Tammy and Emily plan to get married as soon as they have a home Trauma, romance and heartbreak. The past five years have been a roller coaster ride for Tammy Naylor and Emily Gray. “We know what hopeless feels like,” Tammy said. “We know sorrow. Sorrow is ...
23 Aug 2019 - Helen Hill
After a stroke and an amputation, Jennifer has learned how to manage life with a disability Jennifer was born in Perth Amboy, N.J. “I had a good growing up,” she said. “I was daddy’s little girl. We fished together, and worked on cars.” Jennifer came to ...
23 Aug 2019 - Helen Hill
Street Roots vendors discuss how they manage the summer weather and the toll it takes August is typically the hottest month of the year in Portland, with temperatures often soaring into the upper 80s and 90s. The downtown core is especially vulnerable, wi ...
16 Aug 2019 - Helen Hill
Kay moved to Portland to stay with her daughter after she became homeless in Florida Kay Semple is a good listener, outgoing and friendly. “I always taught my children that you learn a lot more when you listen than when you talk. The more you inquire, th ...
26 Jul 2019 - Helen Hill
People in extreme poverty are experts on loss, whether it be their belongings, their privacy, their dignity or anything else “My barn burned, now I can see the moon.” – Mizuta Masahide There are many levels of loss for people on the streets. There is the ...
12 Jul 2019 - Helen Hill
Some Street Roots vendors welcome the added security; others say private guards – who are not police – overstep their bounds Private security guards are ubiquitous these days. They silently survey the public in stores, on sidewalks, in schools, on campuse ...
28 Jun 2019 - Helen Hill
Dan, a veteran Street Roots vendor, has shared his personal struggles through his 'down to earth' writing, which has been published in the newspaper Dan Newth has been a Street Roots vendor for 17 years, the past seven as a member of the communi ...
28 Jun 2019 - Helen Hill
The Street Roots vendor was known for his compassion, his sense of humor and his chess skills; memorials are planned for July Beloved Street Roots vendor John Davis died suddenly of a heart attack on June 10 – not long after his vendor profile was publish ...
21 Jun 2019 - Helen Hill
Nearly every Street Roots vendor who was asked had a story to tell about problems with feet People experiencing extreme poverty and homelessness often suffer from foot problems caused by ill-fitting or worn out shoes, wet shoes, shelter showers shared by ...
14 Jun 2019 - Helen Hill
Through the tough times and the good, Johnny and Stephanie find that life is better together Life on the streets is hard. Some of the hardest living imaginable. So to witness a love that rose from the streets to thrive and deepen over many years, weatheri ...
7 Jun 2019 - Helen Hill