Becky Mullins, Staff Writer
Since opening it’s new distribution office in Portland’s Eastside, Street Roots has welcomed a new group of vendors in a new community. Martin Davidson was one of the first to get on board, signing up soon after the SR door was opened just two weeks ago.
Martin was born in Vancouver WA, in 1965. Martin moved to Portland when he was five years old. Martin has lived with his mother in the same house in NE Portland since 1968. Martin helps his mother with daily tasks as she is both disabled and has diabetes.
Martin excited to be able to try out new locations in hopes of developing a permanent turf and a strong customer base. “I like that I am my own boss and get to create my own hours and schedule. I like that the coordinators let me try new locations to find my permanent spot” Martin said.
Martin sells papers at his church, Englewood Christian Church, as well as Albertson’s located at 5850 NE Prescott.
When asked what his experience selling Street Roots has been like, Martin spoke of not only having money in his pocket for the first time in many years but also that he is excited to have a new way to get to know new people. “Customers have been very nice and I enjoy talking to them. I like that people notice Street Roots and ask me questions about the paper.” Martin especially enjoys selling the paper to the TriMet bus drivers on his weekday visits to the JOIN house at 81st Avenue and Halsey.
“I love it,” Martin says of the new JOIN facility. “It is a lot bigger. I like that the services are mostly on the (main) floor. I had a hard time with the stairs in the old building. I am excited for the lift elevator to open. Larger space and more lockers make it a lot nicer here. I am glad that now we are able to have a family room for when the children visit. JOIN uses a barter system that is great because people can work for the resources that they need. The best part are the showers, the token system gives 11 minutes and now we are able to allow more people to take showers. I am excited that the bathrooms are a lot bigger too.”
And he’s happy Street Roots is here, too.
“The paper is full of information about the homeless and the poetry is nice. We are mostly new vendors and looking to build a customer base. The transportation to the new office is a lot easier for me. Now I only take one bus to JOIN and visit the Street Roots office to buy my papers,” Martin said.
In his spare time Martin enjoys singing in his church choir, likes watching the Blazers, football and wrestling on the television. Sometimes, Martin likes to go to the movies or watch TV. Martin likes action packed movies and on his favorite TV show is “Operation Re-Po.” Martin is also learning new computer skills and likes to sometimes go horseback riding.
