For two days this spring, Street Roots vendors, volunteers, staff and board met to hash out what the next three years of the organization might look like.
Understanding that Street Roots went to a weekly publication schedule in January, something the organization had been working toward, it was clear that the next three years needed to be about improving and building on what we have accomplished. It was also clear that we needed a strategic plan for success, but not to grow too fast.
Themes that boiled to the top of the two-day planning session included better ways to support the vendor program and offering more opportunities to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Finding ways to give vendors a raise, offering better services and quality transportation options are all key to supporting the people we serve. Elevating vendor and community voices was equally as important. Of course, improving the newspaper and remaining relevant in an ever-changing media environment is also critical to the success of the organization.
Street Roots is about to reach the six-month mark of weekly publication. It is a heavy lift in itself. At the heart of weekly publication is giving people experiencing homelessness and poverty a more stable income to improve their quality of life. That has everything to do with the relationships built in the community between readers and vendors.
“Weekly has been working out for the vendors in greater ways than we could have anticipated,” says Cole Merkel, Street Roots vendor coordinator. “Readers are supporting around 120 vendors every week to earn an income. Sales have gone up 50 percent over the first 5 months of last year, and, overall, the energy has been really positive in the vendor office. Our vendor team right now is clearly motivated and driven. We have some of the hardest workers in Portland, doing everything they can to improve their quality of life.”
It’s been a truly amazing transition. It’s something that we are constantly working on and trying to improve. From working with local businesses and vendors to providing quality content and journalism, to being a platform of social justice in our community. Everything we do at Street Roots is about relationships and lifting people up, including our collective community.
“Street Roots helps me meet people,” says Jermaine Johnson, a Street Roots vendor. “It brings the community together — all the vendors, all the customers — to be able to go out and do this: to sell the paper and have love for the people. It’s a constructive job.”
So this summer you can help by spreading the word about Street Roots. One of the ways you can do that is by turning your network on to the newspaper. Pick up an extra copy of the paper and leave it out your local haunt or at work. Have friends or family visiting? Let them know about the paper when they are out and about.
“Street Roots is a conduit for improving my life,” says David Walker. “Homelessness doesn’t equate to hopelessness. Everyone deserves a chance at happiness. My customers provide me with that opportunity! Thank you.”
True that. Thank you readers. We couldn’t do it without you. We appreciate all of your love. More than you can imagine. Read on.
