alternative revenue streams to support that movement.
Through journalism and advocacy SR is helping push the conversation along about a future housing levy in our community, and is currently working with the Multnomah County to create a system for the region to officially count individuals that have died on the streets. On the front end, it gives dignity to those who have passed. On the back end, it helps build a case for government to access more resources for people on the streets. Without your support, this wouldn’t be possible.
We’re asking you to support SR this spring with a one-time or recurring donation online or by sending a check to 211 NW Davis, Portland, OR. 97209. We promise you that your hard-earned money will go to good work.
SR is imperfect. We work with some of the hardest brothers and sisters on Portland’s streets. We are opinionated, rough around the edges and often times running on empty – be it from the lack of sleep the night before or the lack of resources to do what we do, both as individuals and as an organization. But one thing is for sure: From our vendors, volunteers and staff, and you as the reader, we are a community. It may not always be pretty. But like spring, it’s both beautiful and temperamental. Thank you for being a friend. Please give today!
shoot amazing stuff dude.