A thank you to readers, from Street Roots vendors

This holiday season, Street Roots vendors offer up some of their favorite memories with their customers. What follows is a sampling of the many experiences that happen daily between vendors and readers. From all of the vendors, thank you for your support and have a happy holiday!

One of my customers she goes out there and help others to help bolster their spirits. She’s so amazing. She has so many things happening with her and yet she’s making it her personal mission to help others. This is one person that makes me glad to be spiritual.

— Saul Cortes

When I was working at Rite Aid I met a Christian lady who really liked Street Roots. We were talking about God and we all prayed–it was me, Don and her–and afterwards she gave us a $20, and she also bought a paper from me and we exchanged numbers; now she’s my roommate! There was another time where I was on the bus mall over on sixth and this beautiful lady came by and I explained Street Roots to her and she handed me a 20 dollar bill. I thanked her, and she just looked at me and smiled and went on.

— Cynthia Foix

A Street Roots vendor story (video)

Raymond’s story at Street Roots

Please consider sharing your love of Street Roots and video on social media.

A note from a vendor…

Vendor Joey Ponzio is on his way back East to restore his life after experiencing homelessness the past year. This was a note he left Street Roots.

To my friends at Street Roots:

I will miss you all, and I’d like to thank Street Roots for the transformation of my life.

When there was no employment, Street Roots was there for me.  At first, when I started working, I was embarrassed to let people know me, see me selling papers. But then I realized there was nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, I started taking pride in what I was doing and what Street Roots was doing for me.
Street Roots was restoring me, getting me back into the work force. And, with employment at Street Roots, I started feeling good about myself. I was making money and providing for myself again. I was proud of what I was doing and no longer ashamed.

In fact, I met some really good people while working for Street Roots: both customers and fellow employees.  There are too many to start naming.
Street Roots for me was shelter when I had none; employment when there was none; even a friend when there was no one.  I don’t know what I would have done if Street Roots wasn’t here or there!

Thanks to all of Street Roots. I will truly miss you all.

Joey Ponzio

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Summer is fleeting so get outside and enjoy the fresh air and good company. You’ll find all that along with the city’s finest alternative newspaper in the company of your friendly neighborhood Street Roots vendor. The men and women of the press will be out and about Friday morning with the latest edition. Here’s what’s coming your way:

Paulo Coelho: social alchemist: In this conversation with the best selling author of “The Alchemist,” read how Coelho is trying to inspire a cultural revolution among his millions of Twitter devotees.

The ties that bind: Portland’s Brooke Anderson writes of her journey into an unlikely friendship with a man on death row. It has been a profound experience that has given this pen pal a fresh perspective on life.

Jill Stein wants to Occupy the Oval Office: An interview with the Green Party presidential candidate who talks about third party potential and the influence of Occupy in her politics.

Bursting the bubble: A conversation with “On the Media” host Brooke Gladstone about her new graphic novel and what she really thinks of our relationship with the news.

Plus so much more, including a review of a new book about Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day, and commentary from Dr. Samuel Metz on health care reform and from the Partnership for Safety and Justice. And of course, poetry, art and a horoscope to look forward to! Pick up your copy first thing Friday morning and your weekend will be off to a fantastic start! Thank you!

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It’s a long holiday weekend coming up, so remember to get your Street Roots on Friday to savor the news, commentaries, puzzles and poetry for an extra day! Here’s what’s rolling on the press now:

An international field: The Portland World Cup brings together immigrants for high stakes community and competition. Lace up!

Three Boxes: Revisiting David P. Hooper: The story of the namesake to the Hooper Center, which marks 40 years this September. It’s a noble legacy to a tragic life.

Nichole Maher: An interview with the new executive director of the Northwest Health Foundation about mixes health and social justice, and a bit about that fluoride debate as well.

Our 2011-2012 Annual Report: A look back on the past year at Street Roots, with reports on our vendor program, our coverage and our advocacy. Please take a look at what your support has accomplished, and recognize our remarkable partnerships in the community as we move forward.

All this, plus commentary from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and Ramona’s mom, Melissa Favara, and poetry to boot! Pick your copy up tomorrow morning and put the icing on your holiday weekend! Thank you!

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The weekend is almost here, and that means there’s a hot new edition of Street Roots rolling on the press. Make sure to get your copy early, because they’re not going to be around long. Here’s what’s coming your way Friday morning:

 ‘Keep hope’: An exclusive street paper interview with the Dalai Lama: The Buddhist holy man talks about the nature of “home”, the responsibility of independent media and the relevance of Tibet after decades of struggle.

