Adrian Delbosque loves Street Roots. His conversation regularly came back to his gratitude and appreciation for the connections he has made in his two months selling Street Roots papers.
“It means a lot to me,” he said. “You get to meet people and you see the expression on their face when you’re selling the newspaper. You get the feeling of being a person.”
Adrian was born in Seattle but has memories of coming to Portland to compete in collegiate wrestling at the Memorial Coliseum before moving here to be with family. Adrian shared how much he loved wrestling:
“It was really cool because you’re an athlete and you’re in shape and when you win you get a wrestling medal, you know, a trophy and you get the honors that you’re undefeated,” he said. “Plus, you’re doing it for you and you’re doing it for your school.”
These days, his favorite activities include reading science fiction and thriller novels, listening to music from the likes of Steely Dan and Cat Stevens, and of course, selling Street Roots newspapers. He emphasized that while selling the newspaper is a way for people to make money, the connection and care he has found is what makes it so special.
“This place helps me out a lot,” he said. “Even though I’ve only been here for some time I feel that I’m a part of something here in Portland. It’s touched my heart because I’m 53 years old and I’ve seen a lot out here. They’re full of companionship and leadership and they’re great, it’s like being a family here.”
One of the many meaningful interactions Adrian has had while at Street Roots involved a customer who went out of her way to procure and give Adrian a $20 bill for a newspaper.
“I thought it was kind of like being a part of something, you know?” he said. “Because she was really, really, really, really happy, you know? And she just gave me a $20 bill and the newspaper only costs a dollar. She didn’t have much conversation with me — she was just smiling, so I thought that was pretty cool.”
Adrian wrapped up his interview with a final message for his readers:
“Be kind,” he said. “Be kind to each other and love one another and remember: we matter. Every one of us.”
You can often find Adrian selling by Helen’s Market on Broadway, though he likes to sell at multiple locations and hasn’t landed on one specific station yet. If you would like to support him, Venmo @StreetRoots and include Adrian’s badge number (1275) in the memo.
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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This article appears in September 24, 2025.