Ambassadors

The Street Roots Ambassador Program builds on the talents and expertise of people on the streets while diversifying income opportunities at Street Roots.

Street Roots Ambassador Program Manager Raven Drake and Lead Ambassador Gary Barker meet regularly to strategize new horizons for ambassador work. Sometimes they match their attire.

At any one time, ten Street Roots vendors work as Ambassadors on particular projects for which they are paid. These include

bringing information to unhoused people (such as public health information on COVID-19, fire dangers, etc)
conducting surveys to inform policy
leading Civic Circles to help unhoused and housed neighbors come to know each other
serve on our Gratitude Brigade to thank our supporters

What has became the Street Roots Ambassador Program began in March 2020, when Street Roots vendor Raven Drake set up a medical tent on the edge of Interstate North where people from neighboring camps could be isolated should they be stricken with COVID-19. Raven next advised the Multnomah County Health Department on materials to communicate information about COVID-19 to unhoused people, and then launched a Coronavirus Action Team of Street Roots vendors with Tina Drake to deliver that information to over 1000 unhoused people. That action team also distributed mail to hundreds of people who receive their mail at Street Roots, served coffee, helped people physically distance in lines. and signed people up for their federal stimulus money. Teams also made gratitude phone calls to supporters and ran a Census Assistance Center through the #WeCountOregon campaign.

The COVID-19 Action Team transformed from a crisis response to the Ambassador Program on Oct. 1, 2020, when Raven Drake joined the staff as Ambasador Program Manager. Soon after, Gary Barker began working as Lead Ambassador. This fall and winter, the Ambassadors have conducted surveys, in partnership with Portland State Homelessness Research Collaborative, to bring input from unhoused people to policy work.

They also continue to do outreach to unhoused people to bring out necessary supplies and information which builds on our work with Rose City Resource. They also do other projects at Street Roots, including outreach to support (our stellar Gratitude Brigade) and hospitality with vendors.

The Ambassador Program draws from our strength as a media organization. We have years of experience delivering news, communicating with the public and each other, and embarking in creative expression. As such, ambassadors are working on the following initiatives:

Outreach of supplies and information to unhoused people, extending the work of our Rose City Resource.
Survey work to inform policy work and public knowledge (frequently in partnership with Portland State Homelessness & Action Collaborative);
Goodwill and hospitality at Street Roots in support of other unhoused people as well as communication with Street Roots supporters (through our Gratitude Brigade)
Journalism through our Mobile Journalism initiative (MOJO), spearheaded by Gary Barker, Lead Ambassador
Creative expression, including writing and art publications, performances and exhibitions.

These are low barrier employment opportunities. We see the barriers to employment and housing that many people face as deriving from experiences that can also be strengths in particular jobs. We aim to connect our ambassadors with new work opportunities based in their aptitudes and skills.

We strive to not duplicate, but rather partner and refer to other organizations that also provide low barrier work opportunities.

As such, we uplift Ground Score for contracts and jobs in waste management; Outside the Frame for film making; Stone Soup in culinary skills; and – for youth looking for barista or bike repair skills, p:ear.

People gather on an outdoor basketball court at Sunnyside Environmental School in Southeast Portland

Kaia Sand | There is room for all in this circle

OPINION | When housed and unhoused neighbors gathered at a Portland park to listen to each other, new opportunities emerged

Kaia Sand

December 30, 2020

Kaia Sand | Housing crisis spreads as people flee fires and toxic air

Opinion | Street Roots suspended our print edition this week because of the air quality

Kaia Sand

September 12, 2020

Kaia Sand | Counting unhoused people in the 2020 Census is crucial

OPINION | Under the direction of Street Roots staffer Mallory Smith, our vendors are helping unhoused people take the Census

Kaia Sand

July 17, 2020

Street Roots vendor profile | The strength to carry on

Josephine has learned to adapt and has stayed true to herself

Pat Zimmer

July 15, 2020

People who struggle need more direct cash from the federal government

DIRECTOR’S DESK | Street Roots is connecting impoverished people with cash assistance, stimulus checks and tax credits, but it’s not enough

Kaia Sand

May 15, 2020

Street Roots is well versed in addressing challenges with creativity

DIRECTOR'S DESK | We can build a better future, even though we don’t yet know what that is

Kaia Sand

April 24, 2020

Street Roots vendor profile: We are building trust

Soon after Alex joined Street Roots, he became part of the Coronavirus Prevention and Action Team, taking resources to people on the streets

Robin Havenick

April 20, 2020

A Street Roots wedding

Vendors Max McEntire and Deanna Handley tied the knot at our office in Old Town, while guests watched from a distance

DeVon Pouncey

April 16, 2020

At Street Roots, we work through tough times with hope and grace

DIRECTOR’S DESK | As we confront this pandemic, we continue to look toward our best future

Kaia Sand

March 27, 2020

Vendors take supplies and COVID-19 information to the streets

DIRECTOR'S DESK | Accustomed to getting the news out, they are becoming the media in a new way — by word of mouth

Kaia Sand

March 12, 2020

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