Social Justice Spotlight: Street Roots
Do you wish you could help make the community a better place, but aren’t sure how? Let’s learn about a local organization making a genuine positive impact on the community.
Street Roots is a non-profit Portland newspaper covering local news, which is distributed by those experiencing homelessness or poverty. It provides an opportunity to earn socially acceptable income and make connections in the community. They have been in operation since 1999, and currently work with more than 100 vendors weekly. All of their vendors live below the federal poverty line, and about 50% of them are currently unhoused.
Street Roots' model helps people aspire to their best futures by providing pathways to stability and supportive community. They keep all of the money they make from any papers they sell, as well as any tips. If you happen to come across a Street Roots vendor, buy a paper from them! It only costs $1, and you get to read good, relevant news. Best of all, you’re helping out a member of the community in an invaluable way.
If it’s not too late, I also recommend picking up a copy of their Winter Poetry Zine (“My Beautiful Neighbor”) for an additional $4. It is an extremely well put together collection of poetry, short stories, and artwork created by Street Roots vendors, detailing heartwarming, beautiful, and devastating stories of life experiences. Reading it was thoroughly emotional, which led to a greater appreciation of the struggles and triumphs of those experiencing homelessness.
Personally speaking, Street Roots is 90% of the reason I still carry cash, although customers can always pay and tip their vendor with Venmo! Find Street Roots' Venmo account by searching @StreetRoots or scanning the QR code in the bottom left corner of your paper. Be sure to add your vendor's name and badge number so that the payments get to the right person. Vendors can then pick up the cash from their Venmo payouts twice a week at the Street Roots Vendor Office.
I have always had positive interactions with the vendors. As they explain, “each paper that exchanges hands between a Street Roots vendor and a reader keeps us connected to each other.” Street Roots is a vital part of the destigmatization of homelessness in this city, and I highly recommend interacting with any and all of their vendors if you get the chance. It makes their day, and chances are, it’ll make your day too!
In addition to the newspaper, Street Roots is also an advocacy organization which pushes politically and culturally to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness. They have partnered with other organizations to “organize safe and stable living spaces,” such as the Dignity Village and the Creating Conscious Communities with People Outside (C(3)PO) camp. Working with others, Street Roots has also campaigned for numerous bond measures to improve government homelessness services at the county level.
Street Roots pushes for a wider understanding of the communal toll of homelessness by working with the Multnomah County government to create annual reports on the deaths of people on the streets. They also publish Rose City Resources biannually (and make it freely available in print and online!), which is one of the most comprehensive lists of services for people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties.
According to Street Roots Community Partnership Manager Kodee Zarnke, Street Roots has had several volunteers and interns from Reed, and they would be happy to have more! Vendor Office volunteers help run the space where Street Roots vendors come to buy their papers, pick up Venmo, check mail, say hello to friends, and grab coffee and supplies. This volunteer role includes general hospitality at the coffee and supply station, daily tasks like sorting inventory, and chatting with vendors. They ask that volunteers commit to a weekly two-hour shift with a minimum 3-month commitment. The Vendor office is located at 281 W Burnside, which is a 30-minute bus ride from Reed, or a ten minute drive.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help out our neighbors in need, please contact Street Roots’ Vendor Program Manager, Carly Ng, at carly@streetroots.org to inquire about available Vendor Office shifts and share a bit about yourself. For general volunteer inquiries, please contact volunteercoordinator@streetroots.org. There is also an opportunity to make donations on their website. You can make whatever contribution you feel comfortable with to help fund specific projects to better the organization.
Finally, Hollywood Theatre is hosting a community benefit screening of Uncle Buck (1989) to raise money for Street Roots on Sunday, February 16 at 2:00pm. All ticket sales will directly benefit Street Roots. Tickets are $12 each, or $10 with a student discount, and can be purchased by visiting hollywoodtheatre.org/show/uncle-buck.
If you have a moment and the passion, get involved!