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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2002)
february 1. 2002 * ¡mmt o ut. j 5 : u ) \ i i \ w }i ^ u n e w s P itching a T ent Continued from Page 1 The two have experienced a certain degree of homophobia at Dignity Village. The other people “won’t admit it, hut you can hear it all the time," Dolton says. She and Amo know Portlanders consider the Village a homeless camp, hut they believe “homeless" is a misnomer. “1 don’t think we’re homeless,” Dolton says. “We’re houseless. Because we do have an address and a phone." Although the Villagers might not he liv ing in traditional dwellings, the sense of community creates the atmosphere of a home. The tents are set up close together, ranging in size from small camping tents to full, walk-in rooms. The headquarters are located in a trailer, where residents can access a telephone and receive mail. The Village even has an Internet site, www.outofthedMrways.org, chronicling its his tory and members. As with any community, there is discontent and feuding, hut Dolton and Amo report little theft or violence. People of all ages and backgrounds live at Dignity, and a security system is in place to ensure no one causes trouble. “People who have been eighty-sixed from the camp come and try to promote violence.. .hut there is a lot of secur ity in the form of people who live here already,” Amo says. Late last month, Amo moved back home to Sherwood with her parents, who are “hard-core Christians," according to Dolton. “She wasn’t getting along with Dignity Village,” Dolton says. “She wouldn’t abide by the rules.. .she just started retaliating. And I told her that’s her choice, but I’m not gonna put up with that, you know, because the heat comes back on me. I finally couldn’t take it. She may be back, she might not. It’s up to her.” Dolton is unsure whether they are still a couple. “We may be having a time apart, we might he broken up, to he honest with you,” she says. Meanwhile, Dolton has other plans for the near future. A full-blooded Inuit, she is trying to get her papers together to enroll in the tribe. So far, the prtx:ess has taken her 17 years. “Once I get the papers, I can get into hous ing,” she says. “1 can get a state job that pays well, and I’ll get full medical and dental benefits. 1 don’t want to go to the reservation. I’d rather he out here. I’m more comfortable. I’d like to go back to school and look into the fields of law and paralegal work.” Bean Dolton is grateful that Dignity Village helped her get back on her feet For now, Dolton is looking for another full-time When asked if she feels safe at Dignity Vil at the Gap, where her bosses didn’t care about temp job. She eventually would like to move to Alaska and work at a cannery or on a fishing boat. lage, Dolton says: “Theoretically, myself. her housing status. She is grateful that Dignity Village helped Sometimes.” “It was not an issue at all whatsoever," she her get back on her feet. “I thank them a lot for At least 60 people live in the camp, and says. “They were really cool about it.” that.... I asked for a hand to help, and they’ve the turnover rate is high at times. Conditions olton is one of the lucky ones: A few always been there. They’ve always been very are unpredictable, hut Dolton and Arno feel „J weeks after Just Out interviewed her, she supportive.” especially protected by certain members of The ultimate goal, Dolton says, is to stay off the camp who have taken them under their moved into a trailer parked across the street from Dignity Village. Her mother bought it for the streets permanently. “T hat’s what I’m wing. “Our guys in our pod love us and protect us," her “as kind of a bonus for staying out of working towards right now. This is my opportu nity, and I’m taking advantage of it. It’s scary Dolton says. “We all hang out. Every time we trouble last year,” she says. “1 went from tent trash to trailer trash," she living on the streets down here, especially scream, there’s someone there.” Dolton adapted amazingly well to life in the jokes. “It’s a big difference. The only thing I nowadays. I went out last night and almost got cold and damp. She just finished a seasonal job have to worry about is running out of propane.” my butt beaten.” jH I %$v<P How DO THE NEW TAX LAWS AFFECT YOU? Floreid Walker, Senior Financial Advisor, can tell you. In June 2001, Congress enacted sweeping new tax legislation. The changes can be overwhelming. For over a decade, Floreid has been successful in helping hun dreds of non-traditional couples, domestic partners and families understand complex tax and financial issues. From Long-Term Care and Disability Insurance to IRAs and College Planning, you’ll receive accurate answers to your tough questions. 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