Keep Street Roots on the Street! by: torridjoe Tue Aug 18, 2009 at 13:27:57 PM PDT

Regular readers know that Street Roots is one of my favorite "charities,"...and I put that word in quotes with a purpose, because while they are indeed a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the transitionally and chronically housing-challenged, and provide their clients with a range of social service referrals and help, they'd probably kill me if I referred to them as a "charity." That's almost the opposite of what they're about, a real hand-up-not-out kind of organization that specializes in the economic and social empowerment of folks who often have little of the former and almost none of the latter.  I love SR because it changes the frame that too often pervades our view of the homeless: that they're a faceless horde of incompetent, lazy bums who got where they are because they didn't try hard enough, or didn't show enough self-control to stay away from poor choices. SR serves our community by treating them instead as able, creative individuals who want to improve their situation and just need a little assistance to fill the gap or give them the confidence boost they need. Not only does street vending give them that chance, it sets a vivid counterexample of poverty as a temporary condition that affects regular folks, not a permanent label slapped onto the socially worthless. The little paper that could has made it 10 years, and is one of the best independent newspapers of its kind in the country. It's no slouch as an original news source of ANY kind in Portland, covering stories that fall through the cracks of traditional media with every bit the same journalistic fervor and standards--if not more. But while you shouldn't argue with someone who buys ink by the barrel, those barrels cost serious money. Can you help? I'll let them take over on the pitch: Your donation goes to support individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty that sell the newspaper and access resources throughout the Portland region. "Street Roots gave us a spark of hope," says Donna Bacon who became housed while with the organization. "They are there for their vendors and homeless people who want to change their lives for something better." Vance Schweigart sells the newspaper downtown and in the Irvington neighborhood. Schweigart says that selling Street Roots allows him to pay for a room each night. "Street Roots customers are kind to me. They treat me like a real person, and not like a bum." Selling Street Roots allows for individuals to gain access to a supplemental income. It also allows for individuals to rebuild their lives in dignity - without having to beg. It also allows individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty to give something back to the community. With each purchase of a newspaper you are helping an individual improve their quality of life - wheather that's helping them access a roof over their heads or allowing them to eat healthy foods not available to many poor folk. The reader also gets something in return with a quality community newspaper. When you purchase Street Roots you are helping rebuild a person's life. The best way to help is to become a recurring-gift member. Here are the options: Rainy Day Supporter: $5.00 a month will provide the necessary materials (rain jackets, hand warmers, lip balm, etc.) for 10 vendors to stay warm and dry during the winter months. Coffee Break Supporter: $10.00 a month will provide fresh water, tea and coffee to more than 200 individuals who sell the newspaper. Tech Support: $25.00 a month will provide computers and Internet service for more than 200 vendors experiencing homelessness and poverty. Front-Page Supporter: $50.00 a month helps produce one page of the newspaper a month. Street Roots delivers Portlanders some of the best journalism in the city. This is a great way to support this. Cover-to-Cover Supporter: $100.00 a month covers the cost of one entire edition of the paper each year. A single print-run puts up to $10,000 directly in the hands of people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Sign up for a no-hassle monthly deduction here, or you can also offer a one-time gift at this link.  But either way, your donation will support one of the best things Portland has going to help its own. If nothing else, next time you see a vendor hawking the latest edition of Street Roots, fish out a dollar and give someone a reason to keep going. In these times it's easier than ever to feel like things are hopeless; a twenty-second human interaction may not feel like much to you, but to someone who's having a rough go of life at the moment, it can make a world of difference. Loaded Orygun says thanks for being part of the solution.

torridjoe :: Keep Street Roots on the Street!

Tags: Street Roots, street papers, fundraising, homelessness, poverty, israel bayer, (All Tags)

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