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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 2011)
5 street roots Jan. 7, 2011 makers, it’s that everybody deserves a second chance. “We have two hundred employees farmers or developmentally disabled adults. altogether, and fifty of them are ex-cons, so PSU’s website describes social practice as we have a lot of people who were basically something that “might appear to be more on the street when we hired them. I can like sociology, anthropology, social work, show them by example that it works hiring journalism, or enviromSentalism than art, these people. Of course you have to do your or his part, Dave liked the idea of yet it retains the intention of creating homework on anybody you hire. But if you creating a larger project around the significance and appreciation for audiences story of his life. “I’ve never had any problem hire people who have been through in a similar .way to more conventional art.” adversity and have come out of it stronger, telling people about my story. It kind of The program was a great fit for Varinthorn, helps me stay clean and remember where who was now determined to create projects I’ve been." Varinthorn suggested that they around people. create a book that would expand on his “It’s something that makes the most story, and from the beginning, they both sense to me. When I first started focusing agreed that whatever their collaborative on sustainability, I visited the UN website project produced, it would be offered free to and it said “sustainability can’t be successful correctional facilities and juvenile detention in only one area. It must cover four areas: centers across the United States. Over the human, social, next few years, Dave worked and reworked economy, and the his story while Varinthorn proposed various environment” book designs. When Dave told her she could Varinthom’s projects - use photos from his past, including a string were also informed by of intimidating mug shots from his more her own struggles as "We have two hundred troubled days, she went to request copies at an immigrant to the the courthouse in Portland, a particular employees altogether, and United States, trying thrill since she had just become a citizen fifty of them are ex-cons, so to find work, and to and it was her first visit there. learn a new language. we have a lot of people who This fall, Varinthorn received, a grant In her project were basically on the street from the Regional Arts and Culture Council “Friggen Rich,” she to publish a final version of their book when we hired th e m .... If helped design new project, which is titled “Good Seed.” The you hire people who have menus for food cart- book begins with an introduction by owners whose first been through adversity and Varinthorn, and then Dave’s story takes off. Told with unflinching candor, he describes have come out of it stronger, language was not English. In 2007, the his drug addiction and violent crimesi his those people can be some of Willamette Week incarceration and his eventual your very best, most published an editorial transformation. There are photos of his motivated, most accountable by her, defending a family, of him both in and out of prison, and former co-worker who many of the aforementioned mug shots, people. A ll you've got to do had been criticized by some of them showing a defiant Dave, some is give them a chance. a food reviewer for battered and bloody. The first half of the lacking adequate those people can be some of your very best, book is handwritten in No. 2 pencil by English. most motivated, most accountable people. Varinthorn, a nod to the tool of Choice “I love the All you’ve got to do is give them a chance. allowed in prisons. When Dave gets out of underdog story,” she Give them a chance to prove themselves prison for the last time, the text of the story says, “people who go an d th e y will m a k e y o u r company better.” is typewritten, a^ y m b o lic gesttffe o f th e ' through something and change themselves, Varinthorn Christopher continues her change he’s undergone, and the'hew or transform themselves.” But it took the social sustainability projects, and is an possibilities available to him now. prompting of her professor, artist Harrell adjunct professor a t PSU and PCC. She Varinthorn organized an event in Fletcher, for Varinthorn to screw up her credits the faculty at PSU for her success. December to celebrate the publication and courage to contact Dave. “They are so dedicated to their teaching and offer free copies of “Good Seed.” “When I . “I’m shy so it was a challenge to contact they also inspired me and my projects as saw Dave signing the book that day,” she him,” she says. But she believed his story well.” says, “I thought it was the most fulfilling was compelling, and saw in it the perfect act project. The moment I saw it, I felt like The “Good Seed” project has reinforced project. “I read his story <5n the bread bag, Varinthorn’s belief in the possibility of everything was complete. Everything I have and thought about it as a larger story.” redemption. “Don’t judge a person based on been doing for three years was worth it H er challenge, once she made contact the way they look dr dress. I think everyone Seeing him sit and sign copies of his book with Dave, was to explain her interest in deserves a second chance. Just like the was really incredible.” him. At one of their first meetings, ex-con that saved me. Because he did that, Today, Dave Dahl is vice president of the Varinthorn says Dave asked, “Be honest he gave me a second chance to live. And so bread company and continues to advocate with me:'Why are you interested in an I want other people to believe in the same for people who are trying to make positive ex-con?” H er answer was its own compelling thing too.” changes in their lives. If there’s anything he story: As a child, she had eaten some of her has to say to business owners and policy grandmother’s sleeping pills and heart BREADMAKER, from page 5 medication while her grandmother was away at the market, and it was an ex-con neighbor who discovered her and drove her to the hospital, saving her life. F Giving Back Albina Community Bank Varinthorn Christopher, right, with Dave D ahl at the book signing fo r Good Seed. P H O TO COURTESY OF V A R IN T H O R N C H R IS T O P H E R SISTERS OFTHE Meet Your Local Branch Manager: “C om m unities aren’t ju s t streets a n d build ings. C om m unities are thriving places where cultures, commerce a n d souls grow stronger together. ” - M a ry Mary Edmeades Social Impact Banking 503.445.2155 medmeades@albinabank.com < — p M em b e r IÆ .1 c r t i r Winterfolk 23 is February 5th Benefit for At Albina Community Bank the most ordinary financial transaction can have an extraordinary impact on our local community. Sisters Of The Road headlined by Tracy Grammer. You’re going to bank somewhere, why not let your banking make a difference in the places where you live and work? Tickets on sale now at the LENDER r Want a vendor in your neighborhood? • Call us at 503-228-5657. Aladdin Theater Box Office and Ticketmaster. $28 advance, Tracy G ram m er $30 day of show Buy your chance to WIN a Taylor 615 Jumbo Guitar! Tickets $10 each! 133 NW 6th Ave. Portland, OR 97209 Raffle tickets available at Artichoke Music, Portland Fret Works and Sisters’ Office 503-222-5694 www.sistersoftheroad.org
