Street Roots vendor profile | Navigating first-time homelessness
Sissy hopes to use her passion for writing to bring people together Used by Hollywood actresses or European nobility, Sissy is shorthand for Elizabeth. But, in this story, the protagonist does not...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Lessons learned and newfound hobbies
Josh enjoys skating and plans to return to school Josh Black always has his skateboard with him. He started skating when he was six years old and is a Burnside skatepark local. “In the 90s, it was...
View ArticleStreet Roots Vendor Profile | Nathaniel has a love for travel and sightseeing
Nathaniel sells the paper at the Hillsdale Library Travel to the Hillsdale Library during mid-week, and you will run into Street Roots vendor Nathaniel Yanzecick in a bright T-shirt with a beaming...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Widening his world
Vern’s curiosity brought him to Street Roots and expanded his community “Don’t give up.” Three simple words. Easy to say, yet difficult to live by when life deals a bad hand. To Street Roots vendor...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Finding out what works
Michael has done many different jobs, but found his groove selling newspapers Michael Kane, a Street Roots vendor for seven years, was born and raised in Oregon, but he’s traveled around the world. As...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Support through sisterhood
Vendor Belinda finds community with fellow vendor Karen, together they look out for one another Street Roots vendor Belinda Estermeyer greets customers in front of Stumptown Coffee on Northwest Third...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | A positive place to channel their energy
Simcha sees the newspaper as a healthy outlet and vehicle for activism Simcha “bRidgeCrane” Johnson says a lot of people see them as normal and engaged. It’s this engagement that earned them their...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | A new chapter ahead
After recently moving into a new home, Nettie looks forward to the changes and seasons to come Nettie Johnson is a Street Roots institution. She’s been a vendor since 2017 and is a frequently...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Sobriety, health and helping others
Donnie’s journey has led him to a newfound community and goals to better his health and happiness Street Roots Vendor Donnie Osmer, at just 59 years old, has led a life rich with experiences....
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Letting go of the past and looking forward to...
Mykaiel’s journey to sobriety has brought him a newfound perspective on life Street Roots vendor Mykaiel, or “Arc Angel Mykaiel” as he is known in his community, is a true Renaissance man. A vendor...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | The long road to housing
Elizabeth hopes to secure housing soon and knows the stability can help her move forward Vendor Elizabeth Bodenstab has one priority: becoming housed. She’s got an upcoming opportunity that is...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Embracing creativity and positivity
Chenai grounds herself in art and spreads positive interactions with those around her Beside the jar of colorful crayons and in-progress drawing of a magenta flower sits Chenai Phillips, renowned for...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | A life surrounded by newspapers
Dale credits vending the paper for structure and opportunity in his life Longtime Street Roots vendor Dale Nye grew up surrounded by newspapers. As a child, he delivered The Oregonian and other papers...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | The art of applying yourself
How Loki overcame his anxieties and lent a hand during a time of need For almost five years, Loki, 45, has sold Street Roots around downtown Portland. It started when a friend of his told him to head...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Living with PTSD and finding community
As a vendor Ricky escapes isolation and strengthens his relationships with those around him Street Roots newspaper vendor Ricky Wagner is a model of resilience and grit with an upbeat approach to...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Finding the right fit
Melissa has found her place as a vendor and looks ahead to the future Just two months into her work as a vendor, Melissa Rose is confident she’s found the right fit. Shortly after being introduced to...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Unlocking his talents
Dan found his skill as a poet and writer during his time as a vendor Longtime Street Roots vendor and multi-talented advocate Dan Newth has sold Street Roots since 2002. He first connected to Street...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Friends all around him
Robert embraces what his neighborhood has to offer As a resident of the Hollywood neighborhood, Robert makes good use of the area's resources to stay active and healthy. Though he’s been houseless for...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Leading with love
Fidel was on a mission to change his life — he’s doing it well Fidel has been working on a writing project for the past year, something like an exposé about Portland’s fentanyl market. His vision: to...
View ArticleStreet Roots vendor profile | Armed with a determined attitude
T.J. thrives on meaningful conversations It was a late August day when T.J., 29, first met a Street Roots vendor in Pioneer Square, only a few months after he had left his job in health care. At that...
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