The story behind Starfire’s street name is rooted in love. Growing up in the ‘80s, her favorite character from Teen Titans was a woman named Starfire whose boyfriend, Robin, poured his love and affection into Starfire. Alana Robinson chose Starfire as her street name because she feels she’s partnered with someone just like Robin.
“My boyfriend gives me love and devotion, she said. “He’s my best friend, my rider guy, my everything.”
Originally from Klamath Falls, Starfire moved to Portland because “there are so many amazing resources to get started in life. Especially for homeless people.” She came to Portland to “start fresh,” she said, “to start over, make new friends and to make connections with old friends and family.”
Once in Portland, Starfire found Sisters of the Road, where she said, “everyone kept telling me about Street Roots and how wonderful it is and that there are many benefits when you get involved with Street Roots. So, I thought, OK, I’ll give it a shot.”
She’s been with Street Roots since 2017 and she feels very much a part of the team.
“It’s wonderful to be in a community where people care about you,” she said. “People who work and gather at Street Roots are kind-hearted, loving and caring people.”
She also listed many of what she called the “benefits” of becoming a Street Roots vendor.
“You can come to Street Roots for layers of clothing, for tents and tarps and hand warmers," she said. "There’s a nice clean bathroom, a place to change. They give out so much. They make it possible to live.”
She also pointed out the day-to-day necessities that Street Roots provides.
“You can get your mail, charge your electronics,” she said. “A charged phone is essential when you’re trying to find housing and get a job.
“Street Roots is just a great place to come to in your time of need. If they don’t have what you need, they can point you to a resource that does. And the Rose City Resource Guide is an essential resource, especially for people who are new to town.”
Starfire and her boyfriend have moved out of the downtown area, where they feel it is no longer safe living in a tent. The irony, she explained, is that most of the resources are located downtown. They’ve moved southeast near the waterfront where she says there aren’t so many drugs and violent encounters.
During the recent winter event that brought nearly a foot of snow to Portland, Starfire and her boyfriend were able to get a motel room for warmth. When they returned to their site, their tent had collapsed, and their blankets were wet.
“But everything was still there!” she said, emphasizing the joy of living in a safe place.
Starfire and her boyfriend leave their tent once a month on the 21st to celebrate their anniversary by getting a motel room. “We get to enjoy our privacy,” she said. “We order pizza; we enjoy the TV, We celebrate.”
One of Starfire’s favorite hobbies is reading. “I love to read,” she said. “I get my books from Street Books. Diana (with Street Books) is one of my favorite people,” she said. “She’s so kind and caring.”
Starfire feels supported by the many resources in Portland and wants to share the news.
“Street Roots is for you if you want to start life off right,” she said.
You can support Starfire via @StreetRoots Venmo by entering her name and badge number (776) 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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