By Ann-Derrick
Gaillot, Contributing Writer
Eileen Vizenor’s
life changed completely last December when she lost her home and all of her
possessions in the span of a few weeks. The experiences were devastating, but
none more than losing her two beloved cattle dogs after she couldn’t take care
of them anymore.
But these days
Eileen has a new companion to share life’s ups and downs with, a pudgy,
loveable Corgi who ambles by Eileen’s side. Eileen found Mollie Mae through a
listing on Craigslist, and though they have only been together for a couple
weeks, Eileen has already come to love her new companion. “It’s a hoot,” Eileen
says with a laugh. “I mean, we’re still getting to know each other. I can tell
she’s just got a big ol’ kind heart.”
Mollie Mae is just
one part of a large support group Eileen, who was born and raised in Portland
and Oregon City, has found over the past few months as she has determinedly
worked to build a new life. Since December, Eileen has begun selling Street
Roots, entered transitional housing, and returned to church. She visits The
Downtown Chapel (St. Andre Bessette Church) almost twice a week and sells
Street Roots after services.
“The priest there
and that church community are just awesome,” she says, wiping tears from her
eyes. “They’re just so helpful and nice and people can’t believe that, to look
at me, that I was homeless, but my motto is just because I don’t have a home
doesn’t mean I have to look like I don’t have a home. I’m getting my pride back
and my self-esteem. I’m learning to like myself again and like what I see in
the mirror.”
Eileen has also
found support in the many wonderful women she’s met through the different
centers and shelters around town. She hopes to be able to give back to these
organizations in the future.
“If it wasn’t for
these programs, this person and that person, this case manager, that case
manager who has been kinda herding me through, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I’m a much better, stronger person, a much, you know, obviously sober person.
So I’d definitely like to give back to the community.”
She is especially
happy, though, to have begun taking classes at Portland Community College,
returning to school after nearly 30 years. This summer term she will be
studying business administration and hopes to be able to volunteer at a dog day
care and adoption center. “But my personal goal is that within 10 years I’d
like to be a owner of my own doggy day care,” says Eileen. “I’d like to combine
my love of animals with my business administration, working for doggy day cares
or a humane society or an animal shelter. You’ve got to have goals.”
Indeed, what Eileen
has accomplished in just a few short months would feel impossible to most after
such personal losses. However, Eileen has managed to build up a network of
support and a store of personal strength simply from allowing herself to be
open to others and welcoming the experiences and knowledge they share. In turn,
she hopes to reciprocate this kindness through public service and, later,
publishing a book of her experiences to be placed in women’s resource centers around
town.
If ever you see
Eileen and Mollie Mae selling Street Roots outside of The Downtown Chapel or at
Union Station, stop by and say hello. Eileen has compassion and wisdom to share
while Mollie, though shy, welcomes the petting of kind strangers. Together they
make a heartwarming pair, set to make their own mark on Portland’s spiritual
and service communities.
This article appears in 2013-04-26.