“I know I’m safe here in the community of Street Rooters,” Velma Carter said.
Street Roots has provided Velma with the warmth of community as well as tangible support. From cups of coffee to her sweet kitten, Ghost, Velma is grateful for the generosity she’s received from this community. Recently, a Street Roots employee helped Velma obtain a van and leave her tent behind.
“I finally got a bed and that’s heaven right now,” Velma said.
Velma knows what it’s like to be housed and houseless, having toggled between the two much of her adult life.
“I can see the houseless community from the housed perspective,” Velma said. “When I was housed, I could see the clutter and the trash.”
At the same time, she wants to offer her viewpoint from the houseless perspective.
“I’m only houseless right now because I lost my paycheck. I was one paycheck away and I lost that paycheck. I’m just trying to make life work,” Velma said.
Velma’s Street Roots customers brighten her day. Many of the Target employees buy papers from her each day. She has also attracted some regular customers with her quick wit and friendly chat and reports that the community has been truly generous.
“My customers, they like talking to me so I try and be there for ‘em,” Velma siad.
That’s not always easy for Velma, whose journey with self love and acceptance has made it difficult for her to take the initiative to trust or interact with people at times.
“I’m starting to learn and be able to be me,” Velma said. “I never felt quite right in my own skin.”
Street Roots has played a vital role in helping Velma see herself differently. She credits selling the paper with introducing her to a healthier, more active lifestyle and says she’s lost over 100 pounds and is feeling healthier.
“I’ve lost 40lbs in the past month and a half walking and selling,” said Velma.
Velma also credits her current relationship with helping her find the courage and confidence to take care of herself. Velma identifies as non-binary and is in a polyamorous relationship with two partners – who are also Street Roots vendors.
“I’m starting to learn and be able to be me,” Velma said. Having partners who love her is helping Velma see her own worth.
Velma knows she is here for a reason.
“My reason is to put a smile on at least one person’s face every day. You never know what’s going on in someone’s life, so just smile.”
Velma sells Street Roots at the Target on Southwest 10th Avenue at the Galleria Max stop most days between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. You can also support Velma through @StreetRoots Venmo by entering her name and badge number (732) in the notes.
Street Roots is an award-winning weekly investigative publication covering economic, environmental and social inequity. 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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