By Becky Mullins &
Israel Bayer
Staff Writers
Kristi E. Skeie came to Street Roots in early May wanting to become self sufficient and provide a stable environment for herself and her service dog Piggy. Kristi, working with Street Roots, is now about to enter a housing program with Human Solutions Inc. The Safe Home program has given women experiencing homelessness and poverty a second chance with opportunities and supports to help them maintain self sufficiency.
“I came to Street Roots and in less than three months someone finally spoke up for me. It is really something outstanding. I was determined to get help and did not want to give up. Street Roots saw that and saw also that I want to work to provide for myself. I felt built up for the first time in a long time. So often I have felt torn down.”
Since Street Roots moved into a partnership with JOIN on Portland’s eastside, the organization has helped facilitate housing for 10 individuals.
This past year alone, more than 20 individuals have become housed, and scores more have prevented homelessness, while working with Street Roots.
In 2010, Street Roots will work with more than 400 people experiencing homelessness and poverty to secure immediate and basic needs, ranging from facilitating housing, to signing up for disability benefits, to connecting individuals with job programs.
Street Roots vendors sell between 14,000 and 20,000 newspapers every month — keeping 75 percent of every dollar made plus tips.
From all of us in the vendor program and at Street Roots — thank you for your support and readership. We couldn’t do it without you!
What does Street Roots do?
• Gives more than 400 homeless and low income individuals the ability to secure immediate and basic needs each year
• Providing a path to self sufficiency, including skill development and resume building
• Fostering self-respect and a sense of personal worth
• Creating a safe avenue to build cross-class relationships and facilitate dialogue
• Informing and educating the general public about issues of poverty
• Bringing you alternative news you can’t find anywhere else
• Advocating for real change!