Opinion | Human connection, despite housing status, makes us stronger “When I moved to Portland, I didn’t know anyone,” Stacey Heath, Street Roots board chair, told me. Then she met Bruce Heino. It was 2009. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street R ...
31 May 2023 - Kaia Sand
Opinion | The May 16 fire at the May Apartments displaced Street Roots vendor James Hammond and many others When the fire alarm went off, James Hammond was preparing to head out for the day to sell Street Roots. He looked out of his second-floor apartment ...
19 May 2023 - Kaia Sand
Opinion | Sociologist Matthew Desmond estimates $140 billion a year in benefits to low-income people go unclaimed Determined to file his taxes, a man I know labored to find an accountant to help him, as he does every year. This year is the first year he h ...
17 May 2023 - Kaia Sand
Opinion | The work to create a whole new first responder system must transcend one administration, one person, one moment Portland Street Response is at a crossroads. The innovative first responder system is city-wide but still limited in hours, and the c ...
19 Apr 2023 - Kaia Sand
Opinion | As construction continues at Street Roots’ new building, I am reminded compassion is key H is hands lifted to the sky, the man was chanting. He did not seem to notice me or any of the people in hard hats from O’Neill Construction Group and Finis ...
12 Apr 2023 - Kaia Sand
Opinion | Unhoused constituents have important experiences to inform policy Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Commissioner Susheela Jayapal gathered for policy input from 14 constituents in a room crowded with backpacks, duffle bags, walker ...
5 Apr 2023 - Kaia Sand and Haley Grieco-Page
Opinion | Street Roots broke ground on renovations for its new, expanded West Burnside Street office last week, ushering in a new era with expanded services S treet Roots celebrated the launch of construction with a groundbreaking that resembled a flash m ...
22 Mar 2023 - Kaia Sand
Opinion | Requesting PSR requires calling 911, here's how it works:- A woman was in distress, standing in Peninsula Park. The caller knew her and requested Portland Street Response to help her calm down. Kaia Sand is the executive director of Street ...
16 Mar 2023 - Kaia Sand
OPINION | 890 Street Roots supporters pitched in $30,000 of snow aid “ This snow pay is so generous and awesome," Dumpsta D, Street Roots vendor, said. "We really do love our customers for stepping up to the plate in true ‘Supportland’ style. It ...
7 Mar 2023 - Kaia Sand
OPINION | House Bill 2001 expands on Gov. Kotek's homelessness state of emergency People across the state are struggling with homelessness, and it’s not always easy to see. Not only are people in tents, but also in RVs and campers without access to w ...
1 Mar 2023 - Kaia Sand