Daniel Toole has been wandering. For the past four years, he has traveled across the United States.
“I’ve been to 21 states and three different countries: Peru, Canada and the U.K.,” he said.
He’s been searching.
“I’ve been exploring my own soul,” Daniel said, “questioning my spirituality, questioning the basic principles: What is a community? What do we mean by family, friends? For the past four years, I’ve been in an existential crisis.”
His wanderings led him, quite by random, he said, to Portland in November. And when he arrived, “things came together perfectly,” he said. “I don’t feel the need to wander anymore. I have stability now. For the first time, I feel the structure I need. I’m getting back to the person I used to be when I wasn’t struggling with mental illness and addictions.”
Daniel credits all the compassionate services available in Portland.
“I started seeing these signs, ‘I love Street Roots,’” he said. So, he found the Street Roots office, where he was welcomed and was offered a cup of coffee and an opportunity to go through training to become a vendor.
Daniel said selling Street Roots has given him structure.
“Before, I had no motivation. I struggled just to get the day over with,” he said. “Now, I have something to look forward to, productive ways to work on myself to maximize my potential.”
Daniel has been studying various styles of selling the paper.
“As much energy as you put into it, that’s how much you get out of it,” he said. “Through homelessness, I forgot how valuable it is to do your very best.”
Daniel has a passion for what he’s selling. “I care about people being educated,” he said. “It’s better not only for yourself but also for your community to understand the issues that we’re all struggling with. I believe there are solutions through education. And I believe in Street Roots — in the product I’m selling.”
Daniel also has a passion for environmental issues. Through Sisters of the Road, Daniel met Barbie Weber, who invited him to become involved with Ground Score, an association of environmental workers who work low-barrier waste management jobs. Daniel’s team has trained to do “specialty pickup, things like sharp needles, drug-related paraphernalia, cigarettes,” he said.
The team also tries to serve communities that aren’t served by other waste management programs.
“It’s been such a good experience,” Daniel said. “The work we do is great for the dignity of the people in these communities, for their standard of living. And it’s great for the surrounding communities, too. We’re trying to make everybody’s life happier.”
Daniel said Barbie sets a good example. She also connected Daniel with Hazelnut Grove. When Daniel arrived in Portland, he was living at the Rescue Mission and sleeping on the chapel floor. Now he is part of the Hazelnut Grove community.
“It’s amazing,” he said about living in the self-governed village. “It’s the first time in a long while that I’ve had a place to myself. I haven’t had that for so long!”
In all his wanderings, Daniel was able to stay healthy and avoid COVID-19. As soon as he was eligible for immunization, he lined up for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
“I did it because my being vaccinated is better for everyone,” he said. “I’m trying to encourage others to do the same. Believe the scientists.”
To say hello to Daniel and welcome him to Portland, visit him at his newspaper sales location at Safeway on Northwest 13th Avenue and Lovejoy Street.
