Tamara Knapper is well-known around Portland and Street Roots for her kindness and friendly disposition. She grew up in Portland, right off of Northeast Broadway Street near the Lloyd Center, and her connection to the community runs deep.
She’s also known for being motivated and hardworking. Her dedication to her work at Street Roots makes that clear: she’s been a vendor for more than three years, and now, she’s also a Street Roots Ambassador and a member of the Street Roots’ Mobile Journalism, or MoJo, program.
On top of all that, she’s also a mother of five.
“My main motivation is always to support my kids,” she said.
As an ambassador, she’s been conducting surveys to help assist people experiencing homelessness.
“We go and ask people what their needs are and what we could do to help them,” she said. “And we try to meet their needs if it’s possible.”
In the MoJo program, she’s been working on her writing — a passion of hers — by developing her voice and phrasing.
“I’m trying to figure out how to gather support for people in difficult situations,” she said. “So I tend to write about that.”
As a vendor, she tries to sell 20 to 30 papers a week. You can find her most weekends at her post outside of Basics Market at 938 NW 14th St.
“My customers are so generous,” she said.
Tamara got started at Street Roots three years ago. She met a vendor selling papers, and she thought it seemed like an interesting job. At the time, she was making $40 a week and was desperately in need of income.
“It was really a struggling period for me,” she said. “I came to Street Roots to increase my finances to help support me and my five children.”
She had once experienced homelessness when her first daughter was young, before she had other kids. They stayed in shelters at night and tried to get by during the day. The experience inspired her to help others experiencing homelessness.
“It was tough,” she said. “But we made it through.”
She offers this advice to people who are struggling:
“Always look for resources, because there is help out there. Read the Street Roots Resource Guide. I think doing that may help a lot of people in their struggles.”
Tamara has more stability these days. She lives alone in an apartment, and her children, who she sees often, have housing of their own.
“My kids are doing pretty good in their lives,” she said. “But they’re still having struggles at times, and I want to help them out.”
One of her sons is pursuing a career as a rapper and musician, and Tamara likes to help promote his music.
She’s also been spending time working on her sewing, something she hasn’t done since she was a kid.
“I’ve not really adapted to my sewing machine yet,” she said. “I used to take sewing when I was in middle school, and I’m trying to do it again. So I have to train myself there. I have ideas for projects I’d like to finish.”
In the future, Tamara wants to buy some land and a small home.
But for the time being, Tamara’s keeping busy at Street Roots and around town.
“I just want to encourage people to keep their heads up and to look for resources, because they’re out there, you just gotta keep your search up,” she said. “There are avenues to come out of homelessness and restore your life.”
Street Roots is an award-winning weekly publication focusing on economic, environmental and social justice issues. The newspaper is sold in Portland, Oregon, by people experiencing homelessness and/or extreme poverty as means of earning an income with dignity. Street Roots newspaper operates independently of Street Roots advocacy and is a part of the Street Roots organization. Learn more about Street Roots. Support your community newspaper by making a one-time or recurring gift today.