For Jermaine, one of his greatest values is hard work. Having sold newspapers with Street Roots since it was on Northwest Davis Street, he takes pride in the relationships he has cultivated and the structure he has created for himself. He values maintaining good relationships with his customers, including the manager of the Safeway where he sells newspapers, who he has known for seven years.
He views Street Roots as a job with a schedule and sees his role as a representative of the organization. Street Roots’ gear is his uniform, and he wears it anytime he’s selling newspapers. He also likes to carry a few Rose City Resource Guides and offer them to folks he meets who could use one.
Making money is a top priority, especially since he sends money to his family.
“That’s what I do this for, my kids,” he said.
Originally from Louisiana, Jermaine has lived in Portland for more than seven years. After spending some time with his family in Louisiana recently, he returned to Portland. He described moving to the city as “the best thing that could’ve happened to me.”
He appreciates Street Roots for the services and support system it provides. Staff sometimes secure his belongings while he attends a job interview or show up for him in court. When he asks if there are any clothes, team members look through their inventory. He also values the autonomy Street Roots provides. If there is a day where he takes a break from selling newspapers to hang out in the building’s main space, there is no judgment or infringement from the staff.
It can be challenging communicating to his customers that selling Street Roots does not automatically mean you are homeless. Take him, for example, as he currently lives in a tiny home. And even after he transitions into permanent housing, he wants to keep selling Street Roots.
Jermaine has observed the ways in which the city has changed over the course of his time living here, including the accessibility to housing. Still, this is the city where he wants to be, particularly because it has Street Roots.
To readers and supporters, he said, “Keep your head up.” And if people are in need of verifiable income, he highly recommends working with Street Roots.
Jermaine sells newspapers early in the morning until noon outside the Safeway on Northeast Broadway. You can support him through @StreetRoots Venmo, by entering his badge number (1367) 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 November 19, 2025.