Gary aims to be part of the solution through his work with the Street Roots Action Team
“I love being part of something bigger than myself,” Gary Serventi declared. “My name, Serventi, means being a servant. I have a servant’s heart.”
Being of service is what drew Gary to Street Roots. “It’s not about the money for me. I’m here to volunteer,” he explained.
When Gary was asked to join the Street Roots Vendor Action Team, “I jumped right in,” he said. The Action Team was created to give vendors a way to earn money distributing vital information and supplies to houseless Portlanders during the pandemic while the printing of the newspaper was suspended. The team has since expanded its role in the community.
As a team member, Gary earns a stipend by working at the Street Roots office. He serves as the bathroom and door monitor, making sure everyone is social distancing and wearing masks. He also helps clean the office and serves coffee. Recently he helped conduct a survey for Street Roots, and he also helps serve breakfast at the Portland Rescue Mission on Mondays.
He likes to quote one of the founding fathers of the Black Panthers, Eldridge Cleaver: “You either have to be part of the solution, or you’re going to be part of the problem.”
It’s a fundamental principle Gary tries to live by. “I’m learning how to be part of the solution,” he said. “It’s why I like to be a part of Street Roots. It’s my nature.”
Gary celebrated his 70th birthday in July, and he’s happy to discredit the maxim, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
“I’m growing up,” he said. “I’m maturing. I’m learning! I’m learning how to use discernment before internment. And I have finally put down the drugs. I’ve learned that my recovery must come first so that everything I love in life does not have to come last,” he said, quoting from Narcotics Anonymous. “Oh, how that quote resonates with me,” he said. “I’ve lived a reckless life. I’m finally learning how to be responsible.”
While he said that he’s always believed in himself, these days he’s learning how to trust in himself.
“Growing up as a foster kid, I was constantly rejected and told I was stupid. But deep down I knew – I have a good heart. I have always had great empathy and understanding with other people who are suffering. And I’m learning how to be more financially responsible,” he said. “There’s that word again: learning.”
Gary recently reconnected with his estranged wife, who lives in Longview, Wash. He’s learning how to budget his money so he can send her financial support every month. “That’s money I would have previously spent on drugs,” he said. “I’m learning how to be the man I want to be.”
They were married in 1974, but because of Gary’s addiction, they have been separated for the past 20 years. “Back then, I didn’t understand ‘for better or for worse.’ What did I know about love? I was a foster child who never felt love.”
Gary marveled at his wife’s continuing love for him over the years. “My wife put up with me throughout my drug addiction. I guess that’s what love is,” he said. “She loves me. I love her. It gladdens my heart! But we still have trust issues, so we’re taking our time.”
For the past three years, Gary has lived in the Sally McCracken house in the Old Town neighborhood. “I love my room,” Gary said. “It’s my home.”
Located on Northwest Sixth Avenue and Everett Street, his home is easy walking distance to the Max, to Street Roots, to Sisters of the Road, and to the Maybelle Center where he socializes with friends.
You can say hello to Gary at his post at World Foods, Northwest Eighth Avenue and Everett Street.
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