John Munro has worked in some of the most picturesque places in the country.
“I’ve seen a lot of America. It’s got a lot of beautiful scenery,” John says. “I remember going out on the Gulf of Mexico, (working) where British Petroleum is. If you’re starving, it’ll do.” He laughs.
John liked his helicopter logging job on the Olympic Peninsula the best. “I was working high lead, planting trees, cutting cedar.” He also got stranded in Montana, working on a pipeline.
But a stint with the Navy during the Vietnam War, on-the-job injuries and a mo-ped accident contributed to a disabling condition for John.
“My mental illness is caused by a brain injury,” he says. “I don’t have the memory to learn skills.”
Because of his condition, he was unable to find another job. So instead, John volunteered at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
“A lot of guys get badgered for being disabled,” he says. “People think you’re lazy because you’re disabled. I used to do volunteer work just to be doing something.”
John found Street Roots through a contact at the VA.
“I could barely stand up when I started selling Street Roots,” he says. “My back was so messed up.”
Now, John is healing. “I feel pretty good,” he says. “I’m happy that I’ve got a job.”
He is living at a group home and says getting out makes him feel less isolated.
John explains that when he walks into the Street Roots office, “I say hi to everybody, go and have coffee, get newspapers, bullshit with everybody. I know all these guys. One guy, Bruce, was telling me about some sales techniques (to sell newspapers.) He used to be a used-car salesman. He helped me get my income up a little higher.”
John usually sells Street Roots near the Advantis Credit Union at Southeast Belmont Street and Southeast 30th Avenue. His customers buy his newspapers and give him coffee and banana bread.
“I talk to the babies and the dogs when they come by,” he says. “If you’re good to people, people will be good to you.”
Selling Street Roots is the longest job that John has held. He says, “I’m just glad I’ve got this one; this is one I can keep.”
At this point during the interview, Street Roots staffer Cole Merkel walks by and says, “I’m going to interject and say we’re glad we’ve got you, too, John.”
John stands up as the interview finishes.
“I had a good time today,” he says. “I’m glad I did get out. Sometimes it’s not just about always selling newspapers. You’ve got to have friends and stuff. Street Roots gets me out in the community, gets me out around people.”
