Street Roots Ambassador and Vendor Gary Serventi loves helping others. He started selling Street Roots about a year ago, has served on the Street Roots Ambassador team, and was a volunteer at Sisters of the Road.
“I like helping out. I’m retired and I like to give back where I can,” he said. “I volunteered at (Sisters of the Road) for two or three years. Now I sell the paper, although I’m not super consistent. I call myself a wandering vendor — I don’t like to stay in one spot for too long. I’m working on finding my spot.”
The Street Roots Ambassador work is fairly new to the 71-year-old. He started off visiting different camps and bringing hygiene kits.
“Now as of a couple of weeks ago, we’re doing a survey program — we are visiting camps and asking about people’s experience with homelessness and connecting them with housing and other services,” he said.
When he is visiting with people living in the camps, he leads with empathy, especially those with a history of addiction.
“I’ve been an addict for 30 some years. I have a lot of empathy. I like engaging with people. I used to be out there. I’d get clean but then I’d come back out,” he said. “I always knew I would quit, I just didn’t know when.”
“When I turned 70, I made the decision to get clean. I’ve been clean for a year now — only by the grace of God I survived. When I was in my addiction, that was my purpose. I have a good work ethic, but I never really had a sense of purpose. I’m indebted to Street Roots for giving me something to get out of bed for — I don’t have many hobbies, and Street Roots gives me a sense of purpose.”
Gary is looking forward to seeing his spouse Rachel up in Washington for Thanksgiving, even though they are separated. He is proud of the help he can now provide.
“She put up with me for more than 25 years. I’m finally learning to do the right thing and it feels good to help her. I just love her to death. I’m amazed she loved me. My spouse put up with so much — she amazes me. It pleases me greatly to help her. She’s a remarkable woman,” he said.
“I’m also looking forward to hip surgery; my hip is killing me. I can’t get scheduled until the pandemic is over. It’s tough to be a vendor and ambassador. It’s really hard on my hip. But I can’t stay closed in. Street Roots gives me the opportunity to get out and meet people and be productive,” he said. “I’m very grateful.”
When he’s not out visiting sites with the Street Roots Ambassador team, Gary can be found wandering around Portland and selling Street Roots, or in the Street Roots office where he is always happy to pitch in to help wherever needed.