News
Oregon Food Bank CEO: ‘We can’t solve hunger with simply more food’
As Oregon emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing remains a constant since long before it began: Low-income Oregonians are going hungry. Over the course of the pandemic, the Oregon Food Bank has ridden a wave of increased demand for food assistance throughout its network of 1,400 food assistance sites and 21 regional food banks…
When trans people age out of homeless services, often there’s nowhere to turn
While LGBTQ+-focused youth programs and housing assistance are growing across the U.S. and in Washington, D.C., transgender adults are being left behind after aging out of these programs in their mid-20s. “The system, the city does not do well,” said Earline Budd, a D.C.-area advocate for over 35 years and a non-medical case manager at…
Her grandmother brought Juneteenth to Oregon, and she’s determined to honor her legacy
This story was updated June 17 to add that a new law now makes Juneteenth a federal holiday. Clara Peoples was working at the Kaiser shipyards in 1945 when she ushered in her first celebration of Juneteenth in Portland. Having recently moved from Muskogee, Oklahoma, Peoples was part of a wave of African Americans who relocated…
Vendor Profiles
Street Roots vendor profile | Comfortable with herself
Inspired by the words she committed to memory, Tru Stark lives her life guided by a single quote: “Whatever you love, do it in such a way that inspires others to follow behind you boldly.” Tru, a trans woman, is awed by the feminine energy and power of Portland and inspired by the strong women…
Culture
In Vietnam and Oregon, the battle continues over Agent Orange
American chemical companies made an enduring mark on the human species with the creation of Agent Orange. While no longer in use, the genome-altering impacts of the herbicide are crippling descendants of people exposed to it — generations later. A documentary film released last year, “The People vs. Agent Orange,” revisits this old problem with…
Environment
In Vietnam and Oregon, the battle continues over Agent Orange
American chemical companies made an enduring mark on the human species with the creation of Agent Orange. While no longer in use, the genome-altering impacts of the herbicide are crippling descendants of people exposed to it — generations later. A documentary film released last year, “The People vs. Agent Orange,” revisits this old problem with…
Housing
Oregon poised for eviction crisis when rent comes due July 1
June 22 update: The Senate on Tuesday repassed Senate Bill 278. The bill, which now heads to Gov. Kate Brown's desk, will provide tenants eviction relief for 60 days if they can show their landlord they have applied for federal rental assistance. June 17 update: The Oregon House on Thursday amended and passed Senate Bill 278, which would protect…
Opinion
Kaia Sand | There’s plenty of trash talk. Ground Score puts people at the fore.
With his woven blanket attached like a cape, Lor wandered around a camp with a garbage bag attached to his waist. He dipped down repeatedly to pluck litter with his blue-gloved hand. He was one of a three-person Ground Score crew lugging out thousands of pounds of trash from Old Town. “Trash” has become shorthand…
