Raven Drake is busy. Like all of us, she is adjusting to a changed life in the face of a global pandemic.
Instead of sheltering in place, however, she is busier than ever — rushing to open three camps in three weeks so that others can practice physical distancing and keep themselves and their families and friends safe. When asked how she was managing, she responded with an enthusiasm that was contagious.
“I’m still alive. I spent more than 14 hours (April 16) at a new camp. We opened a queer camp for 33 people. Tomorrow (April 17) we’re opening a camp for 35, and then Monday we plan to open our third camp for 42 people; that’s our main camp,” she said.
The whole process was swift.
“It has been a flurry of activity,” Raven said. “Normally a process like this would have taken more than a year, but we’ve had to move very quickly.”
Raven moved to Portland in December from the East Coast, where she left a home and a job.
“I came out here because the East Coast is not the best place for my people,” said Raven, who is transgender. “When I got to Portland, it felt like home. I’ve been happy here.”
Raven has amassed a lifetime of skills that make her uniquely qualified to help Portland now. She spent three tours with the Navy in Iraq as a combat medic, and so she sees her work during the pandemic as a natural transition in some ways from what she had been trained to do. Recently hired by the city of Portland to be the coordinator for these three new camps, Raven has helped build a new medical program.
“This is my passion. Helping people is marrow-deep with me. I want to help right wrongs and find new solutions,” she said.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities to showcase my skills and learn from the opportunity — to learn from the city and see how this community comes together at a time like this.”
But she’s ready for life to be a little less hectic.
“I’m ready for this mission to be complete,” she said.
And she has some advice to share with readers.
“We will always reach crazy points; it doesn’t always go as expected,” she said. “We have two choices. We can shrug our shoulders and turn away, or we can dig in and find new solutions in creative ways. This is a time for everyone to reflect on where they are, where their life is, and find new and inventive ways to reach goals. Start making plans for the future. Develop new and inventive ways to find solutions.
“Life has a bunch of uncertainty on the streets. I think others who are new to experiencing this uncertainty now have a taste of what it’s like for us on the streets.”
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