street roots
STREET ROOTS
Jan. 23, 2009
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ANNUAL REPORT
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| there’s no doubt about it — there have been better times to be a newspaper. But then, we’re not just any
I newspaper.
a For 10 years now, Street Roots has held to the principle that people want to learn from the individuals and
events around them, and readers have responded with their increased attention to our vendors and our content It is
that simple equation that is at the foundation of our organization — with the support of our readers comes the support
of our vendors.
For years, Street Roots had been tagged as "the homeless paper," a moniker that was entirely fitting in our early
years, but one that has not kept up with the times. Today, we have to look at the bigger pictures, still keeping an eye
focused on our community, but put in the context of issues affecting all of our lives.
Our editorial team now boasts about 40 volunteer writers, columnists, artists,
poets and photographers from on and off the streets, and reaching beyond Portland.
TWOiSOFTHE
Locally, we’re bringing you coverage on important issues that effect not just the
TRADEOFF
streets, but all of us as a community. When people on the streets protested City
Hall, no one provided more comprehensive coverage on the
history behind the street movement to end the criminalization
"The best journalism
of the hofneless. We brought you the frank and stirring series
from Tye Doudy, chronicling his life under addiction on
always combines in
Portland’s streets. And we introduced you to some wonderful
depth
reporting with a
people, many of them our own vendors, and said goodbye to
commitment
to public
Roger Gates, who’s passing brought to the surface the impact
one man on a corner can have.
service. That's Street
It is important to us not only to provide engaging articles
Roots."
and photography, but also to educate. In our recent special
— ANNA GRIFFIN
edition on affordable housing, we hope we helped sort out the
THE OREGONIAN
complex and often confounding world of affordable housing
development and all the strings attached.
In the year to come, we hope to infuse the paper with more culture, including
inspiring interviews with creative and intriguing personalities. And we have a world
of sister papers in partnership to deliver more news and commentary to our
Portland neighbors.
We will also be publishing our first poetry anthology. To keep up the pace with
all that’s going on, we’ve hired our first part-time reporter, Mara Grunbaum, and
launched a blog, www.streetroots.wordpress.com, to provide sneak peaks into new
editions, keep you posted on events, and generate a wider dialogue on the topics
important to our community.
We send out a special thanks to everyone who help make Street Roots a great
newspaper and a publication like no other in the Portland area. Because of your
support, as writers and readers, 2008 was a great year, and with all the changes
upon us, here in Portland and across the nation, stay posted in 2009.
Sincerely,
z Joanne
Managing Editor
"Street Roots has covered the
affordable housing crisis in a more
comprehensive and understandable
manaar than any other media outlet m
town. You have done a great service
to Portland in making clear the link
between the severe shortage of
affordable housing and
homelessness.”
— BOBBY WEINSTOCK
northwest pilot project
Thompson, and Rose City Resource Specialist Eddy Barbosa.
Sian up for weekly e-mail alerts from Street Roots at
www.streetroots.org. Check out our blog at www.streetroots.wordpress.com