Marla Duby loves to see people smile. It’s part of why she likes helping out at the Street Roots’ office in exchange for papers: people there are always smiling. She loves making people smile, too.
“I like helping people,” she said. “If someone needs a jacket or a blanket, I usually come to Street Roots to get a jacket or a blanket for them, for people living in tents outside.” Marla also donates extra papers to Street Roots vendors who are down on their luck to help them get back on their feet.
Marla sells the paper, too, but not as often as she used to. She is hard of hearing and reads lips, and masks make it difficult for her to understand people. Through the pandemic, she’s been helping at the Street Roots’ office alongside her husband, Street Roots’ Vendor Program Assistant James ‘Pops’ Duby.
Marla met Pops through a dating website in 2013. Seven days after meeting in person for the first time, Pops proposed. “It’s like true love,” Marla said. “Love at first sight - we understand about all that. We’ve been married for almost eight years now.”
Shortly after getting married on April 4, 2014, the couple was served a 90-days no-cause eviction notice. They had few options, and they landed on the street.
“I had never been homeless before,” Marla said. “It was so sad. But as long as I have Pops by my side, I’m fine. He protected me.”
Pops began working at Street Roots, and soon afterward, Marla and Pops found housing again.
“We were homeless for about 18 months. And finally, we got a place to go from [Transition Projects]. They helped us. And I got the Hope grant, and that helped me.”
They’ve been in their apartment for three years now, which they share with their two beloved dogs, Scooby and Maisie. They hope to find a new place in the future that is more ADA accessible, but for the time being, they’re happy.
Marla likes to spend her free time with her husband. One of their favorite activities is trying different restaurants together. Their latest visit was to The Cheesecake Factory.
“We like going out, going places, trying restaurants, trying new things together,” Marla said. “You never know, anything can happen. But you embrace that, what you have now. And today will be about today. You’re being with your significant other. Just enjoy it.”
For people just getting started with Street Roots, Marla offers this advice: “You will reach your goal. Just believe in yourself. It does help to keep your head up. Just be kind, and smile when you can.”
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.
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