Street Roots vendor Jacob “J” Irish is happy caring for others, but he has learned to care for himself too, as part of his long march to sobriety. On July 2, J celebrates his six-month anniversary free from methamphetamine, and he is proud.
Although Roseburg is his hometown, J moved to Portland in 2017 or 2018 and immediately fell into a pattern of drug use. He has been homeless and in and out of drugs until very recently. While still unhoused, he noted the many positive changes that have happened recently.
“Now I’ve got a job, I’m clean, and I’ve got people to support me,” he said. “I was tired of watching my own life and those around me completely tank. I realized I don’t deserve this trouble or this pain, so I got out of it.”
While J has some physical injuries preventing him from working many jobs, he has found his place at Street Roots and quickly fell into the rhythm of selling papers.
“It’s been a good fit,” J said. “When I first came to Street Roots, it made my day because I realized it’s more than just a job — it’s a family. The more time I’ve spent, the more I realize it’s true.”
He also likes earning his own income so he can provide for his loved ones, which include 4-month-old Mittens, a playful black and white tuxedo kitten, puppy Star, and Star’s mom, Snow. He also supports his girlfriend and his friend’s partner, making sure they all have food.
He noted that while it’s a lot of responsibility, he doesn’t even need an alarm clock, as he often awakens to Mittens running across his face in the morning, and one of the dogs pouncing.
He met his girlfriend three months ago through friends. He was stuck in Eugene and she gave him a ride to Portland, and things progressed from there.
“She’s honestly the love of my life,” J said. “I love her with everything I have.”
J is looking forward to this summer (if we ever get one, he quipped, like a true Oregonian), and loves to hunt, fish and hike. Some of his favorite spots include Cooper Creek near Sutherlin and Crater Lake, and he likes to go up to Mt. Hood and hunt rabbits for rabbit stew. Closer by, he likes going to the confluence of the Willamette and the Columbia Rivers, where he says salmon and steelhead are plentiful, and there is peaceful and relaxing overnight camping nearby.
He has quickly settled into selling papers and even now has a few regular customers. One of them recently brought him a dog bowl and a bag of dog food, and while he was grateful for the gift, it also symbolized belonging and that people cared about him.
He’s made quite a few friendships at Street Roots as well, and finds the community welcoming and supportive.
“If you’re a good person, people will like you,” J said.
J is currently saving up for housing now, and has big plans for the future.
“Five years from now, I’ll be housed, with a car, a happy wife and a happy life,” he said.
J has a spot selling Street Roots by Pioneer Square in front of Wells Fargo Bank near Southwest Sixth Avenue and Morrison Street, and he can also be supported via @StreetRoots Venmo by entering his name and badge number (728) in the notes.
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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