Among Patti’s wishes is to see more housing built to improve the lives of homeless people
Patti Mancini, Street Roots’ 2017 Vendor of the Year, has been a consistent vendor at Northeast 43rd and Sandy since 2011. Her reliability and affability make her a favorite among her regular customers and the employees of Whole Foods, where she often greets them as they come in for work.
“We know when she’s here,” said Karrine, a Whole Foods barista. “She makes everyone’s day. We miss her when she’s not around.”
Patti got involved with Street Roots in early 2000s. She saw a flier posted and went to check it out. Although she gave it up for a time when she became housed, she came back for good in 2011.
“Street Roots for me was a lifesaver,” Patti said. “I tried to get a job elsewhere, but no one would hire me. Street Roots gave me a badge, and I started. I need money, and I have to pay rent. I’m going to sell Street Roots until I get Social Security.”
Patti’s steadiness has earned her the respect and friendship of her regular customers. She has always sold Street Roots at this bustling corner in Portland’s Hollywood District — and she has an apartment two blocks away, she said, pointing to a large high-rise nearby.
“I’ve got a lot of regular customers,” she said. “I have one customer right now who comes in early Saturday morning. He brings me a hot coffee and breakfast. It has been about six months now. That kindness is wonderful. He’s 70 years old and recently retired. It means a lot to me.”
Patti wants her customers to know that she likes communicating with people and that her personal interactions with customers are meaningful for her.
Housed for about 16 years now, Patti has high hopes for the next decade for Portland. She’d like to see more housing built to improve the situation for homeless people.
“When you sleep on the streets, you don’t really get much sleep. You’re really tired. And it really affects your health,” she said. “Being housed has made my life more wonderful. I’ve been in my current spot for almost 12 years now. I’ve developed positive relationships with the community.”
She has some personal hopes for 2020, too.
“I’d like to get healthy. I had some bad health issues last year. I hope it’s better in 2020. You miss more work when you’re not healthy, and you miss income,” she said.
Patti recently got on Facebook, as a way to connect with family. She has a sister in Louisiana and other family members all over the country.
“Reconnecting with my family has been recent; it’s a way for me to find out more, to talk to them. Maybe a real-life meeting in the future. I’d like to see them some time, but Facebook has been a great way to stay connected.”
When Patti is not outside the Whole Foods store in the Hollywood District, another longtime vendor, Leo Rhodes, can be often found in her place.
Patti’s request to readers: Keep buying the paper and supporting vendors.
Her advice to vendors is to stay the course.
“Keep selling those papers, even if the weather is awful. You can do it.”
Email Executive Editor Joanne Zuhl at joanne@streetroots.org; follow her on Twitter @jozuhl
Street Roots is an award-winning, nonprofit, weekly newspaper focusing on economic, environmental and social justice issues. Our newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.
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