Street Roots is grateful to the many individuals that have given to the summer fund drive this year. With your support we’ve raised nearly $12,000. Thank you!
The organization still needs to raise another $3,000 this summer to maintain the vendor program and newspaper this fall. We’re hoping you can take the time to give today.
Your donation goes to support individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty that sell the newspaper and access resources throughout the Portland region.
George Mays who sells at the downtown Multnomah County Courthouse says, “Street Roots gives me a chance to dialogue with people and use a model of self-sufficiency.”
“Street Roots gave us a spark of hope,” says Donna Bacon who became housed while with the organization. “They are there for their vendors and homeless people who want to change their lives for something better.”
Kevin Bynum became homeless nearly a year ago and Street Roots has helped him gain access to housing and stability. “I’m grateful to Street Roots because it keeps a roof over my head. I also get to meet hundreds of new people each day. We listen to each other’s stories.”
Vance Schweigart sells the newspaper downtown and in the Irvington neighborhood. Schweigart says that selling Street Roots allows him to pay for a room each night. “Street Roots customers are kind to me. They treat me like a real person, and not like a bum.”
Street Roots is a hand up, not a hand out.
Selling Street Roots allows for individuals to gain access to a supplemental income. It also allows for individuals to rebuild their lives in dignity – without having to beg.
It also allows individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty to give something back to the community. With each purchase of a newspaper you are helping an individual improve their quality of life – wheather that’s helping them access a roof over their heads or allowing them to eat healthy foods not available to many poor folk. The reader also gets something in return with a quality community newspaper. When you purchase Street Roots you are helping rebuild a person’s life.
Saying that, we can’t provide the newspaper to individuals on the streets without the broader community support. It takes money to run the vendor program and to publish a quality newspaper. We are asking for your help.
With a donation this summer you will be helping:
– Get the news out to 10,000 readers every other week – covering the issues that affect real people every day
– Provide an income for 80 men and women experiencing homelessness and poverty in Portland
– Lead strategic campaigns that improve the quality of life for residents with the fewest resources
– Connect thousands of low-income residents with vital services through the Rose City Resource
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Israel Bayer, Executive Director