Peer pressure: A report on the work done by teen-agers and volunteers to create a court in order to keep youths out of the juvenile justice system.

People power against the powerful people: A peek at Wael Ghonim’s new book about his online influence to the Egyptian revolution.

Rod Beal: A new essay from writer Jay Thiemeyer about a journey with a man whose story paid the way. A compelling read!

Plus, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance sends a shout-out for future assistant ambassadors, along with poetry from our vendors and beyond. Don’t forget to tuck a buck for your friendly neighborhood vendor, and we’ll look forward to seeing you under the sun!

Street Roots: Making change, every day

By Israel Bayer, Executive Director

People tell me all the time how great the vendors are in the community and what a community asset they are for local neighborhoods. They also tell me, often with bewilderment, that the vast amount of the vendors represent themselves very well. Yes, people experiencing poverty do have manners.

We also take our fair share of incident reports on vendor altercations and other random inquiries about individuals and families selling the newspaper. We want to make sure that readers know that we have a Vendor Incident and Feedback form on the SR website at www.streetroots.org.

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Street Roots will have about 80 vendors filing through the office for a new edition of the newspaper Friday morning. Get your copy bright and early from your neighborhood sales man or woman, and your weekend will be off to a great start! Here’s what’s rolling on the presses now:

Oregon Hold ’em: Mediation efforts ramp up for foreclosure victims, but other resources from the national mortgage settlement await lawmakers’ discretion. A look at what Oregon has on tap for its share of the money, and what other states have done with their portion.

The gravity of abuse: Part 2 in this riveting series that chronicles one families fall into domestic violence.

Quiz, culture and, oh yeah, community service: Wayne Baseden brings his own flavor and inspiration to the crew members assigned to Portland’s community service program.

Wee, the people: Jack Sim from the World Toilet Organization wants everyone to face facts around their most basic need.

Plus, commentary from Partnership for Safety and Justice, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, economist Robin Hahnel, Neighborhood Partnerships and Melissa Favara. Don’t forget to pack a dollar for Street Roots and have a great weekend read!

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Blue skies are headed our way this weekend. Perfect weather for a sweet tea and a good read, which is why you’re friendly neighborhood vendor will be ready with a fresh edition of Street Roots tomorrow morning. Here’s what’s rolling on the press right now:

Boarded up: Neighborhoods grapple with remnants of the foreclosure crisis: empty homes.

Holding the line: A day in the life of 211info’s call center

Collect Calls: Journalist and author Fred Williams talks about the cutthroat world of debt collection

Lives lived unconventionally connect author and readers: Street Books founder Laura Moulton looks at The Man Who Quite Money from both sides of the street.

Plus, street writer Julie McCurdy reflects on recovering from domestic violence, economist Robin Hahnel continues his at the battles between radicals and reformers, and Naivasha Dean from the Partnership of Safety and Justice debates the collateral damage of marijuana laws. All this plus your bi-weekly dose of poetry from the streets. Pick up a copy this weekend and let us know what you think. We love our readers!

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It’s going to be a great weekend, the weatherman says, with a 100 percent chance of Street Roots coming to a neighborhood near you. Pick up your copy tomorrow morning and share a sunny smile with your friendly vendor. Here’s what’s rolling on the presses now:

Shocked and reloaded: And interview with ’80s icon Michelle Shocked who returns to the stage in Portland this month, sharing with her style of folk with fans, old and new.

Life after war: Photographer Jim Lommasson’s “Exit Wounds” documents the stories, heartbreak and hopes of American veterans returning home from war. His collection of photographs is coupled with his current speaking tour, and is soon to be the subject of a new book.

Making right from wrong: An interview with Fariborz Pakseresht who takes the helm of the Oregon Youth Authority, overseeing the state’s troubled and incarcerated youths.

Write makes might: Davonna Livingston uses writing to help victims of abuse and trauma not only tell their stories, but take back their lives.

The State of Housing: City Commissioner Nick Fish lays out the nuts and bolts of the state of Portland’s housing agenda.

Plus, new commentaries by Melissa Favara, Robin Hahnel and the Partnership for Safety and Justice. And a look at the cash mob movement in St. Johns. This issue is packed! Thank you, and enjoy a beautiful weekend!

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March Madness is in the air — along with a ton of rain, of course. While you’re out and about this weekend, adjusting your bracket, remember to tuck a buck in your wallet for your friendly neighborhood Street Roots vendor who will have the latest edition hot off the press come tomorrow morning. Here’s what’s rolling now:

Abigail Washburn: The original blend of Americana and Chinese folk music returns to Portland. An interview with the clawhammer banjo-playing chanteuse from Tennessee.

