Alison McIntosh, Contributing Columnist In a few weeks, the Oregon Legislature will convene for the 2013 Legislative Session. The Housing Alliance and our members see an Oregon where everyone has the safety, security and opportunity that having a stable h ...
28 Jan 2013 - Street Roots Staff
By Israel Bayer, Staff Writer Homelessness in our community and cities throughout the country has become the new normal. That’s a problem. Three decades ago, the federal government began slashing housing and mental health programs. The bleeding has never ...
25 Jan 2013 - Street Roots Staff
By David Rogers, Contributing Columnist On Nov. 30, Gov. John Kitzhaber released his proposed budget for 2013-15. The budget included no money for prison expansion — despite the fact that the state projects it will need more than 2,000 new prison beds at ...
23 Jan 2013 - Street Roots Staff
By Robert Britt, Staff Writer Every military veteran who’s served since the Reagan years is familiar with the MRE, the pre-packaged Meal, Ready-to-Eat. Inside the nearly indestructible brown bag, among the packets of crackers, jalapeno cheese and entrées ...
23 Jan 2013 - Street Roots Staff
Street Roots editorial Imagine a village that, due to circumstances beyond its borders, had several thousand people living without housing. In response, the village established an array of services and shelter for its citizens. Over time it became clear t ...
21 Jan 2013 - Street Roots Staff
Until we are reunited By Mike Wheeler, Contributing Columnist When I first got introduced to my cousins Joe and Isaac, I thought they were twins. Even though Isaac was the older brother by barely a few months, Joe and Isaac went to high school together ...
15 Jan 2013 - Street Roots Staff
Street Roots editorial Heard any bad news lately? Seems like that’s all there is these days. From the abhorrently tragic to the flat-out infuriating, 2012’s wrap up was a challenge to our spirits. Indeed, positive milestones seldom grab the headlines like ...
15 Jan 2013 - Street Roots Staff
By Mridula Koshy and Michael Creighton, Contributing Columnists A year and a half ago, our family returned to Portland after six years living in India. We found many things had improved in our absence. For example, food carts had become an affordable alte ...
10 Jan 2013 - Street Roots Staff
To come and go as I please, between these two identities By Lanie Grimm, Contributing Writer I wake up frantic. It’s 9:39 a.m. and I’m late for school! I rush to get ready and be on my way. I get out of my warm, cozy bed and I grab my clothes, my towel, a ...
30 Dec 2012 - Street Roots Staff
By Barbara Martin Contributing Columnist Old Town Clinic began as a small walk-in medical clinic on Third Avenue and Burnside, started by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Now, as part of Central City Concern (since 2001), it is a fully functioning Pri ...
22 Dec 2012 - Street Roots Staff