Opinion
International vendor spotlight: From Eritrea to Switzerland and freedom
After being persecuted for her religious beliefs, Tirhas Ghebremichael, 45, fled her home country of Eritrea for a new life in Switzerland nine years ago. She now sells the street paper, Surprise, in Bern where she has found freedom and happiness. But still, life is not always easy, she said. Finding full-time work to help…
Woodburn is my home: A young immigrant’s story of empowerment
I immigrated to Woodburn when I was 5 years old, from Michoacán, Mexico. Throughout the years, my family has emigrated from country to country: from Mexico to the U.S. and even to Canada. In each city, I had new experiences and lessons. However, I consider Woodburn my home because that is the place I’ve grown…
Director’s Desk: Support Street Roots in creating real change
Supporting Street Roots means giving people a hand up. It means giving people who may have lost everything a fighting chance. It means helping prevent dozens of your neighbors from becoming homeless. It means helping elders living on a fixed income to improve their quality of life. It means giving people hope and confidence. It means helping contribute directly to…
News
The Thermals’ Hutch Harris a musician by day, comedian by night
Hutch Harris has been making music out of Portland for 20 years – the past 13 as a member of the post-pop-punk band The Thermals, which he co-founded with his musical partner, Kathy Foster. The group plays as a trio with Westin Glass. For the past year, Harris has been dipping his toe into the…
How data miners, from Facebook to the feds, are eroding our democracy
Robert Scheer is a political writer, editor of Truthdig.com and an activist who has interviewed every president from Richard Nixon to Bill Clinton. He is the author of several books, including “They Know Everything About You: How Data-Collecting Corporations and Snooping Government Agencies Are Destroying Democracy,” which Nation Books released in February. He spoke with…
Housing protections for domestic violence survivors
FEATURED STORY: How Portland’s rental market is making a bad situation worse for domestic violence survivors. Domestic violence survivors renting in Oregon have several protections under the law put in place to help them find and maintain housing. These laws generally protect victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Discrimination is prohibited Landlords are…
Tough choice for domestic violence survivors: stay or be homeless
Portland’s cutthroat rental market is forcing an increasing number of domestic violence survivors to make a tough choice: stay in an abusive relationship or become homeless, according to local advocates who specialize in assisting survivors in crisis. “We’ve got moms with 4-month-old babies living on the streets. In that instance, I recognize that person chose…
Vendor Profiles
Street Roots vendor profile: Roy Cochran
Roy Cochran says he is rough around the edges but reveals he has a big heart and a taste for classical music. He was born in Toppenish, Washington, on the Yakima Indian Reservation. “I took after my grandfather and used to whittle little balls, chain links, little monkeys and whatnot. Also I used to make…