Safety net swings in the balance of city budget talks: City’s housing and homeless services play the competitive waiting game for coveted one-time appropriations.

The hidden epidemic: An interview with health care expert William Charney on medical errors, which he says are the leading cause of death in the U.S. — but hospitals don’t want you to know.

Our wealth of food — most of it unhealthy: A new book looks at how the food industry – not just the obvious fast food offenders – undermines our health and what we can do about it.

Plus, a guest column by Neil McFarlane, general manager of TriMet, on the organization’s budget and fare plans, and new columns by Melissa Favara on raising a child with a sense of social responsibility, and the Partnership for Safety and Justice. Don’t miss the new edition, out on the streets Friday morning, and share a smile with your vendor. It makes the world a better place!

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The presses are rolling with the latest edition of Street Roots. Rain or shine — and who can predict these days — your friendly neighborhood vendor will stocked with the new issue early Friday morning. So don’t forget to pack a dollar for the best deal in town. Here’s what’s rolling now:

Manufacturing a new community: Is turning manufactured housing parks into resident-owned cooperatives the key to preserving Oregon’s largest stock of affordable housing?

In memoriam: A moving series of images from the funeral of Stevenson L. Roy, a homeless Vietnam veteran laid to rest in Portland with full military honors.

Families in need stretch Oregon’s safety net: The state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program is beyond capacity, reaching it’s highest enrollment since the program began in 1997. But relief is nowhere in sight.

Portland Afoot is getting around: An interview with Michael Andersen, the man behind Portland Afoot, the city’s “10-minute” transportation magazine.

Plus, new commentaries by Mayor Sam Adams, Leo Rhodes, and the Western States Center, with a refreshing dose of poetry from the streets. It’s all coming your way Friday and still only $1! Thank you for your support!

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The new year has gotten off to a great start for Street Roots vendors, thanks to all of you who bought the paper from our hardworking guys and gals. A new paper is at the press now, and will be rolling your way tomorrow morning. Here’s what’s on deck:

 A long way from home: Soldiers return from the battlefields to do combat against unemployment, health care needs and the looming specter of poverty and homelessness. A special international report from the Street News Service and Street Roots.

Mark White: The latest in our series of interviews with Portland City Council candidates. Jake Thomas talks with Mark about housing, East Portland and his experience in City Hall.

Movers, shakers and moneymakers: How Portland’s leading mayoral candidates are stacking up financially in a return to high-priced races. Janice Thompson with Common Cause Oregon explains the trends in campaign donations.

Plus, a profile of vendor Saul Cortes and a look into the life of a Russian counterpart in St. Petersburg. There’s commentary by Neighborhood Partnerships on upcoming actions in the State Legislature, plus poetry and more. Pick up a copy and join us in celebrating the first Street Roots of 2012!

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Season’s greetings from the crew at Street Roots! The vendors will be gathering for a seasonal get together tomorrow morning before they head out with the new edition of the paper. So don’t forget to bring a buck and a smile to share with your friend on the corner. Here’s a look at what’s on the press:

Making a dream reality: Right 2 Dream Too’s success flies in the face of skeptics — and city policy. A photo package by Israel Bayer on the development of the little camp that could.

Jefferson Smith: Eastside’s legislator hits the citywide circuit with his own style of grassroots campaigning. The latest in Jake Thomas’ series of candidate interviews.

The last installment of Leah Nash’s series on Asperger’s Syndrome features Leska Emerald Adams’ ‘New Found Aspirgations.” Leska embraces the idiosyncrasies of Asperger’s and has overcome its many of the challenges with the help of Orka, her Newfoundland service dog.

City opens up overnight camping option for select sites: Faith-based and nonprofit organizations will get a free pass to allow up to four homeless vehicle campers on their property. With the winter shelter system up 150 percent over last year’s numbers, it’s expected to take in some of the overflow of families living in cars this winter.

Arriving home after a long journey homeless: Street Roots vendor Charles Yost gets the key to his apartment after years of working to get off the streets.  And while we’re at it, read vendor Leo Rhodes’ column. He signed the lease on his own apartment this week as well. Way to go, Charles and Leo!

All this and much more, including the latest column by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, and introducing the commentary of author and professor of economics Robin Hahnel on the 99 percent. So pick one up for yourself and one for a friend in the spirit of the season. Thank you all for a fantastic year!

Vendor portraits — what does SR mean to you?

Street Roots has more than 250 vendors experiencing homelessness and poverty that sell the newspaper each year to improve their quality of life.